by Hal Erickson
synopsis
This episode is essentially a solo tour de force for series star Carroll O'Connor. Left home alone while the rest of the family is out of town for the weekend, Archie manages to get himself locked in the cellar. Convinced that he will perish before he is discovered, Archie prepares to meet his Maker by fortifying himself with a bottle of vodka. The scene in which the besotted Mr. Bunker responds to a persistent rap on the cellar door with "I'm comin' Lord, I'm comin'!" -- and his reaction when he sees who's on the other side of the door -- may well be the series' single most hilarious moment. Written by Don Nicholl, "Archie in the Cellar" was first telecast on November 17, 1973.
