Along with loud and stupid sitcoms, a mainstay of 1970s TV was the variety show. These shows followed a formula of opulent song-and-dance numbers, comedy sketches, a regular secondary cast of comedians, and visits by famous guest stars. "The Brady Bunch Hour" reunited almost all of the show's original cast for an attempt at the variety show format, and what a horrible mess it was.
It appears that no one except Florence Henderson had any relevant experience, but the game cast forged ahead anyway, with embarrassing results. Robert Reed, who hated anything related to the Brady Bunch, was particularly inept, but just about everyone looked way out of place and incompetent with song-and-dance routines. The comedy sketches-usually featuring famous guest stars-were poorly written and just not funny. Guest stars such as Paul Williams, Vincent Price, Milton Berle, and Tony Randall, did their best to liven up the proceedings, but without any luck.
I never watched this show (or the original "Brady Bunch" for that matter) but I recently tried watching several episodes just for a trip down memory lane. Yes, the show was bad, but it's so bad that it has an oddly endearing quality to it. The performers appear to be trying hard (without success) and it's difficult not to have sympathy for them. Just remember the show is horrible, but depending on your fondness for the 1970s, you might like it in sort of a perverse way.
It appears that no one except Florence Henderson had any relevant experience, but the game cast forged ahead anyway, with embarrassing results. Robert Reed, who hated anything related to the Brady Bunch, was particularly inept, but just about everyone looked way out of place and incompetent with song-and-dance routines. The comedy sketches-usually featuring famous guest stars-were poorly written and just not funny. Guest stars such as Paul Williams, Vincent Price, Milton Berle, and Tony Randall, did their best to liven up the proceedings, but without any luck.
I never watched this show (or the original "Brady Bunch" for that matter) but I recently tried watching several episodes just for a trip down memory lane. Yes, the show was bad, but it's so bad that it has an oddly endearing quality to it. The performers appear to be trying hard (without success) and it's difficult not to have sympathy for them. Just remember the show is horrible, but depending on your fondness for the 1970s, you might like it in sort of a perverse way.