Family Affair

Watch Family Affair

  • TV-G
  • 1966
  • 5 Seasons
  • 7.0  (3,397)

Family Affair was a beloved American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1966 to 1971. The show was centered around a bachelor named Bill Davis, played by Brian Keith, who suddenly becomes the guardian of his late brother's children, Buffy and Jody, and their older sister, Cissy, played by Anissa Jones and Kathy Garver respectively.

The show was created by Don Fedderson and produced by his production company, Don Fedderson Productions. The characters in the show were created by Edmund L. Hartmann, who went on to create the hit TV show, Love, American Style.

Family Affair was one of the most popular shows of its time and became a major highlight of CBS's prime time lineup, attracting millions of viewers each week. The show was known for its wholesome family themes, gentle humor, and heartwarming storylines.

This iconic sitcom relied on the chemistry between the cast members and their undeniable charm to keep audiences glued to the screen. Brian Keith was perfect in the role of Bill Davis, the formerly womanizing playboy who becomes a doting father figure for his orphaned niece and nephews, Jody and Buffy.

Keith's character was sophisticated, witty, and charming, and his sudden foray into parenthood provided ample opportunities for comedic situations. He often found himself out of his depth but always found a way to make it work for his new family. The character had an edge of sophistication to him that was unique and sophisticated, yet relatable to audiences.

Kathy Garver played Cissy, Bill's young but responsible niece, who often helped her uncle take care of her younger siblings. Her character was poised, mature, and showed all the good virtues of elder siblings who took responsibility for their younger siblings. She was a major influence on and guide for Buffy and Jody, who looked up to her as an older sister they could trust.

Anissa Jones, who played Buffy, was one of the youngest actors on the show, but she delivered a performance that was both cute, endearing, and believable. Buffy was the youngest of the Davis children, and she was only six years old when the show premiered. She had a strong bond with her uncle and was often the target of his playful teasing.

Meanwhile, Jody's character, played by Johnny Whitaker, was a spunky and curious young boy who often got himself into trouble. He was the middle sibling, and his character was defined by his quest for adventure and his boundless energy. He and Buffy often got into mischief and their bickering was one entertaining element of the show.

The storylines for Family Affair were wholesome and heartwarming, but they always centered around relatable issues that audiences could connect with. From the challenges of parenting to family conflicts and financial struggles, every episode of Family Affair had a powerful message that viewers could take away.

The show was a cultural touchstone for the era of family-centric sitcoms, and it continues to be remembered fondly by fans. Whether you grew up watching the show or discovered it years later, Family Affair is still a charming and uplifting program that captures the essence of what it means to be part of a family.

In summary, Family Affair was a delightful sitcom that showcased the beauty of family life and the unconventional dynamics that existed between an uncle and his newly adopted children. With its warm spirit, lovable characters, and positive messages, Family Affair remains an evergreen television classic.

Family Affair is a series that ran for 5 seasons (138 episodes) between September 12, 1966 and on CBS

Family Affair
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Seasons
You Can Fight City Hall
24. You Can Fight City Hall
March 4, 1971
Buffy, Jody and their friend Ricky find a vacant lot where they can play, until the city decides to put a parking lot on that space.
Buffy's Fair Lady
23. Buffy's Fair Lady
February 25, 1971
Buffy meets a chubby girl named Angela who has a crush on Jody. Buffy tries her best to turn Angela into a lovely young lady and puts together a party so Angela can make friends. Buffy gets Jody to dance with Angela, but he bribes another boy to dance with her. Angela is disheartened when she finds out that this whole party was staged. Buffy and Jody then apologize for the way they treated her and gets her to make friends the right way.
Goodbye, Mrs. Beasley
22. Goodbye, Mrs. Beasley
February 18, 1971
Buffy meets a real, live Mrs. Beasley, an old lady who owns a toy store, when a friend forces her to give up her doll, Mrs. Beasley.
Cinder-Emily
21. Cinder-Emily
February 11, 1971
Emily wants to go to Jim's graduation ball, but can't because of four reasons: no date, no dance experience, nothing to wear, and fear of embarassing her son. Buffy and Jody help her out, and tries to get Mr. French to take her to the ball. Mr. French decides to take her, but comes down with the flu. Bill cancels a trip to take Emily to the ball.
The Joiners
20. The Joiners
February 4, 1971
Buffy wants to join a clique, but is dropped because she is younger by one year. Bill makes a deal with Shirley, the leader, that if he builds them a clubhouse, Buffy can join the club. After the clubhouse is built, Buffy is now a member, but Cissy wants her to run for secretary. The current secretary, Carol, wants to know why Buffy is in the club and Shirley tells her the truth and Buffy is out of the club.
Put Your Dreams Away
19. Put Your Dreams Away
January 28, 1971
Cissy meets up with her old friend Russ Brooks, who is joining the Peace Corps in Chile. Cissy wants to join Russ, but Bill tries to discourage her decision. Russ and Cissy decide to run off to Chile and get married, but Cissy backs out when she finds out the risks involved.
The Littlest Exile
18. The Littlest Exile
January 21, 1971
The Davis family meets Elena and a little boy named Johnnie, who is running away from military agents who want to take him back to his father in a military-torn country.
Too Late, Too Soon
17. Too Late, Too Soon
January 14, 1971
Emily playes matchmaker to Mr. French and Miss Faversham, and a matchbreaker to her son Jim and Cissy. Bill thinks that Emily believes that Jim is not good enough for Cissy.
Nobody Here But Us Uncles
16. Nobody Here But Us Uncles
January 7, 1971
The twins play matchmaker for Uncle Bill so he has someone in his life when they get older and move out.
Heroes Are Born
15. Heroes Are Born
December 31, 1970
Jody makes friends with a boy in teh park whose uncle is Ken Granger, a football superstar. Jody starts worshipping the ground that Granger walks on until he finds out that Granger is suspended from the team for betting on his own games. Jody is disappointed, but Uncle Bill tells him that people do not act the way we want them to act.
Feat of Clay
14. Feat of Clay
December 17, 1970
Bill's new girlfriend gives him a genuine primitive Colombian artifact, in which Buffy and Jody take to school and to have it broken! They try to put the pieces back together again and uses clay to make an exact copy of the statue. Their handiwork is displayed at the gallery and people are trying to buy it. The kids confess their doings to Bill's girlfriend.
Wish You Were Here
13. Wish You Were Here
December 10, 1970
Jody worries that Bill can't attend a father/son night.
The Unsinkable Mr. French
12. The Unsinkable Mr. French
December 3, 1970
Everything at the Davis' place seems to be in a state of chaos, but Mr French manages to keep things under control. That is, until one more thing goes wrong.
Class Clown
11. Class Clown
November 26, 1970
Laughter is the best medicine but not for every date. Bill goes out with a female comedian who seems to always be performing her act.
Say Uncle
10. Say Uncle
November 19, 1970
Bill refuses to fight Jody's classmate's father.
And Baby Makes Eight
9. And Baby Makes Eight
November 12, 1970
Cissy takes care of her pregnant friend while her soldier husband is out on a job.
Stamp of Approval
8. Stamp of Approval
November 5, 1970
Jody falls for a girl named Geraldine only because he wants her stamp. Bill falls for a woman to get a job with her foundation. Jody then talks about stamp collecting and Geraldine becomes friends with him and gives him the stamp that he was after. Jody then gives the stamp back to her because he's more interested in her. The woman doesn't give Bill a job, but they become friends.
Travels With Cissy
7. Travels With Cissy
October 29, 1970
Cissy and Gregg? Getting married? Not if Bill can help it. He takes the kids to California to get Cissy to change her mind. Bill then takes her to a studio party where Cissy meets Steve Hunter, a handsome western star. She falls for him and, after hearing stories about Steve, Bill tries to stop this new romance by bringing Gregg out to win her back. Gregg tells Cissy that he wishes her lots of luck with Steve. Steve then proposes to Cissy, and she refuses.
It Can't Be Five Years?
6. It Can't Be Five Years?
October 22, 1970
The kids celebrate five years of living in the Davis apartment bu throwing a surprise party for Bill, who doesn't make it because of a trip to Washington D.C. Emily then reminds him of the day and he goes to the party after all.
The Return of Maudie
5. The Return of Maudie
October 15, 1970
French knows Maudie, a nobelwoman, as a former barmaid.
Meet Emily
4. Meet Emily
October 8, 1970
When Mr. French gets too strict with the kids, Bill decides that he needs to loosen up. Bill hires Emily Turner to help Mr. French out, and she is won over by the kids because of her openness and free will. Mr. French hates Emily because of her attitude and decides that the apartment isn't big enough for two domestics. Mr. French then realizes that Emily is a great asset and they decide to work together.
Eastward, Ho!
3. Eastward, Ho!
October 1, 1970
Bill's friend, Eng Ho, is planning an arranged marriage for his daughter, Ming Lee, and wants Bill to give her a place to stay until the wedding. Cissy then makes friends with her and takes her out with her friends. Ming Lee then falls for her escort, which is a bad idea when she is about to be married. Ming Lee decides not to marry, and her father threatend to take her back to Hong Kong. Bill convinces Eng to let Ming Lee stay in America.
Desert Isle, Manhattan Style
2. Desert Isle, Manhattan Style
September 24, 1970
Uncle Bill leaves Cissy in charge of babysitting the twins, but neglects her duties when Gregg takes her on a plane trip to Dartmouth. Cissy calls for a sitter for the twins and leaves but when the sitter cannot make it, the twins have to stay ll by their lonesome. Especially on the night of a blizzard, which would be totally scary if the phone lines are down and nobody can reach them. Cissy then comes home around dawn. Uncle Bill returns home and Buffy fesses up.
The Good Neighbors
1. The Good Neighbors
September 17, 1970
Tired of the unfriendliness from all of the tenants in the building, Buffy and Jody decide to throw a party for all of the neighbors. Then the neighbors get stuck in an elevator and they work together to fix the problem.
Description
Where to Watch Family Affair
Family Affair is available for streaming on the CBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Family Affair on demand at Peacock Premium.
  • Premiere Date
    September 12, 1966
  • IMDB Rating
    7.0  (3,397)
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