Here's a story, of a man named Brady...

January 17, 2002 8:14 PM

Here's a story, of a man named Brady......who's no longer allowed on the Brady Bunch merchandise! I noticed that his likeness was cut out of the Brady Bunch 2002 calendar. The Wash Post has an interesting article on the whole situation.
posted by sassone (26 comments total)

That seems like a really irrational and strange thing for Paramount to do...
posted by insomnyuk at 8:25 PM on January 17, 2002

That's incredibly interesting, even to someone like me who detested the show when it was on, and detests it still. It makes me wonder if he ever really came to grips with the fact that he was never known for more than being a sitcom character after the show ended, and Gene Hackman became a terrific actor.

On the other hand, I bet Gene thanks his lucky stars every day that he didn't get the role.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:29 PM on January 17, 2002

I feel sorry for actors that can't seem to break out of roles they are typecast for (the strongest in my mind being Brent Spiner as Data in Star Trek TNG). Patrick Stewart has managed to, thanks to X-Men, though. And Orlando Jones will be forever known as 'that guy from the 7-Up commercials.'
posted by insomnyuk at 8:34 PM on January 17, 2002

I guess we finally have the answer to the riddle, "How is Viacom like the Politburo?"
posted by pmurray63 at 8:48 PM on January 17, 2002

Sounds like something out of The Simpsons:

RALPH: Miss Hoover? Where's Mr Brady?

Helicopters are heard overhead. In a shower of breaking glass and splintered wood, heavily armed special forces troops break through the classroom windows and doors. Miss Hoover, Ralph and a soldier do the 'Elian' shot.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 9:56 PM on January 17, 2002

It makes me wonder if he ever really came to grips with the fact that he was never known for more than being a sitcom character after the show ended

Having seen an E! special about him, he never came to grips with the typecasting. He wanted to be a serious actor. Bob was gay and where does gay fit in with the Bradys? I'm wishing that Viacom is respecting the late Robert's anticipated wishes and acting accordingly, but they're prolly just being PC.
posted by Modem Ovary at 10:16 PM on January 17, 2002

Retrospectively PC, that is.
posted by Modem Ovary at 10:17 PM on January 17, 2002

Gene Hackman in the Brady Bunch is weird. Some people should never have kids.
posted by stbalbach at 10:23 PM on January 17, 2002

Makes me wonder whether you folks even bothered to read the article or, conversely, whether I am actually missing something.

Says his lawyer advised him not to relinquish/loan/whatever rights to the use of his image on Brady paraphernalia because Viacom was only offering a pittance. Comrade Viacom appears to want to use it, but Reed's estate, in accordance with his wishes, won't let them, and it has little, if anything, to do with Reed's private life.

Now then, pray continue...
posted by Bixby23 at 11:03 PM on January 17, 2002

I think being PC has very little to do with it; I interpret from this article that money is why Viacom does it.
posted by pmurray63 at 11:05 PM on January 17, 2002

Bixby is correct, everybody else is wrong. As an actor he retains all rights to his image, and Robert Reed did not sign the contract that all the others signed selling those rights. So all of the branded products like calendars and lunchboxes legally must find images that do not include him or edit them out.

It has nothing to do with Viacom/Paramount, or Reed's being gay, "conspiracy theories" which the article addresses.

In fact, Reed's estate could change their minds and authorize his image's use at any time, unleashing a flood of licensed merchandise using his face. It's in their hands, folks.
posted by dhartung at 12:06 AM on January 18, 2002

It's funny how people feel free to comment on an article they don't even bother taking the time to read.

Ha ha.

Yeah, funny.
posted by yarf at 6:07 AM on January 18, 2002

E! specials don't count?
posted by jpoulos at 6:59 AM on January 18, 2002

Thank you bixby23 and dhartung. I thought I was losing my mind there.
posted by rodii at 7:08 AM on January 18, 2002

Gene Hackman in the Brady Bunch is weird. Some people should never have kids.

but alas, he does. 3 of them at that.
posted by jerseygirl at 7:20 AM on January 18, 2002

BTW: In the lesbian community, there has long been speculation that Ann B. Davis is one of us.
posted by Carol Anne at 7:39 AM on January 18, 2002

Yes I really do wish some people would take the time to read the page. It's not a matter of Viacom trying to make money, it's a matter of them playing by the rules. Now go read the article!
posted by PWA_BadBoy at 8:10 AM on January 18, 2002

BTW: In the lesbian community, there has long been speculation that Ann B. Davis is one of us.

You mean Sam the Butcher was nothing but a beard? Oh, my world is shattered. Actually since Allan Melvin was also the voice of Magilla Gorilla, you could make the argument that Sam and Alice's relationship was borderline bestiality. :)
posted by jonmc at 8:50 AM on January 18, 2002

"I'm like Sam the Butcher bringing Alice the meat"

The Beastie Boys rawk.
posted by haqspan at 9:10 AM on January 18, 2002

"Like Fred Flinstone drivin' around with bald feet"
posted by vito90 at 9:59 AM on January 18, 2002

Old news...I bought a Brady wall calendar for 1998, and there was no Mr. Brady to be seen then, either. Back then, I assumed that it was because he had been "excised" due to his now-public secret...good to know that it was simply a matter of business, and not political correctness. Also good to hear (via the article) that a new movie is in the works -- Brady Power!
posted by davidmsc at 10:17 AM on January 18, 2002

I think they should digitally remove everyone except Jan. I can just imagine a calender with 12 different Jan poses.

Hmmmmmmm
posted by ith at 12:10 PM on January 18, 2002

"In the lesbian community, there has long been speculation that Ann B. Davis is one of us."

Are there lesbian religious communes in Texas? The article said that Ann is in the Lone Star State with some sort of religious group.

(note: Not knocking lesbians or religious communes, or Texans for that matter. Just wondering)
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:49 PM on January 18, 2002

Are there lesbian religious communes in Texas? The article said that Ann is in the Lone Star State with some sort of religious group.

are there lesbians in, er, nunneries?
posted by pxe2000 at 9:04 AM on January 19, 2002

are there lesbians in, er, nunneries? Yes.
posted by Carol Anne at 9:48 AM on January 19, 2002

Nun In The Closet.

I smell a movie-of-the-week.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:06 AM on January 19, 2002