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Watching Family on DVD--great memories of the 70s

posted 18 years ago by Joannakathryn
5 replies | jump to latest

I told my son if he really wanted to see a "that 70s show," he should watch Family.

The clothes, the styles, the decorations, really make me nostalgic for that period. I was a mid-20s newlywed, so it was a pretty happy time for me. It was also pre-disco, though I seem to remember Kristy McNicol had some disco clothes later on.

What makes me feel a little old is that Sada Thompson (Kate) was only 47 when the series started, several years younger than I am now. (How can I be that old?)

Kristy McNicol is almost the same age now as Sada Thompson was then.

I loved the show, but if any family had to go through all the drama that the Lawrence's did, they'd all be in a mental hospital.

[–] Joannakathryn 18 years ago

The first six episodes had different beginning music. More strings and piano. Later, it got brighter with more brass.

I liked the first better.

[–] taylorje 18 years ago

I loved that show and my DVd's are being shipped to me. That period of time was happy for me, too. It's hard to think of Kristy McNichol as middle-aged; to me she will always be a teenage Buddy. She pretty much disappeared after the show left the air. James Broderick died just a couple of years after the show ended. I remember reading in TV Guide (probably in the mid to late 1980's) about an idea to bring back the Lawrences in a TV-movie reunion, with Sada Thompson as the Widow Lawrence and the family coping with "Doug's" death. But it probably wouldn't have worked. Everyone had gone on to other projects by then. The one character I really didn't like much was "Annie" who appeared in the last two seasons. It's a sure bet that a show is on the way out when a young child suddenly appears as an add-on member of the family. It happened on "The Brady Bunch," "My Three Sons", "Little House on the Prairie," "Happy Days," among others. Annie just didn't fit in with the Lawrences. I hope they bring out seasons 3 and 4 soon.

[–] Joannakathryn 18 years ago

I'd like to see a reunion show, too, but I doubt it will happen. Kristy M went on to do Empty Nest a few years later, but she's seems to have disappeared lately.

I used to relate to Nancy more, but now while I'm watching, I find myself relating to Kate. I've seen John Rubenstein in the last few years, and he's got very, very short gray hair.

Also, a bit of trivia. If you watch the old movie "Alice's Restaurant," James Broderick plays the middle-aged hippie, Ray, who lived in the church with Alice.

When a family starts bringing in new kids on TV, it's jumped the shark. Very few people, once they get their own kids grown, want to take in more. I'm ready to have my own leave home.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Joannakathryn 18 years ago

I'll never understand these women who are killing other women for their babies, like we've seen in the news recently. Granted, they're obviously psycho.

I'd have fought like crazy to protect my baby and keep him, but at the same time I'd have fought anybody who tried to give me another one that wasn't my own.

I have a dear friend who fosters, but it's just not for me.

My son actually moved away for a few months, but he came home. He keeps coming up with plans to change his part of the house, like new flooring, lights, etc. We keep telling him to do that in his OWN place.

I don't think he ever plans to leave.