The Brady Bunch Variety Hour / The Brady Kids

0:03 Welcome to TV in the Basement, the podcast that takes you on a journey down memory lane to revisit the shows we used to watch and love. I'm your host Journey Joe Mitchell, and we're dusting off the VHS tapes and flipping the channels back to the classic series that had us glued to our screens. Today, I'm back in the Basement with Mittens the Cat with a dazzling recap of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. This odd ball television series showcased the beloved Brady family as they embarked on a musical adventure. When the family has chosen to star in a new variety series for ABC, Mike Brady gives up his architectural career and moves his family into a beachside home somewhere in southern California.

0:44 In addition to the Brady Clan, next door neighbor Jack Merrill Rip Taylor frequently finds his way into the act and is a love interest for the Brady's maid Alice. Her former boyfriend Sam. The butcher is never mentioned. Each episode. It features the obligatory variety show song and dance numbers and sketches, as well as a show within a show behind the scenes story. The Variety Show premiered in nineteen seventy six and ran for one season, consisting of nine episodes. The premise of the show was simple yet innovative. It combined the comedy of the original series with musical performances. The format of the show followed a typical variety show structure, with the Brady family performing musical numbers, comedy sketches, and hosting celebrity guests. The Brady family, consisting of Mike and Carol Brady and their six children, brought their charisma and charm to the Variety Show stage. Greg Marsha, Peter, Bobby, Cindy and replacement Jan showcased their individual talents with Greg's smooth vocals, Marsha's impeccable dance moves, and the younger children's adorable performances. The show was a true family affair, highlighting the Brady's close knit dynamic and their ability to entertain audiences of all ages. The cast of The Brady Bunch variet consisted of the original Brady family members, along with a few new additions. Robert Reid and Florence Henderson reprised their Roles as Mike and Carol Brady, the loving and supportive parents. Five of the six Brady children, Barry Williams as Greg, Maureen McCormick as Marsha, Christopher Knight as

2:17 Peter, Mike Lookinland as Bobby, and Susan Olsen as Cindy brought their characters to life with their exceptional performances. Contrary to popular belief, Eve Plum was originally slated to appear in The Variety Hour as Jan. She said in her interview from nineteen seventy six, I wanted to do the show, but there was a built in option for thirteen more shows and possibly five years. Plumb agreed to appear in five of the thirteen planned episodes, but when the network demanded that it was all or nothing, she backed out of the project. Producers scrambled to find a replacement and met with over fifteen hundred hopefuls, eventually settling on Gary Reichel to fill the void. Reischel, who had extensive singing experience, auditioned several times and landed the role only one day before rehearsals began.

3:04 Reichel was later dubbed Fake Jan, a moniker, which she has openly embraced. Guest stars were a major highlight of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, with each episode featuring a well known celebrity. Stars like Vincent Price, Farah Fawcett, and Milton Burrell made memorable appearances, adding an extra dose of star power to the show. These guest stars often participated in musical numbers and comedy skits alongside the Brady family, creating a delightful blend of talent and entertainment. The Brady Bunch Variety Hour received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. While some praised the show's nostalgic charm and the talents of the cast, others felt that the variety show format didn't fully capture the magic of the original series.

3:46 The decision to incorporate musical performances and comedy sketches was seen by some as a departure from the family oriented storytelling that made the original show so beloved. Despite the mixed reviews, the Brady Bunch Variety Hour gained a loyal fan base who appreciated the show's lighthearted humor and entertaining performances. The show's ratings were moderate, but it didn't achieve the same level of success as the original series. However, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour has since become a cult classic and continues to be celebrated for its unique blend of comedy and music. Over the years, fans of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour have come up with various theories in trivia about the show. One popular theory suggests that the Variety Show was a dream sequence or alternate reality for the Brady family, explaining the surreal nature of the musical performances and celebrity cameos. While this theory is purely speculative, it adds an extra layer of intrigue to the show's already unique concept. In terms of trivia, one interesting fact is that the show was initially intended to be a spin off featuring only the Brady children. However, producers decided to include the original cast members to capitalize on the success of the original series. This decision proved to be a wise one, as the chemistry between the entire cast contributed to the show's overall appeal. Another series was the animated The Brady Kids.

5:14 The show followed the adventures of the Brady Bunch children as they embarked on thrilling escapades filled with fun, laughter, and valuable life lessons. They lived in a treehouse. They had a dog, no, not tiger, this one was named mop Top, and they were friends with two pandas and a magical mina bird named Marlon, who could talk and often join them on their adventures. Marlon became an honorary member of the Brady family, offering guidance and occasionally getting into his own hilarious predicaments. The Brady Kids quickly gained popularity upon its debut in nineteen seventy two. It became a Saturday morning staple, captivating young viewers with its vibrant animation, catchy theme song, and relatable characters. The show resonated with audiences who were already familiar with the Brady Bunch from the live action series The Brady Kids. Blend of entertainment and education made it a hit among parents as well. Each episode taught valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of family, friendship and personal growth. The show's ability to tackle important topics in a fun and engaging way set it apart from other children's programming of the time. While The Brady Kids aired for only two seasons, it left a lasting impact on its viewers. The show's positive messages and relatable characters made it a beloved favorite among children and adults alike. Even decades later, it still holds a special place in the hearts of those who grew up watching it.

6:40 The Brady Kids was produced by Filmation Associates, a renowned animation studio known for its high quality animated productions. Filmation took great care to ensure that the animated series captured the essence of the Brady Bunch universe, while also introducing new and exciting elements. They worked closely with the original cast members to ensure that the animated characters resembled their real life counterparts. The animation style of The Brady Kids was vibrant and colorful, reflecting the groovy aesthetic of the seventies. The show's theme song, with its catchy lyrics and upbeat melody, became an instant hit and further contributed to the show's popularity. The Brady Kids had many memorable episodes that showcased the fun and adventurous spirit of the Brady Bunch children. One standout episode, titled It's All Greek to Me saw the kids traveling back in time to ancient Greece, where they helped solve a mystery and learned about Greek mythology along the way. Another memorable episode titled The Big Time, had the Brady kids becoming famous rock stars, only to realize that fame isn't everything it's cracked up to be. In an upcoming episode, we'll take a look at two more Brady shows, The Brady Brides, in which Jan and Marsha are now old enough to get married, and The Brady's, which caught up with the family a generation later. Until then, I'm the Real Journey Joe Mitchell and I am watching TV in the basement.