Family Affair: Season 2

Season 2 continued where Season 1 left off and in the process, raised the bar for quality. Season 2 finished at number 5 in the TV ratings for the 1967/1968 season and was nominated for an Emmy award in the best Comedy Series category. This is really good when you consider the four shows that finished higher in the ratings: Gunsmoke, The Lucy Show, Gomer Pyle, and Andy Griffith (all of which are considered classics). In my opinion this show contains equal parts drama and comedy. Other than MASH, I can't think of a show that was able to combine both with such perfection. In this season, the chemistry between the cast is impeccable and everyone seems to be more comfortable with his/her roles. Both Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot were nominated for Emmy awards for their performances. The consistent theme throughout Season 2 is that of "incorrect assumptions" between Uncle Bill and the kids (Cissy, Buffy, and Jody). Throughout the season, Uncle Bill is willing to sacrifice his lifestyle and his comfort to provide the kids with a better quality of life and the kids are willing to do the same thing for their uncle. For example, in one episode Uncle Bill contemplates moving out of New York City to a suburban setting because he thinks this is what the kids want. The kids are willing to leave the city they love and move to the countryside because they think it will make their uncle happy. In the end they realize there has been a breakdown in communication and they stay where they are because they realize that the location of the house does not bring happiness, it's the people in it. The important thing to note from all of this is that an atmosphere of unconditional love, loyalty, appreciation, and sacrifice is the foundation for this show. Some people view this show as too "unrealistic" and "ideal." Although few families are acutally like the Davis' and Mr. French, what is wrong with portraying a family unit in a way that every American respects and wishes he/she could replicate? Another benefit of Season 2 is that Sebastian Cabot is able to appear in all the episodes. I believe in Season 1 he missed 8 or 9 shows due to illness. Another unique aspect of Season 2 is that all of the shows deserve a 5 star rating. Usually in a TV series, several shows are pretty awful and another handful are just of average quality. This is not the case with Season 2 of Family Affair. Season 2 of Family Affair provides excellent entertainment with very intriguing plots and high production standards in every episode. Family Affair is simply the best show ever made for such a wide audience. This show definitely deserves 5 stars, and then some.

An incredibly series from a bygone age. Family Affair isn't just about a bachelor raising his nephew and two nieces after their parents die, but a morality less each week about the world around us. In Season Two, this can be seen in the first episode where Uncle Bill tries to provide answers about where babies come from when Jody and Buffy become serious about the matter. After telling them about the stork and cabbages, Jody and Buffy finally get a fantastic answer (perfect for kids their age) that doesn't invoke a lie about birds and vegetables. It is a wholesome but powerful answer that isn't totally sappy or missing the point.Sadly, Family Affair was cancelled after five seasons as network television wanted to focus on Westerns. Much to the chagrin of loyal watchers, we never found out of Uncle Bill married, if Cissy finally found a future husband, if Mr. French would be admitting his love for Ms. Faversham, and if the twins would grow up happy and healthy. We also never discovered what would happen to Mrs. Beasley. Perhaps she was cast asunder by Buffy and would become a cheap streetwalker in a sketchy part of Manhattan.But, even with the loose ends never tied up, this is still one of the finest situation comedies to appear on American network television.

I received my box set of Family Affair Season 2 and went directly to thebonus material. I was shocked by the continued omission of JohnnyWhitaker from the extras!The few minutes spent featuring merchandise generated by the show couldhave been expanded with additional material beyond the scope of thepiece. Johnny Whitaker was not asked to participate and if he had beenasked, his personal collection would have made a vast and welcomeaddition to the few items that were shown. As archivist of the Whitakerarchives, I can assure you that there are far more products than thoseshown.The fans are the people who have supported the series and are the onewho purchase the series as it comes out on DVD, and they are not beingoffered the perspective of all of the surviving cast members. AlthoughJohnny was a child when the show was being filmed, he has many wonderfulstories to share. Why has he not been included? It appears that thepeople being hurt by his omission are the very people who are buyingthis product...THE FANS![...]This is a wonderful product otherwise. The episodes are crisp and clearand the voice tracks are clean. Packaging is one box, which I find tobe an advantage with no small DVD boxes to get misplaced. Everything isin one place.Season 3 is already slated to come out in March 2007, so there probablyisn't time to include Johnny Whitaker in that season's bonus tracks. IfMPI wants to really do justice to Family Affair by the fans, they shouldnot waste any time in contacting Johnny Whitaker to give his commentaryto the remaining seasons. If they decide against it, it will be atravesty and the fans will be the ones who lose.

Awesome!.. brings back good memories.

I wasn't born yet when this show was originally aired, but my, what a gem! Having lost my parents when I was a bit younger than Buffy, and actually having been placed with several of my relatives including my uncle's home, I can certainly say this show draws some real emotions for me. Underneath the fluffy warm hearted stuff, there's a real substance of need for sense of belonging, constant fear of not knowing when everything you adore will be pulled underneath from you-- and this show captures all of that, without being dark and a cry song. I wish I had a kind and gentle uncle as Buffy and Jody did-- it's so hard to find such good hearted person in today's world, when everything is about one's own success. Even if you don't have a relate-able childhood, this show strike a chord with anyone who values warm human heart.

Family Affair was a popular situation comedy and a regular top 20 hit show produced by Don Fedderson Productions for CBS-TV during its five-year run from 1966-71. Brian Keith stars as bachelor Bill Davis, a highly-paid engineering consultant who lives in a posh Manhattan apartment with his proper English manservant, Mr. Giles French (Sebastian Cabot). Davis' carefree existence is turned upside down when his brother and sister-in-law die suddenly in a tragic plane accident, leaving their three children orphaned. Davis becomes an instant father figure to six year-old twins, Buffy and Jody (Anissa Jones, Johnnie Whitaker) and their big sister, Cissy (Kathy Garver). In Season 2, Uncle Bill and Mr. French tell the twins tall tales about where babies come from, until Cissy steps in as the voice of reason; a famous actress wants to settle down with Uncle Bill; and Jody's new imaginary friend causes him a great deal of trouble. Guest stars include Anna Lee, Jackie Coogan and Ann Sothern.In its second season, "Family Affair" is to be commended for not foregoing the intricate histories and personality traits of its central characters; for instance, the kids go on vacation with Uncle Bill and Mr. French to their hometown in Indiana, which brings back poignant and sometimes painful memories of their deceased parents; and Mr. French is still trying to adjust his life around the kids, but when they are forced to take a trip with him out West, he happily restructures his schedule to accomodate them. Unlike other sitcoms, "Family Affair" is seamless in its exploration of certain themes, such as the fear of separation, emotional ground which gives the wonderful cast plenty to get worked up about.

using for entertainment for my mother with dementia she loves and I've enjoyed so much watching with her

This was a great tv show from way back & anyone who remembers the show it will love this DVD!