Unexpected stories: video, audio, documentaries, commentary, public tv
   Log In | Register

Home > An American Family


EPISODES | FILMS
Producer Craig Gilbert introduces the Loud family of Santa Barbara, and the family spends their first New Year’s Eve apart.
Introduction
For Memorial Day Weekend 1971, Patricia Loud visits her son Lance at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City and spends a week with him meeting his circle of friends.
Pat and Lance in New York
The Loud children enjoy some idle time at home while Pat returns from New York and discusses parenting with Bill over lunch.
Life at the House
Pat visits her mother in Eugene, Oregon and reviews the history of her and Bill’s families.
Going Back Home
Bill Loud arranges for his son Grant to work in Orange County, while his other son Kevin travels overseas to job shadow one of his employees. The girls go on vacation with Pat in Taos, New Mexico.
Summer of '71
A brushfire in the hills threatens the Loud home. Pat and Bill discussion their children. Lance is visiting Paris with a friend.
Pat and Bill in the House
Pat and Bill attend a Santa Barbara community event, and Pat chastises Bill as they discuss separation.
Fiesta
While Bill is away on a business trip, Pat decides to file for divorce. She spends an evening with her brother and sister-in-law discussing this decision.
Discussing Divorce
Bill returns from his business trip, learns from Pat that she plans to divorce him, and spends the night at a motel. The Loud children rally around their mother.
Divorce
Grant’s band performs at the high school with a raucous rock finale for the pep rally. Bill looks for an apartment. Lance is in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pep Rally
Bill begins to settle into his new apartment as Lance considers his father’s latest letter and pays him a visit.
Bill and Lance
Pat calls a family meeting and asks her children to be more responsible.
Learning to Live Together

Beginning Sunday, April 24, at 12 noon, WORLD hosts a 24 hour marathon screening of the much-referenced, little-seen first reality show ever: An American Family. The most controversial and talked-about television program of the 1970's, An American Family has not been broadcast in its entirety in over 20 years. To find the WORLD Channel nearest to you, use our handy station map.


WHAT DO YOU THINK? (... Comment[s])

Rate this Item

Your rating: None Average: 5

  • ...
  • Share this
    • PRODUCERS





    Funding for WORLDCOMPASS.ORG
    provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

    © 2010, WGBH Educational Foundation