'Today' is doing a special series of reunion shows, getting some famous TV families together again. First up: the cast of 'Eight Is Enough,' who appeared on the show this morning (video after the jump) to talk about their time on the show, what went on behind the scenes, what the dinner scenes were like, and how the show compares to what is on TV today.

Note: Meredith Vieira's intro to the interview is over the top. I really don't think that the end of the Vietnam War played such a crucial part in the show's success. And did they actually have to introduce each cast member separately and have them walk on stage to their chairs?

The cast members who appeared were Dick Van Patten, Betty Buckley, Grant Goodeve, Dianne Kay, Laurie Walters, Willie Aames, and Connie Needham.

There are many reasons why the networks tell us that the "early previews" of their fall pilots that they send us are not for review: the editing hasn't been completed, musical elements haven't been finalized, and the whole package isn't quite in ready-for-prime-time form yet.

But my guess is that the main reason for the admonishment is because of all the cast changes that take place before the pilot airs (or between the pilot and the first "real" epiosde). Case in point: the new ABC drama series Brothers & Sisters, which stars Calista Flockhart, has cast two-time Oscar winner Sally Field in the role of Nora, the matriarch of the family that is explored in the series. Field replaces Betty Buckley (remember stepmom Abby from Eight is Enough?), who played Nora in the pilot.

Of course, Field's no stranger to TV; she started her career in the series Gidget and The Flying Nun, and most recently played a recurring role on ER.

[via Mediabistro]