The Brady Bunch Hour

The Brady Bunch Hour was a variety show featuring the Brady Bunch family, including Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, and Mike Lookinland, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1977. The show was produced by Sid and Marty Krofft, known for their work on H.R. Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, and Land of the Lost. The series was filmed at KTLA studios in Los Angeles, California, and featured a mix of music, dance, and comedy sketches, often featuring guest stars like Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, and The Jackson 5. The show's format was similar to other variety shows of the time, such as The Carol Burnett Show and The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour.

Introduction

The Brady Bunch Hour was an attempt to revive the popularity of the original Brady Bunch series, which had ended its five-season run in 1974. The show's creators, Sherwood Schwartz and Lloyd J. Schwartz, wanted to bring the beloved characters back to television in a new and exciting way, and the variety show format seemed like the perfect vehicle. The show featured the entire Brady Bunch cast, as well as a number of guest stars, including Tony Randall, Vincent Price, and Charo. The show's musical numbers were choreographed by Carl Jablonski, who had worked on The Andy Williams Show and The Dean Martin Show. The show's writers included Bill Idelson, Sam Bobrick, and Ron Clark, who had all worked on other popular ABC shows, such as The Partridge Family and The Odd Couple.

Production

The Brady Bunch Hour was produced by Sid and Marty Krofft Productions, in association with Paramount Television and ABC. The show was filmed at KTLA studios in Los Angeles, California, using a combination of single-camera setup and multi-camera setup filming techniques. The show's theme song was written by Frank De Vol and Sherwood Schwartz, and was performed by The Brady Bunch cast. The show's costumes were designed by Adrienne Barsotti, who had worked on other popular ABC shows, such as Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat. The show's sets were designed by Gary Smith, who had worked on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show.

Episodes

The Brady Bunch Hour aired for a total of nine episodes, from November 1976 to May 1977. Each episode featured a mix of music, dance, and comedy sketches, often featuring guest stars like Farrah Fawcett, Lee Majors, and The Bay City Rollers. The show's episodes were written by a team of writers, including Bill Idelson, Sam Bobrick, and Ron Clark, and were directed by Jack Regas, who had worked on other popular ABC shows, such as The Partridge Family and The Odd Couple. The show's episodes were filmed in front of a live studio audience, and featured a number of memorable performances, including a musical number featuring The Brady Bunch cast and The Jackson 5.

Cast

The Brady Bunch Hour featured the entire Brady Bunch cast, including Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, and Mike Lookinland. The show also featured a number of guest stars, including Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, The Jackson 5, and Tony Randall. The show's cast was rounded out by a number of regular performers, including Rip Taylor, Paul Shaffer, and Milton Berle. The show's cast was known for their chemistry and camaraderie, and the show's behind-the-scenes crew included a number of experienced professionals, such as Carl Jablonski, who had worked on The Andy Williams Show and The Dean Martin Show.

Reception

The Brady Bunch Hour received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the show's energy and enthusiasm, while others found it to be too formulaic and predictable. The show's ratings were also mixed, with some episodes performing well, while others struggled to find an audience. Despite this, the show remains a beloved and nostalgic part of many people's childhoods, and its influence can be seen in later variety shows, such as The Muppet Show and Saturday Night Live. The show's legacy has also been recognized by TV Guide, which named it one of the "50 Worst TV Shows of All Time" in 2002. The show's cast, including Maureen McCormick and Barry Williams, have also gone on to appear in other popular ABC shows, such as Dancing with the Stars and The Weakest Link. Category:1970s American television series