Family Affair: The Complete Series

When it comes to old television shows, particularly family comedies, people are quick to jump to generalizations: childish, simple, one-dimensional, unrealistic are terms which come to mind. However, while on it's surface, "Family Affair" appears as just another late 60's family sitcom, there are some important distinctions which set it apart it from other family comedies such as "Leave it to Beaver", "Father Knows Best", "The Brady Bunch", etc. First, of all "Family Affair" plays more like a "dramedy" (comedy with dramatic elements) than a traditional sitcom. In fact, there are very few comedic elements in some episodes, but always a very clear story arc. The next issue is the matter of how the twins and Cissy, come to live with Uncle Bill. The writers make it very clear that both parents were killed in an accident. Unlike "The Brady Bunch" where we know both parents are widowed, but there is never any detail regarding how the families actually come together (with all due respect to the theme song); in the first episodes of "Family Affair" the writers not only take a surprising amount of time to convey that the parents were killed, but also to share with the audience the difficulty the twins had adjusting to life as they were bounced from one family member to the next, often separated from their older sister, Cissy. In fact, in one early episode, Buffy runs away because she feels that Uncle Bill will also abandon them. Next, "Family Affair" distinguishes itself because of the progressive and sophisticated nature of the main characters who explore relationships with indivdiuals across a diversity of backgrounds. In one episode Uncle Bill helps an African American gentlemen in his gym with the concerns he is having with his young son. In another episode the twins befriend a young girl with a disability who as the storyline implies, dies near the end of the episode. This was pretty daring for a family sitcom. In another episode, the family hosts the financee of a Chinese gentleman, whose bride-to-be comes from China and speaks little English and knows little about American culture. In a surprising twist, the episode ends with the couple not getting married, and going their separate ways. In another episode, Buffy befriends a young girl from an impoverished background, and as the story goes, we learn that poor people can be also be classist. "Family Affair" is well-written, well produced, and very entertaining. If you remember this show as a child, you should consider seeing it again as you may have missed some of the subtle themes. If you've never seen "Family Affair" before you may be surprised at what you're missing.

I remember Family Affair from when I was a child. Anissa Jones, (Buffy), we are the same age, had she lived.

It does make me sad to think that only Kathy Garver and Johnnie Whitaker are still alive. The way Brian Keith, Sebastian Cabot, and Aniss Jones died makes me sad.

I do love the simple stories of Family Affair, how close Buffy and Jodie were. I never had a brother, just 2 older sisters, who I was never close to.

I do have all 5 seasons, and do wish the show wasn't cancelled, because the last show doesn't seem like a last show to me.

I liked how Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot, how the show showed their evolution from being bachelors to being such great caregivers of 3 children, who really needed a loving family, just like everyone needs and deserves to have.

I find the more stressful my life becomes, the more I gravitate to these kinds of wholesome shows.

Iam just so happy to have them available for purchase on dvd.

I actually started at the beginning, watched the first dvd in order, and went on from there.

Some shows really stuck in my mind from when I was a child, and some I didn't remember, so it was nice to see them for what seemed like for the first time.

I think this would be a great dvd collection for parents and children to watch together, or for people like me who are nostalgic to see a show they remember from when they were a child, and see it from a new perspective.

It's wierd, but I find that as an adult I still like some of the shows I enjoyed as a child. Maybe people never grow up, totally. For someone like me who never really had a childhood, I find that refreshing, if a bit odd.

It's kind of sad to me with all the cable channels we have on tv today, that there is really very little great programming on tv, or any original story lines. I always prefer a good story over anything else.

I hope if you do buy Family Affair on dvd, that you will enjoy it as much as I did, and still do.

And its been a long overdue. Uncle Bill, Mr. French, Buffy, Jody, Cissy & Mrs. Beasley in crisp, fresh prints & on DVD for those of us who enjoy nostalgia (baby boomers, if you will) & a whole generation of new fans to enjoy.

Why Family Affair never got the exposure the Brady Bunch did & others of this period, will continue to astound me, as this is indeed a classic of its kind & in my opinion far superior to other silly '60s shows like The Brady Bunch & The Partridge Family, which were also family sitcoms of this particular genre.

Overall, Family Affair still holds up well after all these years, so if this isn't a perfect example of a fine classic that stands the test of time, I don't know what is.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 25 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars