The Bradys is an American sitcom that served as a continuation of the 1970s–1980s television series The Brady Bunch. The series aired on CBS from March 12 to April 16, 1990, and consisted of five episodes before its cancellation.
Premise
The show depicted the Brady family as adults living together in a large, renovated house in Newport Beach, California. Unlike its predecessor, which focused on the household’s everyday adventures, The Bradys adopted a more dramatic, soap‑opera style, addressing contemporary issues such as divorce, alcoholism, and teen pregnancy while maintaining comedic elements.
Production
- Creator/Executive Producer: Sherwood Schwartz, who also produced The Brady Bunch.
- Development: CBS commissioned the series to revive the franchise for a new audience, positioning it as a “dramedy.”
- Broadcast Schedule: The series was broadcast on Monday nights, with each episode running approximately 45 minutes (including commercials).
Main Cast
- Robert Parsons as Mike Brady (original series: Christopher Knight)
- Barry Bostwick as Carol Brady (original series: Florence Bennett)
- Olivia Laurence as Marcia Brady (original series: Maureen Landry)
- Matt LeBlanc as Greg Brady (original series: Barry Williams) – Note: LeBlanc appeared in guest roles; the principal adult Greg was portrayed by Jonathan Hass.
The series also featured returning actors from the original series in supporting and guest roles, including Susan Murray (Cindy) and Eve Plumb (Jan).
Episodes
The five aired episodes were titled:
- “The Reunion”
- “The Bachelor Party”
- “The Secret”
- “The Rival”
- “The Calvary”
All episodes were later syndicated in limited markets and made available through various streaming services as part of “The Brady Bunch” archival collections.
Reception
Critical response was mixed. Reviewers praised the attempt to modernize the family dynamic but criticized the tonal shift from light‑hearted sitcom to drama. Ratings were modest, and the series failed to attract a sizable audience, leading to its cancellation after a single month.
Legacy
Although The Bradys had a brief run, it represents the most recent direct television continuation of the Brady franchise prior to the 2023 revival series The Brady Bunch’s 50th‑anniversary television special. The series is occasionally referenced in discussions of television revivals and the challenges of updating classic sitcoms for contemporary viewers.
