I actually loved the episode with Greg’s hair turning orange. After my Dad passed away in 2023 and my mom was going through depression and crying fits, I was staying with her and found the Orange Hair Greg episode on TV and suggested we watch it together for some happy distraction. My mom laughed and smiled the whole episode and I secretly thanked the Brady family for that. Grew upon the show and it’s still wonderful. ❤ Rest In Peace Florence, Ann and Robert.
I read that he had a really string bond with the kids. They would literally go on vacations together. I think he recognized that the show was a huge opportunity for all the young actors and did not want to take that away from them. He was troubled but put the kids first.
I agree! That doesn't make sense.... Idk what's true or not...... It was said that sometimes rob reed was giving Sherwood shwartz a hard time w/ some of the scripts.... Oh well...there's gonna b issues behind the scenes......it is what it is ...But it was very sad when Bob Reed passed.... He was good! I believe his daughter from previous marriage....made an appearance on Brady bunch....the slumber party?
Im recalling back In the 1980's or early 90's .... Sally Jessy Raphael did a sequence of 'fathers day" with the actors from 'brady bunch". Different strokes... Adams family ". And rob reed said HE didn't like the fact that young people or kids workin full time on a t.v. series....not have a normal life! Well...some of the young actors COULD handle it ....and some couldn't.....I don't know what's more difficult......regular t.v. series....or filming a movie!? But he did have a good point!
I met Christopher Knight in 2015 at a casino where he was part of a show. I was working there and had the opportunity to speak to him face to face. The Brady Bunch was, for me, an anchor where I witnessed children being treated with dignity and respect and love...which was the polar opposite of what was happening in our house...it was really bad. I watched that show when it first came on until it ended in '74 faithfully...it was so comforting for me. Anyway...I'm standing there in front of one of the most likable characters on the show...and yes-it was some 41 years later-but I honestly felt overwhelmed and a lot of stuff went through my mind...and I don't believe I spoke as intelligently as I had wanted to. He must have thought I was some kind of idiot...but he and everyone else on that show were such an incredible force of hope for me. And I'm very sure that so many others were encouraged by it as well. This video...attests to the love that they shared behind the cameras.
I was a child of the 70s, and wasn't old enough to appreciate it until once it was in reruns. but as an only child of a single mother who was stressed beyond belief, and never home when i'd come home from school, the Brady Bunch was my escape to the family I wish I had. So I totally understand where you're coming from.
Several years ago I was visiting Branson. Missouri and my husband and I were at the grocery store standing in line to check out. I happened to look at the gentleman in front of me and it was Barry Williams! I turned around to my husband and whispered “That’s Barry Williams!” He proceeded to check out and was very pleasant to the cashier. I was star struck and couldn’t think of a thing to say. At first I didn’t want to bother him but later I wished I had at least said how much I enjoyed him and the whole “blooming bunch.” As soon as I got to the parking lot I called my sisters, acting like a teenager all over again, to tell them who I saw. The Brady Bunch was such a big part of our childhood. It is such a fun memory. I now enjoy Barry and Chris’ podcast where they discuss all the episodes. So fun!
From what I heard, most big actors don't mind people saying hello and going on their way. It's the ones that hang around gushing and asking for pics are the ones that get on some of their nerves. I agree about hard it had to be to see Bob Reed sitting alone like that. If it were me, I would've simply acknowledged him by saying hello and enjoy your evening or something and walked away
I got to meet Florence Henderson in L.A. around 1986 at a taping of a new talk show. She was the first guest, and I was in the audience made up of paid extras. I told her how much I loved her in the Brady Bunch and she was very sweet and friendly to everyone that wanted to meet her. I also ran into Robert Reed in New York City inside a bathroom of a movie theater, ha ha, and had to awkwardly tell him how much I loved his character in the the Brady Bunch and he thanked me. Then years later, I met Barry Williams in Palm Beach Gardens when he came around on a tour doing a karaoke show. I of course I let him know how much I loved the show, and he was very cool - and took a picture with me. Point is, I really hope all the love that so many people have expressed to them is what lasts in their memories of that time.
Wow, I didn’t know what I was watching at first but, this was a very well written, and superbly portrayed rendition of The Brady Bunch’ final days. I am of the age where, every Friday night since 1969, I was sitting in front of the television set at 7:55 pm waiting for the bumper to start the show, all the way through March 8 1974. It was a good time, and a good show. ❤
@@wylierichardson-tu6zs My gosh...Homer's comment had nothing to do with Robert Reed's private life. It is tragic that society made gays feel they had to live in the closet or be ostracized and lose job opportunities. Nothing is funny about it. The character Mike Brady was not a closeted gay; Reed was.
@@shiroibasketshoes Yet another poster made a 'jokey' comment very much in the same vein. Im so happy I beat him to the punch (line) tho. Anyways, have a nice 2024.
I realize that Robert Reed's background was as a Shakespearean actor, but The Brady Bunch was a situation comedy where, back then, everything could be resolved in about 25 minutes. He only had one more show to go and then he could have gone back to Shakespearean acting if he so wanted, but he complained so much that they wrote him out of the last show. A lot of the stuff he did after The Brady Bunch wasn't exactly Shakespearean acting like The Love Boat, Charlie's Angels, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, etc. The same thing with Tina Louise on Gilligan's Island. She thought that she was the star of GI, but she was a co-star, and it wasn't called Ginger's Island. I wish some of these actors would give some serious thought to the roles they end up taking. Again, these are situation comedies. They are there to bring smiles and laughs to the viewers which you don't find a lot of that in Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet.
Somehow this ended up in my RU-vid feed and I'm glad it did. I was captivated from start to finish. Thank you for putting this together, I truly enjoyed it.
Interesting how this started with Robert Reed drinking alone at a bar. He must have done a lot of that, especially toward the end of his life when he was battling HIV. The one and only time I saw him in person, he was sitting alone at the bar at Gus's BBQ in South Pasadena, CA, shortly before he passed. May he rest in peace.
He was like a lot of sitcom actors in the late 60s/early 70s who struggled to find good dramatic work as they were pigeon-holed as Comedy actors. But usually when they found a dramatic role, they nailed it. The best examples are Bob, Elizabeth Montgomery, Mary Tyler Moore, Edward Asner, half the cast of MASH , and Marlo Thomas. They all mostly went the Made-For-Tv film route to do this .
@@maestroclassico5801 yeah makes sense you would think they'd just be grateful to be working in the industry at all but it frequently doesn't work that way. plus he also struggled with being gay. especially back in the 70's they knew almost nothing about psychology and there was very little help available for anything. i know i was there (i'm 55).
Time has proved Robert Reed wrong....The Brady Bunch remains popular more than 50 years after it's premiere. R.I.P. Mr. Reed...you were a great Mike Brady!
@@arizonaalchemy7572 Probably not long...cultural changes to the country would not have supported a show like TBB for long after the 70s. Kinda sad; there was so much good about it (the show AND the country). Best wishes, be hopeful in spite of everything.
Wrong about what? The show did not end well. Really an episode about hair coloring? The only saving grace was when the Brady reunion specials of the 1980s
Barry is an amazing human being. Barry Williams appeared at his book signing which I attended. He was so professional and so kind to each person and the book was an enjoyable read. We love the show as much now as when it first aired. As others have said it gave hope and a model to a lot of kids with troubled homes. We all need the kind of positivity that they bring to us.
I agree with you about growing up in the 70's and watching TV shows such as this one, Gilligan's Island, I Dreamed of Jeannie and etc. The music was great, fashion was trending and it was just an incredible experience.
This was hard to watch, I grew up in the 70's and this show was iconic, it hurt my heart to see the main star get disposed of so easily, he was a dignified man, and those children really were like his own children. I wonder how Sherwood felt when he found out about Robert Reed being sick? This whole episode broke my heart, but thanks for sharing it ☮
Sadly, Sherwood was a business man selling products to TV. Ask the cast of Gillighan's Island you will see how shafted they felt as they did not get paid for the reruns but Sherwood certainly did. I think the Brady Bunch could have expanded their story lines as Robert Reed wanted and given the actors a change to stretch out their acting chops to show more than the bubble gum that was shown each week; the bubble gum was what made the show lose momentum in the final season. If Robert Reed's ideas would have been enacted, the Brady Bunch might well have lasted longer and prevented the type-casting that haunted the cast for the rest of their lives.
I agree....I both watched/loved the show as a kid of the 70's but I think it's a shame Robert Reed couldn't have just gone with it instead of all the fighting about scripts when the show was shot in 5 days. He signed a contract and has a right to his opinion but to be so disruptive.......I could see why Mr Schwartz just had to cut him out just to get the shoot finished. I remember being crushed it was cancelled.
The Brady bunch was one of my favorite shows. My childhood was nowhere near like the childhood of those kids. I longed to have The kind of life they did on the program.
I was one of Jim Nabors backup singers in Hawaii in the Polynesian extravaganza show Florence Henderson came to watch and be a part of the show I got to be with her little while it was such a good feeling and so humble she is❤
Except on the last season or 2, she did wear her hair down. That she still had her hair in those braids and complained about it in this piece is nonsense.
It was worse for Anissa Jones on Family Affair. She had the Cindy Brady pigtails before Cindy Brady had them! Anissa was forced to wear hers the entire five year run. She was almost 13 when the show was canceled in 1971. Susan Olsen was allowed to wear her hair in braids by 11 and fully down about a 1/3 of the way into the last season while she was still 12.
@gheller2261 , not really I don't think she hardly wore her hair down. Maybe in a few episodes, but in the majority of episodes, her hair was still in curls, thus why she complained
It was good to know that Sherwood Schwartz and Robert Reed settled their differences seeing that Robert Reed was in all of the Brady Bunch movie specials after the series ended. The A Very Brady Christmas, Brady Brides etc. I liked this video just watched.
They didn't settle their differences. He thought the show's writing was ridiculous. He appeared in The specials and reunions because he said he knew the other actors wouldn't have not gotten as much money if Me Brady wasn't there. He liked the cast, gave them cameras and took them all to Ny and London on his dime.
Another video on this topic said that Schwartz wasn't involved with the specials and reunions so that's why Reed agreed to do them. Don't know if that's true but it would make sense.
It doesn't really make sense for Bobby's character though. Think about it...why would the good brother ever do something like that? Not saying he didn't have his "really shouldn't have done that" moments, but come on...Bobby would never prank his brothers or sisters or in an earlier episode dare be so cross with Alice (and neither would Jan due to their bond as middle kids)...because Alice was specifically brought on as a housekeeper for him...are we sure that the most responsible Brady would ever do that? I mean really...the same Bobby "Happy Handy Helper" Brady cons his big brother? The hairbrained schemes were more Cindy's department...which annoyed Susan Olsen.
I watched the Brady Bunch for many years. I have watched every episode. The first season, I felt like the actors and the show were trying to find their way. The second, third, and fourth seasons were great! By the second half of the fifth season, there weren't many good episodes anymore. The show had run its course. Adding Oliver was a mistake, and an indication that the show was basically over. That said, many people criticized the show - but I can find nothing wrong with a show about a family whose members loved one another. I felt the character I related to the most was Alice. The episode where the kids turned on her, and she was crying at her friend's apartment, and left her job with the Bradys, and became a waitress (4th season) - that was the only episode I saw where I could have cried. Who could be so mean to sweet Alice? At the end the kids found her working at a diner and apologized and told her they loved her. I loved the show so much that in the 90s, when Barry (a.k.a. Greg) came to my school to talk about his experiences on the Brady Bunch and to promote his book, "Growing up Brady", I was so excited and wanted to meet him. I waited in line and finally got to talk to him. I was very disappointed. He acted like all of his fans were annoying, and he was just there because he needed this job to make some money. I asked him a question about the show and he was just like "whatever". He wasn't friendly at all. I really lost respect for him after meeting him. Maybe some of the actors on the show didn't appreciate being typecast, which is unfortunate for them - but no matter how they may feel, they influenced a whole generation of American kids, and a lot of people still love them to this day. I think it is awesome that they also shared a connection in real life and kept in touch after the show was over. It was good that they never changed actors to play a certain character during the show (unlike Bewitched with Darren #1 and Darren #2!)
I had the same experience as you did! It must have been around 1992 for me and I was studying at University. Barry Williams came to the campus to promote his Brady Bunch book. He was dismissive to me and other students waiting in line. I was sad about the whole experience. Thank you for sharing your experience in your comment I am touched by it.
I’m sorry you had such a negative experience with Barry, that sucks. I know how you feel. I met John De Lancie at a Star Trek convention (he played Q) and he was so dismissive while signing my picture. Not friendly. 😞
I really enjoyed this. After watching "Growing Up Brady" and researching the subject, I think this was a better depiction. It felt was more real. Whereas GuB felt like another overly scripted Brady Bunch episode. Well done. I would have liked to see what you would have done starting earlier in their careers.
I would actually think this was a more dramatic version of things that happened. Seeing Barry Williams wrote Growing Up Brady, I would think he's version of different events would be more accurate
@@whospuss It all depends on what you end up getting for your budget. Some people tell me they ask for less, as they somehow believe they would have a better chance at securing their funding. I tell them to add at least 10 - 20% onto their budget - and to get a good Line Producer! In "Hollywood" almost everything is negotiable. I'm currently an EAP on a few 10M features.
It's a shame Robert Reed didn't fully realize how important the Brady Bunch and his character was, and would be, for generations of children. Unfortunate the show and his participation ended on this note. Strange he took that moment to make his stand, especially with the potential this could be the final episode. It was.
He had been complaining to Schwartz for almost the entire run of the BB. He hated the writing, and let them know it. Schwartz' big claim to fame was he was a gag writer for Bob Hope in the 1940s and from most of the scripts you can see that. This wasn't a one time thing this was on going and Schwartz was making contingencey plans for the next season without Robert reed.
@@blabbermouth777 he could play drama. He had plenty of experience in dramas. That's why many people in the industry were suprised when he took the role of Mike Brady. he was not a comedic actor.
I LOVE HOW AT 4:52 THEY START THE SHOW OFF WITH THE JACKSON 5 SONG CUZ IRONICALLY THE JACKSON'S SAID THAT EVERYBODY THOUGHT THEY HAD A BRADY BUNCH TYPE FAMILY AND THAT WAS SO UNTRUE....
WHOSPUSS THANK YOU FOR YOUR HEART......THIS IS A GREAT SHOW AND SCRIPT...I'M A WRITER AND DIRECTOR MYSELF AND I LOVE THE WAY YOU DID THIS....GREAT WORK....LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE WORK SO I CAN HELP PROMOTE IT...I UNDERSTAND BOB REED BUT WOW MANY OTHER ACTORS WOULD LOVE TO HAVE JUST HAD A NICE PAYING JOB ON A HIT SHOW...
@@vashtikelly6837 Thank you so much, Vashti, for the kind words. Of all the films I’ve made, this one is a personal favorite, as I was such a fan of TBB growing up. A lot of my films can be found on Tubi these days under Jack Perez. And my website is jackperezdirector.com. Regarding Reed - you’re right. There’s a lot to be thankful for when you’ve got a steady gig; but I also see Reed’s point of view, too, which comes from my own experiences working in the industry for 3 decades. Basically, there’s a lot of dumb decision-making, creatively. So many shows could be so much smarter, so much more interesting and entertaining; but are hamstrung by those in power. I think Reed knew the show could be better, and because he valued his profession so highly, he considered it a terrible shame and waste, as the show devolved into silliness; as so many shows that have run their course often do. Anyway, that’s show business:) Many thanks again!
Is this really the way it played out? Watched 'The Brady Bunch' in England in the early 70's.....loved it! And now here I am....mid life crisis and all....and I'm moved 😘
People have never lost interest in this show It was a great Friday night routine to watch this back in the day It’s good it ran five years Went out on top
I'm 60 and I still like to watch the show on Paramount Plus. I used to watch it when I'd become depressed, knowing after 30 minutes the show would bring me out of my depression.
@@nelda7071360 We're the same age. I well remember that killer Friday night lineup on ABC. Also had Odd Couple, Room 222, and Love Am Sty. The Bradys were safer than prozac and a hellava lot cheaper! Cheers.
That early scene with the kids in Sherwood’s office making demands would probably never happen. A meeting like that would most likely never take place without their agents and possibly parents being present.
@@alwilson3204 I thought the show was cancelled because the ratings were down and they had enough seasons in the can for syndication. I could be wrong about that.
I've always liked light-hearted happy shows and movies. Whenever I get to sit down and watch something, I just want to turn off my brain and relax for a bit. Life is stressful enough. It's unfortunate that so many actors felt unfulfilled and like their roles didn't have meaning, but they should've done something else then. There aren't many wholesome things left, just leave them alone
As lightweight as this show was, it is still one of the most important sitcoms ever put on television. Thanks to syndication, generations of children have grown up with the show. Many of them didn't have anywhere near the childhood that these six child actors did. It gave kids a half hour of fun, sillyness, love and kindness. And there was always a lesson to be learned that they may have never been exposed to. When ranking the importance of sitcoms in American television, it may rank right near the top for its influence on children.
To all those of the Brady Bunch that worked on the Brady house I truly enjoyed watching you work on it and talking about the (good memories) again thank you.
What I could never understand is that after all Reed's whining about the show & how it was beneath him, when they did him a favor & gave him his way...he acted like a DIVA....plus he was in ALL the reunions & even did the Brady Bunch show, doing everything he hated again...
Thanks so much for sharing this video with us and posting it! It really hits the tension behind the scenes with Robert Reed and Sherwood Schwartz and his son. You can certainly feel how conflicted the actor of Reed must have been, on the one hand, loving the family he considered the Brady's to be. On the other, he was a frustrated actor who considered himself duped and cheated by the powers-that-be. He wanted the show to say something more substantial. Had the Brady Bunch been more of a show in the 1980 era, Reed might have gotten his wish--At least the previous spouses and the aftermath of their deaths would have been mentioned. I loved that line of Reed's when Schwartz told him that he wanted Gene Hackman for the role. "How unfortunate for Gene Hackman that he has to put up with Francis Ford Coppola instead of you!" What an amazing piece of dialogue. I laughed out loud.
Thanks so much for the kind words! Glad you enjoyed it! The conflict between Reed, Schwartz and son was central for me. I grew up with the show, so being able to explore it, even in a small way, was meaningful. Of course, as a kid, I was drawn to the relationships between the siblings. But as an adult, in the industry, the ugly politics of show business and the frustrations of being an artist in an ego-driven, commercial system became more relevant. And I was able to relate more directly with Reed’s struggles. Thanks again for commenting!
@@whospuss You're welcome. Thanks so much for sharing. As another poster said, I would have liked to have seen even more. Maybe the aftermath and how the tensions affected the then-kid actors, or even the adults. I don't think it would have affected my enjoyment of the nostalgia at all. The show was such a big part of my childhood. I think the show fit in with others of its time: Bewitched, I Dream Of Jennie, Gilligan's Island, they weren't meant to be anything other than enjoyed. But I do love to hear the behind the scenes stuff. What a pressure cooker the B.B. must have been for everyone. It makes the performances of the sweet and innocent facades even more amazing.
I didnt expect this to be that good. Actually shed a tear at the end. To this day all the cast respected Reed. That alone is a testimony that his personality on set was genuine. He was an individual just like anyone else. He had a perspective bigger than the show that unfortunately didnt fit the box. Ironic that real families are like that too. That age of innocence is shattered as all the kids grow into themselves and life goes on beyond those precious younger years where family bonds are at their peak.
What a beautiful sentiment. Thank you for responding. Filming the final moments between Reed and his children was one of the most important, challenging and moving days of our shoot.
Reed nearly leaving the show was a blessing in disguise. BB was one of the greatest shows on American TV because it ran five years. Four would've been okay, but six seasons would'be been too much. The kids weren't kids anymore. (Happy Days ran for *eleven years* - WAY too long. Ron Howard wisely left after the seventh season. By 1984 Anson Williams was 34 and Henry Winkler was 38. Jump that shark)
You're right about what you're saying...but let's be realistic...nobody cares about how the public views the show in terms of the length or even the quality-although they act as if they do at the time...but the truth is it lasted for 11 years because it made money for 11 years...like it or not...that's what it's all about.
It was only 5 years of Robert Reed's life. If he was such a great writer or Shakespearian actor he could have proven it. He had an inflated ego, more likely.
I'll just repeat what I told another who, like you, just did not get it because like them you have no idea what we go through as performers in the Guild - and no, it had nothing to do with an ego at all: As an actor myself in the Guild I can understand exactly what Robert was going through. Directors don't always have the final say, and they do screw us time to time. Robert was sticking up for what he felt was right and he WAS right. Sherwood was not understanding that the times were changing and he treated the kids as if they were still little when in the final seasons they were grown up to being teenagers. You would not understand because you are not an actor/actress and you only see things at face value. You really need to learn about our craft a lot more before you assume he was a jerk, because no one EVER had a bad thing to say about Robert Reed back then and even today. I've worked with many directors and performers in 15 years of working roles in movies and shows who knew and worked with him and they ALL had nothing, but positive things to say about the man. He was a visionary for his time and understood what the audience wanted and liked. Again, you would not understand because you are not in my industry...that makes you ignorant, but assuming what you did only makes you toxic. Grow up.
@@scypsylock9402 YOU assume too much. I do get it. I was an actress in my 20's & 30's. Thanks for the lecture. My opinion stands. And that's all it is. So why to YOU grow up.
As a kid in the 70s that watched the show every day, this was very interesting but very sad too. That was a great show and they were all great actors. A part of many peoples lives❤
I know right?! Same here, we lived for this show as kids, I still watch it on METV every Sunday morning. Who knew all this stuff was going on behind the scenes and in front of the kids in a lot of cases. I've read things over the years, but to see it acted out in this documentary makes it seem more real, I feel bad for Robert Reed. May he RIP, as well as Florence Henderson and Ann B Davis. Who didn't want their very own Alice?
When I watched the Betty Thomas Brady movie, I remember that I almost started crying during the scenes where she made fun of the characters, and introduced homosexuality into the Brady universe. It felt like Thomas was disrespecting friends of mine, and foisting her own baggage onto something good growing up.
I think Reed had a point, though. You can have comedy and good writing. You can have comedy and trash writing. A lot of the episodes were trash and unrealistic.
I was so glad that they ran the reruns in the 1990s. Even though they were a tv family, i always wished for a dad like Mike Brady because mine passed away.
I met Barry Williams in April of 1971 at my friends sweet 16 birthday party. Then, we went on a double date. She with Barry and me with Kevin Burchet. They were very nice, but I didn't like it. They were not completely comfortable with their fame and it felt awkward. Maybe it was me projecting, but it wasn't the best. Barry drive a baby blue Buick Riviera Convertible, and, he smoked Marlboro Reds in the Box. I imagine he's quit smoking since then.
Lots of stuff in here was written out of chronological order; Kelly's Kids pilot came before the finale, no Cousin Oliver in the finale. I can understand Robert Reed's dislike of the show, but it was a job; there's very little call for classically trained Shakespearean stage actors, even 50+ years ago.
Robert Reed was like a real life Dad to theses kids .I remember when Florence Henderson told the story that Robert call her and told her that he was going to pass away and please call the kids .I also Florence Henderson singing the national anthem for the Chicago Cubs .
Ive seen alot of Videos but ive Never felt so sad at the end . I almost cried not just for Mr. Reed but for the Cast. Touching to say the least. BRAVO to the writers and director. Thank you.
I find it interesting that a show reenacting the last few days of filming the last episode of the Brady Bunch, they didn't get a blonde boy actor to play Robbie Rist. After all, cousin Oliver was a part of the last episode too.
The Brady Bunch Variety Hour was 100 times more embarrassing than the Brady Bunch itself, yet Robert Reed had no problem doing that. Check out any episode of that series, if you dare!
He loved the kids and wanted to see them again. He was lonely. Personally, I think he should've gotten a puppy or something rather than do that show.@@mrsheatherteske
They all did a great job. I watched a TV show that was on a long time, I still go back to watch old reruns, the characters were there thru thick & then. Kids grew up on the show as actors for much longer. It depends on ones perspective. Erin Torpey was a little girl when she started, she had adult roles too. She was loved by all.
@@mrsheatherteske The Schwartz’s didn’t produce the the variety show, Sid and Marty Krofft did. They were upfront with Reed about the format. Reed had never done song and dance in his career and wanted to try it. Finally, the big name guest stars were a sign Reed that things wouldn’t get out of hand (he was wrong.)
It has a lot in common with the monkees show. If you read the pilot and do not want it, then don’t audition and bust your tail to get it. The show is what it is, if you don’t like it... move on to something else.
Never heard of this before. It was interesting and well acted I must say. However, the makers certainly played with the timeline of events and if this really was about the final episode..the only question I have is...WHERE IS COUSING OLIVER????...lol
It did...this is about how the actors on set lives were actually better than their off camera lives for most of them...Susan and Mike seemed to have the most normal lives off set...and Susan wound up with the opposite problem here.
I always felt bad for Robert Reed, that he never fully understood what his role was. Schwartz had a vision ... invited him to make it happen - and he accepted. He then, somehow, got the idea that it was his job to expand on Sherwood's vision and make it over in his own image. He never quite understood that he was merely an employee and not a partner.
@@truckingwithatablet4489 - I'm not sure if there was a complete sentence in there or not. But what on earth are you talking about? I NEVER suggested that Reed was first choice. I simply said that he was asked to play the role and he did. He wasn't forced to do it.. and he didn't force himself upon Schwartz. Despite hoping that the role would be something different, he still pulled it off beautifully.
Odd. Accurate historically for the most part. Actor playing Bob Reed looks remarkably like Barry Williams. Florence actress got voice spot on. Kids were ok. Very surreal look and feel to the whole doco. Bit creepy.
I always saw the tv series The Brady Buch as a children’s program. When I think of prime time family shows, I think of Growing Pains, Family Ties, The Cosby Show, and the first two seasons of the tv program Valerie. That is what I think of when I think of Prime Time family shows. Thank you and Be Blessed - Jason
The shows you mention are from the 80s, a completely different time and decade from The Brady Bunch and way too many changes had already taken place in television, music, and the world when those shows aired so there is really no comparison. In the 70s, the Brady's were a household name and most families were tuned in to watch each week.
What I don't understand was what happened for Sherwood to ask Robert Reed back to do the Brady Bunch Variety Hour and also The Brady's and the Brady Brides and all the Brady specials after the show was cancelled? Robert hated it so much but wanted to continue on with new formats. That has perplexed me for years!
I've had the same thoughts....but, I think the Brady shows later were designed to be camp. And he knew it. What frustrated him was the original show wasn't supposed to be... At least that was my theory...
@@curtischildress9580 Actually, no. ONLY the BBVH was done without Schwartz - SId and Marty Krofft produced it. EVERY OTHER "Brady" show (B Girls Get Marries, B Brides, Very B Christmas...and The Bradys) were ALL overseen by Sherwood Schwartz as Executive Producer.
Rest in peace Sherwood Schwartz, the Brady Bunch cast will never forget you because I remember watching that series back on Philadelphia’s WKBS channel 48 back in the late 70s and early 80s during the time when the network wants air at this TV series.
It must've been very hard for him to be a loving father on TV and someone very different in his private life. Then there was all the petty stuff on the set. He didn't want to lie and say things he knew was wrong. Most people hate lying. I can't blame him. I wouldn't want to say I could smell the strawberries if there's no smell when they're cooking. He was so unhappy inside, I feel for him. He was torn in two.
Oh yes, Robert Reed despised the show! He and Sherwood Schwartz did not see eye to eye on the scripts. Robert only stayed on because he was so fond of the cast especially the children. Barry Williams ( Greg) wrote a screen play called " Growing up Brady" that you can stream....excellent movie....tells all of the goings on amongst the cast during the show's entire run!
The script was actually absolutely wonderful, there was nothing wrong with the script it was wholesome and good and if Robert Reid had a problem with the script, then he was the one with the problem.. you’re an actor you read the script, it was written beautifully it was a wholesome and good family show..
@@shoshsanders5903 I can see Reed's point though with "Goodbye Alice, Hello" and that hairdye finale. Reed was right about those two being way out of character for the focal character and other kids. In the Alice episode? Really Alice doesn't get defended by Bobby and Jan before an ice-out decision and Alice leaves without saying goodbye to Mike? Alice was brought on as the house keeper specifically for Bobby...not for anyone else...he'd never ever in a million years even think about doing something like that to Alice and neither would Jan what with their special connection as middle children and how Bobby and Jan always thought similarly to each other...and were the most responsible...and they certainly wouldn't be goaded into it by the other four...they'd go right to Carol and fess up about their misdeeds...starting with Bobby...or else the allowances are capped. As for the hairdye ep? That was like Bobby had been replaced by some parody guy instead of Mike Lookinland actually getting to do things Bobby would...and conning his brothers...isn't something he'd do either...he wasn't perfect mind you, but that hairdye episode really gets everyone's goat...oh wait they already had a goat.
It's almost hard to believe that they came back together for The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, The Bradys, The Brady Girls get Married, The Brady Brides, reprising their roles on The Love Boat, and A Very Brady Christmas...
Sometimes the greatest gifts to others are not the most fulfilling for the individual. I think Mr. Reed lost sight of the true benefit of his acting as he gave so much comfort and hope to many lost people and portrayed an ideal that many could only dream of. That's a legacy they should all be proud of.
I could never understand Robert Reed’s hate for this great show he says was unrealistic but yet he chose to go on their variety show which I thought was stupid
It’s because the variety show allowed him to sing and dance, showing America a side of him they hadn’t seen. He was a classically trained stage actor and while he had issues with the tone and character motivations of Mike Brady on the Brady Bunch, the variety hour made no illusions about what it was so I guess he thought it was fine.
@@StallingsFilm it also didn't hurt that Sherwood and Lloyd Schwartz- both of whom he genuinely despised (and in turn they genuinely despised him)- had NOTHING to do with it.
When an actor finds a role that's iconic some actors will run that character into the Ground (Example: Kelsey Grammer as Frasier) and got typecast but there's this teen suspense film he did in late 50's that got roasted on Mystery Science Theater 3000
Sure it was unrealistic. But most of us watch the show because we found it entertaining and it gave us a break from our realistic lives that were nothing like the Brady Bunch. My family certainly was not the model of the Brady Bunch, far from it. But we were a large family much like the sitcom. Six kids but not blended. Mom stayed home and Dad worked and provided for the family. My dad was not much of a family patriarch. He was more reserved and barely had a backbone. Except for when punishing us. But on the surface we looked like the model family. So we were already living the lie. But the Brady Bunch lie looked better than ours. Watching The Brady Bunch gave us a break from our reality.
Knew about alot of this controversy from Barry Williams book about the show, "Growing Up Brady". From what Barry describes about Scherwood from the book, his refusal to have the guards throw Robert Reed out sounded like something he would do. Not because of Robert, but because of the kids.
As a Shakespearean Thespian, Robert Reed felt that he was selling out his craft by playing Mike Brady. However; the money was good and there weren't many Shakespeare plays that could pay as much.
Richard Basehart was one of the leading Shakespearean actors in the world when, to the surprise of many, he agreed to star in Irwin Allen's television adaptation of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." Basehart would later admit he did it for the money, so that after the show's run he'd have the financial security to pick and choose his roles. Although the show had descended into utter absurdity by its third and final season, Basehart remained a consummate professional throughout. He and co-star David Hedison even snuck in a few sly references in later episodes poking fun at the show and themselves. Maybe Robert Reed could have followed the example of his fellow Shakespearean.
Gene Hackman was the original cast to play Mike Brady in the sitcom but he turned away from it because he liked acting in movies better than in sitcoms. So the character was given to the next actor who was Robert Reed.
me and my big sister went to an album signing for them at Zody's in Long Beach, Ca. Got a free autographed copy of their album "Meet the Bradys" and everything. Was my favorite album until the 4th grade when I realized there was this OTHER BAND from Liverpool, England with a similar name to their debut album as well....
