Susan Olsen -- who starred as Cindy Brady in 'The Brady Bunch' -- readily admits that the 'The Brady Bunch Variety Hour' was really bad.

Olsen, who co-wrote 'Love to Love You Bradys' which focuses on the variety show, talked with Meredith Viera on 'Today,'

"There had been other 'Brady' ventures that haven't been all that great, but this one is just so spectacularly bad," she said

"It all came from [the 'Bunch' cast] appearing on 'The Donny and Marie Show' and the ratings went through the roof and so they said, 'Well let's give them their own variety show,'" Olsen explained of its origins.

"The actual Brady family moved from their home to the beach and now they have a variety show, which made no sense at all and that's part of the beauty of this show is the whole thing makes no sense," the actress added of the storyline.

Why would the cast want to return? "Half of the reason why all of us agreed to do it was because we had been out of production for a couple of years and we missed each other."

http://www.popeater.com/2009/08/31/susan-olsen-brady-bunch/

Susan Olsen -- who starred as Cindy Brady in 'The Brady Bunch' -- readily admits that the 'The Brady Bunch Variety Hour' was really bad.

Olsen, who co-wrote 'Love to Love You Bradys' which focuses on the variety show, talked with Meredith Viera on 'Today,'

"There had been other 'Brady' ventures that haven't been all that great, but this one is just so spectacularly bad," she said

"It all came from [the 'Bunch' cast] appearing on 'The Donny and Marie Show' and the ratings went through the roof and so they said, 'Well let's give them their own variety show,'" Olsen explained of its origins.

"The actual Brady family moved from their home to the beach and now they have a variety show, which made no sense at all and that's part of the beauty of this show is the whole thing makes no sense," the actress added of the storyline.

Why would the cast want to return? "Half of the reason why all of us agreed to do it was because we had been out of production for a couple of years and we missed each other."

http://www.popeater.com/2009/08/31/susan-olsen-brady-bunch/


Yeah that was stupid by ABC, just because the appearance of the Bradys generated high ratings didn't mean they would be a Hit on their own show. Part of the reason why the appearance on Donny and Marie generated high ratings was because they had not been seen for 2 years so viewers were looking forward to seeing them again.

Susan Olsen has such a wicked sense of humor. I can't wait to see some more of these interviews!! :cool:

I'm so glad she broke her silence after all these years to tell us this!

;)

She needs to write a book next.

I just ordered the book today from Amazon :D

I already saw the pic of Susan, flipping the bird during an episode! :lol:

I look forward to checking this book out myself. :lol:

Variety show, was 'spectacularily bad'? No way! That's news to me :p

and to think I watched it every week. I wonder what that says about my viewing habits at the time? :crazy:

and to think I watched it every week. I wonder what that says about my viewing habits at the time? :crazy:
:rofl:

Hey it was the Brady Bunch--we would have taken them in any form we could :lol:

I still want ALL the episodes on DVD! :lol:
i'd rather own it than own The Brady Kids cartoon (IMO, that show is WORSE than the variety hour)

Hey it was the Brady Bunch--we would have taken them in any form we could :lol:

I still want ALL the episodes on DVD! :lol:
i'd rather own it than own The Brady Kids cartoon (IMO, that show is WORSE than the variety hour)
Yeah I think whoever created that Brady Kids cartoon must have been on drugs!! :lol: I'd like to have all the Variety Hour episodes on DVD too!

The badness of the Variety Hour is actually more urban legend than truth. I've watched clips and was genuinely entertained by the singing and dancing routines--Geri Reischl can REALLY belt out a tune, while Barry and Flo are also accomplished in the vocal department. Some of the comedy sketches really do fall flat and some are downright PAINFUL (the episode with Vincent Price comes to mind).

I look forward to checking this book out myself. :lol:

Me, too, Monika!

The badness of the Variety Hour is actually more urban legend than truth. I've watched clips and was genuinely entertained by the singing and dancing routines--Geri Reischl can REALLY belt out a tune, while Barry and Flo are also accomplished in the vocal department. Some of the comedy sketches really do fall flat and some are downright PAINFUL (the episode with Vincent Price comes to mind).
Maureen also did a beautiful version of "Time in a Bottle". Plus, Barry and Flo both had tons of musicals under their belts by then, which helped.

I think this is a show whose reputation as "bad" has grown to be legendary. People like to be snarky and "hip" and write cool things to bad mouth the show at Youtube. Honestly, I've seen worse shows. And of course, this post may be seen as "damning with faint praise" :lol:

I think this is a show whose reputation as "bad" has grown to be legendary. People like to be snarky and "hip" and write cool things to bad mouth the show at Youtube. Honestly, I've seen worse shows. And of course, this post may be seen as "damning with faint praise" :lol"
Pink Lady & Jeff was EONS worse than the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. :eek:

And man, we haven't seen "The Starland Vocal Band Show" or "Mel and Susan: Together Again" either :D

Pink Lady & Jeff was EONS worse than the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. :eek:

and that one got a DVD release.

I enjoyed The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. I wish Barry Williams had written the book. The Bradys were all still good looking and the show was colorful and FUN!!! :wave: thank you ioffer for the bootleg DVDs

and that one got a DVD release.
Scary, huh?? :eek: :lol:

And man, we haven't seen "The Starland Vocal Band Show" or "Mel and Susan: Together Again" either :D
Never heard of the Mel & Susan show. Details, please!

Never heard of the Mel & Susan show. Details, please!it was a show hosted by country star mel tillis and all purpose celeb susan anton that aired in 1978 i dont remember watching it though

it was a show hosted by country star mel tillis and all purpose celeb susan anton that aired in 1978 i dont remember watching it though
Thanks - wasn't Susan Anton once married to Dudley Moore??

Thanks - wasn't Susan Anton once married to Dudley Moore??
Susan and Dudley dated but I dont believe they were ever married.

Susan and Dudley dated but I dont believe they were ever married.
OK - I do know he was married to Tuesday Weld and that they had a child together.

I agree with Susan Olsen. I have seen a few episodes of that variety show, and its not good.

The badness of the Variety Hour is actually more urban legend than truth. I've watched clips and was genuinely entertained by the singing and dancing routines--Geri Reischl can REALLY belt out a tune, while Barry and Flo are also accomplished in the vocal department. Some of the comedy sketches really do fall flat and some are downright PAINFUL (the episode with Vincent Price comes to mind).


I do agree about Geri being able to belt out a tune. I loved her voice. Too bad you had some haters for no reason. Eve decided not to do the show so someone had to replace her. The problem I had with Fake Jan was the constant complaining from time to time.

I do like the variety show. It was corny but cool at the same time. I would love to get the entire show on DVD.

Got the book yesterday and was up til 2am reading it :lol:

Found out that Eve DID want to do the show, but didn't want to commit to a possible long term series. She was willing to do the special and maybe up to 5 other shows, but ABC said all or nothing, so Eve said buh-bye.

Also the book has the ratings for each broadcast--the shows (most of them) actually got ratings in the 19s!! Only the last episode did horrible--a 11!--but was because it was up against the Oscars. From terms of ratings, the show should have been renewed for a second season.

Got the book yesterday and was up til 2am reading it :lol:

Found out that Eve DID want to do the show, but didn't want to commit to a possible long term series. She was willing to do the special and maybe up to 5 other shows, but ABC said all or nothing, so Eve said buh-bye.

Also the book has the ratings for each broadcast--the shows (most of them) actually got ratings in the 19s!! Only the last episode did horrible--a 11!--but was because it was up against the Oscars. From terms of ratings, the show should have been renewed for a second season.
I can't wait to read this book - it sounds awesome. :cool:

I can't wait to read this book - it sounds awesome. :cool:
I ordered my copy from Amazon the other day. Can't wait til it gets here!

I ordered my copy from Amazon the other day. Can't wait til it gets here!
I just picked up a copy at Borders today. :cool:

I really enjoyed reading about the Krofttettes and all they had to go through to put on a show. What brave women - there's no way I could do all that, seeing as I have a fear of deep water. :eek: I also never knew Susan Buckner (Nancy Drew, Grease) was amongst them. Ironically, Nancy Drew was in one of the rotating Sunday timeslots the Bradys were originally in. :cool:

I really enjoyed reading about the Krofttettes and all they had to go through to put on a show. What brave women - there's no way I could do all that, seeing as I have a fear of deep water. :eek: I also never knew Susan Buckner (Nancy Drew, Grease) was amongst them. Ironically, Nancy Drew was in one of the rotating Sunday timeslots the Bradys were originally in. :cool:
Amazon finally shipped my copy on Friday and it should arrive sometime this week. I can't wait.

My copy has finally arrived! Can't wait to start reading!

For the bulk of this evening, this whole site has seemed to be pretty slow. I have no idea what alternate activities have been keeping people away. My main efforts to stimulate some converation have been concentrated on the pages of "Facts of Life", "Friends" and "Gimme a Break!". So far, I have not had any success. However, every once in a while, I have been coming to other pages (like this one) to see if there might be something new. I am very happy to see a new post and thus proof that this site is not completely without life! Bye.

My copy has finally arrived! Can't wait to start reading!
Happy reading, Marv!! :cool:

Happy reading, Marv!! :cool:
Thanks Monika! I'm really enjoying it so far.

Thanks Monika! I'm really enjoying it so far.
So did you finish it, Marv?

So did you finish it, Marv?
Yes. I read everything except the episode guide within the first week I had the book. I finally got around to reading through the episode guide earlier this week. This book was a very interesting read!

Yes. I read everything except the episode guide within the first week I had the book. I finally got around to reading through the episode guide earlier this week. This book was a very interesting read!
I enjoyed it, too - they really went into so much detail, especially about the Krofftettes! :cool:

I enjoyed it, too - they really went into so much detail, especially about the Krofftettes! :cool:
After reading that chapter I am so impressed with the work ethic and dedication of the Krofftettes. They really were the hardest working people in show business!(both on dry land and in the water!)

After reading that chapter I am so impressed with the work ethic and dedication of the Krofftettes. They really were the hardest working people in show business!(both on dry land and in the water!)
So am I!! There is no way I could've done what they did - and they didn't even get hazard pay!! :eek: God bless them - they really did put their lives on the lines for the sake of entertainment...and didn't complain!!!!

I think Susan should write books about the other Brady revivals - I love her wicked sense of humor. :lol:

I think Susan should write books about the other Brady revivals - I love her wicked sense of humor. :lol:
I agree! I would probably read any book she wrote.

I agree! I would probably read any book she wrote.
Me, too. I love Susan - she's great!! :cool: :D