Customer Reviews

Growing up Brady : I Was a Teenage Greg

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I never thought I'd ever say this about anything "Brady", but this is a very multilayered book. Barry Williams is quite the storyteller, and Chris Kreski packaged "Growing Up Brady" very nicely. It remains the standard TV autobiography for the Gen X voyeur who wants to know the details of on-set romances, Hawaii wipeouts, guest star memories, etc. What I really enjoy about "Growing Up Brady" is the easy, affable way that Barry Williams publicly comes to terms with his Brady past. One can only imagine the inane questions, the ignorant comments, and the stares this man has had to endure. And, of course, no matter how good or bad his talents are, there will always be a Brady subtext to anything he does.

Despite the superficial Hollywood tell-all there is a sad undercurrent to Williams' book. Robert Reed's unhappiness as Mike Brady was a surprise to me, although it wasn't unpredicatable. While his mannerisms and on-set antics seem trivial, the man seemed genuinely bothered by how insignificant he perceived his role to be. Watch anything non-Brady from the 1970s and you'll see Reed try to act as different from Mike as he can manage, to the point of extreme hamminess (catch "Pray For The Wildcats", co-starring the king of ham himself, William Shatner). Reed's limits were imposed by himself, and I find it very sad that despite trying very hard, he never seemed to come to terms with his most notable role. Reed's documented generosity and warmth towards his castmates seems to far outweigh any negative insight into his character.

Almost as sad is the inevitable comparison of the actors' post-Brady lives with their former roles. Williams alludes to this many times in the book...fans addressing the cast by their "Brady" names, inane questions about fictional people, and surprised stares from the public when they demonstrate their natural personalities. From the anecdotes, the cast's self-consciousness sometimes manifested itself through refusal to be part of reunions, interview comments, etc. According to Williams, they all turned our remarkably well and very successful in their various pursuits, and hopefully they are all as well-adjusted as Williams seems to be.

For now, I wish Barry well and hope that he and the entire cast can eat at a restaurant free of thoughtless idiots screaming out their "Brady" names. Hopefully we will see more from this talented man.

There are many books about "The Brady Bunch," but I find all of them to be sorely lacking except for Barry Williams' memoir. His book offers insight and behind-the-scenes material that the other "Brady" authors could have provided but didn't. They would have had to have worked exceptionally hard and get meaningful interviews with the cast and crew of the show. They would have had to write their books with wit and flair. Instead, they were content simply to build glorified episode guides and trot out all sorts of meaningless trivia. That's why this book stands out. Barry Williams told a story that was rich with colors and personality. He showed how a lightweight sitcom could make such a huge impact on our pop culture. He made me laugh by showing the weird ways in which "Bradymania" affected his life. I never thought he was a particularly good actor on "The Brady Bunch." But he makes a mighty fine author.

Authored by Barry Williams, (aka Greg Brady) this volume differs from fan-books of retro tv shows in that it is neither a hyper-romanticized trip down memory lane, nor bitter attacking screed from an individual wishing the spotlight back on themselves.

In refreshingly honest prose, Williams recalls the thrill of growing up in the early 1970's (including celebrity perks). The balanced perspective on America's most famous sitcom on seccond marriages and mixed families draws in readers who liked the show, but were never tremendous fans. Openly candid, Williams shares hillarious backstage hijinks that attempt to explain why these former child stars have managed to avoid the negative publicity that caught up with so many of their contemporaries.

True, the long-standing animosity between Robert Reed and Sherwood Schwartz is included, but this does not detract from the genuinely caring sentiment that cast members feel towards one another on and off cammera. The exact family composition may have been the work of a hollywood scriptwriter and casting director, but hollywood personnel could not have required these people to develop the strong personal bonds with eachother that only strengthened over time.

In keeping with the desire for a book transcending the typical low expectations for former Child Star memoirs, a suprisingly small lack of space is devoted to an apparent fling with co-stars Maureen McCormick and Florence Henderson. Certainly mentioned, both incidents are not excessively doted on by the author.

The overall focus of the text seems to be on how a shared sense of cooperation and commuinity among the cast helped a tv show about step-families become a favirote in the American pop psyche at a time when "stepfamily" still conotated various fairy-tale horror stories.

If it were up to me, Barry Williams would never have another door slammed in his face, Maureen McCormick would see her country album sell like hotcakes, Robert Reed would still be alive and getting roles worthy of his talents, and the world would be a lot more like The Brady Bunch than it is. But, alas, it's not up to me, so we have to deal with the bitter reality that our entertainment industry uses people - particularly children - then discards them. It's not fair, and I wish something could be done about it, but, for the life of me, I don't know what that would be. How painful it must be to be forever judged by what you did and how you looked as a teenager. How hard it must be as an actor to have doors slammed in your face because you accepted a role on a sitcom as a child, all the while receiving no residuals for your work. How difficult it must be to reflect on your entire adult life and see one professional embarrassment after another, all traced back to the good work you did as a kid. How disheartening it must be to look into your future and see nothing but cheap movies, TV guest appearances, and reading children's books at Target on the horizon. It isn't fair, and we should look deep down inside ourselves as a culture for both the blame and the solution.

The world is sometimes a place of harsh realities. For Barry Williams and the other cast regulars, playing on the show brought with it the harsh reality that their careers as actors all but ended when the show ended. As the fate of the series went, so went the fate of its stars, particularly its child stars. Oh, sure, there have been numerous sequels, spin-offs, etc., but, in reality, the sausage machine that is Hollywood all but ended these kids' careers before they began. Forever typecast as their TV characters, they are caught in an entertainer's purgatory: they are inherently disadvantaged when seeking new roles, while, at the same time, receiving no compensation for the original role. All people are interested in are those five brief years when they were doing their best to grow up on a soundstage in between rehearsals and shooting a TV show. Their lives and work since the show are not terribly interesting to the masses. Indeed, if people had it their way, the kids would never grow up. Barry would always be Greg, and Maureen would always be Marcia.

We make fun of the clothes, but they were normal for the time. We make fun of the lingo, but it, too, was commonplace. We make fun of the idealistic manner in which the show portrayed family situations, but we all know it's just a TV show. I mean, why watch TV if all you want is realism? Look around you, or look out your window if all you want is real life. Isn't there a place for the idyllic? Don't we sometimes tune into programs to get *away* from reality - for their inherent escapism? Why, then, should we take this show to task for portraying life optimistically? Are any of us naïve enough to believe that real life always works out as we'd like? What's wrong with wishing?

Barry and Maureen, Robert and Florence, and the others were and are real people. They deserved better than this. If Williams' book makes any lasting impression, it is this one: these are real people who had real lives that were stolen by "the business." They do not want or need pity; they only want opportunities. If this book proves anything, it proves that they deserve them.

If, like me, you are a Bradyphile, then you were probably shocked to read some of Mr. Williams' tales in this wonderful book. By now, these juicy secrets are common knowledge, but coming upon them for the first time was shocking. If you are not a fan of the show that ran from 1969 to 1974, this might not be for you. But you'd be surprised how many people who aren't big fans have read it and really liked it. It's a very entertaining book and very easy and fun to read. Mr. Williams writes with a great outlook on his Brady past. He doesn't take anything the least bit seriously here. Nor should he. The book begins with Barry's earlier beginnings. It's not page turning stuff folks, but it is interesting to read all of the old shows he guest starred on. Nothing gets good until we enter Bradyland. What fun it is. The most interesting stuff in this book to read are all of the fights and confrontations between Robert Reed(Mr. Brady), and the show's creator/producer/writer Sherwood Schwartz. It was constant, and it was bloody. It's real interesting to read how everyone's favorite dad acted behind the scenes. The stuff here is priceless. But, even if Mr. Reed comes off rather crass, you have to remember that he was just trying to help the show. Then again, if he really hated it, why did he always return for the reunions?. The hot stuff comes in the form of the Greg/Marcia romance. The two actors, Williams and Maureen McCormack, did get hot and heavy. Cindy and Bobby got serious, as did Jan and Peter too. Pretty soon, it would've been Carol and Tiger. The end of the book has the usual episode guide to all of the episodes. Some of them also have little sections to certain episodes with particular information on that episode. The book also covers "The Brady Girls Get Married", the huge TV hit "A Very Brady Christmas", and the 1990 'dramadey' show "The Bradys". The introduction is by Robert Reed himself, shortly before he passed away. What's great, and also heartbreaking, is how Mr. Reed passed away. The great part was him telling Florence Henderson to call and "tell the kids" as he said. It seemed very much like a father and his kids. That they were really like family. Mr. Reed passing away was heartbreaking. All in all, this is a great and fun read. The sex, the drugs, the dating, the fights. Who could ask for anything more?. I must warn you that there are a number of reviews below who rate this one star because they mixed up a character with an actor and so on. Can you believe that?. Take it easy people. I would also stay away from the review who claims that the episode guide is filled with mistake after mistake. Since it is coming from as solid a source as can be, and from someone who was there, I would believe what Mr. Williams says. That review just appears to be trying to destroy it for whatever reasons. I can't imagine there being anything else to say, but one wishes for book 2!. The Brady Bunch is a cultural phenomenon. No question about it. There once was a day when the show was ridiculed and made fun of. Things have changed since those days. The Bradys are cooler than cool. Hipper than hip. Anybody who is still anti-Brady, is still stuck in those old days like the Bradys seem to be forever stuck in the psychedelic 70's. It's time to catch up and get with the now people. The Brady's are here to stay. Bell bottoms and perms and all. Mr. Williams has written a fun book. Give it a shot. Enter Bradyland for a while. It's quite fun.

What a lot of memories this book brought back, not only of one of the most famous TV families, but also the terrible clothes! I really enjoyed reading this book because it is written in such a humorous style and was actually shocked to discover that when reading the synopsis of each episode at the end of the book I actually remembered each one - and I haven't seen the programme in years! However, I laughed all the way through the descriptions and am so pleased that Barry Williams wrote the book in way that made it such a pleasure to read. If you are a Brady fan, or if you were one as a child and have fond memories of the programme, I suggest you check this book out because it will certainly bring back a lot of memories and the humour of the author is priceless. I was also pleased that included in the book is an update on what the other actors/actresses are doing and that there were quotes included from them, and that the book also included details about the creator not restricting the book to the cast. Apart from the written content there is a good selection of photos although it is a shame they are all in black and white.

I was one of the countless hordes of children who grew up on the Brady Bunch. I still remember reserving Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. EST, channel 7 (ABC) and looking forward to the next installment of the Baby Boomer's favorite TV family.

Barry Williams' book is a real treat. He first describes his interest in acting from an early age and the doors that were opened to allow him to pursue his dream. I loved Barry's behind the scenes descriptions of the auditioning for the parts and the ultimate selection of the cast.

Barry has a wonderful, evilly delicious gift for satire. I love it! On just about every page, Barry has a very logical point couched in satirical terms. For example, he challenges the absurdity of a 1970 episode where a visiting doctor diagnoses Cindy with tonsillitis simply because she sneezed. He also points out the illogic in many episodes that viewers were happily oblivious to during the 1969-1974 Brady years.

Barry provides very interesting portraits of his fellow cast and creators of the show. His "glimpse behind the curtain" makes for some very interesting AND very funny accounts! I love the inclusion of actor Robert Reed's scathing memos. Articulate and well versed, Reed makes no pretense of liking the show in his writings. Since he felt so strongly against the show, it is ironic that he plays his role of Brady patriarch so well. Too well, in fact. I recently saw on "Time and Again" (msNBC) a profile of the creation and the staying power of "The Brady Bunch" and one woman was identified as a "Bradyologist." The show has even added to our lexicon!

I wish you people would lay off this guy. You want to cast him as a parasite on the Brady franchise when, in fact, he's a victim of it. The book is well done -- it's quite entertaining, even to me, though I'm not a die-hard Brady fan. Faced with the decision to 1) never get a decent role again due to his association with the show 2) get the roles he could while continuing an association with the show, or, 3) get out of the business altogether, I'm glad Barry Williams chose #2. It was all he could really do. You people who think otherwise should try to put yourself in his position.

And people who think the obligatory episode guide at the back of the book should be accurate in every detail are being silly. Who cares? Get a life! You're missing the whole point!

Good thing Barry Williams has a sense of humor about all things Brady. I bought this book as a present for my wife and made the mistake of thumbing through it and got good and hooked. It is a breezy look at Hollywood life from a kid that got to live the star dream. Williams treats the tale more as an informal and self ribbing chat between pals and it makes the whole ugly tale a readable treat for both fans and haters of the show. Recommended, and I hated The Brady Bunch. Go figure.

This book offers a bunch of behind the scenes stories about the show and the actors who made it a classic. This book will shock you, and tell you about things that happened behind the set that could never have dreamed of, including Barry William's "date" with Florence Henderson. You are not a true Brady fan until you have read this book. A MUST for all fans.