The Brady Bunch Hour

Infobox Television
show_name = The Brady Bunch Hour


caption =
show_name_2 = The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (pilot episode only)
genre = Variety show
creator = Sid and Marty Krofft, based on the original TV series created by Sherwood Schwartz
director =
creative_director =
developer =
presenter =
starring = Robert Reed
Florence Henderson
Barry Williams
Maureen McCormick
Christopher Knight
Geri Reischl
Mike Lookinland
Susan Olsen
Ann B. Davis
Rip Taylor
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme = "United We Stand", sung by the Bradys
composer =
country = USA
language =
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 9
list_episodes =
executive_producer = Sid and Marty Krofft
producer =
supervising_producer =
asst_producer =
co-producer = Tom Swale
editor =
story_editor =
location =
cinematography =
camera =
runtime = 60 minutes
network = ABC
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired =November 28 1976
last_aired =May 25 1977
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related = The Brady Bunch
website =
imdb_id = 0075485
tv_com_id = 549

"The Brady Bunch Hour" was a television series produced by Sid and Marty Krofft, which aired on ABC between 1976 to 1977.

The series starred the original cast members of "The Brady Bunch" (except Eve Plumb, who was replaced by Geri Reischl) and began as a 60-minute special titled "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour" on November 28, 1976. The success of this special led to eight additional 60 minute episodes produced and aired as "The Brady Bunch Hour" from January to May 1977.

Premise

In this series, the Bradys move out of their familiar home and into a beachside home somewhere in Southern California, after the Bradys were chosen to star in a new variety series for ABC, which originates from their home. Mike Brady also left his architectural career, in order to devote to his family's musical career full-time. Helping them out along the way is their new neighbor, Jack Merrill, played by 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 self-contained, practically a continuation of the main "Brady Bunch" series.

The entire cast took part in sketches and musical numbers, including the very non-musical Reed and Davis (in one memorable bit, a game-for-anything Reed even appeared in drag as Carmen Miranda).

Rip Taylor's role

Rip Taylor's role in this series may be confusing to some -- while he had 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.

Development

The show came into being following the Bradys' appearance on another popular Krofft variety series, "Donny & Marie", on October 8, 1976. ABC president Fred Silverman noticed that episode's huge ratings, leading him to have the Kroffts to 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 reluctant approval of the new series, mainly as the way to keep interest in the original series, now in syndicated reruns, fresh.

Canon

Since Paramount and Schwartz's approval had an air of reluctance, the events that occurred in the variety series is not included in the official Brady Bunch continuity; the show's existence was not included or even mentioned in the later spinoffs and revivals.

cheduling

The show was intended to air every fifth week in the same slot as " The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries", but ended up scheduled sporadically throughout the season, leading to very inconsistent ratings, since fans could not remember when it was on or more likely saw a promo with Mike and Carol stating "The Brady Bunch Hour" won't be seen this week, but we will back again soon".

"The Brady Bunch Hour" in pop culture

*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 crap!"). 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 Simpsons star in a variety show spin-off of their show. It's noted during the show that Lisa Simpson had refused to participate, so she was replaced with a much older prom queen type who also claimed to be Lisa Simpson.

Episodes

Episode #1 (The Brady Bunch Variety Hour - TV special / pilot)
*Airdate: November 28, 1976
*Guests: Tony Randall, Donny & Marie OsmondEpisode #2
*Airdate: January 23, 1977
*Guests: Lee Majors, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Kaptain Kool and the Kongs, Rip TaylorEpisode #3
*Airdate: February 27, 1977
*Guests: Milton Berle, Rip Taylor, Tina TurnerEpisode #4
*Airdate: March 4, 1977
*Guests: Vincent Price, Rip Taylor, H.R. Pufnstuf, Kiki BirdEpisode #5
*Airdate: March 21, 1977
*Guests: Charo, The Hudson Brothers, Rip TaylorEpisode #6
*Airdate: March 28, 1977
*Guests: Rich Little, Edgar Bergen, MelanieEpisode #7
*Airdate: April 4, 1977
*Guests: Redd Foxx, Robert Hegyes, The Ohio PlayersEpisode #8
*Airdate: April 25, 1977
*Guests: The What's Happening Kids, Rip Taylor, Rick DeesEpisode #9
*Airdate: May 25, 1977
*Guests: Paul Williams, Lynn Anderson, Rip Taylor

ee also

* The Mary Tyler Moore Hour (a similar variety series)

References

* [http://www.bradyhour.com/background.html Complete Guide to The Brady Bunch Hour]

External links

* [http://www.bradyhour.com/ BradyHour.com]
* [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_tvshows/1973-the-brady-bunch-hour/ Retro Junk]
* [http://www.popcultureaddict.com/close/geri.htm Interview with Geri "Fake Jan" Reischl] at Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict