Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

A drama series that takes a darkly comical look at members of a dysfunctional California family that runs an independent funeral home.

Creator:

Alan Ball

Stars:

Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 46 wins & 117 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Peter Krause	...	Nate Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Michael C. Hall	...	David Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Frances Conroy	...	Ruth Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Lauren Ambrose	...	Claire Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Freddy Rodríguez	...	Federico 'Rico' Diaz (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Mathew St. Patrick	...	Keith Charles (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Rachel Griffiths	...	Brenda Chenowith (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Justina Machado	...	Vanessa Diaz (42 episodes, 2001-2005)
Jeremy Sisto	...	Billy Chenowith (31 episodes, 2001-2005)
James Cromwell	...	George Sibley (27 episodes, 2003-2005)
Brenna Tosh	...	Maya Fisher (27 episodes, 2003-2005)
Bronwyn Tosh	...	Maya Fisher (27 episodes, 2003-2005)

Storyline

A drama series that takes a darkly comical look at members of a dysfunctional family that runs an independent funeral home. With the prodigal elder son (Nate) returning home for the holidays to shattering news, the family must learn to deal with a death of their own, while figuring out how to go ahead with the business of the living. A funny and emotional look at a grieving American family...that just happens to be in the grief management business.

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Plot Keywords:

funeral | funeral home | death | dysfunctional family | prodigal son | 

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Taglines:

Life is wasted on the living.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official site - Six Feet Under (HBO) Showcase

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 June 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Six pieds sous terre

Filming Locations:

2302 W. 25th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), The Greenblatt Janollari Studio, Actual Size Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min 55 min (63 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Within a week of the first episode being aired, HBO renewed the show for a second season.

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Quotes

Officer Keith Charles: [talking to David about marriage] You're in my will, I'm in yours. We basically are married, even if the law refuses to recognize it. But then again, I refuse to recognize most of the Bush Administration. I guess it all evens out.

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Connections

Referenced in A Long Road (2005)
Wide Angle Tilts & Framing

User Reviews

Free Therapy…

As I was reading through the comments about Six Feet Under I was struck by how many people expressed how this series made them FEEL. And how many people admitted to tearing up or even crying while watching the show. I admit I have done the same.

From the very beginning …no before that… From the moment I heard that Six Feet Under was created by Alan Ball, I knew I would like this show. I figured how could the maker of American Beauty go wrong? Boy am I glad I figured that.

To some degree I can relate to all of the characters on the show. And that speaks volumes because all of the characters on the show are kinda messed up in the head. And that is what I think speaks to so many people. I mean before Donahue was the most popular show on TV, I don't think most Americans even knew the word ‘dysfunctional' as applied to the family unit. Then it seemed a badge of honor to wear. And it was ok to go about telling people that you are from a dysfunctional family just to be ‘in'. Now after all this time and openness about our dysfunction, we begin to see how very much alike we all are. And that I feel is one of the binding elements of the watchers to this program. We sit each week and watch, basically, a part of ourselves work through personal issues, prejudices and shortcomings. Not always pretty, not always successfully but always openly, to us, the viewers. For me, to watch these characters struggle through some of their problems (which usually make mine look like a day at the beach) and let us come along with them to learn about their weaknesses and fallibilities and humanness is a lot like therapy for me. And in the end it only costs the subscription rate for HBO (no, I don't work for them).

I have never been that attached to the boob-tube (my father's word for the television) before. I have never had a reason to be. The programs that where on never more that mildly held my attention until now. I HATE commercials, I think they speak down to the public. So now I have no excuses and for that I am grateful.

Bottom line: I'm looking forward to the next few sessions… uhm I mean seasons. That's my take, what's yours?