So who doesn’t love The Brady Bunch– either openly or secretly? I was actually a little later than some of my friends at getting into the series, not having watched my first episodes after school until about 1983 or so. But I quickly got hooked on the corny adventures of America’s favorite family with afros. I felt like I was right there being cool with Greg, being a loser with Peter, getting in the way with Bobby, drooling over Marcia, wanting Jan to fail miserably, and being protective of little Cindy.
I had had only mild personal encounters over the years with the Bradys. The series creator Sherwood Schwartz had sent me some autographed photos through the mail (including the fabulous cast photo below, to which I have now added several signatures). Florence Henderson (Carol) and Barry Williams (Greg) have both been generous signers through the mail. And on one occasion, I came very close to ‘meeting’ Greg at a book signing, but never actually got to his table. More on that later…
But while attending the Hollywood Collectors Show in Chicago, I was able to get an extremely healthy dosage of Bradymania when I was able to meet THREE of the original kids, plus everyone’s favorite jinx, Cousin Oliver. In fact, their appearance at the show was one of the factors that clinched my journey from Dayton to Chicago.
When I walked into the show, I saw them all lined up in a row along several tables. The deal was this: each signature was $20 and if you bought all three, they would all gather and pose for a picture with you. This was a small price to pay considering what such a photo op might have cost. In fact, I was planning on having them sign two photos for me (the one above and second one which I took elsewhere to obtain an additional signature less than a month later – as seen here), so I asked for two photo ops, passing one off to my traveling companion Heidi.
The first in line was Susan Olsen (Cindy). She and I discussed the upcoming autograph show at the Chiller Theatre in New Jersey and the fact that ‘Fake Jan’ Geri Reischl would be attending. I encouraged her that she should go along as well. We also talked about the DVD availability of the ultimate campy crapfest The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. She is getting ready to release a book about the making of this series.
With Cindy. I immediately began lisping when I came in contact with her.
I then moved on to Mike Lookinland (Bobby). He had seen the other signed photos I had in hand, one from Angie Dickenson, and he mentioned how his brother Todd had worked with her in the film The Suicide’s Wife. We also talked about how his brother had starred in one episode of The Brady Bunch, the would-be pilot of Kelly’s Kids. He also noted the difference in his appearance in my two photos, one sent to me by Sherwood Schwartz taken in the early days of the series and the other from the much-later Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
Bobby reminded me that Mom always said “don’t play ball in the house”
Then it was time to meet the long-lost Cousin Oliver. He had been such an obscure and unusual player in The Brady Bunch, having been brought in to rejuvenate the ‘cuteness’ factor of the show, that I had long wondered whatever had become of him. And now I had the opportunity to actually meet him. I told him how much I was hoping to meet him in Los Angeles before my trip got cancelled. He was a very nice guy and gladly posed for picture with me.
Robbie Rist as we know and loved him
Cousin Oliver. I’m still waiting for the bad luck to hit.
Finally, it was time to meet the infamous Christopher Knight (Peter), who had gained more notoriety lately for his role on the reality series My Fair Brady. Although, I had no interest in that aspect of his career, I did find him to be a genuinely nice guy, who was curious as to how I had gotten the photos I had, and when and where I had obtained the signatures on them. He told me that he occasionally signs through the mail when it gets to him, but didn’t advise sending pieces such as mine as they might get lost or damaged.
Meeting Peter gave me a hankering for some pork chops and applesauce
We then assembled all cast members (I specifically requested Cousin Oliver too) for the group photo. For some strange reason, I suddenly found five or six cameras pointed at me as if this was the first time that they had posed for a group photo, hence the fact that some of them aren’t looking at Heidi, who was taking the photo of us. It seemed like such a circus that I wouldn’t be surprised if they quickly discontinued this offer.
The Bradys and their long-lost “Tiger”
But either way, this was the thrill of a lifetime to get such a photo and I hope one day that I can add the other half of the Brady clan to my repertoire.
Celebrity encounters from the Spring Chicago collectors show will continue…
Check out my eventual meeting with Barry “Greg” Williams here…
It appears that we just missed each other! I went to the show last Sunday and met the Bradys, as well. Their appearance was the clincher for me to make the drive up there, also. They all seemed very nice…Mike Lookinland was especially down-to-earth. Robbie Rist was not at his table when I had the other three sign for me. I don’t know if that was lucky or not, but I wasn’t able to get his signature.
I will wait to comment about the other guests at the show until the proper time. But I will say that a certain person affiliated with the character on your shirt in the above photos, was an even bigger thrill (than the Bradys) for me to meet!
Dave Chasteen
March 28th, 2009
Robbie Rist is an accomplished musician in the Los Angeles power pop scene. I’ve seen him about a dozen times over the past few years, as he plays in 4 or 5 different power pop bands at the IPO festival every summer. His song with the band Wonderboy called “Insecurity Girl” is one of my favorites.
Rick Greene
March 29th, 2009
I have worked with Florence Henderson a few times producing voice over sessions with her.She is AMAZING!!! Always sends me cards or birthdays and holidays.I love that lady.She said “I did a good job raising you!”.She did!
Raul Moreno
May 12th, 2009