On June 3, 2001, HBO introduced a series that would redefine how television approached mortality with the premiere of 'Six Feet Under'. Arriving during HBO's golden age, alongside giants like 'The Sopranos' and 'Sex and the City', the show carved out a unique space by placing death front and center. Created by 'American Beauty' scribe Alan Ball, the first episode introduced the Fisher family, proprietors of the Fisher & Sons Funeral Home, whose lives are thrown into turmoil by the sudden death of their own patriarch. The premiere immediately established the show's signature blend of dark humor, surreal dream sequences, and profound family drama, inviting viewers into a world where the business of death illuminates the complexities of life.
What it is
'Six Feet Under' is an American drama series that explores the lives of the Fisher family, who own and operate a funeral home in Los Angeles. The narrative begins when patriarch Nathaniel Fisher Sr. is killed in a car accident, forcing his estranged son Nate to return home and confront his family and his future. Alongside his closeted brother David, free-spirited sister Claire, and repressed mother Ruth, Nate must help run the family business. Each episode begins with a death, which serves as a thematic backdrop for the personal and professional struggles the characters face. The show is a deeply philosophical and character-driven exploration of life, death, grief, and human connection, acclaimed for its black comedy and unflinching emotional honesty.
How it came to be
The series was conceived by Alan Ball shortly after he won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the 1999 film 'American Beauty'. Ball wanted to create a series that directly confronted the subject of death, a topic he felt was largely avoided in American culture. He pitched the concept of a drama set in a family-run funeral home to HBO, which at the time was building its reputation for producing unconventional, high-quality programming. HBO embraced the idea, giving Ball significant creative freedom. The casting process was pivotal, bringing together a stellar ensemble including Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, and Lauren Ambrose, whose chemistry as the dysfunctional yet loving Fisher family became the heart of the show.
How many it sold
'Six Feet Under' was a consistent ratings performer and critical darling for HBO throughout its five-season run. The series premiere on June 3, 2001, attracted an impressive 4.9 million viewers, establishing a strong and loyal audience from the outset. While premium cable viewership metrics differ from broadcast networks, the show maintained a dedicated following, with its highly anticipated series finale drawing 3.89 million viewers in 2005. Beyond its broadcast success, 'Six Feet Under' was a massive hit on home video, with its complete series DVD box set becoming a must-own for television connoisseurs in the 2000s. The show also achieved widespread international syndication, earning accolades and a global fanbase that cemented its status as a landmark television event.
Why it resonated
'Six Feet Under' resonated profoundly with audiences because it tackled the universal, yet often taboo, subject of death with unprecedented candor, wit, and emotional depth. Viewers saw their own fears, anxieties, and questions about life's meaning reflected in the flawed, deeply human members of the Fisher family. The show's unique narrative device of starting each episode with a death provided a poignant lens through which to explore love, loss, sexuality, and faith. Its brilliant writing, powerful performances, and cinematic quality elevated it beyond a simple drama. It was one of the first mainstream series to feature a complex, central gay character in David Fisher, breaking new ground in representation and offering a nuanced portrayal of his journey toward self-acceptance.
Impact today
The legacy of 'Six Feet Under' is profound and enduring. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time and is particularly celebrated for its series finale, often cited as the most perfect and emotionally cathartic conclusion in television history. The show was a cornerstone of HBO's rise as a dominant force in prestige television, proving that audiences were hungry for complex, character-driven dramas that pushed creative boundaries. Its fearless exploration of existential themes and its blending of dark comedy with intense emotional drama paved the way for subsequent shows like 'Breaking Bad' and 'Mad Men'. Today, 'Six Feet Under' remains a benchmark for masterful storytelling, its influence still felt in television's modern golden age.
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