After stations' and viewers' complaints caused ABC to cancel Turn-On (a sketch comedy series developed by Laugh-In'''s George Schlatter) after only one episode in February 1969, the network became uneasy about airing a show with a "foul-mouthed, bigoted lead" character, and rejected the series at about the time Richard Dreyfuss sought the role of Michael. Rival network CBS was eager to update its image and was looking to replace much of its then popular "rural" programming (Mayberry R.F.D., The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres) with more "urban", contemporary series and was interested in Lear's project; by this point, Gleason was no longer under contract to CBS (his own show was among those eliminated), allowing Lear to keep Carroll O'Connor on as the lead. CBS bought the rights from ABC and retitled the show All in the Family. The pilot episode CBS developed had the final cast and was the series' first episode.
after stations' and viewers' complaints caused abc to cancel turn-on (a sketch comedy series developed by laugh-in'''s george schlatter) after only one episode in february 1969 the network became uneasy about airing a show with a "foul-mouthed bigoted lead" character and rejected the series at about the time richard dreyfuss sought the role of michael rival network cbs was eager to update its image and was looking to replace much of its then popular "rural" programming (mayberry rfd the beverly hillbillies petticoat junction and green acres) with more "urban" contemporary series and was interested in lear's project; by this point gleason was no longer under contract to cbs (his own show was among those eliminated) allowing lear to keep carroll o'connor on as the lead cbs bought the rights from abc and retitled the show all in the family the pilot episode cbs developed had the final cast and was the series' first episode