Shoe Booty by David Steven Cohen

...is an episode of All in the Family in which Archie and Mike wind up locked in the basement with nothing but their mutual suspicions and a case of liquor. Liberated by libation, Archie reveals that Shoe-Booty was a nickname he endured as a child because of his mismatched footwear. Layers of character are delicately revealed as Archie spirals into the tangle of his psyche. Situation comedy evolves into character comedy.
Yes, sitcomic contrivances visited the Bunker household on occasion. Sammy Davis, Jr. made an improbable appearance at 704 Hauser Street. Archie and Edith entertained a couple whoseraison de visite was to swap mates with the unsuspecting Bunkers. These things happen to real people about as often as I get my Funny Body Part "A " stuck in Comic Object "B " when I'm due to appear at Important Event "C. "
But Archie evoked laughter through character, not situation. Writing for such richly textured and well played characters raises a writer's standards. No longer can you, in good conscience, move jokes around the page, from one character to another. You might even stop writing jokes and start writing dialogue.
This became clear to me while working on the Fox showMr. President starring George C. Scott. (Yes, it was a sitcom. Conrad Bain was also in the cast.)Mr. President served a term of scarcely more than a season; the characters in the series did not have the chance to explore themselves over years as Archie did. Nonetheless, the actors' skills, their depth of performance, provided the writers with incredible opportunities.
George C. Scott was magnificent as the Commander-in-Chief. He brought scripts to life with his amazing range, moving easily from fate-of-the-world weight to Gleason-like burlesque. Conrad was damn good, too.
And Madeline...
Midway through the series' short run, Madeline Kahn joined the cast as the President's sister-in-law, taking over First Lady duties for her sister, the President's wife, who had left him. (This mind-numbing contrivance was best addressed by one producer: "Don't think about it. ")
Crafting stories, words and moments for Madeline was like folding a paper glider and launching it from a rooftop. An exquisite wind takes your page and carries it through slow climbs and roller coaster descents, whipping turns and loop-de-loops. And, finally, a graceful landing in the most unlikely-and perfect-spot.
Writing a television series has the potential of sucking the oxygen out of your immediate environment. But, if the wind is right, it can instead bring you the writer's ecstasy of sharing a character's heart and soul with an actor.
I wish I had the chance to write for Archie. I cherish the stories, words and moments I shared with Madeline. Paper in flight is a beautiful thing.