The Brady Bunch was a beloved sitcom that aired from 1969 to 1974 and followed the lives of a blended family of six children. However, after the show’s cancellation, the cast reunited for a variety show that aired in 1976, called The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. While the show had the same beloved characters, it was a departure from the original sitcom and had a mixed reception from viewers. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
The show was a departure from the original sitcom. While The Brady Bunch was a traditional sitcom, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour was a musical variety show that featured singing and dancing from the cast. The show was an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of musical variety shows at the time, such as The Sonny & Cher Show and Donny & Marie.
The cast was hesitant to participate. Several of the original cast members were hesitant to participate in The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, as they were unsure about the direction the show would take. Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady, said in an interview that she wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but ultimately agreed to participate because of her loyalty to the show’s producer, Sid & Marty Krofft.
The set was lavish. The Brady Bunch Variety Hour featured a lavish set that included a spiral staircase, a giant disco ball, and a life-sized replica of the Brady family home. The set was designed to be over-the-top and glitzy, in keeping with the show’s musical variety format.
The musical numbers were cheesy. While The Brady Bunch Variety Hour was known for its musical numbers, they were often cheesy and dated. The cast would sing and dance to songs that were popular at the time, such as “Y.M.C.A.” and “Disco Inferno,” but the performances were often criticized for being awkward and out of sync.
The show struggled in the ratings. Despite the popularity of The Brady Bunch, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour struggled to find an audience. The show was up against tough competition, including Charlie’s Angels and The Six Million Dollar Man, and it ultimately only lasted for nine episodes.
The cast was not happy with the show. Several cast members have spoken out about their dissatisfaction with The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. Susan Olsen, who played Cindy Brady, said in an interview that the show was “terrible” and that the cast “hated” it. Eve Plumb, who played Jan Brady, said that the show was “painful” to watch.
The show had a few memorable moments. Despite its shortcomings, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour had a few memorable moments. One of the most popular sketches was a spoof of Star Wars, in which the Brady family played characters from the movie. The show also featured guest appearances from celebrities such as Milton Berle and Charo.
In conclusion, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour was a departure from the beloved sitcom and struggled to find an audience. The show’s cheesy musical numbers and over-the-top set have become infamous among fans, and even some of the cast members have spoken out about their dissatisfaction with the show. While it had a few memorable moments, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour is generally considered a misstep in the franchise’s history.
