http://www.youtube.com/user/Retroteevee#p/c/D14DDFB01C3BB68D/9/IovhNAB2lJY

Up until today, if anyone had asked me to list a bunch of episodes of TBB that I was unlikely to watch at random then this one would have been on that list but watching it again today I have discovered that it is much better than I remember it to be.

Although an Alice episode and her first one at that the episode gives everyone in the cast something to do. The story is sweet and nicely told with a typical Brady like ending in the way that everyone tries to show Alice is needed. It was also very sweet of Alice to push the boys towards their new mother for fixing things like cuts and bruises and for helping with maths homework.

This episode has a number of firsts. This episode marks the first time we see that blue car pass the Brady house at the very start of the episode. We also see the kids bathroom for the first time and with it they also settled the view outside the girls bedroom. Up until now they simply had a blank wall. Now there is a table and picture which is visible from the bathroom and the girls room.

We also get to see Alice's room for the first time and I think it remained unchanged for the rest of the shows run. You can also see the laundry room (more on that in a later episode review) through the open door which we would see proper when Tiger got his many baths (and speaking of Tiger, he is mentioned in this episode but not seen).

The entire episode is set in the Brady home and there is only one guest star who is the postman seen for about a minute. This episode is also beautifully filmed. Something to note in these first season episodes is that the street level Brady set was massive what with a garden, garage, kitchen, family room, living room and Mike's den and lighting it all must have taken ages so the long shots set on the patio where the camera pans all 3 sets of patio doors and the curtains are open should be treasured. In later seasons the living room curtains were always drawn so that, IMO, they didn't have to take the time to light the garden set. Also, the screens in Mike's den are open in these early episodes but I am sure in later episodes and probably more likely later seasons that they were not open as much.

Lastly, a small blooper in which Greg gets Carol to help him with his maths homework because she is good at maths. In 'Father of the Year' Marcia wants Mike to help with her maths homework when she suggests that Carol isn't good at maths.

I've always liked this episode.

... and of course, there is the ashtray with cigarette butts in it!

I don't remember the ashtray. Can you give the time and state whether it is the top left of the screen or the top right of the screen etc :lol:

I don't remember the ashtray. Can you give the time and state whether it is the top left of the screen or the top right of the screen etc :lol:

On My DVD it is most notable at 16:16. when the kids are in Alice's bedroom and she is packing, when there is a closeup of Cindy, it is just to the left of Cindy's right shoulder.

Note that, though Greg is the only one depicted as smoking, and only once, there have been reports of ashtrays showing up on the set in other episodes throughout the run of TBB but this is the most obvious.

On My DVD it is most notable at 16:16. when the kids are in Alice's bedroom and she is packing, when there is a closeup of Cindy, it is just to the left of Cindy's right shoulder.

Note that, though Greg is the only one depicted as smoking, and only once, there have been reports of ashtrays showing up on the set in other episodes throughout the run of TBB but this is the most obvious.

I will have to check this out. Barry smoked in real life, but not on set. It could have been a crew member, or just there as a prop for that scene.

I know that the Brady refrigerator was very often stocked with real food that the crew would bring in from home to eat during their hunch hours or breaks.

Jack

I think they might actually be cigar butts.

Also, the mysterious cat, most noticeable in Eenie, Meenie, Mommy, Daddy makes a very brief appearance as Marcia and Jan are coming up on their bicycles, just before Alice is overheard on the phone.

First off, I wanted to thank Bachu for all of his dedicated posts to this wonderful website about The Brady Bunch.

I grew up watching this show and have seen all the episodes dozens of times over the years and still love it.

Now I am watching all of the reruns with my own kids and we are especially loving catching all of the bloopers that you guys have pointed out throughout the show's run.

On Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore we caught one more blooper that I don't think has been mentioned.
Toward the very end of the episode after Alice agrees to stay at the Brady house, Carol puts both of her arms around Alice as she gets ready to give her a hug.
When they change the camera angle to show Alice straight on, Carol is nowhere in sight!