Geri Reischl’s designation as “Fake Jan” came when she was cast to portray Jan Brady is the 1976-77 revival of The Brady Bunch series known as The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, a musical-variety show that has been voted one of the worst programs in the history of television. Truth be told, although the original actress Eve Plumb was loved far and wide in the role of Jan Brady, Geri probably had the most musical talent of any of the kids in the show.
In addition to her role on the BBVH, she had grown up singing and performing starring in a pair of low-budget horror films The Brotherhood of Satan in 1971 and I Dismember Mama in 1974. She also had a role in one episode of Gunsmoke in 1971. Currently, she is working on her own local talk show in southern California.
In addition to her talent and icon status, Geri was certainly one of the nicest actresses whom I met at the Chiller Theatre Show in New Jersey on April 18, 2009. I came armed with my picture from the Brady Bunch Variety Hourthat was already bearing five signatures on it, three of which I had just obtained a month earlier in Chicago (see here), along with Barry Williams and Florence Henderson through the mail. When I first acquired the photos, I never dreamed that I would be adding Geri Reischl’s signature to this item, as I hadn’t heard a word about her post-Brady life. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the opportunity.
Instead of trying to gouge me financially for signing this great item, she actually charged less to sign my photo than to sign one of hers, a practice almost unheard of these days. I debated on whether to have her sign it as “Jan” or “Fake Jan” (a name she herself has embraced, being the good-humored person that she is). She left it up to me, and I ended up going with the simple “Jan”, the name she used in the series.
Only need one more signature…Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!
My photo with Geri
In addition, she not only posed for a nice photo with me, but made things even more fun by getting a photo of me with her using her camera. She later posted this photo along with other fan photos from the Chiller Theatre show on her MySpace page. Talk about someone who truly appreciates her fans… Geri is the epitome of generous former TV stars – and one who is still very attractive to boot!
Even better photo taken with her camera, and then posted on her MySpace
I suggested that Geri should try and attend the Hollywood Collectors Show in Burbank this Summer, and that if she did, I would most certainly love to see her again and stop by to say hello.
Celebs from the Chiller Theatre will continue…
Brad…
I had so much fun with you at Chiller. You are a super cool guy. Wish we could have hung out longer together. Thank you for being so kind to me.
Luv,
~G~
PS: I am going to be doing the “Hollywood Collectors Show” with Susan Olsen, Mike Lookinland, Chris Knight, Adrianne Curry, Robbie Rist..and I think Barry Williams. July 18 – 19. You better stop by and say ‘hi’ 🙂
Geri Reischl
May 18th, 2009