Here’s the story of a man named Mungle. Who
grew up watching TV after school. There was Gilligan, on an island.
Being shipwrecked seems so cool. But the best show always came a little
later. If you touched the dial you were sure to get a punch. Cause
this sitcom, had the greatest family. It was all about that super
Brady Bunch. How many of you knew the tune from the very beginning?
Yes the Brady Bunch. Did you ever wonder what become of the Brady
bunch. Well somehow they got old! I am not sure when that happened
but I was flipping through channels the other night and there they
were. They were chatting it up about favorite episodes and behind
the scene antics and all I kept thinking was, has it been that long?.
The program was on for 5 seasons from 69-74 but it wasn’t until
watching the reruns around 1976 when I was 9 that I finally started
to actually appreciate the lessons. Greg Brady taught us that sticking
up for family even if it meant losing a big high school election was
a groovy thing to do. Peter showed those of us who didn’t have
super personalities that we were right on just as we were. And Bobby
proved that being surrounded by family was more solid than any trophy
you could win. As I watched the interviews last week it appeared to
me that they still really are Brady after all these years. I was trying
to determine if the roles they performed as youngsters impacted the
adults they became or if who they truly are developed the characters
we saw. They all look as though the basic nature they portrayed as
kids is still very much in tact. Barry Williams (Greg) remains the
Mr. cool, hip, laid back, got a job as a DJ on satellite radio, vibe
guy. Christopher Knight (Peter) is the average next door neighbor
who does bad Humphry Bogart impressions while serving pork chops and
applesauce at family cookouts. And though his antics of the late 90’s
showed otherwise. Mike Lookinland (Bobby) exudes the consciences,
obey the rules, “mom always said don’t play ball in the
house”, conservative characteristics. Maureen McCormick (Marcia,
Marcia, Marcia) carries herself as the sophisticated PTA mom whose
still involved in everything. Eve Plumb (Jan) even as an adult seemed
out of place and awkward. Still lost in Maureen’s shadow. And
Susan Olsen (Cindy). Little Cindy Brady. Still able to smile after
all she’s been through. The Brady’s will always usher
in thoughts of happiness and carefree times for me. Times when as
a kid all was well in the world. At least as far as I knew. And if
anything was wrong I knew that like Mike, Carol, and Alice, the adults
would somehow work it all out. Greg Brady turned 50 this year. Marcia’s
been married 20 years, and so I find myself missing those youngsters.
But when things start to beat me down I slip back to the 70’s
and softly start singing to myself… “I think I’ll
go for a walk outside now, The summer sun’s calling my name,
I hear it now. I just can’t stay inside all day, I’ve
got to get out, gimme some of those rays. Everybody seems so happy
today in the sunshine day….” Thanks Brady’s!