The Brady Bunch ran from 1969 to 1974 and was never a huge ratings success (much like Star Trek), but became a bit of a hit when it went into syndication (which basically means re-runs off the main networks). During its five year period it never reached the Top 30 and finally reached numbers too low to continue. This was right after Greg graduated from high school and was getting ready to go to college so the timing was probably right. But like I said, when it reached syndication the show started taking off and there ended up being nine different spin-off shows and movies. It also received six different awards after the series ended. Even 40 years after the show ended it’s still running in some TV markets.
The major networks were a little afraid of the idea for the show at the time because it dealt with a blended family. I don’t know if you noticed but we never did know why Carol Brady was single…they didn’t want people to see her as a divorce’ so they just let the narrative slide. Finally, ABC bought in for one season with right of first refusal to pick it up for additional seasons. Basically this meant the producer couldn’t shop the show to other networks unless ABC said they weren’t interested in continuing with the show.
It took over 300 interviews before they got their core characters which were the mom, dad, housekeeper, and six children. Florence Hendersen, Robert Reid, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinhand, Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, and Susan Olsen, ended up being a perfect blend for the series. Of course many of them continued to work together on different projects for years after the series finished.
Although kind of a cheesy show it had a dedicated following. I don’t know if you remember the episode with Davy Jones taking Marcia to the prom but it ended up being at one point the 37th greatest television episode of all time according to TV Guide. Then there’s also the famous episode where Marcia got her nose broken by a football which Snicker’s piggy-backed off of in last year’s Super Bowl Ad.
Before I wrap up I would like to pay homage to the father on The Brady Bunch and that’s Robert Reed. Most people know him by this role but he also received Emmy nominations for his roles in the popular TV shows Rich Man Poor Man and Roots. In all, he played in at least one episode on over 90 shows including Ironside, Mission Impossible, Law and Order, The Love Boat, and Father Knows Best. He quietly had a very successful career.
Unfortunately it ended when he was just 59 years old due to prostate cancer. The coroner also said he was HIV positive which Reed did come out that he was gay later in his career. Early on he tried to hide this fact by getting married and having a child. He was a good actor but more than that a very good man who people loved to work with.
Anyhow, I find it amazing that one man’s vision back in the 60’s of a television show with a blended family is still being aired today. It was a silly show but let’s face it, it could be entertaining. In order to maintain my reputation I’d never admit to my guy friends that I watched and liked the show, so let’s just keep this between us.
The major networks were a little afraid of the idea for the show at the time because it dealt with a blended family. I don’t know if you noticed but we never did know why Carol Brady was single…they didn’t want people to see her as a divorce’ so they just let the narrative slide. Finally, ABC bought in for one season with right of first refusal to pick it up for additional seasons. Basically this meant the producer couldn’t shop the show to other networks unless ABC said they weren’t interested in continuing with the show.
It took over 300 interviews before they got their core characters which were the mom, dad, housekeeper, and six children. Florence Hendersen, Robert Reid, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinhand, Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, and Susan Olsen, ended up being a perfect blend for the series. Of course many of them continued to work together on different projects for years after the series finished.
Although kind of a cheesy show it had a dedicated following. I don’t know if you remember the episode with Davy Jones taking Marcia to the prom but it ended up being at one point the 37th greatest television episode of all time according to TV Guide. Then there’s also the famous episode where Marcia got her nose broken by a football which Snicker’s piggy-backed off of in last year’s Super Bowl Ad.
Before I wrap up I would like to pay homage to the father on The Brady Bunch and that’s Robert Reed. Most people know him by this role but he also received Emmy nominations for his roles in the popular TV shows Rich Man Poor Man and Roots. In all, he played in at least one episode on over 90 shows including Ironside, Mission Impossible, Law and Order, The Love Boat, and Father Knows Best. He quietly had a very successful career.
Unfortunately it ended when he was just 59 years old due to prostate cancer. The coroner also said he was HIV positive which Reed did come out that he was gay later in his career. Early on he tried to hide this fact by getting married and having a child. He was a good actor but more than that a very good man who people loved to work with.
Anyhow, I find it amazing that one man’s vision back in the 60’s of a television show with a blended family is still being aired today. It was a silly show but let’s face it, it could be entertaining. In order to maintain my reputation I’d never admit to my guy friends that I watched and liked the show, so let’s just keep this between us.
RSS Feed