Robert Reed made the show a hit - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Rich3 · 03-14-2011, 04:48 AM

I have been reading the Brady Brady Brady book, and it talks about what a pain Robert Reed was to work with. If you read this book, you might even end up hating him. And I can understand how difficult it would have been.

But I think he really deserves more credit. The Brady Bunch has been one of my favorite shows since I was a kid. And a large part of it was because of Robert Reed. It was that combination of light-heartedness and seriousness that, I believe, made the show what it was.

The Schwartzes seem to think that they made a mistake when they hired Reed. In a way, that might have been true. Someone like Ken Berry (an excellent actor) I can easily see in that show. He was in the "Kelly's Kid's" episode. But I really don't think the show would have lasted long with anyone else playing Mr Brady. So, I think they were wrong on that. I don't think the show would have lasted without Reed.

My least favorite character was Sam the Butcher. Not that he wasn't funny sometimes, but a little of him went a long ways. He was just too much in the other direction of silliness.

I always loved the scenes where it showed the house at night. Even the scenes with the parents in their bedroom. That "darkness" contrast to the "sunshiny" youth-oriented scenes that dominated the rest of the show.

I also liked the scenes in Mike's den. There was rarely anything "corny" happening there. It always seemed to involve the kids having to deal with the more difficult truths of life.

What do you think?

comedyfreak · 03-15-2011, 05:59 AM

I agree it was a perfect place for Jan to rant on about Marcia, lol.

Tweety · 03-16-2011, 10:41 PM

I think Reed had a WHOLE lot to do with the show being as good and as fondly remembered as it was.

I don't think Ken Berry would have been as good as Mike Brady, although Berry is an excellent actor. Reed was perfect for the part, imo, and I'm glad he ended up with the show. And it also ended at the right time.

Mr. Television · 03-16-2011, 10:59 PM

Robert Reed was the perfect Dad. I don't think the Schwartzes gave him enough credit.

Marvo301 · 03-16-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Robert Reed was the perfect Dad. I don't think the Schwartzes gave him enough credit.

I don't know if you've ever read the book "Brady Brady Brady". In it Sherwood Schwartz does indeed give Robert Reed credit for doing a great job playing a sitcom dad. But he also acknowledged that Mr. Reed could neither understand comedy nor could he play comedy. Because of that lines that should have been written for Mike Brady had to instead be given to Florence Henderson or Ann B. Davis. Yes Bob Reed contributed to the success of the show but credit also needs to be given to Florence and Ann B.

Rich3 · 03-17-2011, 07:15 AM

I think Reed's whole problem with the show is that he didn't think it could possibly be a hit being as silly as it was. And he was right!

His constant striving to make things more realistic actually improved the show.

Even Sherwood doesn't give him enough credit because he assumes the show would have been popular without Reed's important input.

sixfingers · 03-20-2011, 04:22 PM

It's hard to imagine someone else Playing papa Brady because we have gotten used to the idea of him being played by Robert Reed. It is possible that the show would have done just as well, or even better with someone else in the role.

People wouldn't have accepted a substitute in the never made 6th season or in the reunion shows precisely because Robert Reed became synonymous with the role. It is difficult, if not impossible, to separate the rejection of a substitute from the idea of having another actor play the role in the first place, and in the end, it's kind of a moot point.

Would it have been different with another actor? absolutely!
Would it have been as much as a success? Nobody can really say.
It might have lasted a single season, or it may have lasted 6 or 7.

Personally, I've always believed that the kids had more to do with the success of Brady Bunch than did Robert Reed.

McGillicuddy · 03-20-2011, 04:35 PM

I think its interesting that in any interview with Florence, Barry, Chris or Susan, on the subject of "Bob", they display nothing but love and respect for him. I've even seen some of them get emotional when talking of his passing. He seems to have always been very kind to all the kids.

sixfingers · 03-20-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

I think its interesting that in any interview with Florence, Barry, Chris or Susan, on the subject of "Bob", they display nothing but love and respect for him. I've even seen some of them get emotional when talking of his passing. He seems to have always been very kind to all the kids.

It is not generally considered proper to speak ill of the dead, but in the commentaries they do point out some of his flaws, in particular they talk about the look on his face during the 1st season opening squares.

McGillicuddy · 03-20-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixfingers

It is not generally considered proper to speak ill of the dead, but in the commentaries they do point out some of his flaws, in particular they talk about the look on his face during the 1st season opening squares.

Yes, they could point out his flaws, but they all seem to have all great respect for him. And I think it says something, when one has to pause to keep their composure when they talk of hearing of his passing, Florence and Barry imparticularly, from what I remember.

Steve Carras · 05-16-2011, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich3

I have been reading the Brady Brady Brady book, and it talks about what a pain Robert Reed was to work with. If you read this book, you might even end up hating him. And I can understand how difficult it would have been.

Well, I hope that he's happy that my gigantic Brady Bunch poster [authorized Paramount Pictures(tm) item) does NOT have Robert Reed. He got his wish...

Reverend Jim · 05-16-2011, 11:32 AM

Hughsgirl · 05-17-2011, 03:06 PM

Truth be told, I think if a different actor had started the Mike Brady character then everyone would say that HE would be irreplaceable. Now, taking chemistry into account, I think that Robert and Florence were great together, but I'm not so sure how much credit I think he should have in regards to the success of the show. I think that be a credit to all involved.

Rich3 · 05-17-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

Truth be told, I think if a different actor had started the Mike Brady character then everyone would say that HE would be irreplaceable. Now, taking chemistry into account, I think that Robert and Florence were great together, but I'm not so sure how much credit I think he should have in regards to the success of the show. I think that be a credit to all involved.

My point is that if it had been a different actor, then the show MIGHT not have even been a hit. If that had happened, we would not even be talking about the show today because it would have probably been cancelled after just a few episodes.

HHorseman · 06-24-2011, 09:35 PM

I dont agree one person was the backbone of the show when you think about it alot of the episodes were virtually focused around the kids.And man Maureen should get her kudos the show without Marcia dread to think.

03-14-2011, 04:48 AM	#1
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 690	Robert Reed made the show a hit I have been reading the Brady Brady Brady book, and it talks about what a pain Robert Reed was to work with. If you read this book, you might even end up hating him. And I can understand how difficult it would have been. But I think he really deserves more credit. The Brady Bunch has been one of my favorite shows since I was a kid. And a large part of it was because of Robert Reed. It was that combination of light-heartedness and seriousness that, I believe, made the show what it was. The Schwartzes seem to think that they made a mistake when they hired Reed. In a way, that might have been true. Someone like Ken Berry (an excellent actor) I can easily see in that show. He was in the "Kelly's Kid's" episode. But I really don't think the show would have lasted long with anyone else playing Mr Brady. So, I think they were wrong on that. I don't think the show would have lasted without Reed. My least favorite character was Sam the Butcher. Not that he wasn't funny sometimes, but a little of him went a long ways. He was just too much in the other direction of silliness. I always loved the scenes where it showed the house at night. Even the scenes with the parents in their bedroom. That "darkness" contrast to the "sunshiny" youth-oriented scenes that dominated the rest of the show. I also liked the scenes in Mike's den. There was rarely anything "corny" happening there. It always seemed to involve the kids having to deal with the more difficult truths of life. What do you think?

03-15-2011, 05:59 AM	#2
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	I agree it was a perfect place for Jan to rant on about Marcia, lol.
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03-16-2011, 10:41 PM	#3
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	I think Reed had a WHOLE lot to do with the show being as good and as fondly remembered as it was. I don't think Ken Berry would have been as good as Mike Brady, although Berry is an excellent actor. Reed was perfect for the part, imo, and I'm glad he ended up with the show. And it also ended at the right time.
	__________________ Straight, and VERY proud of it. No, that's OK, I don't need a parade.

03-16-2011, 10:59 PM	#4
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	Robert Reed was the perfect Dad. I don't think the Schwartzes gave him enough credit.
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06-24-2011, 09:35 PM	#15
HHorseman Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 23, 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 218	I dont agree one person was the backbone of the show when you think about it alot of the episodes were virtually focused around the kids.And man Maureen should get her kudos the show without Marcia dread to think.
	Last edited by HHorseman; 06-24-2011 at 10:21 PM.

03-17-2011, 07:15 AM	#6
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 690	I think Reed's whole problem with the show is that he didn't think it could possibly be a hit being as silly as it was. And he was right! His constant striving to make things more realistic actually improved the show. Even Sherwood doesn't give him enough credit because he assumes the show would have been popular without Reed's important input.

03-20-2011, 04:22 PM	#7
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	It's hard to imagine someone else Playing papa Brady because we have gotten used to the idea of him being played by Robert Reed. It is possible that the show would have done just as well, or even better with someone else in the role. People wouldn't have accepted a substitute in the never made 6th season or in the reunion shows precisely because Robert Reed became synonymous with the role. It is difficult, if not impossible, to separate the rejection of a substitute from the idea of having another actor play the role in the first place, and in the end, it's kind of a moot point. Would it have been different with another actor? absolutely! Would it have been as much as a success? Nobody can really say. It might have lasted a single season, or it may have lasted 6 or 7. Personally, I've always believed that the kids had more to do with the success of Brady Bunch than did Robert Reed.

03-20-2011, 04:35 PM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I think its interesting that in any interview with Florence, Barry, Chris or Susan, on the subject of "Bob", they display nothing but love and respect for him. I've even seen some of them get emotional when talking of his passing. He seems to have always been very kind to all the kids.

05-16-2011, 11:32 AM	#12
Reverend Jim Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 08, 2009 Location: New York City Posts: 783

05-17-2011, 03:06 PM	#13
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	Truth be told, I think if a different actor had started the Mike Brady character then everyone would say that HE would be irreplaceable. Now, taking chemistry into account, I think that Robert and Florence were great together, but I'm not so sure how much credit I think he should have in regards to the success of the show. I think that be a credit to all involved.