An American Family

Before the Kardashians, Bachelors and Bachelorettes, Real Housewives, and Survivors, came The Louds - the first reality TV family. Debuting on January 11, 1973 on public television, this groundbreaking cinéma vérité documentary series made parents Pat and Bill Loud and their five children household names. During the seven months that they lived in front of the camera, viewers watched dramatic life events unfold, including Pat asking for a separation from her husband, and their gay son, Lance’s bohemian lifestyle in New York. (AFI Docs)