Geez, Does Mike Brady EVER lift a finger around the house? Poor Alice
Written: May 16 '01 (Updated May 17 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good, clean , family fun.
Cons: Male chauvenist Mike should do some housework once in a while!
The Bottom Line: Well,with 190 epinions preceding mine, you probably know the show already! Good, clean, family fun. Mike Brady is a male chauvenist I'm afraid!
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| kevlog's Full Review: Brady Bunch, The |
Our latest family bonding event has been watching the Brady Bunch on Nickelodeon every night (well, Mon-Thurs) at 8:30, usually with accompanying microwave popcorn and Dr. Pepper. People at work say things like "you must be a great Dad to suffer through THAT!" and "how CAN you?"
Well, the show, while entertaining to my kids who've never seen it before, is especially entertaining to my wife and I, now that we are pushing forty. Were things that chauvinistic back then? I guess they were. What on
Earth did Carol Brady ever DO, besides occasionally arrange flowers on those ultra modern pieces of Brady furniture? How many times per episode did Mike scream out Aliiiiiice? Aaallllllliccce? simply because
he couldn't cope with finding a matching sock, pouring a cup of java (which they clearly drank way too much of out of that percolator!), or adjusting his tux for a big formal event with his architecture pals?
I admit it. I love the Brady Bunch. I came from a family where I had two older brothers, and I clearly was Bobby Brady, and was treated the way Bobby is treated by Greg and Peter. We had bunkbeds, we had baseball and nautical themed lamps and things in our bedrooms, we had a wild sunburst clock almost EXACTLY like the Brady's. Ah, the memories. I just wish we'd had a cool staircase like they did, but you can't have everything. We did have real grass though, and not that frightening 'Astroturf' found out behind the Brady estate.
The half hour episodes are "G" rated, family safe, and fun, even with the stereotypes that you might have to clear up for your kids. Sure there's an occasional joke between Sam the Butcher and Mike that only the parents will pick up on, and sure Mike and Carol occasionally get frisky in bed (ironic considering what we now know about the sexual orientation of Mike in the real world), but overall this is a show you can let all the kids (and even the cat) watch without fear. Teenage angst (I have to wear these braces?), family togetherness (Grand Canyon anyone?) sibling rivalry (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia): these are all timeless themes that kids enjoy even today. Communication was always key in the Brady family, and they were never afraid to call a corny but effective family meeting. Mom and Dad always find time for the kids, and that's a very good thing!
I'm sure that Cathy Lee Gifford would've cried out for better treatment of 'Alice' had she been in protest mode back then. In last night's episode Alice mentions that she was writing a letter to her sister in the 'family room' "I hope that's OK Mr. Brady" she says nervously. What? The poor thing. Afraid to set foot in the family room? Stay in the darn kitchen Alice! Get back to that huge pile of laundry. And stay out of Carol's way, she's got flowers to arrange!!!
Geez.
It's hilarious now to us in retrospect but kind of scary. OK, so I don't do laundry, my wife does, but I do cook and vacuum and clean the cat's furballs out from behind the toilet now and then, and I hope that most men in the new millennium do a BIT more than Mike Brady ever did. In this world where both parents usually have to work, bringing home the bacon alone doesn't quite cut it! Don't model your marriage on the Brady's!! But have a blast watching the old episodes.
Look closely at the details. I think we had the same electric can opener the Brady's had! They really haven't changed a heckuva lot since 1970. My God, that's over 30 years ago. Gulp. Is that a Plymouth Fury wagon in the
driveway? My first car was a Plymouth Fury, not too different from the Brady's. Note the lack of seatbelt usage when the kids pile in the car. Who needs 'em? How times change (in this case for the better!).
Rent the Brady Bunch movie after checking out a few of the old parodies! Makes it even more amusing!
So make some popcorn (even Mike Brady could've microwaved I'll bet!) and let the kids tune in to the Brady Bunch, but don't push around your maid (what? you don't HAVE a maid?) and don't be afraid to make your own coffee once in a while. If you can't handle that, there's always Starbucks or DD.
Give Alice a freaking vacation, God love her.
Thanks for Reading and Cheers from near Cape Cod, USA
Recommended:
Yes
Type of Program: Comedy
Program Quality: Good for a few laughs
Best Suited For: Whole Family
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Epinions.com ID:
kevlog
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Member: Kevin
Location: Southeastern Massachusetts
Reviews written: 233
Trusted by: 283 members
About Me:
I am constantly overwhelmed with the richness of life.
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