Family

So for many years, I remembered a show I use to watch as a small child (I was born in 1980). For the life of me, I remembered only the theme song, the word "Family" in the title, and Kristy McNichol being in the cast. The show was on (in syndication) WSMH TV 66 here around 84-86. I owe thanks to VH1 for recently running the 100 famous teen stars in which Ms. McNichol and this wonderful show were mentioned. I am happy to know that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me and that this show really existed. I loved this show as a child and my family use to watch it together. It was a great time back then, when family actually did things as a family. I remembered eating dinner and finishing up just in time to watch this show. They (TVLand) need to bring this back so that my nieces and nephews can enjoy this classic also.

I was a bit young to have watched Family during its original run, though my older sisters watched this show religiously. I must admit that as an adolescent young man, my tastes tended to run more towards the action fare and cop shows of the time. Nevertheless, I have gained an appreciation for Family over the years while watching it occasionally on various classic TV stations. MeTV+ currently runs the show each weekday morning in the NY/NJ area.

Set in Pasadena, CA, the show depicts The Lawrence Family, with parents Kate and Doug (Sada Thompson, James Broderick) and their three children Nancy (Meredith Baxter Birney), Willie (Gary Frank) and "Buddy" (Kristi McNichol). Kate and Doug were both happily married and parented in a very rational, loving manner. Episodes centered around topical relationship, work and school issues facing a "typical" middle class family. Occasionally, subjects not usually discussed on prime time family shows like homosexuality, breast cancer, alcoholism and sexual harassment were covered in "special" episodes and presented thoughtfully and professionally, avoiding the heavy-handed treatment we sometimes see on TV.

The show was well-received by critics and widely acclaimed, bringing Emmys to Thompson, McNichol and Frank during its run and making McNichol a big star. Shows like this are always a bit dated in some respects, but Family is nonetheless relevant in many ways today and undoubtedly brings back fond memories to those who remember it from their youth. Recommended watch.

"I felt this show was totally realistic. This program ran in the mid-seventies during the time that my wife and I were still newly married. This may have had an impact on why I feel toward the show like I do. However, I felt then as now, having grown up in a family myself, this has been the most realistically portrayed drama of an average family that I can remember seeing. I thoroughly enjoyed the program and only have good memories of it!"

"Family" was consistently entertaining and insightful television, in the wasteland that was late 70's television programming.

It dealt with sensitive issues in a thoughtful manner without proselytizing or being maudlin.

I had the good fortune of beginning my television career by being a fan of "Family." A new resident of the neighborhood, I hung-out during the filming of exterior shots at the location of the "Lawrence" home in South Pasadena, during "Family's" final season. That same summer, in 1979, I went to work for the production company, Spelling-Goldberg Productions. Watching "Family" shoot was magic.

The series hearkened-back to an era even earlier than the late 70's...it kind of had a sixties feel to it, an earlier, simpler, and kinder period among American families. However, unlike the family dramas that filmed during the sixties, "Family" was far more realistic and believable.

Clearly, the break-out star of "Family" was young Kristy McNichol who stole nearly every scene she was in.

"Family" is long overdue to be offered in a DVD collection, and I hope all four seasons will soon be available in a video collection.

Thanks for the memories.

Gary L. Myers

This was a great wholesome show for all ages. Even though it took place in the 70's, the issues and problems that the family members faced are still relevant today. I have contacted TV Land about bringing it back but received no response. Are there any other stations that would be willing to show it again in syndication ?