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Rosie O’Donnell’s new HBO documentary to focus on diverse families

Rosie O’Donnell’s new HBO documentary to focus on diverse families

In her new HBO documentary, Rosie O’Donnell brings together a diverse group of families, letting the kids offer their candid and humorous insights about what being a family means.

Produced by O’Donnell, who also makes a brief appearance, A Family Is a Family Is a Family is a documentary where kids in nontraditional families talk about their lives.

The film also features musical elements (inspired by Marlo Thomas’ 1970s kids’ TV special Free to Be… You and Me) celebrating the love and support found in families of all kinds.

“I think kids in general say the truth,” O’Donnell said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

“Not only are the kids in this cute, they are poignant,” she said. “What they are asking for is safety, security and acceptance: That their families are just as valid as anyone else’s should they be raised by a grandmother, a mom and a dad, two dads, or one mom. Whatever makes up your family, it is valid and worthy and it should be cherished and respected.”

In the upcoming documentary, O’Donnell diplomatically addresses her breakup with Carpenter after ten years together, telling daughter Vivienne, “Even though Kelli and I aren’t living in the same house anymore, family is forever.”

Here’s the extended ET interview:

The definition of a family is at the heart of the comedian’s documentary, which premieres this Sunday, January 31, on HBO at 7 pm ET.

O’Donnell, 47, recently announced she will be moving in with her new love interest, Texas-based artist Tracy Kachtick-Anders, who has six kids of her own.

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