Black kid with Irish and Native American ancestry born in early 70's & grew up in "metropolitan" city in North Carolina. I loved this show...still do. Mom Kate reminds me of my own mom, although mine dressed less conservatively. Mom loved that Kate wasn't svelte, but still attractive as a lead actress, much like herself. Kate & my mom had the same aloofness, but my mom was more outwardly affectionate. Rules were made & adhered to...kids deferred to their parents, but were allowed to speak their minds, within reason. Mostly caught this show in syndication during summers in the 80's. I thought Kate & Doug had a great dynamic. Gary Frank's Willie-a great big ham in & out of character but believable & very much of his time. Good looking, self-assured, and finding himself. I got a bi-vibe from his portrayal of Willie, but that's just my take on things. He and Season Hubley played very well together as a couple.
Nancy-not MBB's best role, but very believable and played frankly. Buddy was Kristy's best acting job hands down...she slept walked through "Summer of My German Soldier, allowing Esther Rolle to walk away with the movie & the Emmy-even in her supporting role. I haven't seen Kristy in much since that was worth writing home about, but she was outstanding as Buddy. I believe that Buddy may have been closest to her real self, and that's why she played so easily against other lead characters...just my take on things. James Broderick as Doug was a tender and subtle actor, playing straight man and confidante to Kate & his kids...a real pro-you knew he'd walked the walk with his own "Family".
Sada Thompson was the greatest!!!!! She was attractive, intelligent, witty, elegant, and the perfect foil to her children's storehouse of tricks---especially Nancy's. I loved how gently she let down her recently divorced neighbor-Howard Stone-who had romantic delusions about Kate. From the long exterior shot when she briefly lands home & pleads with Doug "not to go away", to her arrival on Howard's front stoop and rear yard, she plays it with total class...such an elegant and refined woman. She knew that acting involved far more than mere dialogue.
Can't say enough how much I still enjoy watching this well played and well written family drama. Nothing compares to it these days...nothing! I hope it comes back in syndication-METV or elsewhere. Sada Thompson and Esther Rolle were probably the best actresses on television during that time, and remind me so very much of my own mother and grandmother's-except mine were prettier, for what that's worth. They had grace, style-when allowed, and could deliver the most subtle and moving dialogue with profound subtlety. Thanks for indulging me folks!
-easyasdell
Nancy-not MBB's best role, but very believable and played frankly. Buddy was Kristy's best acting job hands down...she slept walked through "Summer of My German Soldier, allowing Esther Rolle to walk away with the movie & the Emmy-even in her supporting role. I haven't seen Kristy in much since that was worth writing home about, but she was outstanding as Buddy. I believe that Buddy may have been closest to her real self, and that's why she played so easily against other lead characters...just my take on things. James Broderick as Doug was a tender and subtle actor, playing straight man and confidante to Kate & his kids...a real pro-you knew he'd walked the walk with his own "Family".
Sada Thompson was the greatest!!!!! She was attractive, intelligent, witty, elegant, and the perfect foil to her children's storehouse of tricks---especially Nancy's. I loved how gently she let down her recently divorced neighbor-Howard Stone-who had romantic delusions about Kate. From the long exterior shot when she briefly lands home & pleads with Doug "not to go away", to her arrival on Howard's front stoop and rear yard, she plays it with total class...such an elegant and refined woman. She knew that acting involved far more than mere dialogue.
Can't say enough how much I still enjoy watching this well played and well written family drama. Nothing compares to it these days...nothing! I hope it comes back in syndication-METV or elsewhere. Sada Thompson and Esther Rolle were probably the best actresses on television during that time, and remind me so very much of my own mother and grandmother's-except mine were prettier, for what that's worth. They had grace, style-when allowed, and could deliver the most subtle and moving dialogue with profound subtlety. Thanks for indulging me folks!
-easyasdell