An American Family was a groundbreaking reality TV show that shocked viewers with its cultural awakenings and intimate portrayal of the dysfunctional Loud family. Lance Loud, a breakout star from the show, became an LGBTQ+ icon but tragically passed away from liver failure and HIV after battling addiction to crystal meth. The show's legacy is seen in its influence on American television, inspiring other series and even being cited as the inspiration behind MTV's The Real World and the film Little Miss Sunshine.

An American Family season 1 ended 50 years ago, and a lot has happened to the Loud family since then. An American Family is hailed as America's first reality TV show. Produced by Craig Gilbert, filmed in 1971, and released in 1973 by PBS, An American Family followed the lives of an upper-class Santa Barbara family, the Louds, over seven months. The series received widespread viewership and acclaim for its...