Kathy Garver, who portrayed Cissy in the original "Family Affair" sitcom, has expressed strong disapproval of the 2002 remake, calling it a failure that lacked the essential warmth and familial bond that defined the classic series.
Garver, preparing to host a marathon celebrating the show's 60th anniversary on Catchy Comedy, detailed her criticisms in a recent interview. "Excuse my language, but it sucked," she stated, attributing the remake's shortcomings to several factors. The original "Family Affair" premiered in 1966 and followed bachelor Bill Davis as he became the guardian of his late brother's three children, with Brian Keith as Bill and Sebastian Cabot as the butler Mr. French.
The 2002 version starred Gary Cole as Bill Davis and Tim Curry as Mr. French. While Garver acknowledged the actors' talents, she felt they did not capture the essence of the beloved original characters. She explained that Keith's appeal lay in the contrast between his tough exterior and his tenderness towards the children, a nuance she felt Cole, despite being a capable actor, did not replicate.
"I think it’s very difficult to do a remake," Garver said. "When they see Gary Cole, they say, ‘Well, that’s not Uncle Bill.’"
Garver also found Tim Curry's portrayal of Mr. French to be too far removed from Sebastian Cabot's understated performance. She described Curry's interpretation as "loud and boisterous" and more akin to a "Tim Curry show" rather than fitting into the situation-comedy vein that defined the original. In contrast, Cabot's Mr. French was "low-key" and performed everything "in love," particularly with the children, a quality Garver felt was missing in Curry's performance.
Garver believes the original cast's success stemmed from the genuine care their characters had for one another, creating an authentic sense of family. "Each individual person on the original ‘Family Affair’ had a family that they loved," she said.
She credited the show's groundbreaking premise—a single relative unexpectedly taking in three orphaned children—and its production quality, noting it was filmed in color with cast and crew from the movie industry. The enduring relatability, Garver suggested, comes from its focus on family dynamics and problem-solving.
"People really like each other — what a concept," Garver remarked, contrasting it with shows that feature constant conflict. "You have this very calm person that’s listening to you."
Garver will host a special 60th-anniversary marathon of "Family Affair" on Catchy Comedy on Sunday, Sept. 13, featuring eight of her favorite episodes that highlight Cissy's development throughout the series' five seasons.