If you’re at all like me, you grew up in the 1970’s watching everybody’s favorite family… “The Brady Bunch.” Even you youngsters out there are probably at least familiar with the Bradys, thanks to innumerable stations running innumerable re-runs. Then there were several reunion shows (that generally had replacements for at least one of the Brady siblings). If nothing else, you might have happened upon the two ‘Brady Bunch’ movies that hit theatres a few years back. (To see Gary Cole do a dead-on impression of Robert Reed is reason enough to see these…) No matter how you might have come by them, I’m sure you know who I’m talking about. Week after week, I would set myself in from of the tube to catch the Bradys as they worked their way through issue after issue, generally finding solutions in the course of a half hour. Whether it is Jan’s jealousy of Marcia (Marcia, Marcia) for getting all the attention or Bobby’s fear of heights, you could always count on Mom and Dad Brady to cool everyone’s heels and teach a few lessons in life.

By today’s standards, “The Brady Bunch”, might be considered a little trite… but good old-fashioned me still agrees with many of the ways the family chose to deal with familiar situations (with the exception of having the whole family dress up and sing… that kinda always creeped me out…).

Those of us who tire of having to catch favorite shows like these on broadcast TV were pretty excited to learn that Paramount was adding “The Brady Bunch” to their lineup of ‘TV to DVD’ titles. A few months ago we were treated to Seasons 1 and 2, and now they’re hitting us with a new 4-disc set offering up the entire 23 episode 4th Season run. The series ran for a full 5 years, so I’m looking forward to the probability of final set to come out in the near future.

The 4th Season had its share of memorable episodes, including the 3-part opening trip to Hawaii. Who can forget seeing the late, great Vincent Price as an archeologist who traps the boys and hold them hostage? And poor Bobby gets a double whammy of taking his job as Hall Monitor too far AND taking on Jesse James as a hero. And poor Marcia (Marcia, Marcia) has to deal with a football hit to the face which causes her nose to swell up like a balloon.

The first thing I noticed about this (and the previous) set was the cool lenticular cover with the familiar ‘tic-tac-toe’ image of all the members of the Brady Clan. As you move the cover around, you can see them moving their heads around to look at one another. It’s a nice touch. So far, all of the sets have been set up this way.

The set itself is devoid of any extra features (unlike Season 1, which had quite a few), which is my only gripe about the set. Considering that everyone in the cast is still alive, with the exception of Robert Reed, I would have really enjoyed some interviews. I’m even curious as to whether or not there are any behind the scenes outtakes available, cause that would be great.

I would go on and on about the set, but as I mentioned you already know everything about “The Brady Bunch” already, so there’s not much I can add there. Aside from the lack of extra features, the 4th Season set is still worthwhile for fans of the series. It gives you a chance to see the shows in order, looking better for the most part than they do in reruns, unedited and whenever you fee like it. Plus, there’s the added benefit of being able to share this wonderfully wholesome show with my daughter when she gets a little older.

Now as it is one of my favorite things to do with older show’s extremely familiar theme songs… I invite you to sing along with me:

Here's the story of a lovely lady,
Who was bringing up three very lovely girls.
All of them had hair of gold, like their mother,
The youngest one in curls.

Here's the story, of a man named Brady,
Who was busy with three boys of his own.
They were four men, living all together,
Yet they were all alone.

Till the one day when the lady met this fellow,
And they knew that it was much more than a hunch.
That this group would somehow form a family.
That's the way we all became the Brady Bunch.
The Brady Bunch, The Brady Bunch.

That's the way we became the Brady Bunch.

Episodes:
Hawaii Bound
Pass the Tabu
The Tiki Caves
Today, I Am a Freshman
Cyrano de Brady
Fright Night
The Show Must Go On?
Jan, The Only Child
Career Fever
Goodbye, Alice, Hello
Greg’s Triangle
Everyone Can’t Be George Washington
Love and the Older Man
Law and Disorder
Greg Gets Grounded
Amateur Night
Bobby’s Hero
The Subject was Noses
How to Succeed in Business?
The Great Earring Caper
You’re Never Too Old
You Can’t Win ‘Em All
A Room at the Top

Starring: Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Anne B. Davis, Maureen McCormick, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinland
Extras: None
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital English Mono
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 11/1/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Brady Bunch: Season 4 a B.