Would "The Brady Bunch" be the Same if Florence Henderson Wasn't Cast As Carol? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-06-2009, 10:00 PM

Joyce Bulifant was the original choice to play Carol on The Brady Bunch.

Marvo301 · 07-06-2009, 10:09 PM

If Joyce Bulifant had played Carol Brady I'm guessing The Brady Bunch Hour would have never happened. Joyce is a fine comic actress but I don't imagine she can sing and dance like Florence Henderson.

catlover79 · 07-06-2009, 10:21 PM

I can't imagine anyone else but Flo as Carol. Likewise I can't picture anyone else as MTM's Marie Slaughter but Joyce.

Marvo301 · 07-06-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I can't imagine anyone else but Flo as Carol. Likewise I can't picture anyone else as MTM's Marie Slaughter but Joyce.

I feel the same way!

TV_Forever · 07-07-2009, 09:17 PM

Florence is the better choice in my mind as well. I wasn't into her singing sometimes but, other times like the show she did with Maureen which is one of
Mo's favs and they sing Together Wherever We Go proves the correct fit for the remaining cast was with Florence as Carol.

Smartboy · 07-07-2009, 09:27 PM

To tell you the truth, I had never even heard of the other actress who was considered for the part! However, one thing that I do know is that before Kari Michaelson was picked for the part of Katie from "Gimme a Break!" Helen Hunt was considered. How do you guys think she would have done? My first time reading this thread was about an hour ago and I have since started threads about related topics on the pages of "Gimme a Break!" and "Mad About You". I would be very interested in what you guys think of them!

McGillicuddy · 07-09-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Joyce Bulifant was the original choice to play Carol on The Brady Bunch.

After all these years, it would be hard to imagine, any body but Florence Henderson, but Bulifant probably would have worked out. Even more hard to imagine is Gene Hackman as Mike Brady!

Retro4Life · 07-09-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

After all these years, it would be hard to imagine, any body but Florence Henderson, but Bulifant probably would have worked out. Even more hard to imagine is Gene Hackman as Mike Brady!

He would have had the fifth season "curly hair" down pat, though!

catlover79 · 07-09-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

After all these years, it would be hard to imagine, any body but Florence Henderson, but Bulifant probably would have worked out. Even more hard to imagine is Gene Hackman as Mike Brady!

Imagine how different things would've been had Gene Hackman been cast as Mike Brady and Robert Reed been cast in The French Connection.

MickeyMac · 07-09-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Imagine how different things would've been had Gene Hackman been cast as Mike Brady and Robert Reed been cast in The French Connection.

Robert Reed in The French Connection

no way that would have worked. Reed was a great actor but I dont think he could have pulled off Popeye O'Doyle. I cant see Reed being that kind of a character.

catlover79 · 07-09-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Robert Reed in The French Connection

no way that would have worked. Reed was a great actor but I dont think he could have pulled off Popeye O'Doyle. I cant see Reed being that kind of a character.

I guess we'll never know!!

James · 07-10-2009, 03:03 AM

I remember reading how Joyce Bulifant was the original choice to play Mrs. Brady, but upon learning of her birth date (December 16, 1937), she was only 17 (no, 16!) when Barry Williams was born. That wouldn't have worked given the age difference, or lack thereof. Florence Henderson was the more logical choice since she was already 20 at the time.

Tap Dancer · 07-10-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Joyce Bulifant was the original choice to play Carol on The Brady Bunch.

In that photo, she looks a lot like Jan. But I can't imagine anyone other than Flo playing Carol.

catlover79 · 07-10-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

In that photo, she looks a lot like Jan. But I can't imagine anyone other than Flo playing Carol.

Yes, I definitely can see a physical resemblance between Joyce and Eve Plumb. I never thought of it that way before.

Marvo301 · 07-10-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

I remember reading how Joyce Bulifant was the original choice to play Mrs. Brady, but upon learning of her birth date (December 16, 1937), she was only 17 (no, 16!) when Barry Williams was born. That wouldn't have worked given the age difference, or lack thereof. Florence Henderson was the more logical choice since she was already 20 at the time.

The age difference between Carol and Greg isn't that big a deal since Carol isn't Greg's biological mother. In fact it's quite normal when a man gets married for the second time (as Mike Brady did when he married Carol) to marry a younger woman.

07-06-2009, 10:00 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Would "The Brady Bunch" be the Same if Florence Henderson Wasn't Cast As Carol? Joyce Bulifant was the original choice to play Carol on The Brady Bunch. Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-06-2009, 10:09 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	If Joyce Bulifant had played Carol Brady I'm guessing The Brady Bunch Hour would have never happened. Joyce is a fine comic actress but I don't imagine she can sing and dance like Florence Henderson.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

07-06-2009, 10:21 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I can't imagine anyone else but Flo as Carol. Likewise I can't picture anyone else as MTM's Marie Slaughter but Joyce.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-07-2009, 09:17 PM	#5
TV_Forever Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 184	Florence is the better choice in my mind as well. I wasn't into her singing sometimes but, other times like the show she did with Maureen which is one of Mo's favs and they sing Together Wherever We Go proves the correct fit for the remaining cast was with Florence as Carol.

07-07-2009, 09:27 PM	#6
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	To tell you the truth, I had never even heard of the other actress who was considered for the part! However, one thing that I do know is that before Kari Michaelson was picked for the part of Katie from "Gimme a Break!" Helen Hunt was considered. How do you guys think she would have done? My first time reading this thread was about an hour ago and I have since started threads about related topics on the pages of "Gimme a Break!" and "Mad About You". I would be very interested in what you guys think of them!

07-10-2009, 03:03 AM	#12
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	I remember reading how Joyce Bulifant was the original choice to play Mrs. Brady, but upon learning of her birth date (December 16, 1937), she was only 17 (no, 16!) when Barry Williams was born. That wouldn't have worked given the age difference, or lack thereof. Florence Henderson was the more logical choice since she was already 20 at the time.