The First Reality Show - The Loud Family
Here is a trivia question for you: What year did the first reality TV show debut? That would be 1973 when the Loud family allowed PBS to chronicle seven months in their daily lives. An American Family was a 12-hour documentary that challenged the Donna Reed - Ozziet and Harriet stereotype of the middle class family. Ten million viewers watched as the marriage of William C. Loud and his wife Pat deteriorated leading to divorce.
The oldest son Lance was open about his homosexual lifestyle and became the first openly gay person to appear on TV. After the show ended he relocated to New York City and resurrected his high school band the Mumps. They had a loyal following and regularly sold out clubs such as CBGB. With no record deal the group disbanded in 1980.
Lance Loud returned to Los Angeles and became a magazine writer. Sadly he died in 2001 at the age of 50. He perceived his life story as a cautionary tale of what not to do. He experienced years of substance abuse. His death was caused by liver failure resulting from hepatitis C and HIV co-infection. He is remembered for saying "Television ate my family." (A sentiment shared by wrestler Hulk Hogan and his wife.) Source
The oldest son Lance was open about his homosexual lifestyle and became the first openly gay person to appear on TV. After the show ended he relocated to New York City and resurrected his high school band the Mumps. They had a loyal following and regularly sold out clubs such as CBGB. With no record deal the group disbanded in 1980.
Lance Loud returned to Los Angeles and became a magazine writer. Sadly he died in 2001 at the age of 50. He perceived his life story as a cautionary tale of what not to do. He experienced years of substance abuse. His death was caused by liver failure resulting from hepatitis C and HIV co-infection. He is remembered for saying "Television ate my family." (A sentiment shared by wrestler Hulk Hogan and his wife.) Source
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