Behind-The-Scenes Secrets of the Brady Bunch: Things You Never Knew About Our Favorite TV Family
We are sure that you are already familiar with how it goes, but let’s take a look back at the story about this “lovely lady” and that “man named Brady.” The lovely couple created one of the most popular TV shows all the way back in 1969. If you are still clueless at this point, the name The Brady Bunch might ring a bell. The show was broadcasted for a total of 5 seasons! We all adored Mike, Carol, Marcia, Greg, Jan, Peter, Bob, Cindy, and everyone’s favorite housekeeper, Alice. Everyone had a blast watching the shenanigans each character got involved in. The show wasn’t just all about laughter and puppy love, however. It also showed the responsibilities, sibling rivalries, and heartaches teenagers went through.
Despite its present-day popularity, The Brady Bunch had not been doing well in terms of ratings. However, when the show went into syndication, their ratings skyrocketed! Because of this, the show earned many reruns and several spin-off series such as The Brady Bunch Hour, The Brady Girls Get Married, The Brady Brides, A Very Brady Christmas, and The Bradys. The successful series led to the big screen debut of their self-titled film called The Brady Bunch. Truly, this fictional family is an American cultural icon.
Sherwood Schwartz already took part in the success of several TV shows including the Gilligan’s Island before he started working on this sitcom. He was still working on the aforementioned show when the idea of the Brady Bunch came to him. At the time, Schwartz had been reading The Los Angeles Times when the idea first came into mind. In particular, this snippet served as inspiration: “30% of marriages [in the United States] have a child or children from a previous marriage.” From there, the Brady family was born. He never could have imagined that this idea would lead to the creation of one of the most beloved TV shows in history!
With five season and 117 episodes, many views watched the life and antics of the Brady family. As mentioned, the show wasn’t a huge hit when it was initially running. However, because of syndication and the younger audience bracket, the show earned its spot in pop culture. Schwartz thinks that the show made an impact on the younger viewers because it was written for them. The situations that only everybody and who are teenagers and children can relate to had been covered by the show: boy troubles, sibling rivalry, and meeting a famous person for a very long time.
As the show went off the air in 1974, the audience had been continually blessed with reruns, reliving the shenanigans of the family. Fans were not only given several spin-offs and movies, but they were also showered with albums and other merchandise for them. With this, we are going to look at some of the behind-the-scenes tidbits about The Brady Bunch that we’re guessing you never knew before. Let’s relive some of the interesting facts about the cast, the crew, and some of the unforgettable moments of the show. Learn about what Marcia did with her life after the show and more on her relationships in real life with her onscreen family! Aside from that, let’s know more about the tricks that the producers of the show used when they were casting the children and many more. Click next to know more about these interesting facts.
Simple Math
Let us start with some simple math. Most people may not know it but the The Brady Bunch had been created with statistics in mind. We know it sounds a bit absurd but this excerpt from a news byte in the paper The Los Angeles Times that was used as inspiration: “30% of marriages [in the United States] have a child or children from a previous marriage.” These lines inspired Sherwood Schwartz to create a story about it, and the rest is history.
Simple Math
Not A Natural
Mike Lookinland is more known as Bobby Brady. Fans will always remember him as the adorable little boy from the show. However, he actually had sandy hair that stood out when he was with the dark-haired Peter and Greg! Lookinland was forced to dye his hair dark brown throughout the series to adjust. But despite the color match, it seems that his hair dye washed out whenever he started sweating, and it sometimes ended up running all over his face!
Not A Natural
That’s A No From Me
Gene Hackman was considered one of the biggest actors in Hollywood back then. But did you know that he was initially considered for the part of Mike Brady? Yes, you read that right. Hackman was one of the actors they wanted to play the patriarch of the family. The producers, however, thought that he was not established enough at the time, so they decided to go with Robert Reed instead. Robert Reed had already made a name for himself back then, so he looked like the better choice.
That’s A No From Me
The Lisp Is Real
Susan Olsen played Cindy Brady as you already know. Susan was the youngest Brady, and she had a prominent lisp. People might think that this was simply good acting, but Olsen really had a lisp! The actress even hired the services of a speech therapist well into her twenties.
The Lisp Is Real
Not A Fan
One of the facts that many viewers of The Brady Bunch know is that the family’s fashion sense was pretty disastrous. Fans weren’t just the ones complaining, however – the whole crew did not like it either. The younger actors often said that their outfits were downright hideous. They tried to request better wardrobe choices, but sadly, the whole crew was repeatedly turned down.
Not A Fan
Over 260 Kids Auditioned For The Show!
Anyone would think that 260 child applicants is an impressive number. I mean, just consider the number of child actors that ended up appearing in the The Brady Bunch! In order to find the cream of the crop, the producers preferred to see as many child actors they could for the auditions. Can you guess how they ended up finding the right children for the job?
Over 260 Kids Auditioned For The Show
Tricks Galore
The producers of the show actually employed all sorts of psych tests before they can cast the Brady children. One of their biggest tricks they used was to have toys to distract the children. If the child focuses more on the toys, they were automatically eliminated for the role.
Tricks Galore
Double The Fun
Another tidbit that you may have not known is that Florence Henderson was not the only actress who was considered for the role of Mrs. Brady. The comedic actress Joyce Bulifant was originally announced to play the role. During the screen test, Bulifant was even extensively used. The producers, however, decided they wanted a more subdued Mrs. Brady. This was how Florence Henderson was able to get the part!
Double The Fun
Serious Tension
One of the most unforgettable lines that most Brady fans would remember definitely goes to ‘Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.’ This line was actually inspired by a real-life feud between Maureen McCormick (Marcia) and Eve Plumb (Jan)! The Brady sisters found it hard to get along in general. Though this time, the young heartthrob Desi Arnaz Jr. happened to be the reason behind it. It seemed like Eve was jealous that her onscreen sister got to spend so much time with him!
Serious Tension
So They Called It Puppy Love
Susan Olsen and Mike Lookinland used to have a fling when they were filming. A fling might be a bit of a stretch, however. Both actors indeed admitted they exchanged kisses a few times, though no one knew about it since it only happened inside the doghouse. They didn’t really want to be in trouble, though both actors were both 9 years old at that time. Yep, we would have to say that it must have only been puppy love in action.
So They Called It Puppy Love
Missing In Action
Florence Henderson actually missed a lot of shoots for several episodes of the show’s first season. This is because Henderson had still been under contract for an off-Broadway play back then. The show kept filming without Mrs. Brady for the first few episodes. After her contract for the theater ended, Henderson immediately went on to film for the show to fill in her scenes.
Missing In Action
Best Friends For Life
The Brady sisters may not have been the closest of friends or even friends at all outside of the set, but the Brady bros Greg and Peter were indeed the best of friends. Barry Williams and Christopher Knight even went to each other’s wedding ceremony! Even up to now, these two are still thick as thieves.
Best Friends For Life
Marcia and Greg Hooked Up – Off Set
Maureen McCormick had her very first kiss with her TV brother, Barry Williams who we all fondly know as Greg. Isn’t that an interesting bit of trivia? When McCormick was asked about it, she admitted that the kiss was indeed nothing short of wonderful. However, she later explained that could not stop thinking, “I’m kissing my brother. What am I doing?”
Marcia And Greg Hooked Up – Off Set
Stoner, Sorry To Say
Now that we mentioned Barry Williams, did you know that he used to be a stoner? In his book, Williams admitted that he had dabbled in marijuana when he was a young man. There was one scene where Mr. Brady had purchased a boat and then Barry showed up. At that time, he seemed to be a little out of it, didn’t he? The scene was then edited out to cut out Barry tripping over some invisible object as he went through the driveway.
Stoner Sorry To Say
That’s Right, IRL
Do you remember the scene when Marcia got hit with a football? Would you believe that it actually happened apropos of nothing? The writers decided that it deserved screen time and incorporated the scene into the show. Who would have thought that it would become one of the most iconic scenes in the The Brady Bunch?
Thats Right IRL
What A Wig!
During the first season, we all know that Florence Henderson was working in her off-Broadway play, and she had to wear her hair short for the role. However, for the The Brady Bunch, the producer wanted the character to have long locks. Henderson had to don a wig to comply with their wishes.
What A Wig
No PDA Allowed
Though Maureen and Barry’s intimate relationship may seem really cute, it sadly interfered a lot with their filming. One time when they were in Hawaii, the director even had to call cut a few times in order to drag them away from each other.
No PDA Allowed
Dude, I Surf
While we’re at it, let’s not forget about one of the memorable scenes in Hawaii: Greg’s surfing scene. In reality, Barry Williams can really surf, so he did not really need a double. The whole production crew decided Williams should be on the board. However, at the end of the day, Williams injured himself and the whole crew was forced to get a double to finish the scene.
Dude I Surf
Still A No
People may think it is just acting, but it really is true that Maureen and Eve never got along with each other. Their co-star, Susan Olsen shared that Eve and Maureen still did not communicate at all. This is probably the reason why a reunion show will never happen.
Still A No
Sinister Plot
One of the producers of the The Brady Bunch, Lloyd Schwartz, admitted that they were really worried about Barry and Maureen’s personal relationship. The couple had, apparently, been affecting the working atmosphere on the set! He once tried to convince the young man to break it off with Maureen, telling him that he was too young and too good looking to be tied down in a relationship.
Sinister Plot
It’s Better If You Don’t
A lot of you might think that all the cast members of the The Brady Bunch were talented singers. However, that means that you thought wrong. One of the members can’t really sing at all. Yep, we are talking about Christopher Knight. He was terrible enough to be forced to lip-sync the singing parts!
Its Better If You Dont
Mike Loonkinland (Bobby) Gave Up Acting
Mike Lookinland quit the acting industry back in 2000. Now, he spends his time working on his business which focuses on making decorative concrete. It is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mike Lookinland Bobby Gave Up Acting
Oh No!
Another beloved character in the TV hit show is Tiger, the family dog. However, Tiger was actually hit by a car while on set. The accident took place in between the takes so the producers had to replace Tiger with another dog that looks exactly like him.
Oh No
Totally Taboo
When the The Brady Bunch was being broadcasted, toilets were a big taboo–meaning, you can never find a scene with the toilet in the show. You might have seen a bathroom, but we are sure the cameras never panned over to display the toilet.
Totally Taboo
Very Real
If you remember that very realistic scene of Marcia getting smacked in the face with a football, it turns out that it was Lloyd Schwartz’s fault! Schwartz actually threw the ball that whacked Marcia in the face.
Very Real
Swing and A Miss
Most kids love their mom, right? In all likelihood, the same rule applied to Barry Williams, though it is a bit different for him. He was just 15 years old when he asked his on-screen mom, Florence Henderson, to a date. Henderson politely turned down the proposal, of course.
Swing And A Miss
So About The Ratings
If you think that the ratings of the show had been dreadful, you would be right. It might be true that the show had run for quite a while and had large cultural value, though the The Brady Bunch found it really difficult to get viewers interested in the beginning. Maybe it was because the show was really intended for the younger audience?
So About The Ratings
Goofs and Mistakes
When shows like the the Brady Bunch had been broadcasted in the past, it is very common to see acting goofs and production mistakes that had not been edited out by the production crew. If you happen to be watching the reruns now, you can easily spot those parts, so take it with a grain of salt.
Goofs And Mistakes Were Commonplace
Dennis, the Menace
True enough, Robert Reed is known to be every TV viewer’s favorite dad. Unfortunately, that might not be the case for most members of the cast. Reed was one of the causes of headaches on the set. He was known to be controlling and erratic, which have started several freak-outs.
Dennis The Menace
Quite The Mistake
When Florence Henderson showed up for the screen test for the show, she accidentally walked into the makeup room for Star Trek! It was an innocent mistake, and the makeup artist showed her the right way. Isn’t it hard to believe that Henderson sat between the late Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner?
Quite The Mistake
Nope, No Glass
Many production crew members found it difficult to control the lights and reflections during the 1960’s. To make it easier for them, they decided to remove the glass out of the sliding doors in some of the scenes set in the The Brady Bunch backyard. Guess it all worked out well for them!
Nope No Glass
Oh Really, Now?
The show’s theme song was originally recorded without any of the Brady Children. It might seem weird, but that was the truth. The Peppermint Trolley Company was the first one to record the show’s theme song.
Oh Really Now
Out Of Luck
On the final season of the series, do you remember how the producers introduced the Kellys? They even had one episode dedicated entirely to this new family. Apparently, they were thinking of having a spin-off based on the lives of the Kellys. Sadly, the hope for this idea eventually crashed and burned.
Out Of Luck
For The Win
Before casting the roles of Mike and Carol Brady, the producers decided to cast the six kids first. We know it sounds a bit backwards. Often, the children would be cast last, not first!
For The Win
The D Word
Aside from toilets, “divorce” was another big taboo in those days. Initially, Carol was a divorced woman while Mike was known as a widower. When Sherwood Schwartz told the network about Carol Brady’s role, the network refused to use the word outright. Both sides decided to compromise by only alluding to Carol’s status. When Florence Henderson was asked about her first husband in an interview, she jokingly said that she killed him.
The D Word
In The Closet
There were several taboos in the past, that’s for sure. Aside from toilets and divorce, another one would be being gay. Robert Reed, aka Mike Brady, had been in the closet practically his whole life. His onscreen wife, Florence Henderson first realized that he seemed uncomfortable during romantic scenes. In private, Reed eventually admitted to her that he was gay. With this into consideration, the pair decided to find a way to make it work. They rehearsed some of their intimate scenes off-cam, so that they would look more couple-y whenever they are acting in front of the camera. In addition, the whole crew decided to keep Reed’s sexuality a secret – yep, even after he passed away.
In The Closet
Blondie
Throughout the first few seasons, Susan Olsen had her hair bleached in order to keep it blonde. It was what the producers wanted. However, when Cindy’s fine baby hair began to come out in giant clumps, they stopped.
Blondie
Buh-Bye
Robert Reed was taken out of the final episode due to an argument with Schwartz. What did they fight about? Apparently, Reed first approached Schwartz stating that the whole script was absolutely ridiculous. From there, things escalated into a full-blown disagreement between the two parties. Reed continued to stay on the set during filming as Schwartz refused to remove him in front of the kids, however.
Buh Bye
Paid Parking
Susan Olsen once revealed that child actors in her time didn’t really earn much from their on-screen roles. Furthermore, they were also required to shoulder their parking tickets. Fortunately, this was no longer an issue as soon as season one ended.
Paid Parking
With These Hands
The producers wanted to make sure that everything that the cast did would be authentic. Case in point? The Brady boys actually made the authentic tree house by themselves, which they were tasked to do in one of those scenes. The Brady boys must have been proud to create something with their bare hands!
With These Hands
Not A Happy Camper
As a highly trained actor, it was no problem for Robert Reed to bring up issues and other concerns with the producers when he saw something unfit in the script. Of course, his frankness led to several arguments between him and the show’s executives.
Not A Happy Camper
Broody
Another weird fact about the show is that it wasn’t supposed to be called The Brady Bunch. Schwartz once considered naming it The Bradley Brood. Thankfully, it wasn’t named that! The Brady Bunch worked out fine for us anyway.
Broody
Introduction
On the final season of the TV show, we all saw how the ratings plummeted down. With that, the crew decided to “jump the shark” in order to boost the ratings of the show. Thus, they introduced Cousin Oliver in a puny attempt to save the show. As a result, “Cousin Oliver” became the term used to describe the young addition to a show in the hopes that it does not get canceled.
Introduction
A Year
After the first season wrapped up and season two was already scheduled to air, it was clear the Brady kids looked older than the previous season. This is because it took a whole year after that first episode was shown before they started filming the second season!
A Year
Will They?
Because of the marginal ratings of the show, it was never renewed for a whole season until its last season was aired. Only 13 episodes from the last four seasons were renewed at a time. That’s right, the cast members were anxious whether or not ABC would renew the series after they shot every half of the season.
Will They?
My Idea
Schwartz’s idea for the show had once been threatened by the producers of the Yours, Mine and Ours. The producers of the said show claimed that Schwartz plagiarized their show! Schwartz had to show them all the notes and ideas in his original outline for the show that dated a year back. The producers appeared to be back off after this, and the show went on.
My Idea
Say What Now?
After the last season wrapped up in 1974, the reruns for the said show started in 1975. From there, people all over the world started to stay tuned in to the The Brady. Apparently, there has not been a day where the show hasn’t been on air somewhere in the globe!
Say What Now?
Twin!
In an episode of the show “Sergeant Emma,” their live-in housekeeper, had to play her own doppelganger cousin. Ironically, Davis does have a twin. Sadly, the producers didn’t get her for the episode. This is why the actress had no choice but to play the role all by herself!
Twin
Workforce
Another fun fact about the series is that Florence Henderson kept persuading the producers to let her character work outside of the home. Henderson wanted her role to be aligned with her actual personality. However, the producers disagreed with her and kept Carol a housewife the whole time. Fortunately, her role was allowed to take part volunteer work and fundraising for charity in several scenes.
Workforce
Nope
Jeffrey Hunter once wanted to play the role of Mike Brady, apparently. He used to try and urge Sherwood Schwartz to let him have the role. The network, however, believed that Hunter was “too handsome,” and thus, rejected him for the role.
Nope
Not Clean Enough
As we all know, the Bradys have always maintained a clean image. In one particular episode called “Goodbye, Alice, Hello,” they almost deviated from this reputation. The crew had to cut a scene that they believed would be inappropriate for their audience. There was a scene where Bobby and Cindy had been standing in robes as they begged Alice to let them go skinny-dipping. However, Alice seemed unhappy about this, and responded that none of them would be going to “some x-rated party in their birthday suit” under her watch!
Not Clean Enough
Cats or Dogs?
Do you prefer cats or dogs? Your answer will determine how you feel about this next bit. In the first ever episode, you saw the girls with a cat called Fluffy. However, after that scene, the feline was never shown again! Soon after, the family adopted a dog and named him Tiger. Good move or bad one? You decide.
Cats Or Dogs?
Hope Guest Stars
Sherwood Schwartz was able to get his daughter, Hope Juber some part in the show. She was known as Hope Sherwood and she was in four episodes. You can see her in the episodes “The Slumber Caper,” “The Big Bet,” “Greg Gets Grounded,” and “The Hair-Brained Scheme.”
Hope Guest Stars
My Fair Brady
Christopher Knight did not stop acting after playing the role of Peter Brady. He was able to continue living in the spotlight! He signed a contract to get his own reality show called My Fair Brady with his then girlfriend and later ex-wife Adrianne Curry. She became the first winner of the reality TV show America’s Next Top Model. In the final episode of My Fair Brady, he proposed to Curry. The couple tied the knot in 2006 but decided to part ways in 2013.
My Fair Brady
The Real House
Many fans are aware that the Brady home is actually found at 11222 Dilling Street in California. Despite this, we highly recommend that you don’t visit the house. After the last season, the owners of the house placed a fence and shrubbery for their privacy. Yikes! Moreover, they flat out declined to have their home used as a filming place for the future movies for the show.
The Real House
Missing Details
Aside from the address, did you notice that certain details were missing in the show? We all knew that the Bradys lived at this address: 4222 Clinton Way. The show even revealed their home number, which was 762-0799. However, you might have noticed that you can never actually locate their place in California. No one can trace their home, including their zip code, and the execs made sure of it.
Missing Details
They Grow Up So Fast
Did you ever wonder how the kids looked so mature after the pilot episode? Most people must have thought it was disconcerting to see them grow up so much after one night. Well, that would be true if you replace ‘one night’ with ‘one year.’ The whole crew had to wait for at least a year before they could start filming the second episode for the TV show.
They Grow Up So Fast
Studio Changes
The show really changed throughout the years, including the studio in charge. In the past, Paramount Studios only made movies. But by the time The Brady Bunch came out, the studio industry changed. They started catering to TV shows. Aside from the Brady Bunch, Sherwood Schwartz had been the brains behind the CBS show Gilligan’s Island.
Studio Changes
Five Seconds Of Fame
Anyone living in the suburbs knows that having friendly neighbors has its perks. Strangely enough, the Bradys’ neighbors had not been truly featured on the show. The Ditmeyers stayed right next door to the Brady’s, that much we know. In one episode, Mr. Ditmeyer had been shown for just a few seconds. If you happen to be watching that episode, make sure that you don’t blink or else you might miss him!
Five Seconds Of Fame
None For You Carol
As fans will know, most episodes focused on one character’s struggles and successes. However, they didn’t really talk about the matriarch of the family, did they? Poor Carol Brady – this character had been the only one from the main cast who did not have any episodes dedicated to her!
None For You Carol
Double Purpose Doghouse
Remember when we talked about the death of the adorable family dog named Tiger? After he passed in the set, the family never got around to replacing him. However, the family kept that doghouse throughout the season. It even played a strategic role in hiding the burn on the Astroturf floor. The doghouse remained as both a memorial for the family pet and a concealer for that spot!
Double Purpose Doghouse
Same Bed
The time the Brady couple had been shown sharing a bed was considered to be somewhat controversial. Many fans have mistakenly credited The Brady Bunch as the first TV show that displayed a couple sharing a bed. However, the first show to have actually depicted a couple sharing a bed is the TV program Mary Kay and Johnny, which had been on air in the 1940’s
Same Bed
Overcoming Struggles
It’s wrong to assume that people are happy just because of their general disposition. A lot of people must have assumed Florence Henderson enjoyed a happy life like her character Carol Brady. But in reality, Henderson struggled with depression and a difficult married life. Despite her struggles, Henderson was able to eventually find happiness in her life. She divorced her husband back in 1984. She has since become one of the most celebrated relationship therapists. We are happy for you, Florence!
Overcoming Struggles
Rough Childhood
Florence Henderson’s life wasn’t all about sadness and there were plenty of small happy moments in between. Nonetheless, she had it rough. The actress was the youngest children in her family, and her father was a heavy drinker! But fortunately for her, their mother dedicated her life to her youngest child. Henderson claimed that the key to her success was her mother.
Rough Childhood
Classically Trained
As we all know, Robert Reed wasn’t the friendliest cast member on the show. But in his defense, Reed had a very prestigious background. He actually matriculated at the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts in the UK. Before he got the role of Mike Brady, he also starred in a legal drama called The Defenders.
Classically Trained
Best Dad
Despite his off-screen issues with Sherwood Schwartz, Reed proved his impeccable talent on screen. He was able to give life to the character of Mike Brady. This thus gave him a spot on the TV Guide list of the greatest on-screen fathers of all time back in 2004.
Best Dad
Speaking His Mind
Aside from Reed’s talent, he was also honest and open when it comes to his thoughts and opinion. There was a particular moment when he had openly shared his thoughts in one episode. This led to a spat between him and Schwartz as usual. Reed refused to work on the scene involving the characters chucking pies at one another without any lines! Reed called this concept ‘dumb’ and ridiculous. He openly reminded Schwartz that the cast wasn’t filming a silent movie.
Speaking His Mind
All In The Name
As mentioned, divorce used to be a big taboo in their generation. However, if you paid more attention to some of the details on the show, you can see that divorce was actually subtly depicted. In the TV show, Carol’s maiden name is Tyler. However, when she and Mike Brady tied the knot, she actually had to change her name Carol Brady from Carol Martin. Thus, it was clear that the writers sneaked in a clue that Carol wasn’t a widow but a divorcee!
All In The Name
Shady Past
Some people may say that she was shady or some people can say it was simply youth mischief. But what McCormick did was definitely a very Marcia thing. Susan Olsen once shared a funny story about her costar and onscreen sister – apparently, McCormick used to shoplift in her youth! She and her friend Susan Cowsill had once been caught in the act. Unfortunately for Cowsill, she took the consequences and McCormick was able to go unscathed as she had been hiding in the car while her friend was with the authorities.
Shady Past
Her Green Thumb
Cindy was known to be an adorable girl. But who would have thought that she’d become a pot farmer at some point in her life? Olsen confessed that she and her ex-husband used to grow marijuana. However, she did not enjoy smoking it because it only made her feel paranoid. At that time, marijuana had been illegal in all parts of the world. Nonetheless, she confessed that she indeed appreciated the plant, though she still had no interest in smoking it. This was also the primary reason why she and her husband filed for divorce.
Her Green Thumb
Theme Song
As mentioned in the previous pages, we all know that the theme song of the show had first been recorded by The Peppermint Trolley Company. The executives recorded the original theme song for the first season of The Brady Bunch. However, how did the production crew got the children to sing the theme song? Well, the whole crew once overheard Christopher Knight singing the song in the set. The said incident gave the producers an idea to let the children sing the theme song. Thus, they had re-arranged and recorded the song again as the year passed by.
Theme Song
On-Screen Smooch
As we all know, Greg Brady used to date a lot throughout the show. However, we never actually witnessed him kiss anyone from his dates. It was only Bobby who got a kissing scene, in fact. You might not remember it, but he did have a kissing scene with Melissa Sue Anderson in the episode “Never Too Young,” which was in the final season of the show. If you don’t remember, Anderson is best known for her role as Mary in the Little House on the Prairie.
On-Screen Smooch
Too Extreme?
Divorce was indeed a big No-No in the past, even if it is only seen in a TV show. However, in the 1960s many widowed parents had been raising their kids by themselves. It had become a popular fad in those days. But when The Brady Bunch aired, many people were complaining that they were popularizing the trend even more.
Too Extreme?
Fan Mail
Just like the other popular shows in the US, The Brady Bunch cast and crew receiving a large number of letters from kids asking to live with the Brady family. These kids believe that their own families are imperfect. Sherwood Schwartz took it upon himself to tell the children that The Brady Bunch is just a TV show, and they should treasure their own family even more.
Fan Mail
Who Nose?
We all know the real-life incident of Marcia getting hit by a football by now. Maureen McCormick actually had another real-life experience that was a pretty similar experience to this one. Apparently, before the episode “The Subject Was Noses,” McCormick hurt her nose in a car accident! This inspired the producers to create this particular episode and scene.
Who Nose?
Sorry, Shirley
Another great actress was also offered the role of Carol Brady. Shirley Jones was given the opportunity to play the role but immediately turned down the offer. She reasoned out that the role meant she only had to “take a pot roast out of the oven.” In an ironic twist of fate, she played a mother role in The Partridge Family, a show that came out not long after.
Sorry, Shirley
Sponsors
In the past, sponsors played an important role in the industry especially if they wanted to get better funding. For The Brady Bunch, the major sponsors had been Cheerios and Mattel Toys.
Sponsors
Inspired By Real Life
Aside from the football incident Marcia suffered, Schwartz also used several real-life events to write plots for the episodes of the show. He also used personal traits and hobbies of the cast and crew members. An example of this was when Greg Brady played music in several episodes. Yup, he based it on the fact that Barry Williams played music in real life.
Inspired By Real Life
Head Spinner
This one is an interesting fact. Did you know that Eve Plumb was seriously considered to play the role of Regan in The Exorcist after she auditioned for the role? While she was filming for the show, she decided to try out for the horror classic. Unfortunately for Plumb, she wasn’t able to get the role. Nonetheless, fans were kind of happy. It would have been much more difficult to look at her as Jan otherwise!
Head Spinner
Brown-Eyed Boy
Come to think of it, there is only one cast member on the show who has a beautiful set of brown eyes. That’s right, among the Brady children, only Peter has brown peepers. Everyone else had blue eyes!
Brown-Eyed Boy