‘The Family’

Reality TV, the docu-soap and the fly-on-the-wall documentary can all thank the BBC’s 1974 television programme ‘The Family’ for their emergence. Producer Paul Watson came up with the idea of making a twelve-part series in which a real family on low income would be filmed in their everyday lives. There would be no script, just real life, warts and all.

The Wilkins family was selected because there were various issues in their living conditions and relationships, which could all be highlighted as they developed over the weeks. The whole family became famous but it was the outspoken, wise mother ~ Margaret ~ and the rebellious teenage daughter ~ Heather ~ who were the most memorable and drew most comments from the media and the public.

After the twelve weeks were over, the public wanted more, but there were no further episodes. Nevertheless, it had set a precedent for a new source of TV material.

(Image of Whitley Street, Reading, home of ‘The Family’: Chris Matson at geograph.org.uk / CC BY-SA 2.0)