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(More customer reviews)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.
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The entire Family Affair series available together for the first time ever!Family Affair was a popular situation comedy and a regular top rated hit show produced by Don Fedderson Productions for CBS-TV during its five-year run from 1966-71.Brian Keith stars as bachelor Bill Davis, a highly-paid engineering consultant who lives in a posh Manhattan apartment with his proper English manservant, Mr. Giles French (Sebastian Cabot). Davis' carefree existence is turned upside down when his brother and sister-in-law die suddenly in a tragic plane accident, leaving their three children orphaned. Davis becomes an instant father figure to six year-old twins, Buffy and Jody (Anissa Jones, Johnnie Whitaker) and their big sister, Cissy (Kathy Garver). Despite their reservations, Davis and French grow attached to the children. Through humorous trial and error, coupled with big doses of love and patience, the five become a real family.Family Affair: The Complete Series contains all 5 seasons on 24 discs.Includes hours of bonus material featuring cast members Kathy Garver (Cissy), Johnnie Whitaker (Jody), the Family Affair reunion special, and more.
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