This "All In The Family" spin-off centers around Edith's cousin, Maude Findlay. She's a liberal independent woman living in Tuckahoe, NY with her fourth husband Walter; owner of Findlay's Friendly Appliances, Carol Trainor; Maude's divorced daughter from her 2nd marriage and Philip; Carol's son. Other characters included: Dr. Arthur Harmon; Walter's conservative best friend from their Army days. He and Maude were always at odds when it came to politics and just about everything, Vivian Cavender-Harmon; Maude's naieve best friend from their college days who married Harmon in season three; During the show's run, Maude had gone through three maids during the series run: Florida Evans, Nell Naugutuck and Victoria Butterfield. Mrs. Naugutuck and Florida, however, were the most memorable. Although it was a situation comedy, it dealt with serious and often controversial issues, much like Norman Lear's other shows "All In The Family" "One Day At a Time" and "Good Times."

Maude became a congresswoman during a three-part finale at the end of its last season. However, Beatrice Arthur decided that she had grown tired of the role and decided to end the series. The setup was used with the exact same new supporting cast, reworked with Maude's Bill Macy, as "Hanging In" (1979).

Maude Findlay:
When he says wife, he means possession.


Walter Findlay:
So what, Maude? You told me a hundred times you want to be possessed.


Maude Findlay:
Walter Findlay, I never said that standing up and you know it.

by Marilyn Bergman, Alan Bergman & Dave Grusin
Sung by Donny Hathaway