Mister_D_Loomis Just recently caught many of the episodes on Decades TV weekend binge. When the show was on in the late 70's I never watched it because it wasn't a comedy and it was an hour (a whole hour!) and I was a kid.Now that 40 years have passed I was delighted to find it as well preserved and as timeless as it is. The stories are well written, characters are well-rounded and intelligent but fallible and realistic. Although set in the very familiar 70's the content of the stories are adaptable to any generation since. Family is one of those shows that is very easy to binge watch. Watching the children grow up in the same time-frame in which we all grew up at the same time is definitely the draw for me and each episode offers something or someone interesting. Whether it's the styles of the time or the endless guest stars who went on to more notable careers of their own, this show is a gem.

Adam Errington The TV series "Family" from 1976 to 1980 stands head and shoulders above any other family based show I have seen. It is very well observed, going right to the heart of family issues.The writing and acting style is superb, allowing the viewer time to reflect on the issue and fill in the gaps them self. (This is the most engaging style of TV drama, which is also demonstrated in the family scenes in The Sopranos TV series.)It may sound a bit 'naff' but it has deepened my own understanding of the profound nature of family life. This show demonstrates how family life can be conducted with courage and style.

gwenny3080 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.

astrojet Does anyone have the inside scoop on why Elayne Heilveil, the actress who played Nancy during the first six "mini series" episodes, was replaced by Meredith Baxter-Birney? Turns out it was a great move, as Meredith was far easier on the eyes and played the role beautifully, but I've always been curious. Also of note, Meredith only appeared in about every other episode...was that the producers' desire to depict her as having moved away from the family, or was it something in Meredith's contract? This show reflected my family so closely as I was about Buddy's age. The first two seasons (three, if you count the first six as a season) were fabulous. I guess you could say it jumped the shark with the addition of Quinn Cummings. I've noticed the house used for the exterior shots has appeared in several TV commercials lately.