With the exception of The Brady Brides, all of the Brady reunions have always had one of the original girls missing from the cast.

Of the three, who do you think was the worst??

i voted leah ayers im not going to really bash her here but she just didnt have any of the same oualties that maureen mccormick had i dont have to explain to any brady fan what those qualties are but just as clayton moore will always be the lone ranger maureen mccormick will always be the only true marcia marcia marcia

Tough one. Jennifer Runyeon was clearly the best of the replacements, because she fit Cindy's cute personality (and she was HOT). Geri Reischl was a horrendous "actress", but Leah Ayres had the biggest shoes to fill (as Marcia was clearly the most important Brady girl). Reischl's presence was less disruptive simply because McCormack was present. I guess I would say Resichl was worse, but McCormack's absence in the Bradys hurt the most.

I agree with TV Guy that Jennifer (fake Cindy) was easily the best of the three fake Brady girls (and she WAS hot).

Fake Jan was bad, but no worse than the variety show as a whole. And she was pretty, but boy, did she look out of place there.

But definitely, fake Marcia was the worst. As much as I loved Eve Plumb as Jan, I think that Marcia was probably the one Brady girl that absolutely, positively, HAD to be there. Maureen just could NOT be replaced.

S. Schwartz probably would have been better off trying to pull a "Cosby"...i.e. have Leah Ayres just materialize out of nowhere (think "Sondra") as a fourth daughter that none of us had ever seen, and act as if nothing unusual happened. (they could have called HER "Phoebee").

And they could then refer to Marcia as being "on a trip" or something, instead of trying to flat out replace her.

I wonder what Jennifer Runton's been up to? She hasn't appeared in anything since the 1992 movie, Carnisaur. That also made me think of the hotties from "Eight is Enough", Elizabeth (Connie Needham) and Nancy (Dianne Kay). Same thing. Both married with children and out of acting for years.

I wonder what Jennifer Runton's been up to? She hasn't appeared in anything since the 1992 movie, Carnisaur. That also made me think of the hotties from "Eight is Enough", Elizabeth (Connie Needham) and Nancy (Dianne Kay). Same thing. Both married with children and out of acting for years.

OOPs... Jennifer Runyon :crazy:

I wonder what Jennifer Runton's been up to? She hasn't appeared in anything since the 1992 movie, Carnisaur. That also made me think of the hotties from "Eight is Enough", Elizabeth (Connie Needham) and Nancy (Dianne Kay). Same thing. Both married with children and out of acting for years.

There is a tenous "Brady"-"Eight is Enough" connection. Kimberly Beck, who played Nancy in the "EIE" pilot, was in the "Marcia Gets Creamed" episode, playing a girl who came into the ice cream parlor with Marcia's boyfriend, Jeff. Beck was replaced by Dianne Kay after the "EIE" pilot because she supposedly looked "too old".

Leah Ayres - The episode where she played an alcoholic was the low point for the 'Brady' franchise.

Jennifer Runyon

Jennifer Runyon

Actually, I thought she was the best one. At least she showed some life. I think Susan Olsen regrets not doing A Very Brady Christmas - the ratings for that special were huge and her marriage didn't pan out. She didn't do the movie because she was going on her honeymoon.

Jennifer Runyon

Jennifer Runyon. :eek: At least she was hot. :lol:


The worst Brady replacement was Geri Reischl because their was only one Jan Brady and she didn't come close to being it. She couldn't act. :lol:

Jennifer Runyon. :eek: At least she was hot. :lol:


The worst Brady replacement was Geri Reischl because their was only one Jan Brady and she didn't come close to being it. She couldn't act. :lol:
:lol:

I liked her on Charles in Charge, but I remember watching A Very Brady Christmas years ago and I thought "that's not Cindy". I never saw the variety show and I don't remember the Bradys so I can't compare. :lol:

Actually, I thought she was the best one. At least she showed some life. I think Susan Olsen regrets not doing A Very Brady Christmas - the ratings for that special were huge and her marriage didn't pan out. She didn't do the movie because she was going on her honeymoon.
Oh. I didn't know that.

:lol:

I liked her on Charles in Charge, but I remember watching A Very Brady Christmas years ago and I thought "that's not Cindy". I never saw the variety show and I don't remember the Bradys so I can't compare. :lol:


The Brady Bunch Hour was a horrible show-probably the worst of the sequels. It just didn't make since. Mike gave up his job as an architect so that the family could star in a variety show. That happens every day. :lol: Maybe it'll be on DVD someday.

The Brady Bunch Hour was a horrible show-probably the worst of the sequels. It just didn't make since. Mike gave up his job as an architect so that the family could star in a variety show. That happens every day. :lol: Maybe it'll be on DVD someday.

It's been on DVD for a while....at least a couple of episodes, anyway:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004WMP2.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Available at amazon, with an interview with Susan Olsen and Mike Lookinland. I rented it from netflix and it's even worse than you remember. :eek:

It's been on DVD for a while....at least a couple of episodes, anyway:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004WMP2.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Available at amazon, with an interview with Susan Olsen and Mike Lookinland. I rented it from netflix and it's even worse than you remember. :eek:
They'll Release Anything. :eek:

They'll Release Anything. :eek:

Yep. If they thought a The Brady Bunch Hour: The Complete Series DVD would sell, they'd put it out there.

Even scarier...someone would buy it. :eek: :crazy: :rolleyes:

The Brady Bunch Hour was a horrible show-probably the worst of the sequels. It just didn't make since. Mike gave up his job as an architect so that the family could star in a variety show. That happens every day. :lol: Maybe it'll be on DVD someday.

Maby the Brady bunch variety hour was not very good but cindy sure looked great didnt she?

And I dont know who was the worst marcia replacement but I do know who was the best and that was christine taylor wow did she have marcia pegged and you have to admit she even gave maureen a run for her money on the looks.

Maby the Brady bunch variety hour was not very good but cindy sure looked great didnt she?

And I dont know who was the worst marcia replacement but I do know who was the best and that was christine taylor wow did she have marcia pegged and you have to admit she even gave maureen a run for her money on the looks.

I wouldn't view Christine Taylor as a "replacement," as she was in a remake, not a sequel. But yes, she was indeed the next best thing to Maureen. She's still pretty hot.

haha yes i watched the movie after i watched the episodes, and the resemblance is spooky lol! it wulda been weird watching that if you were maureen lol, they said somehting like that on still brady lol. i noticed she flicked her hair like maureen did lol

Yep. If they thought a The Brady Bunch Hour: The Complete Series DVD would sell, they'd put it out there.

Even scarier...someone would buy it. :eek: :crazy: :rolleyes:
The whole series will probably be released soon - Susan Olsen has co-authored a coffee table book about the variety show (no, I'm not making that up), so I would not be surprised if the DVD comes out in conjunction with that. As for worst Brady girl, I'll have to say Leah Ayres - no offense to her because Marcia was written so poorly. Maureen backed out because she'd recently given birth, she was dealing with depression, and she said the script was awful (per her autobiography).

Supposedly (per the imdb, so take it with a grain of salt) the role of Jan in the variety hour came between Geri Reischl and Kathy Richards. Kathy Richards would later get married, go by her married name of Hilton and have a daughter named Paris.

It would be fun if someone could get Leah Ayres, Geri Reischl and Jennifer Runyon together for a photo shoot or something. Leah Ayres (who now goes by her married name of Kalish) retired from acting and last I heard, became a teacher. Jennifer Runyon also retired from acting and married a guy who was a coach at Concordia College in Irvine, CA. Geri Reischl was out of the business for a long time but is now coming back into the limelight.

Interesting links:

http://www.lovetoloveyoubradys.com/ (the coffee table book)

http://www.gerireischl.com/

http://www.imaginazium.com/ (Leah Ayres Kalish's website)

FAKE JAN!!!!! You can't take away Geri Reischel's legacy! Long live Fake Jan!

Yep. If they thought a The Brady Bunch Hour: The Complete Series DVD would sell, they'd put it out there.

Even scarier...someone would buy it. :eek: :crazy: :rolleyes:


Why, yes. Yes I would. :lol:

My vote goes to Leah. Her acting was fine but as another character. She could not fill Marcia's shoes. When I was younger, I actually though Geri was Eve Plumb on the Brady Variety show. I liked her although she was whiney from time to time.

Supposedly (per the imdb, so take it with a grain of salt) the role of Jan in the variety hour came between Geri Reischl and Kathy Richards. Kathy Richards would later get married, go by her married name of Hilton and have a daughter named Paris.




Stephen King couldn't write a story that scary. Especially the ending.

Stephen King couldn't write a story that scary. Especially the ending.
OUCH. :eek: :rofl:

It would be fun if someone could get Leah Ayres, Geri Reischl and Jennifer Runyon together for a photo shoot or something. Leah Ayres (who now goes by her married name of Kalish) retired from acting and last I heard, became a teacher. Jennifer Runyon also retired from acting and married a guy who was a coach at Concordia College in Irvine, CA. Geri Reischl was out of the business for a long time but is now coming back into the limelight.

That would be an ideal teaming for an award presentation for a future TV Land Awards show: Fake Marcia, Fake Jan, and Fake Cindy!

That would be an ideal teaming for an award presentation for a future TV Land Awards show: Fake Marcia, Fake Jan, and Fake Cindy!
Yes, someone should arrange this!! I think it would be awesome. :cool: :D

Yes, someone should arrange this!! I think it would be awesome. :cool: :D


lol, that would be great. I never watch award shows (of any kind), but if I knew that TV Land arranged to have the three fake Brady girls in some sort of guest appearance, I'd watch it.

lol, that would be great. I never watch award shows (of any kind), but if I knew that TV Land arranged to have the three fake Brady girls in some sort of guest appearance, I'd watch it.
Or a talk show appearance - I'd watch it!! :D Susan Olsen once said on her Facebook page that she and her son randomly ran into Jennifer Runyon and her kids at a Burger King one day. The ladies hugged and chatted for awhile. Susan also said that she thinks Jennifer is a lot prettier than her. I think they're both beautiful. Geri Reischl has said on her website she's never met or spoken to Eve Plumb. Have no idea about Maureen McCormick and Leah Ayres.

Or a talk show appearance - I'd watch it!! :D Susan Olsen once said on her Facebook page that she and her son randomly ran into Jennifer Runyon and her kids at a Burger King one day. The ladies hugged and chatted for awhile. Susan also said that she thinks Jennifer is a lot prettier than her. I think they're both beautiful. Geri Reischl has said on her website she's never met or spoken to Eve Plumb. Have no idea about Maureen McCormick and Leah Ayres.


Cool... Jennifer was very pretty. She was the best looking fake Brady girl lol

Since Susan was nowhere around when "A Very Brady Christmas" was filmed, it's quite possible that fake Cindy might never have met real Cindy, except maybe in a chance encounter such as they had. Same with the two Jans. If the two Jans ever met, it would be only by accident.

Yecch - they all tie for disappointing/awful. I know they had to sub if they couldn't get the originals but I almost never like the subs. Better just to leave the character out, somehow -at least for me.

This would make for a good Twilight Zone episode. The real Brady girls run into the "fake" ones. And the line blurs between fantasy and "reality."

This would make for a good Twilight Zone episode. The real Brady girls run into the "fake" ones. And the line blurs between fantasy and "reality."
Hey, I'd watch it. :cool: :D

Hey, I'd watch it. :cool: :D

You and me both, Cat.:D

That would be an ideal teaming for an award presentation for a future TV Land Awards show: Fake Marcia, Fake Jan, and Fake Cindy!


Yeah, like they did when they bought together the 3 that played Catwoman on Batman That was classic!!!!

I agree with the mention earlier that Geri was pretty. A nice looking woman, to be sure!
By the way, here is the correct spelling of her last name: Reischl.

:D

Gerri Reischl mat not have been the greatest actress but she was an excellent singer. And since the show she was on was The Brady Bunch Hour (a musical variety show) she was a great choice to replace Eve for that particular Brady incarnation.

Gerri Reischl mat not have been the greatest actress but she was an excellent singer. And since the show she was on was The Brady Bunch Hour (a musical variety show) she was a great choice to replace Eve for that particular Brady incarnation.
What's so ironic is that Eve Plumb was the daughter of a record company executive and she was the no-show in the musical/variety show.

Here's another pic of "Fake Marcia", Leah Ayres:

The Bradys was the one sequel I've never seen.

The Bradys was the one sequel I've never seen.
Neither did I. I think it only lasted a month or so.

Neither did I. I think it only lasted a month or so.
I watched every episode. Apparantly I was the only one! :lol: I guess that explains the low ratings!

I watched every episode. Apparantly I was the only one! :lol: I guess that explains the low ratings!
Since you watched the show, Marv, how was Leah Ayres in the role of Marcia? Obviously, she had to try to fill Maureen's shoes and had be up for such a challenge.

Since you watched the show, Marv, how was Leah Ayres in the role of Marcia? Obviously, she had to try to fill Maureen's shoes and had be up for such a challenge.
Out of the three "fake" Brady girls I thought she looked the least like the actress she was replacing. In "The Brady's " Marcia was battling alcoholism so Leah had a pretty big storyline to carry. She actually did a pretty good job with it and fit in quite well with the other cast members. But somehow whenever I saw her on screen I could never quite get the thought out of my mind that this isn't the "real" Marcia. Knowing what I know now it's also kind of eerie that Marsha was battling alcoholism since Maureen was going through the same battle in real life.

Cool... Jennifer was very pretty. She was the best looking fake Brady girl lol

Since Susan was nowhere around when "A Very Brady Christmas" was filmed, it's quite possible that fake Cindy might never have met real Cindy, except maybe in a chance encounter such as they had. Same with the two Jans. If the two Jans ever met, it would be only by accident.
I found this awesome interview:

http://www.cultfilmfreak.com/susanolsen/

I found this awesome interview:

http://www.cultfilmfreak.com/susanolsen/
Thanks for posting this interview Monika! I really enjoyed reading it. I especially enjoyed Susan's description of the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. "It is doggy doody with glitter all over it." What a colorful and telling description. Something tells me Susan isn't especially proud of her work on that show!

Thanks for posting this interview Monika! I really enjoyed reading it. I especially enjoyed Susan's description of the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. "It is doggy doody with glitter all over it." What a colorful and telling description. Something tells me Susan isn't especially proud of her work on that show!


I also enjoyed that. Susan Olsen just seems so cool! To be able to look back and laugh at that Shirley Temple thing and those rumors of doing porn. I'd love to meet her. She'd be fun to party with!:crazy:

Thanks for posting this interview Monika! I really enjoyed reading it. I especially enjoyed Susan's description of the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. "It is doggy doody with glitter all over it." What a colorful and telling description. Something tells me Susan isn't especially proud of her work on that show!
No problem!! Her book is highly entertaining (Love to Love You Bradys) and a must read for any Brady fan. I too would love to meet Susan. She strikes me as very down-to-earth, pull no punches gal. :cool:

No problem!! Her book is highly entertaining (Love to Love You Bradys) and a must read for any Brady fan. I too would love to meet Susan. She strikes me as very down-to-earth, pull no punches gal. :cool:
I've ordered my copy of that book from Amazon and I can't wait to read it.

I've ordered my copy of that book from Amazon and I can't wait to read it.
Happy reading, Marv!! :D

The whole series will probably be released soon - Susan Olsen has co-authored a coffee table book about the variety show (no, I'm not making that up), so I would not be surprised if the DVD comes out in conjunction with that. As for worst Brady girl, I'll have to say Leah Ayres - no offense to her because Marcia was written so poorly. Maureen backed out because she'd recently given birth, she was dealing with depression, and she said the script was awful (per her autobiography).


I've also heard Maureen tell people if CBS had stuck with the two hour occasional TV movie (as originally planned), she would have done them.

Also I've been told by Ted Nichelson (the book's author) that the show is not seeing a DVD release because of.....you guessed it........music rights. Rhino had managed to just clear 2 episodes for that DVD release several years ago. Those stupid music rights issues are what is murdering the TV DVD industry! And people will go to bootlegs......who loses out??

I've also heard Maureen tell people if CBS had stuck with the two hour occasional TV movie (as originally planned), she would have done them.

Also I've been told by Ted Nichelson (the book's author) that the show is not seeing a DVD release because of.....you guessed it........music rights. Rhino had managed to just clear 2 episodes for that DVD release several years ago. Those stupid music rights issues are what is murdering the TV DVD industry! And people will go to bootlegs......who loses out??
Yes, they wonder why people resort to bootlegs. I hate the music rights issue. :mad: At least shows like Miami Vice and The Muppet Show have most of the music intact on DVD. Mike Lookinland said in the LTLYB book that a lot of the songs they used were public domain, too. :confused:

But a lot of it doesn't....look at the disco medleys used....songs such as "I've Got the Music In me" and Rick Dees' "Disc-gorilla", The Hudson Brothers, The Ohio Players, Lynn Anderson, and Tina Turner among others used as acts. Songs such as "Southern Nights" "Time in a Bottle", etc were also used.

But a lot of it doesn't....look at the disco medleys used....songs such as "I've Got the Music In me" and Rick Dees' "Disc-gorilla", The Hudson Brothers, The Ohio Players, Lynn Anderson, and Tina Turner among others used as acts. Songs such as "Southern Nights" "Time in a Bottle", etc were also used.


I wonder how NBC's Saturday Night Live complete season sets got around music issues. They include complete episodes including all the musical guest performances.

Most likely NBC/Broadway Video was likely to pony up the cash to clear the songs.

SNL is an investment. The BBVH would be a very limited appeal cult release if it's ever done and no company right now wants to take it on. Although one day I could see MPI or Shout! attempting it.

Most likely NBC/Broadway Video was likely to pony up the cash to clear the songs.

SNL is an investment. The BBVH would be a very limited appeal cult release if it's ever done and no company right now wants to take it on. Although one day I could see MPI or Shout! attempting it.
I was REALLY surprised that Good Times had all the original songs on their DVD sets, like Rufus' "Once You Get Started" and The Jacksons' "Shake Your Body (Down To the Ground)". I wonder how they pulled it off.

The Fake Brady Girls today: Leah (Ayres) Kalish, Geri Reischl, and Jennifer Runyon:

I was REALLY surprised that Good Times had all the original songs on their DVD sets, like Rufus' "Once You Get Started" and The Jacksons' "Shake Your Body (Down To the Ground)". I wonder how they pulled it off.

And yet Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, which were once at the top of the Nielsons, can't get original music-intact releases.:mad:

And yet Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, which were once at the top of the Nielsons, can't get original music-intact releases.:mad:

Thank you, Paramount!!! :mad: