A "Family" Reunion with Gary Frank and John Rubinstein
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
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Join us for a “Family” reunion with cast members Emmy Award-winner Gary Frank and award-winning actor John Rubinstein live in The Locher Room on Wednesday, March 13th at 3 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. PST. “Family” ran on ABC-TV from March 1976 through June of 1980.
Gary Frank, an original cast member played son, Willie Lawrence for the entire run of the series. John Rubinstein played Jeff Maitland, the husband of Nancy Lawrence Maitland played by Meredith Baxter Birney, on and off for the entire run. John also wrote all the music for the first six episodes, and then scored the “Family” theme for the next four and a half years.
Gary Frank’s career on film began in 1974 when he was cast by director Richard Donner in the television movie "Senior Year", which went on to become the CBS TV series Sons and Daughters. Gary went on to do television movies, features, and an impressive array of guest parts on almost every major TV series in the '80s and '90s.
John is an actor, composer, and director, who made his Broadway debut in 1972 in Bob Fosse’s “Pippin.” He has worked on and off Broadway, on film and television for the past 52 years and there is no stopping him. He is currently playing Dwight D. Eisenhower in Richard Hellesen's new one-man play "Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground” at The Rubicon Theater in Ventura.
Spend some time with “Family” on Wednesday, March 13th in The Locher Room.
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I remember Kate's telling Buddy, in the pilot, that she was her second chance, to do better, to be better, and that was the truth. It remains one of my favorite scenes, 48 years later.
Oh wow -- I will have to go back and watch that.
It's on Tubi
@@andrewbalogh9868 It comes & goes on Tubi! The first two seasons are also available on dvd.
"Family" was one of my all -time favorite TV shows. I was so pissed at ABC for harming the show the last season or two by moving it around to different time slots. It seemed to me the network was more interested in "Eight Is Enough." John Rubinstein is the son of the great pianist Arthur Rubinstein. My favorite episodes were the ones which centered around Kristy McNichol's character Buddy. She was super in the role, as were the other actors.
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A very important show. All of it. It teaches. I was privileged to have almost an exact Kate Lawrence in my life. Eerie it was as if the writers contacted this person. Cold hard truth but with a love, compassion and understanding. A gift. Sada was the gift to play the gifted.
You were very lucky to have them in your life, Brian. We all loved Kate Lawrence. 😍
I could listen to these stories all day. There were certain rare shows that were of such high quality, that asked something of its audience as it was entertaining, and Family was squarely in that category. As a child, I recognized that I was being valued and that people who respected the work and themselves and me were working at an elevated level (the writing, the acting, the music) to bring that series to us.
I love your description, Christopher. "being valued" -- Love that. Thank you for watching.
❤ Family greetings from coastal Mississippi. Watched ABC network Family from beginning to end. It was ground breaking. Because of Family, it opened the door to 30 Something, Once and Again, A million little things. The networks do not know what the audience wants, the viewers do. Thank you Alan for this reunion and interviews. See you in the Locher Room ❤😂🎉
You're so right, Scott! I loved Once and Again -- it was on way too short of a time.
@@TheLocherRoom Just a thought, invite Once and Again to your show 😄
Very true. FAMILY was unique...leading to ThirtySomething, Once and Again
Wonderful! Loved hearing their stories. Family was one of the best shows ever. It was in a class of its own. The actors were all brilliant. Plus, I loved their home, the music, the way the show may you feel. They seemed like a real family.
Glad you enjoyed it, Marianne. Thank you for watching.
I've been binge-watching Family episodes this weekend and I came upon this interview. Family was my all-time favorite show. Every episode was riveting to some degree. GREAT to see Gary Frank and John Rubinstein as they are today with great insights of the show.
Glad you found the interview.
I found Family on MeTV+ it comes on at 7a two episodes on Sundays. I watch it before going to church. I was so thrilled to see it airing, have not seen it since forever.
omg i LOVED "family" so much! When I lived in LA, I drove by the house in Pasadena. And as a kid, I had a huge crush on your guests. Great to see them both and loved hearing all the memories from what people of a certain age (like me) call "a simpler time." Great job, my friend!
A much simpler time. I loved it as well, but don't remember it well since I was 10 - 14 (ish) and only saw those episodes once unlike Charlie's Angels which I watched over and over. 😍
@@TheLocherRoom I watched both from my crib. 😉
Yeah, John and Gary were, and still are pretty cute.
Thank you for this! I was in first grade when this show came out. I remember my parents letting me stay up late to watch it. I thought Kristy McNichol was the best. Doug and Kate always looked so old to me but they were in their 40s. This was a great show with a stellar cast. I always loved their house and still do to this day.
You're very welcome, Dawn. Thank you for watching.
Older parents are the best. My folks were several years older than the characters. However the father character was in WWII and so was my dad in real life. I am a new fan of the show and it is so nice to se it. I was in college at the time and between becoming an educator and working with my parents in the family business,I did not get to see it.
Mr. Frank and Mr. Rubinstein together again!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful conversation with us.
A slice of television history presented “live”.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.
Would like to have heard Gary Frank speak more and tell more stories.
Yeah, John's personal stories are interesting, but for a "Family" reunion, I would have liked to have heard more behind the scenes stories of the Family series. Too bad Kristy and Meredith couldn't have been part of this too.
I saw the family house when I was in Pasadena in the 80s.
Addicted to Family...
this was fantastic.
Thank you SO much
for bringing them
together for us!👍
You are so welcome, Sue. Thanks for watching.
This was and still is my all time favorite show......it helped me grow up and I think of it often
I loved watching 'Family' when I was a youth and I still watch it on UA-cam and I am so excited to watch this interview.
I was too young to see Family during its original run. However, I was a fan of the show in reruns. The show always spoke to me as being a quality program. Now learning that Mike Nichols and Mark Rydell were behind it makes me realize that Magic was created by genius. The acting 🎭 was mesmerizing and the music was haunting.
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I truly appreciate these two exceptional actors from such a wonderful series.
Family was my favorite show as a teen... I just loved it!
This is such a treat! I still watch Family episodes to this day, thanks to CTV in Canada.
My favorite show. Such a crush on John. I watched every episode more than once. The best…
I enjoyed seeing Gary Frank and John Rubinstein! Loved the stories they shared. Thank you!!
You bet, Natalie!
I loved Family and am now watching it on a streaming service. I was a little older than Buddy but when I was able to stay up and watch I was a devoted fan. I wanted more than anything to have an older brother like Willie. Gary Frank played that part with such nuance and sensitivity as a teen I was deeply moved.
Thank you so much for this interview, Alan! Family is my all-time favourite show, and an absolute treasure. I could listen to Gary and John share their insights and stories about the show all day! It was a real treat😄 I was fortunate to meet Gary and his wife Carroll last October and they are wonderful people. I also toured the “Family” house (where all the exterior scenes were filmed) in Pasadena with them. It was a surreal experience for sure❤
Oh wow -- love that, Jane. Thanks for tuning-in and for sharing.
Loved this! I always wanted to move to Pasadena…ended up in Palm Springs. I’m a screenwriter, FAMILY was the imprint/essence that inspired. Thank you for this interview
You're so welcome, Cid. Thanks for taking the time to watch.
Wonderful trip down memory lane 💯😊❤️! The Dialogue was always listen friendly😊
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thank you so much for posting this visit with Gary and John - I loved this show so much - especially Kate’s priceless one liners and her yellow Pinto station wagon! I grew up in a very conservative, relatively small town and was coming to terms with being gay - Brian Byers did a superb job portraying Zeke - especially enjoyed his interaction with Kate reminiscing about singing harmony with her - absolutely marvelous writing!
You're very welcome, Kyle. Glad to hear this. Have a great weekend.
Family debuted on my 2nd birthday march 9th, I loved the show and a fan of Kristy and Meredith
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What a treat to see this. Thanks for the reunion and conversation!
(I remember John’s father was in the 1st class of Kennedy Center Honorees in 1978 and John sang a portion from MASS- which was the Kennedy Center’s inaugural production. Always wondered what John’s father thought of his compositions, being such a renown pianist. )
You're so welcome, Matthew. Thank you for watching.
Omg...so thrilled I found this! Thank you. Funny story, I never heard of the show as I was born the year it premiered. About a year ago it’s kept showing up based on my searches for 70’s tv. I finally started watching. Well, I have seen every single episode more than once. It’s now my comfort show ❤ Thank you for this ❤
Love this, Bonny. Thank you for watching.
Thank You SO much Alan for asking my question to Gary. And thanks so much to Gary and John for their reflections and reactions to that marvelous episode “Rites of Friendship” and ALL of their memories of Family! And Alan, you were right the first time: I prefer to be called Doug. 😊😊Thanks again for another wonderful Locher Room! 😊😊😊🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful episode, Doug. I'm so glad you enjoyed the time with Gary & John. Have a great weekend.
Hi Alan. One last comment: I TOTALLY forgot to ask you to ask them what it was like to work with David Jacobs who was a writer on Family. He wrote the Willie marriage episode that Gary referenced. He later went on to create Dallas and Knots Landing. Interesting that he was working for ABC (Season 3 of Family) but pitched the pilot script of what ultimately became Knots and CBS rejected it. Based on exec responses, he then wrote the pilot for what became Dallas. Since Dallas premiered on CBS as a miniseries in April of 1978, he had to be working on Family while working on his series’ concepts and pilot scripts for Dallas and Knots simultaneously. Wow! What a difference between the Lawrences and the Ewings! It reminds me of when Agnes Nixon pitched AMC to ABC while she was still HW for Another World. She bagged it after ABC rejected it and came up with OLTL, then brought it back again after the success of OLTL, same as Jacobs. At any rate, still a FANTASTIC Locher Room! One of the best!!! 👍👍
Another great interview as always, I remember watching "Family" on ABC, what a great show , remember Gary Frank also playing police detective Jarvis on "Remington Steele".
So glad you enjoyed it, Cathlean!
Gary and John are intelligent and classy, and generous to share their recollections of the show. I love how positive they recall their experiences.
John was right BTW - Jeff was never going to be a huge role. Even Nancy only appeared in about two thirds of the episodes.
Thank you for watching, Jared!
I loved Family; it was quality entertainment. Gary Frank and John Rubinstein were terrific and I had the great fortune to see John in Pippin back in the 70s. I believe Jill Clayburgh was the female lead and of course the wonderful Irene Ryan made an appearance. Thank you, Alan!
You're so very welcome!
you're very welcome! 🤗
Great interview!
Thank you, Wendy!
I was and still am in love with Willy I watch the episodes over and over .
I love that, Gloria.
Alan, a wonderful interview The Rites of Friendship episode made this viewer for the first time see that there was nothing wrong with being gay. Forty eight years later, I still need to see that episode from time to time. I am sorry for bothering you. Thanks, Michael C.
Don't ever apologize for sending a message my way. Thank you, Michael. I'm so glad people told me about this episode. I watched the entire thing over the weekend and was blown away by it.
Still one of my all time favorite shows .I never missed an episode. And still miss it. The only other show that even came close for me was the wonder years, I think there were some similarities.
Such great memories when family was on
Great stories, wonderful questions
Thank you
I loved this
So happy to hear that, Joann. Thank you for watching.
Thanks so much! It was great.
Thank you, Lisa and thanks for all your messages throughout the episode.
Will always have a special affinity for Family. Terrific show. We have the same birthday(I'm 10 hours older.)
I think we all have that affinity for Family.
Loved Family. Thank you Alan.
My pleasure, DJ!
Would have loved to have Willie as my brother!
Marvelous interview with the two actors from Family. Watched that show from beginning to the end. It was such a good show back then. Very ahead of it's time with it's various story themes. All the actors were great. I've been rewatching the series again on UA-cam these past few months enjoying it again and then I see this interview pop up on my feed. Had to watch it. Thank you for all the work you do to bring The Locher Room to us. You're a must watch when I get the notifications for it. ❤❤❤
Thank you, Deb. That means so much to me. I appreciate you watching and taking the time to watch.
My favorite tv show, still watching it on UA-cam, such good actors, the depth, everything, good old days, people and family had time for one another, no cell phones, makes me feel good watching family, makes me smile, feel good & nostalgic, and I had a crush on Willie!
Loved this, so much! Thank you for sharing!
You bet, Gail. Thank you for watching.
12:03 Great interview, I didnt watch "Family," but I heard of the show back then, and it got alot of critical acclaim. Kristy McNichol was a tremendous talent back then and she won 2 Emmys for this role. She was really great in the film "Little Darlings" as well. The 70s and 80s had the best shows, you dont see shows like these anymore.
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This is so awesome thank you so much! Especially hearing from Gary Frank as there is very little current info out there now!
Glad you enjoyed it, Jamie.
Hi guys! Fantastic! I sorry to have missed this live, duh I was ready to check in at 3 pm pacific time, wow brain fart. Gary so good to watch and listen to you, all of you! I’ll continue to pray each now, happy you all did this interview!
Thank you for watching, Kelly!
Idk why Family complete series isn’t on blu ray dvd.
Right? Maybe one day.
Loved this! Thank you.
You are so welcome, Nancy. I appreciate you watching.
@TheLocherRoom I love when you have my favorites on. My all time favorite is Grant Aleksander when I was 13 years old fell in love with him Phillip and Grant. My mom would always get a kick out of me during my summers off from school I never missed Guiding Light.
I enjoyed watching Family when it was originally on and disappointed when it got canceled. I'm watching the repeats now on Tubi.
It's great hearing John and Gary's memories. It would be even more special if Kristy and Meredith were there. It would be awesome if they would come on your show in the future.
I saw the videos of Kristy and Sada receiving their Emmy awards but couldn't find the one of Gary.
They were both invited.
Great Show I stream it on Pluto TV
After watching this interview. It gave me the urge to listen to 'No Time at All's by Irene Ryan.
😍😍😍😍 Thank you for watching.
meredith baxter's a close cousin--her grandfather ages back was also my grandfather & i met her @ a springfield family reunion! in missouri, i mean :) . .
Love that!
you haven't changed a bit " willie " gary frank .always loved the scenes between willie and anyone but especially with kristy ( buddy , then you hear her actual name leticia )
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Truly loved the series I watch it now God bless everyone
Love Gary Frank reminds me of my older brother growing up always been there for me and stills does as this day
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Aha! 10:00 ... That's why I didn't see the first limited season... My bedtime was 10:00... The following year my bedtime was moved up to 11:00... hence my immediate gravitation to the show (I remember being frustrated because Family was on opposite LOU GRANT... it was the pre-VCR days so I had to pick and choose each week.). BTW, I was addicted to the miniseries RICH MAN, POOR MAN and ABC did heavily promote the first season of FAMILY during RMPM (I remember the spots!)
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This was really really excellent! How tremendous to see Gary and John after all these years. The way these actors composed themselves in this reunion it felt almost like they were in character here in 2024; which speaks to their permanent endearment and love of the show! They both still have that sparkle in their eyes…John’s voice sounds pretty much the same; Gary sounds just more mature. I wish Meredith and Kristy had joined this reunion; I know they were invited per the comments below. I was a kid of 8 when Family started. I love watching the episodes today; and that wonderful pensive opening theme by John!
So happy to hear you enjoyed the interview. Thank you for watching.
Salina Magee (Season Hubley) was my favorite of Willie's many loves, followed by Big Al (Jane Alice Brandon), and Lizzie (Brooke Adams).
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Awww. I missed it. 😢
You can still watch it.
I remember it well. I was eight, in 76. So for me. Genie Francis as Alice, the bully, & of course Leif Garett. Stood out. LOL Willie Aames too I think. Right before Eight is Enough.
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it's on Tubi ❤ I'm enjoying rewatching. apple maps has street view of the house 1230 Milan Ave Pasadena
I'm just now watching this series. I was born shortly after it was cancelled. By season 5 it was pretty obvious that Kristy and Meredith were the stars and wanted to expand outwards. Kristy started doing movies,while Meredith landed another show: FAMILY ties. Get it? lol.
If more parents were like the parents on Family I don't think the generations now would be behaving the way they do now.
I couldn't agree more, Bernadette.
@@TheLocherRoom My parents were like them. You can't get what I had because I am baby boomer. I feel sad for the generation coming up.
Gary ❤
The character of Nancy expanded once Meredith Baxter took over the role! Sada Thompson was superb as Kate Lawrence!!!
Jane Actman guest-appeared in an early episode of "The Partridge Family" - "My Son, The Feminist."
Yes, she was also in The Paul Lynde Show as his daughter. All of these shows were produced by Screen Gems/Columbia. The episode “Rites of Friendship” was one of the episodes that was filmed with Jane as Nancy. If you squint, you can see Jane’s picture on the piano along with the other family members in the last scene of the episode.
I remember watching her in that one, as well. Always enjoyed Paul Lynde's Uncle Arthur in Bewitched. Haven't seen "Rites of Friendship" in a very long time. Will take another look & see if I can see Jane's photo on the piano. @@jaredjlinden
My grandfather had a baby blue Pinto Station Wagon like Kate Lawrence's yellow one
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I would have liked to have heard Gary discuss working with actresses like Season Hubley, Shelley Long and Kim Cattrall.
Did they keep in touch with the other actors?
The writers wrote some good lines especially when it came to Annie.
I watched "Family" because I was a big Kristy McNichol fan, the name Gary Frank sounds familiar, but if I had to put the name to the face, I would have failed, cause I have not seen the name or face in a super, super long time. The other guy I have never heard of.
The other guy John Rubinstein has been in 100's of primetime series. Look up John Rubinstein.
The parents on family need to be like them for Millennials generations. The teenagers nowadays don't have respect, rude and not discipline for parents or for society.
Did John give anyone else a chance to speak?
He did for sure.
There is another actor whose name is Charles Frank is Gary Frank any relation to Charles?
I don't know, Karen.
Family couldn't continue without James Broderick? He was the perfect match with Sada Thompson.
As much as I loved Meredith Baxter in the role as Nancy, both Elayne Heilveil and Jane Actman both looked more like they could have been the daughter of the parents and an older sister to Buddy.
I know most believe Kristy McNichol was the star of this show but the REAL star was “Sada Thompson” very classy woman and great actress.
The mom is always the star!!! 🩷🩷
Shame that Meredith and Kristy couldn’t have joined in the conversation.
I invited both of them.
Oh poor Gary had that great hair, now all gone
😥it happens
There was another episode that addressed the LGTB community with Constance McCashin playing a much loved teacher who was forced out of her job because she was a lesbian. "Family" was years ahead of it's time...
I should try to find that episode.
Willie, I hate to beg the difference with you but they love that show you didn’t get canceled. Doug died in 1982 so the show couldn’t go on. They were going to bring the show back and have her marry someone else and they decided not to so tell it like it is
Kristy was Kristie!
Thank you!
I'm watching the whole series for the first time. Nancy bothers me. The Blond one. She's so unstable. I've got to the ones with the little girl whose parents died, and she had to come live with the Lawrences. I thought I wasn't going to like her. But, halfway through the first one I started to like her. Smart and not annoying at all. Gets a little soap opera sometimes when they're all having someone fall in love with them, or them falling in love with someone. A little too much of that.
Willie had an affair with everyone
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