Many differences and similarities exist between All in the Family, and contemporary sitcom television. For instance, if we look at Weeds as a prime example:
First off, All in the Family was created in the 1970s. The writers of the series would never dream of including some of the subject matter seen in Weeds. One could say that All in the Family was too afraid to "go there" back then, but if the show were able to be narrowcasted on specific cable television networks like Weeds is today, would it still have been afraid to "go there"? So there are era-defining moral differences between the shows as well as technological differences that may or may not shape each other.
Another difference in the shows are the production styles. All in the Family was shot with multiple cameras in front of a live studio audience. The production was like taping a theatrical performance. On the other hand, Weeds is shot with a single camera, much like a movie would be shot. The actors perform the scene multiple times from different angles.
Although the subject matter in Weeds is undoubtedly more contentious than in All in the Family, All in the Family certainly "went there" for its own era. It touched on many controversial issues of the time, and 'commented' on them through the episodes. In the episode we watched during our screening, Archie was a 'comment' on some peoples' attitudes of homosexuality during that time. It pointed out the close-mindedness of people during that era. In comparison, Weeds does the same thing. It 'comments' on today's controversial matters, specifically marijuana prohibition, and points out the ridiculousness of marijuana's role in contemporary West Coast society. With the California's upcoming election in November and the country's growing acceptance towards medical marijuana, Weeds will be a comment on history as our generation looks back on the first two decades of the new millennium.
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