I decided to start a thread for this drama, even though it might not be considered a soap. I was looking at the first season a few weeks ago and always wondered why they replaced Elayne Heilveil in the role of Nancy ? I thought she was fine, especially in the Pilot. I have read Elayne was fired because they thought she wasn't coming across the way they had hoped, then also someone claimed she didn't want to sign on for a weekly series. There was another actress recast in the role, but when they hired Meredith Baxter, she had to go back a retape scenes. Cheryl Ladd also was being considered, but I don't think she filmed anything. Aaron Spelling kept her in mind and then cast her on Charlie's Angels when Farrah left in 1977. 

 

I think Brianne Leary from Chips looked similar to Elayne Heilveil and wonder what she would have been like as Nancy. I think she is younger than EH. Brianne is on the right.

 

  

Edited November 17, 20169 yr by SoapDope

Rarely did Family reference prior stories. They did mention Willie's short lived wife played by Brooke Adams after her death. David Jacobs (Dallas & Knots) wrote those episodes. Doug's affair from decades earlier was brought up on occasion. The woman he cheated with played by Pat Crowley shows up and Kate fears he may cheat again. Linda Lavin guest stars in another episode as woman who set her sights on Doug and Doug flirts with her a bit. The Lawrence marriage was often tested through out the series. Another plot device is the death of the 4th Lawrence child Timmy who drowned 3 or 4 years prior.

 

I really liked Priscilla Morrill as Kate's friend and neighbor Elaine Hogan. Later Morrill was under contract to other series and the role was recast with Louise Latham. It wasn't really the same without Morrill in the role. 

 

The Lawrence children could be self centered at times, especially Nancy. Kate had her number and would call her out. Willie was a slacker and loafer with little ambition. Buddy would brood and act out if she felt her world was being turned upside down in any way no matter how minor.

I happened to be on Tubi watching Doc Martin when I saw Family is available to stream as well. 

 

Watch Family - Free TV Series | Tubi (tubitv.com)

 

 

 

 

came across this interesting about the seriality of ‘family.’

https://www.wattpad.com/843593336-beyond-seriality

5 hours ago, Forever8 said:

I happened to be on Tubi watching Doc Martin when I saw Family is available to stream as well. 

 

Watch Family - Free TV Series | Tubi (tubitv.com)

 

 

 

 

The cover page for Family shows up, but there's nothing to click on in order to access any episodes to stream.

I'm still surprised that Seasons 3-6 still have not gotten an official release. Is DVD On Demand still around?

12 hours ago, vetsoapfan said:

The cover page for Family shows up, but there's nothing to click on in order to access any episodes to stream.

Did you download the app? All 5 seasons are there. I just watched episode one of season three. I'm surprised the episodes are on widescreen and not the original format. The episodes look good though and not stretched.

10 hours ago, amybrickwallace said:

I'm still surprised that Seasons 3-6 still have not gotten an official release. Is DVD On Demand still around?

I know. I have the first two seasons on DVD. Was hoping for the rest to be released. I think only tubi has it for free. I think Amazon Prime only has the first season but I think it's 1.99 an episode or you can buy the whole season.

12 hours ago, vetsoapfan said:

The cover page for Family shows up, but there's nothing to click on in order to access any episodes to stream.

Maybe Tubi isn't available where you are.

19 hours ago, Forever8 said:

I happened to be on Tubi watching Doc Martin when I saw Family is available to stream as well. 

 

Watch Family - Free TV Series | Tubi (tubitv.com)

I just added Tubi to my Roku. Thanks for the heads-up!

30 minutes ago, marceline said:

I just added Tubi to my Roku. Thanks for the heads-up!

Thanks!!! 

20 hours ago, Forever8 said:

I happened to be on Tubi watching Doc Martin when I saw Family is available to stream as well. 

 

Watch Family - Free TV Series | Tubi (tubitv.com)

 

 

 

 

Thanks I added it. 5 seasons worth it seems. One of my favorites

Seasons one and two is almost $200 on Amazon. Ridiculous!!!!

1 hour ago, Soapsuds said:

Did you download the app? All 5 seasons are there. I just watched episode one of season three. I'm surprised the episodes are on widescreen and not the original format. The episodes look good though and not stretched.

I know. I have the first two seasons on DVD. Was hoping for the rest to be released. I think only tubi has it for free. I think Amazon Prime only has the first season but I think it's 1.99 an episode or you can buy the whole season.

I wonder if just the series Family is region blocked, because I do have Tubi, and regularly watch all sorts of stuff without any problem. For me, it's only Family that has no links to any content on its page.

When I do a search for the show in the Tubi search bar, it does not even come up, which suggests I'm not supposed to have access to it in my region (Canada).

 

7 minutes ago, vetsoapfan said:

I wonder if just the series Family is region blocked, because I do have Tubi, and regularly watch all sorts of stuff without any problem. For me, it's only Family that has no links to any content on its page.

When I do a search for the show in the Tubi search bar, it does not even come up, which suggests I'm not supposed to have access to it in my region (Canada).

 

Ah that could be why. I hate when that happens. I've had tennis shows I've wanted to see but can't because it isn't available in my region.

Here's how my screens look for it.

 

6 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

Ah that could be why. I hate when that happens. I've had tennis shows I've wanted to see but can't because it isn't available in my region.

Here's how my screens look for it.

 

On my screen, we get the picture of the cast on the stairs, and then the "starring" line, followed by...nothing. The screen is blank under the cast list, with no "seasons" listed.