Something Suddenly Came Up
Other TV 2001 - Brady Bunch

By Neckbone
1/1/2001

Something suddenly came up for Marcia Brady (Maureen McCormick) when she boldly broke off her date with Charley "the square" - Stuart Goetz's powerfully understated performance as the village nerd remains the quintessential sitcomedic bit actor's role - to go out with the most popular and square-jawed boy at her school, Doug "big man on campus" Simpson (Nicholas Hammond).

Incredibly, Marcia's complete lack of scruples only slightly tainted her fanatical follower's unrestrained fancy.

This particular episode of the Brady bunch - which originally aired on primetime television in the winter of 1973 - seemed to be standard fare honestly.  It would not be until several years later that I would realized the brilliance of al Schwartz and Larry Rhine's crafty use of ironic fate and powerful subtextual themes in their wonderfully written script entitled "The Subject Was Noses".

The details remain vividly etched in my memory strangely enough.  On that 9th day of February I remember myself as a wistful, nappy-headed kid (years before I took up drinking wine out of a box), snacking on cashew nuts, barbeque flavored pop tarts and watching in horror as peter Brady's wayward football struck Marcia's oft-admired visage.

Oh, my nose

And though the acting was at its usual best, one cannot overlook the director's genius and vision.  Jack Arnold's boldly experimental use of jump cuts, freeze frame and slow motion technology gave the episode a sort of maverick look and feel.  It also marked a new era in experimental primetime broadcast network television.

And who can forget the wacky subplot involving Mr. and Mrs. Brady's bedroom painting slapstick comedy and Alice the maid's miscalculated, yet all-too-funny crude practical joke ultimately leading to the salmonella poisoning and hospitalization of Jan Brady? I can't.

nevertheless, this solid tale wisely remained focused on the main plot and its characters: Marcia Brady's foibles; her purple and disgustingly swollen nose; her rejection, humility and subsequent clarity; her date with charley and his mindless groping and unbridled lust at the soda fountain.  Riveting television.

Archive > Television > Other TV > 2001

©1999-2005 PlånetSocks