Some of the final season's episodes - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

James · 02-24-2003, 01:41 AM

Some people in the past have mentioned that some of their least favorite episodes of The Brady Bunch include the following:

"The Snooperstar" (Cindy plays Shirley Temple)

"Top Secret" (Bobby and Cousin Oliver think Mike's an FBI guy, while Sam is a double-agent)

"The Hair-Brained Scheme" (Greg's graduation--and orange hair!)

Personally I thought they were funny just like the episodes that came before them. What sets them apart from the rest?

Cashodeen · 02-24-2003, 02:31 AM

LOL, you must have seen my post on the "favorite character thread." Like I said on that post, I love the series from beginning to end, but don't you get a feel that the show is a little kookier toward the end? I read on someone's post on from jumptheshark.com that they were scrambling for story lines at the end of that season because they hadn't planned on doing that many episodes but were told they needed more... or something along those lines. Now, I don't know if that is true or not, (especially since some of the episodes seem different earlier in the season) but I definitely sense that the show's plots at the end of the series were "simpler" than before. Granted, the Brady Bunch never had really any indepth storylines to begin with, but I feel a common theme among the final ones: the wacky misunderstandings and silly tricks played. While that doesn't entail every episode toward the end, it pops up more than usual on the Bradys.

111. 111. Out of This World--Bobby and Peter think they see a UFO--Greg is just playing a trick

112. Welcome Aboard--the kids think Carol is pregnant because Bobby and Cindy heard wrong. It's really going to be the arrival of cousin Oliver

114. Top Secret--Bobby and Oliver think Mike's architectural plans for Sam are really "top secret" plans

115. The Snooperstar--Cindy reads Marsha's diary and thinks a talent scout wants her.

Besides wacky misunderstandings and tricks, we have some other just silly storylines (which I do love, don't get me wrong): Peter and a look-a-like (part of that episode a trick IS played), Greg's hair gets oranged by Bobby's get-rich-quick-scheme.

Still, maybe some of you don't see much of a difference in these episodes compared to the rest of the series. And episodes in every season have some tricks being played. I still say there is a flood of them toward the end. Maybe not because they were in a hurry to write plots like I put above, according to that person on jumptheshark, but maybe because they were running out of ideas. ?? I do want to finish by saying, I love the show all the way, I never thought it jumped the shark, I just don't like a few episodes here and there. (Really the only episodes I don't like that I mentioned above are the UFO one and the secret agent one.)

James · 02-24-2003, 03:20 AM

While that [wacky misunderstandings and tricks played] doesn't entail every episode toward the end, it pops up more than usual on the Bradys.

Unfortunately for me I have only seen one episode of The Bradys, the two-hour premiere with Bobby in the Nashville 500 (or was it 400?).

111. 111. Out of This World--Bobby and Peter think they see a UFO--Greg is just playing a trick

That was a good (and funny!) episode.

112. Welcome Aboard--the kids think Carol is pregnant because Bobby and Cindy heard wrong. It's really going to be the arrival of cousin Oliver

That was an OK episode.

114. Top Secret--Bobby and Oliver think Mike's architectural plans for Sam are really "top secret" plans

That was a good episode.

115. The Snooperstar--Cindy reads Marsha's diary and thinks a talent scout wants her.

That was a good episode.

Peter and a look-a-like (part of that episode a trick IS played),

That was an OK episode.

Greg's hair gets oranged by Bobby's get-rich-quick-scheme.

That was an OK episode.

I never thought it jumped the shark, I just don't like a few episodes here and there.

Just like me! I'm one of the 56 (last I visited the page!) who voted it never jumped. Some of those comments are very interesting!

Cashodeen · 02-24-2003, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
Unfortunately for me I have only seen one episode of The Bradys, the two-hour premiere with Bobby in the Nashville 500 (or was it 400?).

I'm sorry, when I said,

"... I feel a common theme among the final [Brady Bunch episodes]: the wacky misunderstandings and silly tricks played. While that doesn't entail every episode toward the end, it pops up more than usual on the Bradys,"

I didn't mean the spinoff, "The Bradys," I meant the actual "Brady Bunch." I should have been more careful how I worded it, considering "The Badys" is also I show. The point I was trying to make in that above quote was that, even though throughout all 5 season of "The Brady Bunch" tricks being played were occational plots, the end of the 5th season was when it appeared more than usual.

Now, about the spinoff in 90 called "The Bradys..." I only saw the "Brady 500" as well, but that whole short lived series was full of drama. You should check out a place (like tvtome.com) that offers the epsiode guide for the show. Very different plots than what you'd find on "The Brady Bunch."

Nanny Fine · 02-24-2003, 09:35 AM

Snooperstar is one of my favorite Brady episodes! That, the Christmas one from the first season when Carol loses her voice and Cindy the tattletale episode. Top 3 right there

TV Guy · 02-24-2003, 10:53 PM

"The Brady Bunch" was only picked up for 13 episodes at the beginning of its final season, rather than a full season of 22. And when most of the rest of the ABC Friday night lineup was cancelled midseason, Sherwood Schwartz thought "The Brady Bunch" would be as well. But ABC picked up the final 9 episodes of the season, and Sherwood had to scramble for scripts, which is why there are a good number of weak episodes. Too bad, since there were some decent ones at the beginning of that season.

Cashodeen · 02-25-2003, 02:15 AM

Thank you so much TV Guy! I knew there had to be a logical explanation to the last half of the season. I'm glad I have the details for it now--I had no idea they wanted ONLY 13 episodes--I assumed 18, but 13 totally makes sense since some of the episodes I consider weak were in the middle of the season. One of the threads on this board discussed the 6th season that never was. It really makes me think of the 5th season that never was. It is really a shame since season 5 started out decent. I still watch it all the way through, but there is no denying it gets lame.

James · 02-25-2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TV Guy
"The Brady Bunch" was only picked up for 13 episodes at the beginning of its final season, rather than a full season of 22. And when most of the rest of the ABC Friday night lineup was cancelled midseason, Sherwood Schwartz thought "The Brady Bunch" would be as well. But ABC picked up the final 9 episodes of the season, and Sherwood had to scramble for scripts, which is why there are a good number of weak episodes. Too bad, since there were some decent ones at the beginning of that season.

Now I think I understand why Barry Williams called much of the last season's episodes "low energy" in Growing Up Brady!

Brandon · 02-25-2003, 11:12 PM

The last season of 'The Brady Bunch' wasn't as good as the first 4. I didn't like the look-a-like episode of Peter. It was done on Gilligan's Island like...3 times, and that's probably why I don't like the Brady Bunch episode with look-a-likes....

Doug · 04-21-2003, 12:54 PM

I also think that some of the final season's episodes seemed sillier than those of the previous seasons because the kids were growing up, but the storylines weren't. Thank God Sherwood Schwartz finally let Eve Plumb grow up, and look at what a beauty she turned into. But poor Susan Olsen, still uttering those silly lines and walking around with those curls. That's why I hate the "Snooperstar" episode so much. It might have been cute if Cindy were a couple of years younger, but to see Susan Olsen at her age doing that Shirley Temple impersonation was just embarrassing. I think a sixth season could have been great if they would have gotten rid of Schwartz and let somebody come in who could guide the show in a better direction.

zack · 04-21-2003, 09:52 PM

As lame as some of the final-season shows are, they're still mostly pretty funny. The ones I hate are Out of this World, the pool one, and the secret-agent one. For all of the grief Oliver gets, he was only in six shows, and only two of them stunk, IMO.

LucyFan · 04-21-2003, 10:02 PM

Wow, I am amazed! Personally, my favorite season of The Brady Bunch is the last one. I even think it's the highest peak of the show. I must be the odd one here.

Mijada · 04-22-2003, 06:43 PM

I didn't care for the Top secret episode that much .. I thought it was boring. I liked all the other episodes from that season though especially the one where Bobby has a thing for that Millicent girl.

jehobden · 04-23-2003, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mijada
I didn't care for the Top secret episode that much .. I thought it was boring. I liked all the other episodes from that season though especially the one where Bobby has a thing for that Millicent girl.

Is this ep w/ Millicent the one that TVLand is showing in promos now w/ "I Wanna Be Loved by You"? It seems to fit w/ the Roaring '20s party that the Bradys are rehearsing for.

Also, although the last ep has a goofy plot, for me it has a genuine LOL moment in the way that Greg squeals when Peter starts laughing at Greg's orange hair. I can't describe it in words here, except it was like saying "MMM" with a quickly rising and falling sound behind it.

Mijada · 04-23-2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jehobden

Is this ep w/ Millicent the one that TVLand is showing in promos now w/ "I Wanna Be Loved by You"? It seems to fit w/ the Roaring '20s party that the Bradys are rehearsing for.

Yes, that's the same ep. If you notice Bobby is not dancing with the rest of the family because he is afraid that he may have caught the mumps by kissing Millicent, so he's trying to stay away from everyone.

02-24-2003, 01:41 AM	#1
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Some of the final season's episodes Some people in the past have mentioned that some of their least favorite episodes of The Brady Bunch include the following: "The Snooperstar" (Cindy plays Shirley Temple) "Top Secret" (Bobby and Cousin Oliver think Mike's an FBI guy, while Sam is a double-agent) "The Hair-Brained Scheme" (Greg's graduation--and orange hair!) Personally I thought they were funny just like the episodes that came before them. What sets them apart from the rest?

02-24-2003, 02:31 AM	#2
Cashodeen Hi. Forum Star Join Date: Aug 30, 2001 Posts: 11,362	LOL, you must have seen my post on the "favorite character thread." Like I said on that post, I love the series from beginning to end, but don't you get a feel that the show is a little kookier toward the end? I read on someone's post on from jumptheshark.com that they were scrambling for story lines at the end of that season because they hadn't planned on doing that many episodes but were told they needed more... or something along those lines. Now, I don't know if that is true or not, (especially since some of the episodes seem different earlier in the season) but I definitely sense that the show's plots at the end of the series were "simpler" than before. Granted, the Brady Bunch never had really any indepth storylines to begin with, but I feel a common theme among the final ones: the wacky misunderstandings and silly tricks played. While that doesn't entail every episode toward the end, it pops up more than usual on the Bradys. 111. 111. Out of This World--Bobby and Peter think they see a UFO--Greg is just playing a trick 112. Welcome Aboard--the kids think Carol is pregnant because Bobby and Cindy heard wrong. It's really going to be the arrival of cousin Oliver 114. Top Secret--Bobby and Oliver think Mike's architectural plans for Sam are really "top secret" plans 115. The Snooperstar--Cindy reads Marsha's diary and thinks a talent scout wants her. Besides wacky misunderstandings and tricks, we have some other just silly storylines (which I do love, don't get me wrong): Peter and a look-a-like (part of that episode a trick IS played), Greg's hair gets oranged by Bobby's get-rich-quick-scheme. Still, maybe some of you don't see much of a difference in these episodes compared to the rest of the series. And episodes in every season have some tricks being played. I still say there is a flood of them toward the end. Maybe not because they were in a hurry to write plots like I put above, according to that person on jumptheshark, but maybe because they were running out of ideas. ?? I do want to finish by saying, I love the show all the way, I never thought it jumped the shark, I just don't like a few episodes here and there. (Really the only episodes I don't like that I mentioned above are the UFO one and the secret agent one.)
	Last edited by Cashodeen; 02-24-2003 at 05:32 AM.

02-24-2003, 09:35 AM	#5
Nanny Fine Justine and Holden.. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Watching The Ellen Degeneres Show and luvin' it Posts: 2,852	Snooperstar is one of my favorite Brady episodes! That, the Christmas one from the first season when Carol loses her voice and Cindy the tattletale episode. Top 3 right there
	__________________ * How it all came down to this, only the Devil knows. Retail Rodeo is at the corner on my left. The motel is down the road to my right. I close my eyes and try to peer into the future. On my left, I saw days upon days of lipstick and ticking clocks, dirty looks and quiet whisperings. And burning secrets that just won't ever die away. And on my right, what could I picture? The blue sky, the desert earth, stretching out into the eerie infinity. A beautiful never-ending nothing. ~Justine, "The Good Girl" * Bush for President!

02-25-2003, 11:12 PM	#9
Brandon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 03, 2003 Location: Hell Above The Soil Posts: 2,838	The last season of 'The Brady Bunch' wasn't as good as the first 4. I didn't like the look-a-like episode of Peter. It was done on Gilligan's Island like...3 times, and that's probably why I don't like the Brady Bunch episode with look-a-likes....
	__________________ <center> <img src=http://www.tvlinksonline.com/boards/attachment.php?s=&postid=875292> Break back another heart attack!

04-21-2003, 12:54 PM	#10
Doug Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2001 Location: Canton, Ohio USA Posts: 61	Kids Growing Up I also think that some of the final season's episodes seemed sillier than those of the previous seasons because the kids were growing up, but the storylines weren't. Thank God Sherwood Schwartz finally let Eve Plumb grow up, and look at what a beauty she turned into. But poor Susan Olsen, still uttering those silly lines and walking around with those curls. That's why I hate the "Snooperstar" episode so much. It might have been cute if Cindy were a couple of years younger, but to see Susan Olsen at her age doing that Shirley Temple impersonation was just embarrassing. I think a sixth season could have been great if they would have gotten rid of Schwartz and let somebody come in who could guide the show in a better direction.

02-24-2003, 03:20 AM	#3
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	While that [wacky misunderstandings and tricks played] doesn't entail every episode toward the end, it pops up more than usual on the Bradys. Unfortunately for me I have only seen one episode of The Bradys, the two-hour premiere with Bobby in the Nashville 500 (or was it 400?). 111. 111. Out of This World--Bobby and Peter think they see a UFO--Greg is just playing a trick That was a good (and funny!) episode. 112. Welcome Aboard--the kids think Carol is pregnant because Bobby and Cindy heard wrong. It's really going to be the arrival of cousin Oliver That was an OK episode. 114. Top Secret--Bobby and Oliver think Mike's architectural plans for Sam are really "top secret" plans That was a good episode. 115. The Snooperstar--Cindy reads Marsha's diary and thinks a talent scout wants her. That was a good episode. Peter and a look-a-like (part of that episode a trick IS played), That was an OK episode. Greg's hair gets oranged by Bobby's get-rich-quick-scheme. That was an OK episode. I never thought it jumped the shark, I just don't like a few episodes here and there. Just like me! I'm one of the 56 (last I visited the page!) who voted it never jumped. Some of those comments are very interesting!

02-24-2003, 10:53 PM	#6
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	"The Brady Bunch" was only picked up for 13 episodes at the beginning of its final season, rather than a full season of 22. And when most of the rest of the ABC Friday night lineup was cancelled midseason, Sherwood Schwartz thought "The Brady Bunch" would be as well. But ABC picked up the final 9 episodes of the season, and Sherwood had to scramble for scripts, which is why there are a good number of weak episodes. Too bad, since there were some decent ones at the beginning of that season.

02-25-2003, 02:15 AM	#7
Cashodeen Hi. Forum Star Join Date: Aug 30, 2001 Posts: 11,362	Thank you so much TV Guy! I knew there had to be a logical explanation to the last half of the season. I'm glad I have the details for it now--I had no idea they wanted ONLY 13 episodes--I assumed 18, but 13 totally makes sense since some of the episodes I consider weak were in the middle of the season. One of the threads on this board discussed the 6th season that never was. It really makes me think of the 5th season that never was. It is really a shame since season 5 started out decent. I still watch it all the way through, but there is no denying it gets lame.

04-21-2003, 09:52 PM	#11
zack Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 02, 2001 Posts: 172	As lame as some of the final-season shows are, they're still mostly pretty funny. The ones I hate are Out of this World, the pool one, and the secret-agent one. For all of the grief Oliver gets, he was only in six shows, and only two of them stunk, IMO.

04-21-2003, 10:02 PM	#12
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	Wow, I am amazed! Personally, my favorite season of The Brady Bunch is the last one. I even think it's the highest peak of the show. I must be the odd one here.

04-22-2003, 06:43 PM	#13
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	I didn't care for the Top secret episode that much .. I thought it was boring. I liked all the other episodes from that season though especially the one where Bobby has a thing for that Millicent girl.