Amazon.com: The Brady Bunch Variety Hour [DVD] : Florence Henderson, Robert Reed, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams, Geri Reischl, Christopher Knight, Susan Olsen, Mike Lookinland, Robyn Blythe, Susan Buckner, Darine Klega: Movies & TV (original) (raw)

The Brady Bunch Variety Hour was produced at the height of the outrageous '70s high-camp musical era. So perhaps it's no coincidence that this DVD is so bad and so over-the-top that it's both funny and very colorful. If you love the BB (and really who doesn't?) you will just love this DVD.Florence Henderson and Robert Reed (may he rest in peace) each reprise their roles as Mrs. and Mrs. Mike Brady. Rounding out the cast are those super-cool Brady kids: Christopher Knight (Chris has always been my very favorite Brady because he is so sweet and sensitive), Barry Williams, Mike Lookinland, Maureen "oh my nose" McCormick, and Susan Olsen (who has a really groovy new feathered hairstyle). What I enjoy most about watching everyone together again is that it's like watching a group of familiar old friends.Each ep is 50 minutes in total and as far as I can tell these are the full and unedited versions (I have no recollection of seeing this series on TV as it predates my birth by many years.) Included on this set are 2 eps from the variety series:Volume 1 / episode #1 (original airdate: 11-28-76) - This is the first ep (after their special that aired a month earlier) and includes lots of groovy singing and dancing. Guest stars include Tony Randall and Donny and Marie.Volume 2 / episode #4 (original airdate: 3-4-77) - Greg decides to move out of the Brady home and an entire ep, complete with corny singing and melodramatic acting compliments this ludicrous show. Vincent Price guest stars in this ep; don't worry though he isn't tying the boys to a giant tiki. Rip Taylor (you know it's going to be hoot with him) and the cast of H.R. Pufnstuf are also in this ep.Alice (Ann B. Davis) is on both eps. She even sings a little too. I love the sequined pants suits she wears; it's so much cuter than the pale blue maid's uniform (which, incidentally she also wears, because after all, she's still Alice). For reasons that are unclear to me, Ms. Davis does not receive star billing; instead she is billed as a "guest star."Noticeably absent from this BB reincarnation is Eve. I am not sure why Eve didn't participate in this; either she had something else going on or she didn't have a momentary lapse in good judgement like the rest. Geri Reischl aka "fake Jan" was, like all the others, excellent and offered up a beautiful singing voice, although she doesn't seem like she's as much of an overdone drama queen as Eve (who has always been one of my favorite Bradys, btw!!).The Halston body suits, the loud print colors, the hip-huggers, the bell-bottoms, those super-super tight vests the men wore and all that glitter and rhinestones perhaps is one of the reasons why this series is so grounded in '70s culture. It's just so ridiculous and almost surreal to watch the Bradys singing and dancing all made up like the La Cage aux Folles dancers. It is just the end and I love it.The DVD includes a brand-new (well 10 years old) interview with Susan and Mike. The interview is a full 20 minutes long. They discuss the original series, the Variety Hour and some of the other BB projects. As a fan that has followed the BB for my entire life this is truly one of the best interviews I have ever seen.The DVD includes a colorful menu (taken from the series opening credits) which also plays music and even has chapter selections. There is also a colorful insert included. BTW I scanned everything just in case you'd like to see what it looks like.Maybe you're down in the dumps and just need a little lift. The Bradys to the rescue! Because it's impossible to view The Brady Bunch Variety Hour without smiling and laughing. Who cares if it's dated and hokey and completely and totally out of touch with reality. Remember, every day can be a sunshine day if you work hard at it!!