Kathy Garver expressed strong opinions about the 2002 remake of ‘Family Affair.’ In an interview with Fox News Digital, Garver, preparing for the 60th anniversary of the show, shared why she believes the reboot lacked the essential elements that made the original series special.
‘Excuse my language, but it sucked,’ Garver stated. She played Cissy in the original series that aired in 1966. ‘And it did for many reasons,’ she continued.
The original ‘Family Affair’ followed Bill Davis, a bachelor, who became the guardian of his late brother and sister-in-law’s children: Cissy, Buffy, and Jody. Brian Keith portrayed Bill, while Sebastian Cabot played the family’s butler, Mr. French.
The remake starred Gary Cole as Bill Davis and Tim Curry as Mr. French. Garver acknowledged their talent but noted that both actors offered different interpretations of beloved characters.
‘I think it’s very difficult to do a remake,’ Garver remarked. ‘When they see Gary Cole, they say, ‘Well, that’s not Uncle Bill.’’
Garver praised Cole’s performance in ‘NCIS’ but highlighted that he was not able to replicate Brian Keith’s unique appeal. Keith’s charm emerged from the juxtaposition of his rugged exterior with his gentle care for the children.
Garver also shared her views on Tim Curry’s portrayal of Mr. French, which she felt deviated significantly from Cabot’s nuanced approach. ‘Tim Curry had a whole different take on it,’ she commented. ‘It was very good, but it wasn’t in a situation-comedy vein. It was like the Tim Curry show.’
‘His performance was loud and boisterous, while Cabot’s was subdued,’ Garver explained. ‘Cabot’s portrayal was grounded in the love he had for the children, a sentiment she perceived as missing from Curry’s version.’
Garver emphasized that the authenticity of family connections was what made the original ‘Family Affair’ resonate with viewers. The original cast members genuinely cared for one another, which translated into their performances on screen.
She credited such emotional honesty with making the show stand out among sitcoms of that era. It was groundbreaking for its time, featuring a single relative suddenly taking responsibility for orphaned children.
Furthermore, Garver highlighted the quality of the production. The series was one of the early sitcoms filmed in color, benefiting from crew members with film industry backgrounds.
‘So it was a real quality kind of show,’ Garver stated.
The show’s relatable characters and storylines continue to engage audiences. Garver pointed out that the interactions between characters exhibited genuine warmth.
‘People really like each other—what a concept,’ Garver noted. ‘People aren’t yelling and screaming at them. You have this very calm person that’s listening to you.’
The talent of the original cast was evident, according to Garver. The show creator, Ed Hartman, emphasized the importance of acting through expressions, especially the eyes.
Reflecting on the show’s impact, Garver considered ‘Family Affair’ to be comforting for audiences over the years. ‘It’s not all this chaos, but something that’s beautiful and lovely and watchable,’ she stated.
The Catchy Comedy Network will celebrate the sitcom’s 60th anniversary with special programming on Sunday, Sept. 13. Garver will host a marathon featuring eight of her favorite episodes.