MovieChat Forums > The Brady Bunch (1969) Discussion > I Don't Get It

I Don't Get It

posted 6 years ago by [email protected] (1732)
61 replies | jump to latest

I am completely baffled as to why this series has become "iconic." I simply don't get it.

Don't get me wrong. I watched the series mid-way through its first run, and regularly
in reruns in the mid-'70's. But I can't, for the life of me, sit through it now. Why? Because
while it's a cute show for kids, I don't think the series has - or EVER had - any appeal for
adults. And that's fine, as it was not meant to. As Florence Henderson said, it was told
from the kids' point of view. So, I'm not among those who trash this sweet little show; I
just don't get why full-grown adults watch and comment on such a kiddie show.

The reason I came to post this baffling question (which has baffled me for years) is that
I read that the house (one-story, but that's another thread) is for sale. Apparently, it
is the SECOND MOST PHOTOGRAPHED HOUSE IN THE U.S. (after the White House).

But why????????? How on earth would that even be possible? I get that most TV show
exteriors used backlot facades, and this house can be easily accessed, but WHY would
so many people care??? I've lived within twenty miles of this house ALL OF MY LIFE, and
even as a kid, watching and enjoying the series, I never had even a REMOTE interest
in this house! Furthermore, if it's the second most photographed house, that would mean
that most of the people photographing it, would be TOURISTS!

Maybe I'm wrong, and most of the posters here are kids, but if most are, say, over 40,
why so much interest in this bland show?

I love reruns, too (and several current shows on Netflix), but the shows I watch - "I Love
Lucy", "Mary Tyler Moore", "Rhoda", "All in the Family", "The Honeymooners" - appeal to
either adults, or at least kids AND adults (Lucy). I simply don't get why TBB would
satisfy people over 18.

Side note: My stepsister (yes, I come from a "blended" family, so please don't try and use
THAT as a reason to watch as an adult) went to college with Eve Plumb, and I went to
college (briefly) with Susan Olsen (we were in acting class, and did a scene together). My
stepsister said Plumb was pleasant but extremely quiet, and I found Olsen to be very
sweet and outgoing. She discussed the show a lot, but she talked about technical things,
like how the sets were lined up, and how many shooting days per episode, etc.

Again, as a kid, and through personal experience, I have some nice memories. But I
still don't get the massive nostalgia for a show that was neither great nor terrible.

Anyone care to explain it to me?

[–] kenburke (2369) 6 years ago

Being aimed at children growing up in the seventies it reminds people of pleasant, happy times.

[–] Costumer (1821) 5 years ago

Okay, here's the thing: The show isn't interesting or funny to you. You find it bland. You don't like it. That is perfectly fine. You have no obligation to like it because others do. Your taste is not debatable, for you.

But other people's tastes are different. They will find it funny or insightful or interesting or iconic. Those opinions are perfectly fine as well. Nor are they debatable.

Now, its good to explore why others feel differently from you. But you need to approach it from the perspective of curiosity. Declaring that adults couldn't possibly enjoy it is disingenuous. Positing that most posters must be kids is also not helpful.

Explore the question. Try to understand. Even if you come to understand doesn't mean you are obligated to change your opinion of the show. But it should lead you to the conclusion that there are billions of people in the world. Each of them has their own personality which leads them to different tastes in entertainment. They don't have to change even if they understand your dislike.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

You need to reread my posts. I think the show is great for kids - even today. I think preteens and under can still
relate to, and enjoy the series. The child actors are very appealing.

But, I'm sorry, it is very strange to me that MILLIONS were spent to buy the ONE-Story house used for the exteriors,
rebuild it to a TW0-STORY house, replicate all the furnishings, then hire the aging former child actors to help, and
then be interviewed in it. Bizarre. It's not nasty, or bad, and it certainly is nostalgic. But I don't get that kind
of obsession by adults for a show clearly aimed at youngsters.

Keep in mind, I adored it when I was a kid. I also will defend the show when naysayers write it off as junk (there
are countless shows that are worse). But to idolize it as an adult is very odd to me.

Taking a peek at a clip of it is fun, and watching it WITH your child or grandchild is sweet. But to buy the DVDs when
you are well into adulthood and watch episodes from beginning to end is peculiar.

But to each his own.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I think it had aged badly. I know many kids today who enjoy old sitcom like get smart, Gilligans Island Or I Love Lucy. The kids and I know I have no interest in shows like this or happy days, even though they were once quite popular. Partly, I think it is because the way families interact and children behave have changed so much that these shows now seem odd and unrealistic.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I don't agree. There are so many horrible sitcoms where the kids are hired just because they are "cute" and
"adorable." I think most (not all, and I won't specify) of the "Brady" actors were sincere and in their portrayals
(especially Plumb and McCormick) hold up. Shows like "Full House" are so yucky
and insincere. My only argument is that I don't get why adults today would watch BB, at least without their
kids watching.

Also, while I love "Get Smart" it is NOT a kiddie show, and its humor, while admittedly silly at times, is actually
quite sophisticated. I think both adults and kids can enjoy it.

As for "Gillgan's Island, the less said about that turkey, the better.

[–] Costumer (1821) 5 years ago

You need to reread mine. I'm saying the series is great for ADULTS to whom it appeals. This is what you are not seeing. Its a fault I see a lot. Many posters on many boards will claim "This movie(series) is great for kids, but no adult could not like it." This is a completely false premise.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

And I'm not saying you're a bad person if you're, say, 42, and pop in The Brady Bunch on your DVD player and
watch habitually. All I'm saying is "I don't get" WHY.

This is NOT an insult, nor does it make you and others like you twisted. It just means I don't get it.

[–] Costumer (1821) 5 years ago

I understand. And you may never understand why. That is not a criticism or you or me. All I'm saying is, ask. Discuss. But avoid the trope that adults can't like it.

And just so you know, I'm a lot older than 42.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I'm not saying adults "can't" like it. I'm just saying I don't get why the show is idolized by adults.

But also keep in mind I've read tons of criticism of the show (remember Robert Reed's childish/snotty
comments?), and I don't get that either, as the show is still very watchable for youngsters.

As Florence Henderson said, it was a simple TV show told through the kids' point of view; not the
adults. Something Robert Reed couldn't seem to accept. But he also had no problem showing up
for all the reunion stuff to collect some cash.

[–] Costumer (1821) 5 years ago

Its perfectly okay to ask why people like it. What I'm saying is when you ask why do "adults" like it, especially with some of your other comments, you are implying that adults shouldn't like it. You imply that only kids could like it.

The implication, which I don't think you intend, is that there is something wrong with adults who like it. And there isn't, any more then there is something wrong with you for not liking it.

All I ask from folks is to discuss the show without casting aspersions on others who think differently than you.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

Oh, brother. And that's my LAST comment on this tired thread.

So much truth to my original post...which is why there have been so many overly-defensive
replies.

[–] kathykato (97) 4 years ago

When you call millions of ADULT fans of the show bizarre, you are being condescending and judgmental. I watched the series where the original cast and some fans re-created the original Brady house, and I thought it was interesting, fun, and nostalgic. Who are you to decide that is bizarre? You do realize that there are lots of fan bases of old shows that span the decades and who even host regular conventions—Dark Shadows and Star Trek come to mind. I suppose you find that bizarre too? To each their own. How about you don’t judge adult Brady Bunch fans and they don’t judge you for being a stuck up snob?

[–] nyctc7 (43591) 5 years ago

Nostalgia

[–] andreaahr (2337) 5 years ago

I love this show. I have season 3 on DVD and I am always watching it...I watch the reruns on Hulu too. :)

[–] NorthernLad (472) 4 years ago

It's like I said elsewhere, it's just a fun romp through the early 70's for me. A time that I don't really remember, but I came about right after and watched the show (often) in reruns and enjoyed it. I am currently working my way through the series again and I enjoy it. I do often groan at the hijinks of the youngest two...and the silly things they say. But again...it's nostalgia for me and brings back many memories.

[–] Artisan (3464) 4 years ago

A lot of the sitcoms and shows of the 70's and 80's were pretty empty in terms of plots and substance. Brady Bunch is another of them. I think back then because we watched shows on a week to week basis it didn't matter as much. There is no way I could binge watch Brady Bunch.

In fact even as a kid I thought it was pretty boring. Nostalgia probably just plays a huge part in it being an icon.

[–] davebuffalo (3442) 4 years ago

I am in my 50's and we ended up buying the entire Brady Bunch series on DVD for our kids to watch on long car trips. And of course we watched at home as a family too, something we could all enjoy.

WHY?

I still think it's a well-written, funny show that has stood the test of time! Compare that to say, Happy Days, which I just kind of find annoying now, but it had a cult-following in the 70's and 80's.

As an adult, I still find myself laughing at BRADY BUNCH and saying "this really was well-written".

[–] rndgurl (130) 4 years ago

I agree with the OP on some levels, some of the episodes are 2 "kiddie" for me to watch now, but some i can still enjoy today, like the UFO episode with Greg's trick. Depends on the episode, but the OP does have a point.. Much like i feel Whats Happening was mostly a show for teenagers, and some episodes arent as appealing to me now..

[–] BourbonKing (5777) 4 years ago

tl;dr

After reading the other replies and your take on them, this seems to be a personal issue of you not liking the show. Nobody cares, seriously, and, FWIW, I can't stand and never liked "I Love Lucy" because I never found Lucille Ball to be all that funny and her grating voice annoyed the shit out of me. But guess what? I know a lot of people who absolutely love "ILL" and they includes millennials and zillennials. I don't ask them to explain why they like the show either.

[–] strntz (12224) 4 years ago

NOOOO!!! Don't mention Lucy!!! LOL.

I'm one of those who never found Lucille Ball particularly funny either. That show was in constant rerun since I was a kid, but I never watched it. My sister did though. My wife and sister in law think she's great, and while I don't agree, I realize everyone's tastes are different and I don't question why they or anyone thinks ILL is funny. There were some episodes that were great (the BBQ one was one of my favorites), but most of them to me are forgettable.

To be honest, I think Patricia Heaton is a far better physical comedienne than Lucy.

[–] BourbonKing (5777) 4 years ago

I'm just using it as an example of a popular show that doesn't spark my interest and pointing it out to the OP who is vexed about people, particularly adults, who have a strong affinity for The Brady Bunch. After reading some great replies the OP is still dissatisfied with the answers. WTF? LOL

[–] strntz (12224) 4 years ago

After reading some great replies the OP is still dissatisfied with the answers. WTF?

WTF indeed.. OP actually wasn't looking for an answer (despite being titled as a "question"), he was looking to denigrate any adult who would have the audacity to watch this show. The answer he received from several chatters was that it's a feel good nostalgia thing from watching it as kids. That's an honest answer, but it wasn't enough. He wanted to either convince folks not to watch or or just insult them for doing so.