The Loud Family - UnShattered: "An American Family" on Filming the First Reality TV Show

In our last conversation, we cover the aftermath, legacy, and some final thoughts about our history with An American Family -- learnings that are perhaps even more complex and relevant now than they were 50 years ago. Because there aren’t just two sides to any story: like families, everyone brings their own.

About The Loud Family UnShattered - Billed as "The Most Important Television Series in History," the 1973 docuseries “An American Family” became an overnight sensation and is now widely considered to be the inception of Reality TV. Opening with an image of the Loud family shattering across the television screen, the breakthrough series dominated media headlines and boasted 10 million weekly viewers as it chronicled the collapse of Bill and Pat Loud’s 20-year marriage, and through oldest son Lance Loud, presented the first openly gay lifestyle to primetime audiences.

Now, breaking a 50-year silence, the surviving members of the Loud family share the bizarre, untold story behind their unique experiences in a series of frank and unfiltered conversations. More than a historical narrative, "The Loud Family - UnShattered" covers topics including surrendered privacy and the reckless nature of the media: issues that are even more relevant today than they were 50 years ago. If that all sounds serious, it's only because you haven't met the Louds yet. UnShattered.

Series produced and hosted by Grant Loud, Tina Lee, and Benjamin Davidson.
Music by David Poe - davidpoemusic.com
A Magnus et Superbus Production

A year of silence after the shoot was followed by a deafening media blitz. So, what happened to that conversation about shared experiences and our partnership in a grand experiment? Hello? Uh...hello?

About The Loud Family UnShattered - Billed as "The Most Important Television Series in History," the 1973 docuseries “An American Family” became an overnight sensation and is now widely considered to be the inception of Reality TV. Opening with an image of the Loud family shattering across the television screen, the breakthrough series dominated media headlines and boasted 10 million weekly viewers as it chronicled the collapse of Bill and Pat Loud’s 20-year marriage, and through oldest son Lance Loud, presented the first openly gay lifestyle to primetime audiences.

Now, breaking a 50-year silence, the surviving members of the Loud family share the bizarre, untold story behind their unique experiences in a series of frank and unfiltered conversations. More than a historical narrative, "The Loud Family - UnShattered" covers topics including surrendered privacy and the reckless nature of the media: issues that are even more relevant today than they were 50 years ago. If that all sounds serious, it's only because you haven't met the Louds yet. UnShattered.

Series produced and hosted by Grant Loud, Tina Lee, and Benjamin Davidson.
Music by David Poe - davidpoemusic.com
A Magnus et Superbus Production

For the first time we share our individual memories of the night Mom asked for a divorce. On camera.

About The Loud Family UnShattered - Billed as "The Most Important Television Series in History," the 1973 docuseries “An American Family” became an overnight sensation and is now widely considered to be the inception of Reality TV. Opening with an image of the Loud family shattering across the television screen, the breakthrough series dominated media headlines and boasted 10 million weekly viewers as it chronicled the collapse of Bill and Pat Loud’s 20-year marriage, and through oldest son Lance Loud, presented the first openly gay lifestyle to primetime audiences.

Now, breaking a 50-year silence, the surviving members of the Loud family share the bizarre, untold story behind their unique experiences in a series of frank and unfiltered conversations. More than a historical narrative, "The Loud Family - UnShattered" covers topics including surrendered privacy and the reckless nature of the media: issues that are even more relevant today than they were 50 years ago. If that all sounds serious, it's only because you haven't met the Louds yet. UnShattered.

Series produced and hosted by Grant Loud, Tina Lee, and Benjamin Davidson.
Music by David Poe - davidpoemusic.com
A Magnus et Superbus Production

Two weeks turns into 7 months and deepening tensions erupt on both sides of the camera. How real is reality? Suffice to say that it requires a lot of planning, negotiations, and rules written in sand.

About The Loud Family UnShattered - Billed as "The Most Important Television Series in History," the 1973 docuseries “An American Family” became an overnight sensation and is now widely considered to be the inception of Reality TV. Opening with an image of the Loud family shattering across the television screen, the breakthrough series dominated media headlines and boasted 10 million weekly viewers as it chronicled the collapse of Bill and Pat Loud’s 20-year marriage, and through oldest son Lance Loud, presented the first openly gay lifestyle to primetime audiences.

Now, breaking a 50-year silence, the surviving members of the Loud family share the bizarre, untold story behind their unique experiences in a series of frank and unfiltered conversations. More than a historical narrative, "The Loud Family - UnShattered" covers topics including surrendered privacy and the reckless nature of the media: issues that are even more relevant today than they were 50 years ago. If that all sounds serious, it's only because you haven't met the Louds yet. UnShattered.

Series produced and hosted by Grant Loud, Tina Lee, and Benjamin Davidson.
Music by David Poe - davidpoemusic.com
A Magnus et Superbus Production

Overdue praise for dad, undiminished love for mom and what Lance went through as the first gay man outed on national TV. 

About The Loud Family UnShattered - Billed as "The Most Important Television Series in History," the 1973 docuseries “An American Family” became an overnight sensation and is now widely considered to be the inception of Reality TV. Opening with an image of the Loud family shattering across the television screen, the breakthrough series dominated media headlines and boasted 10 million weekly viewers as it chronicled the collapse of Bill and Pat Loud’s 20-year marriage, and through oldest son Lance Loud, presented the first openly gay lifestyle to primetime audiences.

Now, breaking a 50-year silence, the surviving members of the Loud family share the bizarre, untold story behind their unique experiences in a series of frank and unfiltered conversations. More than a historical narrative, "The Loud Family - UnShattered" covers topics including surrendered privacy and the reckless nature of the media: issues that are even more relevant today than they were 50 years ago. If that all sounds serious, it's only because you haven't met the Louds yet. UnShattered.

Series produced and hosted by Grant Loud, Tina Lee, and Benjamin Davidson.
Music by David Poe - davidpoemusic.com
A Magnus et Superbus Production

Breaking a 50-year silence, Kevin, Grant, Delilah, and Michele Loud tell the story of the initial pitch and how a detective novel, a big lie, and a "deal with the devil" changed their lives forever....uh, "in perpetuity."

About The Loud Family UnShattered - Billed as "The Most Important Television Series in History," the 1973 docuseries “An American Family” became an overnight sensation and is now widely considered to be the inception of Reality TV. Opening with an image of the Loud family shattering across the television screen, the breakthrough series dominated media headlines and boasted 10 million weekly viewers as it chronicled the collapse of Bill and Pat Loud’s 20-year marriage, and through oldest son Lance Loud, presented the first openly gay lifestyle to primetime audiences.

Now, breaking a 50-year silence, the surviving members of the Loud family share the bizarre, untold story behind their unique experiences in a series of frank and unfiltered conversations. More than a historical narrative, "The Loud Family - UnShattered" covers topics including surrendered privacy and the reckless nature of the media: issues that are even more relevant today than they were 50 years ago. If that all sounds serious, it's only because you haven't met the Louds yet. UnShattered.

Series produced and hosted by Grant Loud, Tina Lee, and Benjamin Davidson.
Music by David Poe - davidpoemusic.com
A Magnus et Superbus Production