Best & Worst Episodes (In Terms of Writing/Content) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

09-16-2001, 10:53 PM

I am a Brady fan and find it interesting to research the conflict that existed between Robert Reed and Sherwood Schwartz over the contents of the show. Sherwood wanting more of a comical focus and Reed wanting more of a semi-relistic sitcom. I'd like to hear the boards opinion about Robert Reeds influence on the show with regard to script/story content. Do you think he was too "pickey" about content or should he have kept a "hands-off" approach and let Sherwood and his associates run the show? I agree with Robert Reeds assesment of the HoneyMoon Episode. (The Tiger/Fluffy chase scene is pure slapstick) so that would be one of my least favorites. "Hair Brained Scheme" isn't as bad as Mr. Reed would have us to believe, but I think the story should have centered more specifically around Greg's graduation, where he was planning to go to college (ect) so that is another one that I don't care for.

My favorites in terms of writing/content are "Her Sister's Shadow"--Jan being compared to Marcia, winning the essay contest and refusing to accept her honor society certificate when she realizes a mistake was made and admits it. "Bobby's Hero" the Jessie James episode is exceptionally well-done and deals with a topic/subject matter that was ahead of it's time when you think about it. (Kids bringing guns to school? Unheard of in 1973) I like "The Drop Out", (Gregs obsession with becoming a baseball star after Don Drysdale encourages him) and Mike's talk to him at the end and "Goodbye Alice Hello" where Alice leaves when the kids think she is squealing on them for minor things. (This episode when I first saw it made me cry!) You will notice that Robert Reed did have influence in later seasons over scripts/story lines so maybe it was a good thing he fought to keep realism in the show. It's interesting that "Getting Greg's Goat was directed by Reed, with it's comical approach and Reed never liked comody and hated slapstick. He did a good job on the series both as an actor and on the scripts. What do you think?

James · 09-17-2001, 01:22 AM

My favorite episode is #82 "You Can't Win 'Em All".

My least favorite is #101 "Getting Greg's Goat".

zack · 09-17-2001, 03:05 PM

Some of the lamest, if not the worst, episodes were in the last season:
The Bradys mistakenly think Alice and Sam are eloping. (How Three's Company!)
Greg hides a goat in his bedroom.
Oliver is a jinx.
Cindy reads Marcia's diary and thinks she is going to be the next Shirley Temple.
Greg's hair turns orange. (Where's Dad?)
At least these were funny, not boring like Carol saving Woodland Park, Alice's old flame, Carol's magazine article, etc.

09-17-2001, 06:22 PM

If I'm not mistaken, Robert Reed did not appear in "Goodbye Alice Hello", along with "Hair-brained Scheme". Were there any others?

TV Guy · 09-18-2001, 09:17 AM

I think those are the only two where Mike is absent.

I tend to dislike any of the shows that focus on the adults, like the one with Alice's old boyfriend and the one where Carol writes that magazine article ("Tell it like it is, Mrs. Brady. Tell it like it is.") The one exception is the Beebe Gallini episode.

09-19-2001, 05:31 PM

I agree! Another one of my least favorites was the Shirley Temple one (I forgot the actual title).

Weren't there episodes when other cast members were absent? I seem to remember not seeing Marcia in one. Any idea?

zack · 09-19-2001, 05:49 PM

Bobby was missing from the tonsils episode; Marcia was not in the one about Bobby's fear of heights.

09-16-2001, 10:53 PM	#1
Jack 1000 Guest Posts: n/a	Best & Worst Episodes (In Terms of Writing/Content) I am a Brady fan and find it interesting to research the conflict that existed between Robert Reed and Sherwood Schwartz over the contents of the show. Sherwood wanting more of a comical focus and Reed wanting more of a semi-relistic sitcom. I'd like to hear the boards opinion about Robert Reeds influence on the show with regard to script/story content. Do you think he was too "pickey" about content or should he have kept a "hands-off" approach and let Sherwood and his associates run the show? I agree with Robert Reeds assesment of the HoneyMoon Episode. (The Tiger/Fluffy chase scene is pure slapstick) so that would be one of my least favorites. "Hair Brained Scheme" isn't as bad as Mr. Reed would have us to believe, but I think the story should have centered more specifically around Greg's graduation, where he was planning to go to college (ect) so that is another one that I don't care for. My favorites in terms of writing/content are "Her Sister's Shadow"--Jan being compared to Marcia, winning the essay contest and refusing to accept her honor society certificate when she realizes a mistake was made and admits it. "Bobby's Hero" the Jessie James episode is exceptionally well-done and deals with a topic/subject matter that was ahead of it's time when you think about it. (Kids bringing guns to school? Unheard of in 1973) I like "The Drop Out", (Gregs obsession with becoming a baseball star after Don Drysdale encourages him) and Mike's talk to him at the end and "Goodbye Alice Hello" where Alice leaves when the kids think she is squealing on them for minor things. (This episode when I first saw it made me cry!) You will notice that Robert Reed did have influence in later seasons over scripts/story lines so maybe it was a good thing he fought to keep realism in the show. It's interesting that "Getting Greg's Goat was directed by Reed, with it's comical approach and Reed never liked comody and hated slapstick. He did a good job on the series both as an actor and on the scripts. What do you think?
Jack 1000 Guest Posts: n/a

09-17-2001, 06:22 PM	#4
bbfan Guest Posts: n/a	If I'm not mistaken, Robert Reed did not appear in "Goodbye Alice Hello", along with "Hair-brained Scheme". Were there any others?
bbfan Guest Posts: n/a

09-19-2001, 05:31 PM	#6
bbfan Guest Posts: n/a	I agree! Another one of my least favorites was the Shirley Temple one (I forgot the actual title). Weren't there episodes when other cast members were absent? I seem to remember not seeing Marcia in one. Any idea?
bbfan Guest Posts: n/a

09-17-2001, 01:22 AM	#2
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	My favorite episode is #82 "You Can't Win 'Em All". My least favorite is #101 "Getting Greg's Goat".

09-17-2001, 03:05 PM	#3
zack Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 02, 2001 Posts: 172	Some of the lamest, if not the worst, episodes were in the last season: The Bradys mistakenly think Alice and Sam are eloping. (How Three's Company!) Greg hides a goat in his bedroom. Oliver is a jinx. Cindy reads Marcia's diary and thinks she is going to be the next Shirley Temple. Greg's hair turns orange. (Where's Dad?) At least these were funny, not boring like Carol saving Woodland Park, Alice's old flame, Carol's magazine article, etc.

09-18-2001, 09:17 AM	#5
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I think those are the only two where Mike is absent. I tend to dislike any of the shows that focus on the adults, like the one with Alice's old boyfriend and the one where Carol writes that magazine article ("Tell it like it is, Mrs. Brady. Tell it like it is.") The one exception is the Beebe Gallini episode.

09-19-2001, 05:49 PM	#7
zack Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 02, 2001 Posts: 172	Bobby was missing from the tonsils episode; Marcia was not in the one about Bobby's fear of heights.