The not so ugly duckling - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BestTVever · 08-12-2024, 06:52 AM

This episode is remarkable for a few reasons. It was the subplot of the 1996 Brady Movie with George Glass. In fact George Glass it a cultural reference for pretend friends. Its the first Brady episode where Jan has a problem with her siblings. I was listening to the review on The Real Brady Bros podcast. Chris brought up an excellent point. The episode tries to portray Jan as a tomboy which is why Clark does not like her. However she is always dressed just as nice as Marcia. The ending has Jan wearing a party dress which Clark really likes. Chris was wondering if the directors wanted Jan to dress as a tomboy in the episode and maybe her parents did not allow that to happen. The episode also has 2 very cut throat comments from Marcia and Greg. Marcia tells Jan "If boys don't find you attractive, dont blame me." (as she is brushing her hair). Jan then goes to Greg to ask him why a boy may not be interested in a certain girl. After going through a long list of reasons, Greg says "It must be her crummy face." Both of these comments really hurt Jan.
Its funny when Marcia explains sibling rivalry to her parents. Another odd thing is that Eve Plumb barely had freckles that could be seen on TV. Yet she is told to rub lemon on her face. The best thing about this episode is we get the Brady Bunch telephone number. Its not the typical sitcom information number 555, etc. Its a real number that apparently would connect to someone. Jan snaps out of her depression when she instantly comes up with George Glass as her boyfriend. Was there any symbolism with the glass? It was empty.
Its a really good episode for all the reasons I mentioned.

Rich3 · 08-14-2024, 09:36 AM

Jan was the cutest girl in my opinion, but her hair was about 3 times longer than necessary.

stevea · 08-14-2024, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich3

Jan was the cutest girl in my opinion, but her hair was about 3 times longer than necessary.

Both Jan and Marcia had extremely long hair in the later years. Must have been a pain to wash.

Dianne3 · 08-14-2024, 02:50 PM

Even Cindy was wearing her hair down halfway through the Season 5. Peter's hair was also the longest & curliest.

Jan always had long hair. There was one season that Marcia had medium length hair.

Rich3 · 08-18-2024, 12:23 PM

It was strange to see a desk in the parents bedroom. The scene where Jan called the operator.

BestTVever · 08-18-2024, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich3

It was strange to see a desk in the parents bedroom. The scene where Jan called the operator.

She calls the operator from the family room phone during dinner.
There was always a desk/make up desk in the parent's bedroom.

Rich3 · 08-19-2024, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

She calls the operator from the family room phone during dinner.
There was always a desk/make up desk in the parent's bedroom.

No. This looked like a regular desk. Not for makeup.

chocoloves711 · 08-23-2024, 02:09 PM

This episode is crawling with continuity errors and plot holes. I'd list them all but I am sure there is a thread about them. Practically any time Jan leaves a room to go directly to another room, she is suddenly in a different shirt. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Rich3 · 08-23-2024, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocoloves711

This episode is crawling with continuity errors and plot holes. I'd list them all but I am sure there is a thread about them. Practically any time Jan leaves a room to go directly to another room, she is suddenly in a different shirt. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Omigosh you are right about the shirt. Bizarre. I'm going to have to watch it again for the plot holes.

BestTVever · 08-24-2024, 06:50 AM

When Jan tells the operator the Brady's full telephone number is very rare for TV. They usually would use the information number 555 to not broadcast someone's full number on national TV. MeTv shows the full number in the original broadcast.
I have a vague memory that in the earlier days of syndication they cut the number or voiced over 555. I could be wrong. This is just going off memory when I was much younger. Anyone remember?
Can you imagine the amount of people that called that number after it was shown on TV.
I am with Chris Knight's curiosity. I wonder if they wanted Jan to dress down and be a tomboy for the episode and maybe her parents would not allow it. Otherwise the episode does not make much sense. Jan is dressed just as nice as Marcia in the episode yet the boy tells Carol that Jan does not wear fancy girl cloths and considers Jan "one of the guys."

Rich3 · 08-24-2024, 10:29 AM

She wears 3 shirts in one afternoon. 2 men's shirts and 1 regular blouse like she wore for 99% of the other episodes.

08-12-2024, 06:52 AM	#1
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,904	The not so ugly duckling This episode is remarkable for a few reasons. It was the subplot of the 1996 Brady Movie with George Glass. In fact George Glass it a cultural reference for pretend friends. Its the first Brady episode where Jan has a problem with her siblings. I was listening to the review on The Real Brady Bros podcast. Chris brought up an excellent point. The episode tries to portray Jan as a tomboy which is why Clark does not like her. However she is always dressed just as nice as Marcia. The ending has Jan wearing a party dress which Clark really likes. Chris was wondering if the directors wanted Jan to dress as a tomboy in the episode and maybe her parents did not allow that to happen. The episode also has 2 very cut throat comments from Marcia and Greg. Marcia tells Jan "If boys don't find you attractive, dont blame me." (as she is brushing her hair). Jan then goes to Greg to ask him why a boy may not be interested in a certain girl. After going through a long list of reasons, Greg says "It must be her crummy face." Both of these comments really hurt Jan. Its funny when Marcia explains sibling rivalry to her parents. Another odd thing is that Eve Plumb barely had freckles that could be seen on TV. Yet she is told to rub lemon on her face. The best thing about this episode is we get the Brady Bunch telephone number. Its not the typical sitcom information number 555, etc. Its a real number that apparently would connect to someone. Jan snaps out of her depression when she instantly comes up with George Glass as her boyfriend. Was there any symbolism with the glass? It was empty. Its a really good episode for all the reasons I mentioned.

08-14-2024, 09:36 AM	#2
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 691	Jan was the cutest girl in my opinion, but her hair was about 3 times longer than necessary.

08-14-2024, 02:50 PM	#4
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,057	Even Cindy was wearing her hair down halfway through the Season 5. Peter's hair was also the longest & curliest. Jan always had long hair. There was one season that Marcia had medium length hair.

08-18-2024, 12:23 PM	#5
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 691	It was strange to see a desk in the parents bedroom. The scene where Jan called the operator.

08-23-2024, 02:09 PM	#8
chocoloves711 Member Forum Cub Join Date: Jun 22, 2024 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 2	This episode is crawling with continuity errors and plot holes. I'd list them all but I am sure there is a thread about them. Practically any time Jan leaves a room to go directly to another room, she is suddenly in a different shirt. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

08-24-2024, 06:50 AM	#10
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,904	When Jan tells the operator the Brady's full telephone number is very rare for TV. They usually would use the information number 555 to not broadcast someone's full number on national TV. MeTv shows the full number in the original broadcast. I have a vague memory that in the earlier days of syndication they cut the number or voiced over 555. I could be wrong. This is just going off memory when I was much younger. Anyone remember? Can you imagine the amount of people that called that number after it was shown on TV. I am with Chris Knight's curiosity. I wonder if they wanted Jan to dress down and be a tomboy for the episode and maybe her parents would not allow it. Otherwise the episode does not make much sense. Jan is dressed just as nice as Marcia in the episode yet the boy tells Carol that Jan does not wear fancy girl cloths and considers Jan "one of the guys."

08-24-2024, 10:29 AM	#11
Rich3 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2005 Posts: 691	She wears 3 shirts in one afternoon. 2 men's shirts and 1 regular blouse like she wore for 99% of the other episodes.