Mar 16, 2023
Tread Perilously's crossover month proves as a good excuse to examine episode seven of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour -- a crossover in its own right!
In the narrative sketches, the school-aged Brady kids meet the children from What's Happening!! when they are moved to the Bradys' studio classroom for the day. The actors always present as themselves, but the show tries very hard to make them behave as their characters. Nevertheless, the quick rapport between the two groups leads Peter to suggest the What's Happening!! kids be guests on the Bradys' variety program. Will Mike and Carol be as pleased? Also, will they be able to articulate why they don't want young actors who play kids from Watts on the show?
Paul Pakler from Paul and Corey Cross the Streams joins Erik and Justin for a look at 1970s variety television. Erik, being on assignment, must use a lower-quality microphone. Paul blames Richard Nixon (haroo!) for the enduring popularity of the Brady concept. Justin tries to find some modern personalities who could host a variety show. Erik blames Ken Ober for Susan Olsen's downward spiral. The horror of Alice's musical number is defined in detail and Rick Dees is almost ignored. Danielle Spencer proves to be the episode MVP and Fake Jan makes a small impression.