Saturday, March 13, 2010

Families

I've been thinking today about the television programmes which I loved when I was young, and they all seem to have one thing in common - families. They also have musical themes which instantly come back to me even after several decades.

The Brady Bunch, of course, but then also The Waltons, Eight Is Enough and...Bewitched too. I quickly googled them and I found myself physically reacting to the photos, I sighed out loud and laughed and clapped my hands. I even surprised myself by remembering the names of most of the kids from Eight is Enough, and by feeling as if I had actually known them, in real life, in my childhood.

I'm trying to come up with a logline for a television series, it's simply a group exercise my class will be doing next week, nothing huge. Yet, Eleanor being Eleanor (ugh, she does annoy me sometimes), she must insist on taking the task far too seriously. She must begin to wonder if any idea she comes up with can ever be high art enough for the discerning television viewer. She must worry that her fellow student writers will roll their eyes as she nervously mumbles through her pitch, stumbling over the words, blushing.

So thank goodness for my happy childhood and my wonderful memories of the television worlds I lived in.

Also, thank goodness for my real family which gathers around me at times like these and teases me and makes me laugh at the unhealthy and impossible standards I so often set myself.

I'm going to have some fun with this instead. I just have to tell Eleanor about it first. Wish me luck.











12 comments:

blackbird said...

There was a show called Family, too.
My mother was devoted to it and I thought it was ridiculous - it was sort of a dramedy. Then when one of my kids was a baby it was on again, rerun, and I loved it.

Anonymous said...

Imagine. These are the EXACT same shows I used to watch. HERE. But Bb I have never heard about Family. Weird.
Paola

trash said...

I loved those shows too. Blackbird was Family the one with the teenage daughter, possibly Kirsty Something (stick with me now) whose brother was in Ally McBeal and his real name is Peter Something? The surname may be McNicholl (sp).

Badger said...

Oh, Bewitched was my FAVORITE. I can't even begin to tell you the emotional attachment I still have to that show. I now own the first three seasons on DVD and I watch them whenever I'm feeling low and they fix EVERYTHING.

Oh, and P.S. Please tell Eleanor SHE CAN DO THIS. Tell her not to overthink it and to go with her gut/heart and everything will be fine.

eurolush said...

Loved Eight is Enough. Wanted to grow up and have eight kids of my own. Quickly changed mind after two.

Good luck with your logline, E. You are a superstar. Believe in your own greatness. We all do!

Duyvken said...

There's a very funny show called Modern Families that Mr Duyvken and I are LOVING at the moment.
I also loved a show about two children who were orphaned and lived with their carer (uncle? Butler?) in a penthouse in New York and I have been trying to remember what it was called. I can even picture the credits.
I am sure your pitch will be wonderful and the reason we all love Eleanor is because she is so earnest and diligent, even if she does irritate you sometimes, so cut her some slack on account of us, OK?

sooz said...

I am a little embarrassed to say I know all the answers! Family did indeed star Kirsty McNichol as the youngest daughter Buddy and I loved it, and the dad was played by Matthew Broderick's dad and the eldest daughter by Meredith Baxter Birney (who was later Michael J Fox's mum in Family Ties). The 2 kids orphaned in the penthouse with the butler, Mr French and the occasional appearance of the father figure - who was actually their uncle and played by Brian Keith who I just adored was called family affair. And the child actor who played the girl twin died of a drug overdose at 18 which was completely tragic. You should also toss in my three sons (good old Fred at his finest) and the Nanny and the Professor with the sweeter than sweet Juliet Mills. And now that I have thoroughly embarrassed myself I'll say good luck, though I don't believe you need it!

KPB said...

Nanny and the Professor was my absolute favourite.

And don't forget The Partridge Family.

Awesome.

Duyvken said...

Family Affair! Sooz you are a star!!!!!!!

sooz said...

Duyvken, I spent a lot of my childhood watching TV, and in the absence of a happy or together family I spose it's not surprising I was looking for it on the screen. With thanks to Eleanor for providing this community service noticeboard...

Maria said...

Hello Eleanor!
I can also be nostalgic when I see TV-programs from when I was younger. I haven't seen any of the one you show here.

Duyvken said...

I am not seeing many references to the family shoes of my youth - Growing Pains, Charles in Charge, Who's teh Boss?... I so wanted to live in the Seaver house!