Was Robert Reed miscast as Mike Brady - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 11-23-2018, 01:42 AM

What I mean is that you can argue that he was too tall, too handsome, and too dignified for a show from the creator of Gilligan's Island. I know that Robert Reed often clashed with the production staff because wanted more "meaningful" and grounded, less campy and corny stories (he was infamously written out of the final episode, in which Greg's hair turns orange). I wonder if he was resentful because he believed that he was well on his way to being "leading man status" (a la Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, and Paul Newman) before being cast as the dad on The Brady Bunch. Of course, the fact that Reed had to stay closeted also naturally added to his inner turmoil.

Tankeryanker · 11-23-2018, 08:16 PM

He did match the boys pretty good. I never noticed that he was not happy. I am not sure how serious you could have made the show. They were a comedy and not a drama.

lakesgirl · 11-26-2018, 05:10 PM

I think all actors want to be taken seriously. I can see how sometimes the show's plots would get to RR. That said, he was definitely not miscast and is beloved by a lot of people that grew up with the show.

tlc38tlc38 · 11-26-2018, 10:16 PM

I like him in the role and can’t imagine anyone else playing Mike.

RetroGuy2000 · 11-26-2018, 10:55 PM

I don't know why Robert Reed was so indignant about the scripts; he had to have seen Gilligan's Island. He must have known another Sherwood show would be lightweight.

I don't think RR was mis-cast, as he played the role well, but I think he chafed at the role, as many actors do.

Screwy Wabbit · 12-02-2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankeryanker

I am not sure how serious you could have made the show. They were a comedy and not a drama.

Well, you could make Bobby a paraplegic and Marcia an alcoholic. Oh, wait, they tried that in The Bradys. It bombed big time. Brilliant idea, Robert Reed.

Zoneboy · 12-02-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

I like him in the role and can’t imagine anyone else playing Mike.

I can't see anyone else in the role either including Sherwood Schwartz's choice, Gene Hackman.

Tankeryanker · 12-03-2018, 04:32 PM

Marcia was an alcoholic? I must have missed that one.

tlc38tlc38 · 12-03-2018, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I can't see anyone else in the role either including Sherwood Schwartz's choice, Gene Hackman.

I loathe Gene Hackman so I’m thrilled he didn’t get the job.

rcbrad · 12-03-2018, 09:21 PM

I do not think that Robert Reed was miscast. but it may be that Robert Reed himself may have thought that he was "miscast"

faraj · 12-04-2018, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I can't see anyone else in the role either including Sherwood Schwartz's choice, Gene Hackman.

Me neither. Can't imagine Lex Luthor playing Mike Brady. LOL! The only actors I like playing Mike are Robert Reed and Gary Cole in those 3 movies.

Smartboy · 12-05-2018, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faraj

Me neither. Can't imagine Lex Luthor playing Mike Brady. LOL! The only actors I like playing Mike are Robert Reed and Gary Cole in those 3 movies.

There were three theatrical movies about the "Brady Bunch"? I only remember the "Brady Bunch Movie" and "A Very Brady Sequel". What was the other one?

RetroGuy2000 · 12-05-2018, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartboy

There were three theatrical movies about the "Brady Bunch"? I only remember the "Brady Bunch Movie" and "A Very Brady Sequel". What was the other one?

The third was the made-for-TV The Brady Bunch in the White House. While I greatly enjoyed the first two films, this one was not good. Missed opportunity.

faraj · 12-05-2018, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The third was the made-for-TV The Brady Bunch in the White House. While I greatly enjoyed the first two films, this one was not good. Missed opportunity.

Yeah, that was what I was counting as the third movie.

Tweety · 12-17-2018, 08:56 AM

I don't think Reed was miscast in the role at all... I thought he was fantastic as Mike Brady... the heart to heart talks with the kids were very realistic scenes (by that I mean, not overacted, but very naturally delivered by both Reed and whichever kid he was talking to).

I would rank Reed as either the best or 2nd best TV Dad in Sitcom history, along with Hugh Beaumont as Ward Cleaver.

i don't doubt that Reed had other thoughts about playing Mike Brady... but he was great in the role, whether he liked it or not

11-23-2018, 01:42 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,985	Was Robert Reed miscast as Mike Brady What I mean is that you can argue that he was too tall, too handsome, and too dignified for a show from the creator of Gilligan's Island. I know that Robert Reed often clashed with the production staff because wanted more "meaningful" and grounded, less campy and corny stories (he was infamously written out of the final episode, in which Greg's hair turns orange). I wonder if he was resentful because he believed that he was well on his way to being "leading man status" (a la Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, and Paul Newman) before being cast as the dad on The Brady Bunch. Of course, the fact that Reed had to stay closeted also naturally added to his inner turmoil.
	Last edited by TMC; 04-05-2019 at 03:03 AM.

11-26-2018, 10:16 PM	#4
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	I like him in the role and can’t imagine anyone else playing Mike.
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11-26-2018, 10:55 PM	#5
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I don't know why Robert Reed was so indignant about the scripts; he had to have seen Gilligan's Island. He must have known another Sherwood show would be lightweight. I don't think RR was mis-cast, as he played the role well, but I think he chafed at the role, as many actors do.
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12-17-2018, 08:56 AM	#15
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	I don't think Reed was miscast in the role at all... I thought he was fantastic as Mike Brady... the heart to heart talks with the kids were very realistic scenes (by that I mean, not overacted, but very naturally delivered by both Reed and whichever kid he was talking to). I would rank Reed as either the best or 2nd best TV Dad in Sitcom history, along with Hugh Beaumont as Ward Cleaver. i don't doubt that Reed had other thoughts about playing Mike Brady... but he was great in the role, whether he liked it or not
	__________________ Straight, and VERY proud of it. No, that's OK, I don't need a parade.

11-23-2018, 08:16 PM	#2
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,043	He did match the boys pretty good. I never noticed that he was not happy. I am not sure how serious you could have made the show. They were a comedy and not a drama.

11-26-2018, 05:10 PM	#3
lakesgirl Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2014 Posts: 2,116	I think all actors want to be taken seriously. I can see how sometimes the show's plots would get to RR. That said, he was definitely not miscast and is beloved by a lot of people that grew up with the show.

12-03-2018, 04:32 PM	#8
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,043	Marcia was an alcoholic? I must have missed that one.

12-03-2018, 09:21 PM	#10
rcbrad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Posts: 479	I do not think that Robert Reed was miscast. but it may be that Robert Reed himself may have thought that he was "miscast"