Here’s A Story. . .

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by Julie, swinging into fall in Somerville

On Monday night my sister texted me. “Remember to watch the Brady Bunch show on HGTV!”

Screen shot of the six Brady actors

Apparently we weren’t the only people of a certain age texting each other reminders. The debut of the Very Brady Renovation series broke rating records for HGTV.

Some of you may be asking what I’m talking about it. Others may be asking why I’m talking about it on the Wickeds blog.

First things first. The Brady Bunch debuted on September 26, 1969. Fifty years, can you believe that? But I digress. The Brady house was a real house in California, at least from the outside. From the inside, it was all a set. Still, when the house went on the market in 2018, there was a bidding war. HGTV won.

Now, I’ll admit that I am an HGTV fan. But I had no idea what they were going to do with the house. And I certainly had no idea that they had such fabulous plans. The Property Brothers are hosting a renovation series to make the actual house, inside and out, match the set. And, drum roll, all six of the actors who played the Brady kids are going to be participating.

I watched the debut and I loved it. I can, and do, sing the entire theme song. I’ll admit it, I got teary when they did flashbacks to the series. I was little (2nd grade) when the Brady Bunch debuted, but it was a HUGE part of my childhood in the initial run and in reruns. I bought my sister the DVDs, so the show is part of my nieces’ lives as well.

Now, what does that have to do with the Wickeds? Well, the books I write are cozies. And The Brady Bunch is pretty cozy, though there aren’t any crimes to be solved. Though how great would that have been? If Mike was a gumshoe rather than an architect? Carol as a supersleuth? Alice helping to clean up the crime scenes?

I dream of creating characters that folks get misty when they revisit them. Though books and TV shows are different, I know that I’m thrilled when I find a new-to-me Poirot or a new-to-me series with a deep backlist.

I also create a world that exists only in imaginations. Goosebush, MA and the folks in the town are a heightened reality that I wish I could create. How fabulous is it that they are making the Brady house real? The details they are bringing in are amazing.

Friends, am I the only person who watched the series debut? Any other Brady Bunch fans out there?

Here’s a behind the scenes from Episode 1:

Published by Julie Hennrikus aka Julia Henry

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry she writes the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus she writes the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes she wrote the Clock Shop series. Click on my profile picture to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

26 Thoughts

    1. Reine, sometimes HGTV isn’t in the lineup. There are snippets of it on YouTube. I find that there’s something really satisfying about watching people knock down walls and then create something lovely. Or, in this case, nostalgic.

      1. I enjoyed The Brady Bunch! I really did! When I was in college we had a big TV in the dorm basement with cheap cheese chimichangas, my very first. We didn’t have those in Marblehead. Not then, anyway. It was a relief after class and a great improvement from the early days when most people where we lived only got 3 channels plus the educational channel which was pretty dull at the time!

    1. There are generations and generations who watched it in syndication. It is a great cozy setting. And rehabbing is a great cozy device, as a few folks have shown.

  4. It was never a favorite of mine, but I’d already started college and we didn’t watch much television then. I like the idea of recreating the past, though.

    1. There is something really amazing about the details involved with recreating the past, isn’t there? Another factor that appeals to the writer in all of us.

    1. It’s fascinating–the finding of props to match what was there. The reaction of the actors to the recreating a set they spent so much time on. Plus it’s a mid-century house, so that’s fascinating as well. Never thought I’d be so glad to see the late 60’s floral couch back on!

  6. I am beyond the “certain age” you’re talking about. I was in high school and beyond the target demographic. I have seen the occasional episode but was never a fan. However, I do love home renovation shows, so I might check it out.

    1. It’s very fun, for the decor alone. Plus the “how do we put a staircase in when there wasn’t one” would probably appeal to you.

  8. I love the Brady Bunch too and have the whole series on DVD! I watched the show last night and LOVED it! It was amazing to me how much the show meant to people over the years. It was great to see the cast working with HGTV and I can’t wait to see the final result! The Brady’s will always be a cozy bunch to me!!

    1. Wasn’t it fun? And I loved that all six of the actors were there, didn’t you? There were substitute Jans and Cindys over the years.

  9. I’m not sure how I came to watch it as much as I did since I was 19 when it came out. I could have sworn I watched it when I was younger than that. But I do remember enjoying the way the “lessons” were taught. It’s neat that a very positive thing has come about from a very positive show.

    1. I think that for many, many years it was tough to miss the show because of reruns. I agree, the lessons were always good ones, and well taught. It had a goofy charm that I loved. Still love.

  10. I’ve caught many episodes over the years. I have the series on DVD, but I have never actually watched them.

    I tuned in Monday night (okay, Tuesday, thanks to my DVR), and I was captivated. I usually watch TV while surfing the net. Very little surfing got done while that show was on since I didn’t want to miss anything. It was so much fun! Although I am going to have to get used to the fact that my mental image of their house isn’t going to match what they create. Still, it was a blast, and I cant’ wait for the rest.

    1. I had the same response–I was transfixed. I had the DVDs and hadn’t watched them, but then the nieces were bored a few years ago. They’ve been well used since.

  11. I can’t imagine wanting that house now but the idea of putting it together sounds like a ball. I loved the original show and watched the later movies. If I watched TV, this short series would be a must. I think my husband watched it. I see Jan as the amateur detective.

  12. My friend Hope’s dad created “The Brady Bunch!” And “Gilligan’s Island.” Not only that, her husband Lawrence was a guitarist with Paul McCartney’s band, Wings. They were both enormously helpful with some story points in FATAL CAJUN FESTIVAL. Plus, Hope gives me some of the insider dirt on the show. (Sorry, can’t share!)

  13. Hi!! I too am a fan of the Brady’s. In fact, I did a blog on them as well, and then decided to search for all my kindred spirits who also wrote about the Brady’s, and happened on your blog!! Love all your remembrances, and they definitely ring a bell with me. 🙂

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