MovieChat Forums > Family (1976) Discussion > I can't be the only one who had a crush ...

I can't be the only one who had a crush on Buddy!

posted 16 years ago by Mort_I_found_a_spoon
13 replies | jump to latest

It was a big time crush. I watched the show every week when it started, without fail, just to see her. Learned to play the show's theme song on piano. When she sang with her brother Jimmy I got the album, silly as it was. Anyone else had a crush on her?

Wouldn't you know it, turns out she's gay. Well, I liked Jodie Foster too, and sure enough, she's gay as well. Lo and behold at around the time Family was on I figured out guess what, so am I! So maybe my crush on her was because she had some tomboyish qualities? Who knows, but the crushes switched to boys afterwards.

Whatever the case I hope the best for Kristy. I read she's been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and I know how difficult that can make life. She remains dear to me as a fond memory of my boyhood, and I'll always appreciate the work she's done.

[–] subcarrier 16 years ago

No you are definately not the only one who had a crush on Buddy!

I am about the same age as her and I couldn't see what she saw in Leif Garrett. In that episode where that *beep* kissed her I was so pissed! Sorry Leif, it was only 30 years ago, I'll get over it soon...

All kidding aside, I used to watch Battle Of The Network Stars to see her, not to mention the episode of Love Boat that she was in. I remember when Scott Baio kissed her I was so pissed! Sorry Scott...

Of course I became a fan of Empty Nest too. Yeah, the bipolar disorder has taken it's toll and we haven't seen her in a while, but I still have a crush on her. I as well will always appreciate the work she's done.

What else do you like? Lazy, ugly, horny? I got it all...

[–] ArizonaKnightWolf 16 years ago

I have had a chrush on KRISTINA ANNE ever since I first saw her picture on the mantle as the camera pans in the opening credits of FAMILY. She will always be a part of my life (God, I sound like a stalker, but, believe, I'm Not!), and I sure do appreciate all her work. I may be the only Kristy fan who has never seen LITTLE DARLINGS, and I get the feeling I am the only person on the planet who thinks THE PIRATE MOVIE ranks right up there with CASABLANCA on the best movie lists!!!
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[–] caarot 16 years ago

I also had a huge crush on her. One of my most memorable ones, in fact.

I loved every thing Kristy did and followed her career for many years, watching everything I could. So much so that I looked up 'Family' 28 years after I last saw an episode.... That in itself says quite a lot.

I had a bit of crisis with 'The Pirate Movie' though, I did not know who I liked more. Christoper Atkins or Kristy McNichol. As it turns out I guess I was actually leaning toward Christopher.!.! Ahh... 1982 - I was such an innocent...

I loved (and still love) The Pirate Movie. I bought the soundtrack album back in '82 and played it so many times I am surprised it still plays (and yes I do still drag it out from time to time Tarantara, tarantara..). I even bought the DVD of the Pirate Movie a few years ago..

Loved her then - Still love her now.

[–] Wardman3 16 years ago

I, too, had a huge crush on her as well. I can still remember the exact feeling of jealousy I had when on an episode of the Love Boat, she gets kissed by Jimmy Baio, Scott's brother. 30 years later I can still remeber exactly how I felt!

[–] adam-1589 16 years ago

Yes me too. I'm 38 years old now, and still remember how I felt when I watched her on Family! She affected me in the sense that I've always been attracted to women like her character Buddy.

I've been watching seasons 1 and 2 (ordered from Amazon) but don't have that 'crush' anymore. The series is bloody good though, I'd say it's the best family drama I've seen in my lifetime. It's great watching it now from the point of view of being a Father of 3 young children. I now fully understand the older characters!

I've also signed the petition to Sony, begging the release of seasons 3,4 and 5!

Wellington, New Zealand

[–] bat65 15 years ago

YUP.. ME TOO!!! I found an 8x10 glossy once in 1977 at the mall, and begged my mom to buy it. It hung in my locker at school till someone found out the combo to my locker and decided to place a 2" tear in the upper right corner.
Thank god he didnt rip it all the way. I dont know where it is today, but I wish I could find it and send it to her to get autographed.

Yea.. I got pissed at Leif and Billy too..

ahhhhh the crushes of youth!

[–] rb_mcgee 12 years ago

Sorry to be late to the party, guys. Count me in with the "Crush on Buddy / Kristy Club." I was 11 when "Family" started, and she was about 3 years older than me, but I apparently had a thing for "older women" when I was a kid ~

But here's what I really need to know. You folks writing in 2008-9 seemed aware that Kristy is gay; here in 2012 I'd also been thinking that she had been "out" for several years, and I thought it was common knowledge-- i.e., I assumed that she had "formally" come out long ago, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I THOUGHT I vaguely remembered when it hit the news.

SO -- imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago, early Jan. 2012, when the news reported that Kristy McNichol had come out as gay..?!?! How the hell did we ALL KNOW IT -- not suspect it, but know it-- before? I could have sworn that she had come out years ago..?!?!

Alternate timeline, or what?

[–] BEARDEDDRAGON48 12 years ago

I had a crush on Buddy too! I think half the lesbian community that grew up in the 70's and 80's did. To this very day, I still have the hots for Kristy McNichol. *sigh* LOL

[–] rb_mcgee 12 years ago

BEARDEDDRAGON48 wrote:
I had a crush on Buddy too! I think half the lesbian community that grew up in the 70's and 80's did.

Yeah, but how did y'all know???? That was what I was asking before. There were people publicly saying it like it was accepted fact years ago!! So that's why I was asking: WHAT DID I MISS? for Kristy to just now be "officially" coming out (last January) ??

[–] BEARDEDDRAGON48 12 years ago

I never 'knew.' It was just a feeling I always got. I can tell you I always hoped she was gay. :) but I never heard it officially until a couple months ago.

[–] bill3-1 12 years ago

Count me in too, I grew up watching Kristy, our birthdays are a week apart and there's just something special about Virgo girls, I think she had the coolest style, she just seemed like an average ordinary type of girl, not prissy, just a nice clean shoulder length brunette with brown eyes, slim athletic figure, beautiful smile, and I love that mole on her lip. She seemed down to earth, friendly, and she speaks her mind without coming off as aggressive, you just knew if she was your friend you wouldn't have to worry about being stabbed in the back, you could count on her to defend you, a Virgo trait.

[–] jefgg 10 years ago

When I was a kid I preferred Tatum O'Neal.

[–] knight-in-black-leather 10 years ago

I never had a crush on her or had any sexual feelings for her (I'm gay), but after seeing the trailer for "Little Darlings" in 1980, I was enamoured with her. I thought her character was so cool, and for some reason, she just resonated with me.

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