An American Family

1973-1973
1 season
PBS
Documentary, Music, Reality

This was the original "Real World". The show was a weekly documentary which followed the real life travails of the Loud family, a mixed up cluster of suburbanites. The show picked up lots of interesting footage, including an on-camera divorce demand from wife Pat to her husband, and the coming-out of one of the children who was gay.

1973-1973
1 season
PBS
Documentary, Music, Reality

VIDEO: How Some Scenes from Cinema Verite Really Happened in An American Family

Below is a montage of scenes from the first modern reality show, 1973's An American Family, and their counterparts in HBO's original movie Cinema Verite, which premiered on Saturday. Watching Diane Lane's and Tim Robbins' performances next to the people they're portraying (Pat and Bill Loud), the differences are obvious — the fictional spin on the Louds is infinitely more melodramatic. Peaceful discussions get injected with hostility and hysteria, scenes stretch on to belabor points and simple goodbyes become heavy-handed symbols...

Mon, Apr 25, 2011

VIDEO: How Some Scenes from Cinema Verite Really Happened in An American Family

Roush Review: HBO's Weekend Triple Play

This weekend, HBO offers up a comedy special (Talking Funny), a new movie about an historic TV phenom (Cinema Verite) and the return of a distinguished drama series (Treme). All are worth a look. It's actually an HBO grand slam if you count Game of Thrones, the triumphant adult fantasy series that was renewed for a second season shortly after the first episode aired. (HBO has a tradition of doing this, but rarely in recent years has the network's enthusiasm been so well deserved.) In Thrones' eventful second chapter (Sunday, 9/8c), you begin to sense the series' range, as many characters begin disparate journeys through the sprawling land of Westeros: dutiful Ned Stark heads out with...

Fri, Apr 22, 2011

Matt's Weekend Picks: April 22-24

Supernatural (Friday, 9/8c, The CW) Winchesters, meet Colt! As in: the real Samuel Colt, whose infamous demon-destroying gun has loomed large throughout Supernatural's mythology. This week, Dean gets to play cowboy — Sam is less thrilled — when Castiel sends the brothers back in time to the Wild West to get some guidance from the proverbial horse's mouth. Speaking of weapons, over on Fox's Fringe in the same time period, an apocalyptic scenario is triggered when Walternate revs up the doomsday device "over there," in hopes of rocking our (and specifically Peter's) world.

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

James Gandolfini: Real Housewives is "Extraordinary," Jersey Shore? Not So Much

James Gandolfini is willing to admit he's seen some reality television. "I have watched Real Housewives of Atlanta. That was extraordinary," the three-time Emmy-winner said Friday at the Television Critics Association's winter preview sessions. Asked about Jersey Shore, the actor said, "No, no, no." In HBO's upcoming original movie Cinema Verite, Gandolfini will play reality TV pioneer...

Sat, Jan 8, 2011

James Gandolfini: Real Housewives is "Extraordinary," Jersey Shore? Not So Much

Keck's Exclusives: Brothers & Sisters Sets a Thanksgiving Seat for Sonia Braga

ABC's Brothers & Sisters has cast Brazilian beauty Sonia Braga to play Gilles Marini's mother, Gabriela, in its Thanksgiving episode airing on November 14. Sonia, who had recurring roles on Alias and PBS' American Family, will be a welcome addition to the Walker family dinner table as Luc Laurent's mama...

Tue, Sep 28, 2010

Keck's Exclusives: Brothers & Sisters Sets a Thanksgiving Seat for Sonia Braga

Diane Lane to Headline An American Family Movie for HBO

Diane Lane will headline HBO's new film Cinema Verite, which will go behind-the-scenes of the landmark PBS reality series An American Family, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Lane, 45, will play Pat Loud, the matriarch of the...

Fri, Apr 9, 2010

Diane Lane to Headline An American Family Movie for HBO

HBO Revisits the Louds for An American Family Movie

America's first reality TV family is coming back to the small screen. HBO and executive producer Gavin Polone have teamed up for the TV movie Cinema Verite, a behind-the-scenes look at the Loud family and An American Family, the groundbreaking PBS reality series that featured the family, according to The Hollywood Reporter.Shari Springer Berman and Bob Pulcini (American Splendor) will direct the ...

Tue, Mar 23, 2010

HBO Revisits the Louds for An American Family Movie