Family Affair

For those of you (like me) who remember the first "Family Affair" you probably groaned when you heard of this "remake." So, apparently, did a lot of professional critics. Well, I have good news for you -- FORGET its a remake, watch it for itself, and you will find a refreshing, touching, funny show!

Yes, I admit it didn't start out too hot -- sappy story lines, 6-year-olds mugging too much, slapstick humor, and too much laugh track. But no more! After now 6 episodes, its gotten better each time! The story lines now manage to achieve that rare mix of being simultaneously touching and sensitive, yet funny (sometimes laugh-out-loud, other times amusing). Uncle Bill (the rich bachelor, Gary Cole) is learning to parent his nieces and nephew. Mr. French (the butler, Tim Curry) is learning to adapt and now keeps harried but effective control of the household. Sissy (the 14-year-old niece, Caitlin Wachs) is learning, in a gentle way, that she really does need someone to look after her. The two 6-year-olds are cute but thankfully have had little screen time lately.

The cast works quite well together. In particular, Curry is perfect as the butler, and Wachs is a delightful young actress who brightens each scene she is in.

The storylines indicate the writers now realize this show shouldn't be a "remake" but an opportunity to underscore how today's families may be unconventional yet still function and care for each other. If they keep it up, this will be a great show! For those of you with kids, its safe to let them watch. For those without, you don't realize you're watching a G-rated show.

Forget its a remake. If you watched it earlier and didn't like it, give it another chance. If you've never watched it, don't judge it until you've seen it! I think you're missing a GREAT show!

I was really hoping that this show would be much better because I am from the same block as Gary Cole and graduated from the same high school as him. I think Gary is a good actor and I want to support his work, but not even his talents can bring these one dimensional, unhumorous scripts to life.

First of all: ABSOLUTELY GET RID OF THE LAUGH TRACK! Nothing is more pathetic then a show with audible laughs that isn't taped before an actual audience. It's like your trying to say to us: "Hey viewer, this is where your supposed to laugh, in case you couldn't figure it out on your own because our writing is so bland." 2nd thing: The day players you are hiring are very bad actors. They are for the most part stiff, boring and they look like they are not comfortable in front of a camera. Fire the casting director. All the talented young actors in L.A., and this is what you come up with?? Come on..... The bright spot of the cast is the girl that plays Sissy. She has the potential to be a breakout star. The scripts should be centered around her more. Gary's a good actor, but he doesn't have much to work with here. Tim Curry is also a fine actor, but he is definately mis-cast. Also, the short silly "feel good" clips of music that play throughout the show need to stop. This is a weekly t.v. show, not a feature film. I could write a whole page on the writing, but I'm not going to bother. I heard the show was cancelled anyways. But basically I would do a complete overhaul of the writing staff. Hire the writers from Dawson's Creek- they'll be out of a job soon anyways.. I'd hate to say it, but this show is pretty dreadful. And Aaron Carter was absolutely horrible- very bad actor....

How come there are so many bad comments about such a great show? This show is a remake of the 1966-1971 series, & I think this new version is as good as the original. The only 2 surviving members of the original series, Kathy Garver & Johnny Whitaker, ever made guest appearances on this new show.

Having only vague memories of the original Family Affair, I have nothing to compare this version to. I feel this is a great show! The whole reason I first tuned in was see Tim Curry as the picked on, put upon Mr. French. A character I feel that he does very well.

What keeps me coming back are Buffy & Jody... the primary reason Mr. French is picked on and put upon. I love the way the twins see French as the patsy for their practical jokes. Along with the fact that I think Sasha Pieterse {Buffy} is absolutely adorable.

At the same time... Caitlin Wachs is great and very cute in her roll of Cissie. As she appears to be the only sane character in the bunch. It will be interesting to see this character develop. As it is... I can see myself here week after week.

Almost anyone can comment on the fact that both adult leads (Tim Curry and Gary Cole) have stared in TV shows that failed, at three that I can think of. But this one is actually good, maybe even really good if the viewer can ignore the canned laugh track and the fact that it is really hard to do anything great with only half an hour. Sure, the characters seem really out of place on the WB, home of shows like Charmed and Angel, but maybe the idea of the family comedy/ sitcom is coming back. I never saw the original show, but this one is really very cute and charming. The chemistry is remarkably good, and the talent assembled is even better. Of course, the show is also up against Survivor and Friends, and because of that, I don't expect it to see the season through. Therefore catch it while you can! It is so worth it!