Those Were the Days

"Those Were the Days" is the second pilot episode for what became "All in the Family". Apparently, the network hated the first one so they made a second pilot (which wasn't unusual and showed they had SOME interest). Still, much of what's in the second pilot isn't in the first aired show...with different actors playing Mike and Gloria (they are called Dickie and Gloria) as well as Lionel. There's also a much more open floor plan for the set.

The story finds Archie going with Edith to church for the first time in years. However, after they return, Archie is in a grouchy mood and gets into an argument with Dickie about the existence of God. Much of what they say was actually re-used later in the first aired episode "Meet the Bunkers". And, incidentally, the SAME as the first pilot! Like that episode, Archie's repertoire of racial and ethnic slurs is MUCH more offensive and colorful than you'd later hear on the show.

So is this good? Yes. It does seem weird seeing different actors and overall I'd say it's a nice curio for folks who love the show and are curious to see what it could have been.