‘Family Affair’ Actress Kathy Garver Says 2002 Reboot ‘Was Terrible’ in Comparison to Original: ‘Excuse My Language, It Sucked’

In a recent interview, Kathy Garver reflected on the legacy of ‘Family Affair’ while explaining why she believes the 2002 WB reboot fell short.

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Kathy Garver recently reflected on her years starring in Family Affair and the show’s lasting legacy

The 80-year-old actress shared why she believes Tim Curry’s 2002 reboot never captured the heart of the original series

Garver also stressed that the chemistry and warmth of the original cast simply couldn’t be recreated

Best known for playing teenager Cissy Davis on the classic sitcom Family Affair, Kathy Garver recently looked back on both the original show’s lasting appeal and Tim Curry’s short-lived 2002 reboot.

While discussing the franchise’s legacy with Entertainment Weekly, the 80-year-old didn’t hold back when asked about the remake that introduced a new cast to familiar characters. “It was terrible,” Garver told the outlet, leaving little room for interpretation.

Originally airing from 1966 to 1971, Family Affair centered on bachelor Bill Davis, who suddenly became guardian to his late brother’s three children.

Brian Keith starred as Uncle Bill, while Sebastian Cabot portrayed the devoted English gentleman Mr. French. Garver appeared as the eldest sibling, Cissy, alongside Johnny Whitaker as Jody and Anissa Jones as Buffy, with the cast helping turn the family sitcom into a television favorite.

More than three decades later, The WB attempted to reintroduce the series with Gary Cole taking over the role of Uncle Bill and Tim Curry cast as Mr. French. Garver also appeared in a guest role during the reboot, giving her a firsthand look at the updated production.

Looking back, Garver argued that revisiting a series with such a loyal audience presented challenges that were difficult to overcome, explaining why she believed the remake struggled to connect with viewers.

“Excuse my language, it sucked,” Garver told Entertainment Weekly. “In my opinion, it’s very difficult to do remakes. I think sequels are great and they usually do well, but once something is embedded in the culture and in the fan or audience mind, that’s their character. Those are their friends.”

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Garver also pointed to the chemistry and warmth she felt defined the original cast, saying those qualities were difficult to recreate. As she remembered working with her former co-stars, she contrasted that atmosphere with what she experienced while filming her appearance in the reboot.

“Each person was a loving person. They were amiable, they liked each other, we all got along,” Garver recalled of the original ensemble before turning her attention to Curry’s interpretation of Mr. French.

“Then, you go to Tim Curry, who is very funny. When they did the remake, I did my scene with him, but he has a whole different kind of humor, and he didn’t have the same kind of warmth that Sebastian had. [Sebastian] had a warmth for people,” Garver explained. “Tim Curry, you know, was a little more edgy, so that took away one part of the big aspects of the Mr. French character.”

Garver also praised Gary Cole as a performer while explaining why she felt the role of Uncle Bill was uniquely tied to Brian Keith’s screen presence, concluding, “Gary Cole, love his soul.... he’s doing well on NCIS, but he’s not Uncle Bill.”

“Brian Keith had this special ability to be this macho guy with a heart of gold and sensitivity. He especially loved children, and that really came through. That was part of who he was,” she added.

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