We were big fans of Lance Loud. We knew him as a great character – a musician and eventually a clever entertainment writer on the New York and LA scene. (He loved gossip!) Back in the 70’s Lance and his family appeared in the PBS documentary “An American Family.” (Top photo- Lance is upper left) This was back when reality TV was real, and cameras observed every little detail of the Loud family life in Santa Barbara. Lance pretty much came out on the show and became a celebrity, hanging with the Warhol crowd at Max’s Kansas City. He was self-destructive, but SO much fun. Lance died of AIDS in 2001. Now the story of the Loud’s groundbreaking documentary is being made into an HBO movie called “Cinema Verite.” Diane Lane is portraying Lance’s steadfast mom Pat, and Tim Robbins plays his father. Thomas Dekker, 22, whom you might remember from “Heroes” is playing Lance, and we’re glad we have HBO.
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Where on Earth did you dig up this gem?
…..THIS MAY BE A PUBLIC WARNING FOR AIDS, folks!!
I must have seen the doco at the time, but do not recall.
To all those posters who defend celebs who remain closeted, here you go.
Loud came out 1) in the seventies, when – one could argue – the world was less enlightened, and 2)did so publicly, and before he had an established career or any real money of his own. If he could come out, why can’t a Hollywood star who is worth $100 million and need never work again?
I loved this documentary. It was true reality, not staged like Bravo or Real World has turned into.
I remember watching this documentary a few years ago with my brother and I was somewhat shocked and disturbed (in a good way) by its content and how the family just seemed fearless in their decision to partake in it. It shocked me just as much as Grey Gardens.
However, I don’t think Diane Lane would be a good choice to play Pam. I don’t think she has it in her. I think that should be Annette Benning’s role. Her and Tim Robbins would own those characters.
I remember this show. Everyone in the country watched it! It was the talk of the every water cooler and the family was on magazine covers. Lance was brave and opened doors by coming out of the closet and living his truth when it had never been done by a true openly gay person on TV.
What should happen, is replay the original for those who have heard of it but haven’t seen it. No one can play them like THEM! I don’t want to see fakes, give me the real deal, not actors pretending to be them! NOT INTERESTED!
You can still see real reality television – including classic stuff like An American Family – on PBS, the CBC, BBC, and other types of public television, specialty cable stations, on DVD, and on the internet. If one has some extra cash there is no reason to suffer the Kardashians and the Jersey Shore idiots.
Hepatitis C is what Lance passed away from Janet.
PAT LOUD is Lance’s Mom’s name NOT PAM….
Do your research.
Aids is a killer and you never know who has it? People will take you life when ever passion is applied.
Good looking and handsome and attractive and funny will kill you know adays and..It took another person to bring another person down and that means they already knew they had this disease and simply was selfish and unkind and took another person life.
To cause another person to suffer and put there love ones around them throw drama and frustration is cancer and some one very evil ready to go to hell after there life is over on this earth.
It is good to do this shows to remember a love one that is well missed and show the care and love they had for each other and most of all the understanding and contact with each other is good and positive and kind.
This show may save lives and gather better understanding of what others go throw day in and day out and how it effects the whole family!