I was 16 when the show aired on PBS. As a working class girl living in Queens, I found their lives so cool and glamorous-driving around Santa Barbara; living in a beautiful home. I passed the Chelsea Hotel many times and to this day, I associate it with Lance Loud. The Louds opened up their lives warts and all to the world but my takeaway was that they had so much love despite a messy divorce and the ensuing years of problems. It's something today's so-called reality shows don't and can not imagine. Pat and Bill lived long lives; I hope and pray that the siblings have close relationships with each other.
I remember watching the follow-up to An American Family that summer of 1983 (I think it was on PBS at that time) but have never seen this from 2001. Enjoyed reliving those earlier years of Lance's life and what eventually turned out, which is not the best ending but here we are, still watching in 2024. He very much made an impact on my youth, as well as the lives of others.
Lance was a true, one of a kind star. I feel like he was my friend and even though I never knew him, I mourn his loss as though we’d known each other forever. I’m so grateful that Lance was introduced to the world in my favorite television series of all time and hope that he is finally reunited with Bill and Pat in the great beyond. Thank you so much for posting this!
Matt Baume who does videos on the history of queer culture through film and television just did a video which is available online on Lance Loud and the impact that " an American family " had on the public at large. It's worth watching
He was promiscuous, he had unprotected sex with a slew of strange men. There's nothing brave or noble about it. For you to use such words makes you just as sick.
@@jonwhite3776 Yeah, he made poor decisions ...and was not responsible. You are right, HIV/AIDS is almost entirely avoidable. If people were responsible and able to control themselves it would never have got out of control.. Unfortunately, human beings are very flawed.
I watched the whole series on PBS when if first aired. It was an incredibly well produced, poignant documentary style, first ever reality show. I fell in love with Lance and I'm not even gay. The movie of the show with James Gandolfini as Craig Gilbert, producer of An American Family, that fell in love with the "Mom" was also well produced and hit the spot.
I didn't see American Family when it ran originally being just 12-13 at the time. When I came upon it being re-broadcast I was hooked. Lance was immediately my favorite. (Living in Santa Barbara I was always hoping I'd cross paths with a Loud family member.) I was sad to learn of his passing.
It’s available on TH-cam. Search for An American Family 1973 Full episodes. Seems they even have a channel featuring them today called The Loud Family UnShattered.
Being a few years younger than Lance I wasn't paying attention to "An American Family" while it was being broadcast. I have a vague recollection of being a bit disturbed by the idea of exposing "family secrets" in public. Now... I'm amazed at what a breakthrough the program was, and, the amazing life and talent that Lance Loud showed us. I wish I'd known of him and written to him when he was alive as he was such an electrified human being. I love who he was! I truly hope he loved himself as much as so many of us loved him.💜💜💜
I loved this series when I first saw it on PBS sometime in the 70s. Of course, Lance pretty much stole the show, in my opinion. I was amazed at how liberal Pat, and to a certain degree Bill were. Looking back and with some age on me, I think that they were both just overwhelmed, trying to raise kids while a camera crew is around, not to mention a marriage that was falling apart.
As some mention below, it was a show well done, and family that you readily felt attached to, related to, (esp lance, so warm hearted) honest representation of family dynamic.
I remember watching this series when it aired. Anything homosexual felt dangerous and secretive. This show brought insight to me when I was very young and shaped my lack of fear for gay people. Lance was likable and it was tragic that he passed so young.
@@ericagray8402 - It was loosely based on it. I was watching an old episode of Family from 1976 last week. Willie is going to shoot a documentary about his family and Kate Lawrence mentions what it did to the Loud family.
I was his age when the documentary came out . I watched it and thought he was an entitled brat. I was working and paying my way through college. Could not relate
While there were interesting parts in the development of the story the whole thing was pretty stomach churning. There might have been other possibilites more positive and less stressful.
Unconditional love. That's all parents can give. What a wonderful mother.❤
Yes, Mrs. Loud (RIP) , he was a lovely boy. I learned a lot
Thank you so very much for posting this! I saw it on PBS in 2003, and I always hoped to see it again. And now thanks to you, we all can
Same! Watched this during Christmas break when I was in college.
I liked the British series "The Family" /it followed a working class family in Redding, UK
@@KarenJoslyn-k3f That series was brilliant.
Good for that mom.
It doesnt matter and glad she knew that, so many didnt back then
❤
I was 16 when the show aired on PBS. As a working class girl living in Queens, I found their lives so cool and glamorous-driving around Santa Barbara; living in a beautiful home. I passed the Chelsea Hotel many times and to this day, I associate it with Lance Loud. The Louds opened up their lives warts and all to the world but my takeaway was that they had so much love despite a messy divorce and the ensuing years of problems. It's something today's so-called reality shows don't and can not imagine. Pat and Bill lived long lives; I hope and pray that the siblings have close relationships with each other.
What a delightful young man.
This has been a gift.
he was wild and sweet and a totally terrific fella.
I think it was very brave and frank of this family to allow their lives to be filmed!
I loved this! RIP LANCE! 🥰
Thanks for posting this. I would have never known of Lance's story. I was only 4 when the series was released.
He looks so handsome at 27:12. An absolute hunk. So buffed. And so sweet. I think that authenticity is the word that defines Lance Loud. And bravery.
Yes, he was really cute and loveable.
He was super cute.
I remember watching the follow-up to An American Family that summer of 1983 (I think it was on PBS at that time) but have never seen this from 2001. Enjoyed reliving those earlier years of Lance's life and what eventually turned out, which is not the best ending but here we are, still watching in 2024. He very much made an impact on my youth, as well as the lives of others.
Lance was a true, one of a kind star. I feel like he was my friend and even though I never knew him, I mourn his loss as though we’d known each other forever.
I’m so grateful that Lance was introduced to the world in my favorite television series of all time and hope that he is finally reunited with Bill and Pat in the great beyond. Thank you so much for posting this!
Thank you - excellent video
Such an intriguing family. They too have their issues just like every single other family but loved each other till the end
If Lance grew up now, his life would be so much better. Even with his messed up family he would have been so much happier.
The family is more normal than you might think
What a physically and spiritually beautiful family are the Louds. 🙏
He was dressing like it was the 1980's, back in 1973. Very ahead of his time!
He’s amazing ❤ thank you for sharing xx
Matt Baume who does videos on the history of queer culture through film and television just did a video which is available online on Lance Loud and the impact that " an American family " had on the public at large. It's worth watching
yes he did: th-cam.com/video/o9ws8H6WGC0/w-d-xo.html
Matt Baume rambles on and on, a nasally narrator at bullet-train speed - couldn't make it through it
Didn't he give the cats to somebody that would take care of them he didn't just abandon them
Pat Loud was the best mom ever!
He was such a dear soul.
I was young newly married with my first child and watched the show always. Lance was my favorite family member
This was poignant.
Lance was very charming and likable. It's horrible he died in such an awful way ....but he was brave and noble at the end.
He was promiscuous, he had unprotected sex with a slew of strange men. There's nothing brave or noble about it. For you to use such words makes you just as sick.
It really was poignant. Funny, sweet, sad, moving. Sometimes, the algorithm gives exactly what is supposed to be gave.
Ok let's not minimize the random casual sex he had or injecting speed and rat poison into his body
Was it really horrible, he spent years abusing himself with random sex and injected rat poison into his body, he made choices and he suffered for it
@@jonwhite3776 Yeah, he made poor decisions ...and was not responsible. You are right, HIV/AIDS is almost entirely avoidable. If people were responsible and able to control themselves it would never have got out of control.. Unfortunately, human beings are very flawed.
Lance Loud, a beautiful soul.
I'm not surprised that Andy wrote back at all. He himself wrote to and heard back from celebrities when he was a youngster. He knew what it meant.
I was 'just' thinking of this family....their documentary. It was a good show. Looking forward to viewing this update.
loved him!
I watched the whole series on PBS when if first aired. It was an incredibly well produced, poignant documentary style, first ever reality show. I fell in love with Lance and I'm not even gay. The movie of the show with James Gandolfini as Craig Gilbert, producer of An American Family, that fell in love with the "Mom" was also well produced and hit the spot.
Wow! That was beautiful! 😢
I didn't see American Family when it ran originally being just 12-13 at the time. When I came upon it being re-broadcast I was hooked. Lance was immediately my favorite. (Living in Santa Barbara I was always hoping I'd cross paths with a Loud family member.) I was sad to learn of his passing.
I wish An American Family was available for streaming
It’s available on TH-cam. Search for An American Family 1973 Full episodes. Seems they even have a channel featuring them today called The Loud Family UnShattered.
Being a few years younger than Lance I wasn't paying attention to "An American Family" while it was being broadcast. I have a vague recollection of being a bit disturbed by the idea of exposing "family secrets" in public.
Now... I'm amazed at what a breakthrough the program was, and, the amazing life and talent that Lance Loud showed us.
I wish I'd known of him and written to him when he was alive as he was such an electrified human being. I love who he was! I truly hope he loved himself as much as so many of us loved him.💜💜💜
I loved seeing how close he was to his parents, specially his mother. What a great guy.
Lance helped break that stero type. God bless him.
I loved this series when I first saw it on PBS sometime in the 70s. Of course, Lance pretty much stole the show, in my opinion. I was amazed at how liberal Pat, and to a certain degree Bill were. Looking back and with some age on me, I think that they were both just overwhelmed, trying to raise kids while a camera crew is around, not to mention a marriage that was falling apart.
As some mention below, it was a show well done, and family that you readily felt attached to, related to, (esp lance, so warm hearted) honest representation of family dynamic.
I remember watching this series when it aired. Anything homosexual felt dangerous and secretive. This show brought insight to me when I was very young and shaped my lack of fear for gay people. Lance was likable and it was tragic that he passed so young.
Such a terrible disease, watching someone slowly fade away is heartbreaking.
When I see Lance on stage he kinda reminds me of Iggy Pop 😊❤❤
Yes! I love Iggy too..both charming and lovable
He definitely had the electricity and sheer RAW POWER of Iggy.
RIP ❤
Where can we see the original documentary? Where is it available? I saw it years ago and I loved it!
Candy Darling!
Long live The Mumps! They were good!
in the 1970's there was an ABC television series called Family. I bet that it was based on the l
Loud family.
Doubt that highly
@@ericagray8402 - It was loosely based on it. I was watching an old episode of Family from 1976 last week. Willie is going to shoot a documentary about his family and Kate Lawrence mentions what it did to the Loud family.
That was a good show, with a girl who was a tomboy.
@courtneysands6646 Kristy Mc Nickel
A show ahead of its time and a star WAY ahead of his time. And the trolls existed even back then (NY Times still the worst paper ever).
Great documentary, shows how dysfunctional a functional family is behind the scenes.
Let this be a sermon.
I watched the episodes on KCET in 1973. I kind of think of this family as the first reality but unscripted reality show.
Unscripted reality shows-the best. But of course I think the cameras affected them. how could they not?
Om mane padme hum
I was his age when the documentary came out . I watched it and thought he was an entitled brat. I was working and paying my way through college. Could not relate
Odd....this came into my algorithm on the 23rd anniversary of his death.
I thought it was hilarious that some people would blame Lance for his father's infidelity!
The background music is making this unwatchable.
You should fix the title to be correct.
Its not
"In THE FAMILY"
Its
"In an American Family"
Yes! ❤️🏳️🌈😁
He definitely was bipolar and wonder if he had been treated his life would he been different
While there were interesting parts in the development of the story the whole thing was pretty stomach churning. There might have been other possibilites more positive and less stressful.
‘He needed drugs…’ He needed to grow up!
This was the beginning of freak culture.
You seriously need to study some history.
@ honey I’m 64 and I lived through that history so don’t preach.
@@hellodolly9879I think you’re the freak.
This is what having unprotected sex with strangers will get you. Oh well….
Because you've never had unprotected sex? Because sex should kill people? Grow up, homophobe.
Oh well? A man DIED. What the hell is wrong with people?? I bet you call yourself a Christian, too. Shame on you. God don't like Ugly, sugar.
Oh WELL?? Someone DIED, sir. WTF is WRONG with people?? I bet you call yourself a 'christian' too. Newsflash. God don't like ugly, sugar.
How do you know they were strangers?
Oh Well…? Shame on you.