The Brady Bunch Hour

The Brady Bunch Hour Information

The Brady Bunch Hour was an American variety television series produced by Sid and Marty Krofft in association with Paramount Television, which aired on ABC between 1976 to 1977.

The series stars the original cast members of The Brady Bunch, with the exception of Eve Plumb, who was replaced by Geri Reischl. This change led to the reference "Fake Jan". The show began as a 60-minute special titled The Brady Bunch Variety Hour on November 28, 1976. This special led to eight additional 60-minute episodes produced and aired as The Brady Bunch Hour from January to May 1977.

The show's events are not included or mentioned in the later spinoffs and revivals.

Premise

In this series, the Bradys move out of their familiar home and into a beachside home somewhere in Southern California, after they were chosen to star in a new variety series for ABC, which originates from their home. Mike Brady also leaves his architectural career, in order to become a full-time musician. Helping them out along the way is their new neighbor, Jack Merrill (Rip Taylor). In addition to the variety show are "behind-the-scenes" sketches of the Bradys at home. Some of these sketches connect to the variety show segments, while others are stand-alone. The entire cast took part in sketches and musical numbers.

The main stage for The Brady Bunch Hour had a swimming pool. While the pool was mostly used by The Krofftettes, who put on an Esther Williams-style performance during the opening credits, occasionally a Brady cast member would fall into the water fully dressed. Greg would sometimes shove Peter into the pool (where he would almost invariably scream "MOM!") and Greg would then introduce the musical guest. Greg would try to trick Peter, (in much the same manner Lucy would try to trick Charlie Brown with the football) to trust him, wherein he is shoved into the pool. In one episode, Greg and Peter pushed their father into the pool, who yelled "CAROL!"

Cast

Robert Reed as Mike Brady
Florence Henderson as Carol Brady
Ann B. Davis as Alice Nelson
Barry Williams as Greg Brady
Maureen McCormick as Marcia Brady
Christopher Knight as Peter Brady
Geri Reischl as Jan Brady
Mike Lookinland as Bobby Brady
Susan Olsen as Cindy Brady
Rip Taylor as Jack Merrill

The Krofftettes and Water Follies

Charkie Phillips
Christine Cullen Wallace
Susan Buckner
Linda Hoxit
Judy Susman
Lynne Latham
Dee Kaye
Robyn Blythe

Rip Taylor's role

Rip Taylor appeared in every episode of this series (except the pilot). He was billed as a guest on six of the episodes. Also, he played the Mr. Merrill role in both the variety show (where Mr. Merrill played various characters in the skits) and behind-the-scenes segments, yet he was introduced as Rip Taylor at the start and end of each episode. In many of the ensemble song-and-dance numbers, he was paired with Ann B. Davis.

Development

The show came into being following the Bradys' appearance on Donny & Marie, on October 8, 1976. ABC president Fred Silverman had the Kroffts develop a variety show starring the Bradys, though without the approval or involvement of Paramount Pictures (the producers of The Brady Bunch) or Sherwood Schwartz (that show's creator). Both parties eventually gave their approval of the new series, mainly as a way to keep interest in the original series. The variety hour remains the only Brady project to not have Schwartz's involvement during production.

Scheduling

The show was intended to air every fifth week in the same slot as The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, but was scheduled sporadically throughout the season, leading to inconsistent ratings. A promo was often shown with Mike and Carol stating, "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour won't be seen this week, but we will back again soon."

DVD release

The first and fourth episodes were released on VHS and DVD in America on Region 1 DVD format.

The Brady Bunch Variety Hour in popular culture

TV Guide listed the series at #4 in a 2002 compilation of the 50 worst television series in American history.
The show is the subject of a 2009 coffee table book entitled Love to Love You Bradys by Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady). It was released in September, 2009 by ECW Press. In addition to many color photos and artwork, the book features over 100 new interviews including the Brady Bunch, Sid Krofft, Marty Krofft, Sherwood Schwartz, Bruce Vilanch, Rip Taylor, and Paul Shaffer.
This show was parodied on a Season 3 episode of That '70s Show ("Red Sees Red"). The entire family, due to a forced curfew, is sitting around watching the show and each one leaves separately in anger (Red himself remarking that "This show is crud!"). Kitty then daydreams that her own family are the stars of a similar show.
The show was also more directly parodied as part of "The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase", wherein the Simpson family stars in a variety show spin-off of their show. It's noted during the show that Lisa Simpson had refused to participate (in much the same way Eve Plumb did), so she was replaced with a much older prom queen-type who also claimed to be Lisa.

Episodes

Episode #1 (The Brady Bunch Variety Hour - TV special / pilot)

Airdate: November 28, 1976
Guests: Tony Randall, Donny & Marie Osmond

Episode #2

Airdate: January 23, 1977
Guests: Lee Majors, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Kaptain Kool and the Kongs, Rip Taylor

Episode #3

Airdate: February 27, 1977
Guests: Milton Berle, Rip Taylor, Tina Turner

Episode #4

Airdate: March 4, 1977
Guests: Vincent Price, Rip Taylor, H.R. Pufnstuf, Kiki Bird

Episode #5

Airdate: March 21, 1977
Guests: Charo, The Hudson Brothers, Rip Taylor

Episode #6

Airdate: March 28, 1977
Guests: Rich Little, Edgar Bergen, Melanie

Episode #7

Airdate: April 4, 1977
Guests: Redd Foxx, Robert Hegyes, The Ohio Players

Episode #8

Airdate: April 25, 1977
Guests: The What's Happening Kids, Rip Taylor, Rick Dees

Episode #9

Airdate: May 25, 1977
Guests: Paul Williams, Lynn Anderson, Rip Taylor