The Hidden Story Behind The Brady Bunch Variety Hour

Hey there, friend. You know how sometimes the people we think we know so well have little secrets hiding in the shadows? Well, even the Bradys—yes, the Brady Bunch—had their own quirky secret. And it’s a doozy. Let me tell you, this one’s worth uncovering. It’s not just about skeletons in the closet; it’s about bringing them out into the light. And this particular skeleton? It’s connected to a show that might leave you scratching your head: The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.

A Show So Strange, It Had to Be Seen to Be Believed

Let’s rewind for a moment. Back in the late '70s, the world of television was a wild place, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour was a prime example of that. It aired as a series of nine specials between November 28, 1976, and May 25, 1977. The concept was... well, let’s just say it was bold. The entire cast of The Brady Bunch, except for Eve Plumb (Jan Brady), were back—but this time, they weren’t just a sitcom family. They were hosting their very own variety show, and they were doing it in character. Can you picture Greg Brady cracking jokes while Carol Brady croons a tune? It sounds like a fever dream, doesn’t it? But hey, it’s not entirely unprecedented. It follows the tradition of shows like The Jack Benny Program, though I’m sure Benny wouldn’t have dared to do something quite this outlandish.

Why Did This Show Almost Disappear Into Oblivion?

Now, you might be wondering, why haven’t you heard of this before? Well, it’s because The Brady Bunch Variety Hour could’ve easily slipped into the forgotten corners of TV history. Let’s face it, the premise was so bizarre that it could’ve been destined for obscurity. But then something amazing happened. Authors Ted Nichelson, Susan Olsen (yes, Cindy Brady herself!), and Lisa Sutton decided that the world needed to know the full story behind this strange chapter in Brady history. So, they set out to write a book called Love to Love You Bradys: The Bizarre Story of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. And trust me, it’s a story worth telling.

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What Was It Really Like Watching This Show?

“It’s hard to believe now, but back when we first dove into this project years ago, a lot of people didn’t even remember that this show existed,” Ted recalls in an exclusive interview. “People had been talking about it here and there, and one episode had been re-aired. There were a few photos floating around, but that was about it. I managed to track down copies of these episodes, and we tried to watch all nine in one day. Let me tell you, it was an experience. We’d seen the first episode a bunch of times because it got a lot of airtime, but the other eight? They were mostly unheard of. As we sat there watching, people were literally laughing so hard they couldn’t breathe. It’s not every day you come across a TV series so off-the-wall that it feels like a train wreck—but in a good way. You know how you can’t look away from a car accident? It’s kind of like that. You’re drawn in, even if it’s completely bizarre.”

Keep reading to learn all about how this unforgettable show came to be.