Fact of the Day More Information 1973’s “American Family” was the precursor to shows like the Real World and the lot. The show covered issues like divorce and homosexuality. The common stereotype for childhood stars, especially reality TV stars, is that fame corrupts and goes to one’s head. American Family’s Lance Loud set the precedent. After appearing in the series, Lance networked his way to columnist and rock star. He became the hysterically animated lead singer of a band called The Mumps.
When all of this became too much, Lance resorted to uppers. Crystal meth led to speed, speed led to other intravenous drugs and eventually what he consciously knew to be rat poison injected straight. Lance Loud eventually developed AIDS. His final days were documented on camera, ironically enough. But, at the same time one could tell that he seemed most happy with the attention on him. Through all that he went through, Lance never lost his hilarious wit.
If the theory that reality TV corrupts is true, what will become of such hopefuls as Paris Hilton and the innocent William Jonathan Drayton (a.k.a. Flavor Flav)? View All Facts View Images View Maps Blog
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