Classic Episodes: All In The Family – Sammy’s Visit

Six months before Sammy Davis Jr. hugged Richard Nixon at the Republican National Convention, he kissed America’s most lovable bigot. Davis’s guest appearance on All in the Family in February 1972 raised the groundbreaking sitcom’s level of racial repartee to new heights.

In “Sammy’s Visit,” Davis comes to Archie Bunker’s home to retrieve a briefcase he left in Archie’s cab. The script captures the mixed feelings someone like Davis might elicit from someone like Archie: Respect (Archie lets Davis sit in his chair) and awkwardness (the classic gaffe, “Do you take cream and sugar in your eye?”) mingle with prejudice (Archie refuses to drink a toast from a glass that has touched Davis’s lips).

“If you were prejudiced, you’d go around thinking you’re better than anyone else in the world, Archie,” says Davis. “But I can honestly say you’ve proven to me that you ain’t better than anybody!” This dis is followed by that kiss — planted on a startled Archie. Davis, incidentally, was a huge AITF fan; he considered his guest shot here as thrilling as his first big break in showbiz.

“I loved the statement this episode made,” recalls Jean Stapleton, who played Archie’s wife, Edith. “Sammy Davis Jr. was great. I’ve always had doubts about the use of a real-life person in a fictitious story, in terms of playwriting. But the whole thing worked, and that surprised me and opened my mind.”

Original Airdate: February 19, 1972

Alastair James is the editor-in-chief of Memorable TV, leading the charge in covering today's must-see television. A lifelong television enthusiast, his passion began with a deep dive into the world of classic sci-fi, culminating in his role as editor of "Beyond the Static," a publication devoted to celebrating iconic sci-fi series. While his love for classic television remains, Alastair's focus at Memorable TV is firmly on the present, analyzing the latest trends in the television landscape, from gripping crime dramas to the ever-evolving strategies of Survivor. His insights have been featured in numerous publications. At Memorable TV, Alastair's goal is to provide readers with sharp commentary, engaging reviews, and in-depth analysis of the shows dominating the current conversation.