Friday, October 05, 2001

Dear “Brady Bunch” Fans:

I have been a “Brady Bunch” fan for years now, I was born on June 13, 1972. I was born during the series run, the series ran from 1969 through 1974 (I believe). If someone doesn’t agree with that, please post the real dates that “The Brady Bunch” aired?

I am watching “The Brady Bunch” now, the episode with the pay phone storyline. This episode isn’t one of my top favorites. My favorite character of the series is Alice Nelson portrayed by Ann B. Davis. Who else think the same as I do about Alice Nelson?

What I like about “The Brady Bunch” is the family storyline that each episode provides. I really like Mike portrayed by Robert Reed, Carol portrayed by Florence Henderson, Marcia portrayed by Maureen McCormick, Greg portrayed by Barry Williams, Jan portrayed by Eve Plumb, Peter portrayed by Christopher Knight, Cindy portrayed by Susan Olsen and Bobby portrayed by Michael Lookingland (or is it Mike Lookingland).

Your Dream Girl,
Texas Girlfriend

Hi Dreamgirl :-)

I believe it's actually Mike Lookinland (no "g").

I agree with you. I like all of the actors and characters in the show. Robert Reed was a very talented actor, and I thought he did as good a job playing Mike Brady as just about any TV father there ever was. Even more amazing when you consider that he thought most of the shows were on the dumb side, plot wise (although he adored the kids and Florence as well). Ann B Davis was a great comedic actress, with impeccable timing. She actually won 2 emmys for best supporting actress in a comedy series (Bob Cummings Show in the 50s). Florence Henderson is also an excellent actress, who already had a lot of theater training behind her when she got the part of Carol Brady.

The kids,I thought, were all very good in their roles, especially when you consider that they were picked basically because of their looks (Most of the kids had done some work in commercials prior to B Bunch, and I believe Barry Williams and Maureen McCormick, in particular, had guest roles on a # of TV shows (such as Bewitched, Gomer Pyle, etc.). Re: Casting of the show, the producers actually had four sets of kids ready to go (3 blond boys as well as the 3 actual Brady guys; and 3 dark haired girls in addition to Marcia, Jan and Cindy. The kids parts ended up being cast based on the actor and actress who landed the parents parts. Since Robt Reed got the part of Mike, they cast Barry, Chris and Mike as Greg Peter and Bobby, rather than the blond boys. And since Florence got the part of Carol, Maureen, Eve and Susan got the parts of Marcia Jan and Cindy. Wonder what the show would have been like with different casts? Anyway, it turned out to be perfect just the way it was :-)

I love the show (even with a few unwatchable episodes), and always liked Maricia and Jan especially :-) <howls like wolf>

Originally posted by TVLanFan:
Since Robt Reed got the part of Mike, they cast Barry, Chris and Mike as Greg Peter and Bobby, rather than the blond boys.


Actually, I do believe that Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady) had blonde (or reddish) hair. They had to use Clairol #43 (according to _Growing Up Brady_) to give his hair the color that matched Robert Reed (Mike Brady), at least during the first season. Notice how his blonde/reddish hair shows during the last few episodes.

yes James, you are correct. They did have to dye Mike L's hair to match the rest of the group (Apparently, S.Schwarz really wanted this kid). In fact, I remember reading that some of Mike L's most vivid memories of the early episodes was sitting in a make-up room getting the dye applied to his hair. He remembers that more than he remembers making some of the early episodes. Good catch there, James. :-)