"It" factor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

rich2 · 03-17-2005, 05:32 AM

What was "it" about the show that made it so great?

Sometimes when I watch an early episode from the first season, I can imagine myself back in the 60's watching it for the first time. Wondering, hmm, I wonder if THIS show will last half a season before being cancelled.

But by the end of the episode I feel better about it. Kind of like, Gee, what a good show. I hope it gets recognized with good ratings and continues for the long run.

Although really I can't put my finger on what "it" is, though.

I can't truly separate myself from my lifelong love of the series, which has basically been ingrained into my brain since before I could speak.

Tweety · 03-17-2005, 02:48 PM

I think that there are a few reasons why the BB is so "good" :

1) The kids. Three boys, Three girls, all ages. Kids of all ages can relate to what the different kids were going through, whether it's being upset about being the youngest, or getting blamed for something becaue you're the oldest, or the middle child not feeling like they're anything special... Girls who watched the show could have a crush on one of the guys, and us guys could have a crush on Marcia or Jan... the kids were attactive.

2) The plots... Chris Knight has correctly pointed out that the BB stands the test of time better than a lot of shows that were on back then. He points out that episodes of All in the Family, for example, seem very dated today, because we're developed as a society. The BB never talked about or dealt with politics (other than having one or two of the kids "running" for something), and practically the only "dated" references made in the show were a couple of references to professional athletes (Wilt Chamberlain, Joe Namath, Don Drysdale - who was a retired player by the time he appeared, Deacon Jones and Wes Parker)... (I realize that Wilt never appeared on the show, but he was referred to in the Jesse James episode, as an example of a positive role model for Bobby in lieu of Jesse James)...
The BB dealt with moral dilemnas, not social ones, and are thus more relatable to succeeding generations, because all kids go through some form of what the Brady kids went through.
The kids were, for the most part, just nice normal kids with normal problems. And it really showed on the set that they loved each other.

3) I think that Reed and Henderson were excellent in their parts as well...I think that they had good chemistry on the show, particularly considering what a pain Reed could be on the set....we never got the feeling of any tension while the show ran in prime time.

4) Alice, of course, was awesome in her role. After winning two Emmys herself, she taught the kids a lot about comic timing and delivery of lines. I think she helped the show tremendously.

I think it all comes down to the fact that we like the people that were involved in this, and for the most part, we don't get tired of seeing them.

T-Greg · 03-18-2005, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

I think that there are a few reasons why the BB is so "good" :
and us guys could have a crush on Marcia or Jan... the kids were attactive.

Every guy had a crush on Marcia!!

erin05 · 03-18-2005, 07:09 PM

lol but in the 'brady brides' jan was really quite pretty. lol and i finally got to see it thanks to greg

thanks heaps

Belair · 03-19-2005, 02:28 AM

I thought it was a great show.Good characters,great plots.

03-17-2005, 05:32 AM	#1
rich2 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 07, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 65	"It" factor What was "it" about the show that made it so great? Sometimes when I watch an early episode from the first season, I can imagine myself back in the 60's watching it for the first time. Wondering, hmm, I wonder if THIS show will last half a season before being cancelled. But by the end of the episode I feel better about it. Kind of like, Gee, what a good show. I hope it gets recognized with good ratings and continues for the long run. Although really I can't put my finger on what "it" is, though. I can't truly separate myself from my lifelong love of the series, which has basically been ingrained into my brain since before I could speak.

03-18-2005, 07:09 PM	#4
erin05 I want a unicorn :) Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 18, 2005 Location: An abyss Posts: 291	lol but in the 'brady brides' jan was really quite pretty. lol and i finally got to see it thanks to greg thanks heaps
	__________________ "The grass was greener, the light was brighter.The taste was sweeter."

03-19-2005, 02:28 AM	#5
Belair Back@SO&Loveit! Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 13, 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 5,925	I thought it was a great show.Good characters,great plots.
	__________________ Half of Hollywood is dying to be discovered..... The other half are afraid they will be.

03-17-2005, 02:48 PM	#2
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	I think that there are a few reasons why the BB is so "good" : 1) The kids. Three boys, Three girls, all ages. Kids of all ages can relate to what the different kids were going through, whether it's being upset about being the youngest, or getting blamed for something becaue you're the oldest, or the middle child not feeling like they're anything special... Girls who watched the show could have a crush on one of the guys, and us guys could have a crush on Marcia or Jan... the kids were attactive. 2) The plots... Chris Knight has correctly pointed out that the BB stands the test of time better than a lot of shows that were on back then. He points out that episodes of All in the Family, for example, seem very dated today, because we're developed as a society. The BB never talked about or dealt with politics (other than having one or two of the kids "running" for something), and practically the only "dated" references made in the show were a couple of references to professional athletes (Wilt Chamberlain, Joe Namath, Don Drysdale - who was a retired player by the time he appeared, Deacon Jones and Wes Parker)... (I realize that Wilt never appeared on the show, but he was referred to in the Jesse James episode, as an example of a positive role model for Bobby in lieu of Jesse James)... The BB dealt with moral dilemnas, not social ones, and are thus more relatable to succeeding generations, because all kids go through some form of what the Brady kids went through. The kids were, for the most part, just nice normal kids with normal problems. And it really showed on the set that they loved each other. 3) I think that Reed and Henderson were excellent in their parts as well...I think that they had good chemistry on the show, particularly considering what a pain Reed could be on the set....we never got the feeling of any tension while the show ran in prime time. 4) Alice, of course, was awesome in her role. After winning two Emmys herself, she taught the kids a lot about comic timing and delivery of lines. I think she helped the show tremendously. I think it all comes down to the fact that we like the people that were involved in this, and for the most part, we don't get tired of seeing them.