‘Brady Bunch’ Star Eve Plumb Reveals Her Favorite Episode & Which Cast Members She Still Talks To
Eve Plumb, everyone’s favorite middle Brady child, has just released her new book Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond about her life and career.
Plumb started her acting career at age six, working in commercials and guest appearances on shows such as The Big Valley, Lassie, Dick Tracy, It Takes a Thief, Family Affair, Gunsmoke, just to name a few. But it was in 1969 at age 11 years old when she became part of the new family TV show called The Brady Bunch. Plumb’s Jan Brady became a pop culture icon thanks to infamous lines like “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” and, of course, Jan’s made-up boyfriend, George Glass.
Plumb has continued working steadily as an actress while also expanding her creative pursuits through painting and a line of products available on her website. ReMIND magazine recently sat down with Plumb to discuss the Bradys, her passion for art, and her new book. This interview is a continuation of her conversation with ReMIND. Read the first part of the interview here.
How was the audition for The Brady Bunch?
It originally it was a cattle call, but they had lots of groups of boys and girls arranged by hair color and age. I didn’t make the first cut. But then I met with John Rich [Brady Bunch director] and Sherwood Schwartz [Brady Bunch creator and producer], and they cast me, [saying] she looks like our girl, meaning Florence [Henderson]. I guess they figured, well, if anybody can fall down a well and cry. She can play Jan Brady. That was from another show I did for Big Valley.
How did you approach playing Jan?
It’s funny, I get asked that a lot. I was 10, so I approached it by learning my lines.
Is there a favorite moment or episode that you love from the show?
I always loved the Jan’s locket episode because it was so sweet. Of course, it’s focused on Jan. It’s such a sweet story, and it’s kind of inspired me to think about making a line of jewelry called Jan’s Locket. That would be a locket and a charm bracelet and earrings and things that would be motifs from the show, like a football or doghouse. There are like 30 different ideas. I’m hoping to partner with either Kay Jewelers or Pandora or something. But that was just such a sweet episode. I also, of course, loved the ones where we traveled, went to the Grand Canyon, or Hawaii. Those were always fun.
Did you think when you were filming the show that any of your lines would become a part of pop culture?
No, nobody thought about that because even back then, there really weren’t catchphrases like that. The media was different at that time. So not everybody was on social media exchanging memes.
Were you able to suggest any storylines for Jan during the show?
No, it was not a two-way street, and that’s fine. They did take things from our own lives. Such as getting glasses. We did have a song and dance act. So, they would just sort of farm things that would happen to children and maybe some things that did happen in our actual lives.
Why did you not decide to do the Brady Variety Show?
Because I was just working on Dawn, Portrait of a Teenage Runaway, and I was just really focusing on doing more adult acting roles. So that was why.
Do you have any items from the original set?
No, nobody knew we wouldn’t be coming back. And also, you just don’t take things like wardrobe and props.
So, did you think there was going to be another season?
We never knew. We never knew from year to year whether we would have another season.
When you visit the Brady Bunch home, what feelings do you get when you walk into that place?
It’s like walking into the set. It’s really amazing what they’ve done. It’s right down to the square inch, just about, and it’s amazing that they were able to do it and still make it look like a one-story house, even though they created a two-story house. It’s a great thing.
Are all the Brady kids on a text chain?
No, but Chris Knight [Peter Brady], his wife, my husband and I all get together about once or twice a month over Zoom to have cocktails.
Oh, that’s cool. What’s your favorite cocktail?
I’ll have white wine.
One can keep up with Eve Plumb on her Instagram or on her official website.
Episodes of The Brady Bunch air on Catchy Comedy and MeTV or streaming on Paramount+.
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