answersLogoWhite

0

An American FamilyThe first television show that was considered reality TV similar to what we know today was An American Family, which aired on PBS in 1971. An American Family followed the Loud family who lived in Santa Barbara, California. The family consisted of the parents Bill and Patricia (Pat) Loud and their five children - Lance, Kevin, Grant, Delilah and Michele.

An American Family was filmed documentary-style and aired 12 episodes. During the filming of the program, Pat and Bill separated, and Pat filed for divorce. The couple's oldest son Lance, who was 20 years old at the time of filming, was openly gay, and occasionally wore women's clothing and lipstick. The show dealt a great deal with Lance's struggle with his sexuality, as well as his relationship with his parents, especially his father.

After An American Family first aired, there were two follow-ups to the show. In 1983, HBO aired An American Family: 10 Years Later. In 2003, PBS aired Lance Loud!: A Death In An American Family. That documentary was filmed in 2001 at Lance's request. He was never happy with how his family was portrayed in An American Family, and before his death, he wanted his family revisited so America could see the loving family that Lance knew them to be. This final documentary also detailed Lance's physical decline due to his 20-year addiction to meth, and his battle with HIV and hepatitis C. Lance died from complications of his diseases on December 22, 2001.

In 2010, HBO announced plans to film Cinema Verite, a movie about the filming of An American Family.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How many episodes did the TV show Maximum Exposure air?

The TV show Maximum Exposure aired for 2 seasons with a total of 52 episodes. The show was a reality television program that showcased short video clips.


In what year did the TV show Veronica Mars first air?

2004


How long was the show Gran Hermano on the air?

Gran Hermano Columbia was a reality television series that was only on the air for 1 season. The series was produced by Endemol. The series pilot aired in 2003 on Caracol TV.


Was father knows the best the first family show on television?

The television show, "Father Knows Best" was on the air from 1954 until 1963. Despite its long run, it was not the first family show on television.


Did the television show your babysitter is a vampire go off the air?

The disney channel show "My Babysitter is a vampire (first found in Canada)" did go off the air.


When did Malcolm in the Middle first air?

Malcolm in the Middle is a successful American comedy TV show. The show was first aired on January 9, 2000.


What year did the show Married with Children first air on television in the US?

April 1987


When did the television show Lets Make a Deal first air?

December 30, 1963


How long does it take for a TV show to air the first time after filming it?

2 months


What show did Bevis and butthead first air on?

Beavis and Butt-Head first aired on MTV.


When did the MTV Unplugged television show first air?

The 29th of November 1989 first aired the MTV Unplugged television show. It was hosted by the American singer-songwriter, Jules Shear for the first 13 episodes.


When did the Today Show first come on the air?

The Today Show premiered on January 14, 1952.