Synopses & Reviews
The Brady Bunch is one of the most beloved series to ever grace American television screens. Whether youve been a devoted fan since its inception in the late 1960s, or are a more recent Brady buff thanks to its steady airing in syndication, there is an undeniable shared delight that comes from the simple-natured, humor-filled world of that picture-perfect family.
Now, for the first time, the shows famous creator, writer, and producer Sherwood Schwartz and his son, writer and producer Lloyd Schwartz, share with their loyal audience the complete first-hand behind-the-scenes story of The Brady Bunch. From how the show was developed, pitched, greenlighted, cast, produced, and embraced, to ultimately how it changed the TV and cultural landscape of Americathis book really has it all.
Sherwood and Lloyd Schwartz carefully and nostalgically recall all the detailsgreat, small, funny, frustrating, and everything in betweenthat came with the show. Taking an exclusive tour of everything Brady, youll marvel at the stories, take pleasure in more than 50 rare photographs, and transport yourself into the show you love with the insider details you never knew.
Review
Kirkus Reviews, July 2010 Here’s the story...of a unique father-and-son creative team who masterminded the conception, construction and casting of everything Brady.
Inspired by the statistics in a 1966 Los Angeles Times article about the prevalence of marriages that incorporate children from previous relationships, Sherwood Schwartz, a humor writer in the Army during World War II, hatched the idea for a half-hour situation comedy about the “gentle blend of two families into one.” Based on his success with Gilligan’s Island, he confidently pitched the pilot titled “Yours & Mine” to three adamant networks, then waited several years until The Brady Bunch finally aired in September 1969. The grueling casting process took months to gel, but eventually the Brady family took shape, headlined by handsome, Shakespearean-trained Robert Reed, affable, multitalented Florence Henderson (who narrowly beat out Joyce Bulifant), and Emmy Award–winning actress Ann B. Davis. Schwartz notes that the cast worked well together except for nitpicky, unmanageable curmudgeon Reed, who “thought television was beneath him” and antagonistically second-guessed lines and scenes throughout the life of the series. Schwartz’s homespun narration, filled with personal quips, clever “tangents” on Hollywood politics and an homage to the post-production’s unsung heroes soon yields to his son Lloyd, who takes the helm for the remaining two-thirds of the book. In examining the series’ episodes, its five-year run, little-known insider information on cast and crew and life after Brady, Schwartz creates a breezy, nostalgic behind-the-scenes report from a producer’s perspective. Revelations are mild by modern standards, but both narrations compliment and respect each other. Both authors brand the book as an authentic interpretation of the machinations behind the success, and the complications, of The Brady Bunch and how the franchise amazingly continues to be reinvented.
Diehard fans and classic-TV buffs will rally around this collaborative, pleasingly retro tell-all. BradyWorld.com, August 2010“The average reader will enjoy Brady, Brady, Brady for the tabloid-like stories regarding off-screen romances, drug problems among the cast, on-set fighting, and other scandals that have taken place over the last 40+ years. The loyal, dedicated Brady Bunch fan will enjoy the book for all that as well as getting answers to some of those long-time unanswered questions—such as in what city did the Bradys reside? Overall, Sherwood and Lloyd Schwartz provide their readers with a very good summary of the highs and lows in the history of The Brady Bunch. New things are brought to light, and the book provides additional detail about many of the things fans already know.” Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, TODAYshow.com, 8/29/10Here's the story ... of that famous family. There have been many books written about "The Brady Bunch," but now creator Sherwood Schwartz and his son, Lloyd, took their turn with "Brady, Brady, Brady." You'd think there wasn't much left to be said about the group who somehow formed a family, but the Schwartzes pull out some juicy tidbits that will resound with fans. They're blunt about the problems with star Robert Reed, who was no fan of the scripts, and random trivia bits too. Lloyd was the one who tossed the football at Marcia's nose — no one else could throw it straight — and the football itself was Nerf.
Synopsis
Here's the story of one of the most successful and beloved sitcoms in television history, as told by the father-and-son team that really knows.
About the Author
Sherwood Schwartz is the creator of
The Brady Bunch. He is an Emmy-award winning writer and producer, and has written and produced more than 700 TV shows. In 1963, Sherwood created, wrote, and produced
Gilligans Island, before creating The Brady Bunch in 1969. Schwartz lives in Los Angeles, California.
Lloyd J. Schwartz was the associate producer and director of The Brady Bunch. After The Brady Bunch, Lloyd served as a writer/producer of various television shows, including Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Whats Happening!!, and Threes Company. He also wrote and produced the stage musical A Very Brady Musical, which debuted in Los Angeles in 2008. Schwartz lives in Los Angeles, California.