The Greg Brady Project

Welcome to the official Barry Williams' blog

My friends call me Barry. From time to time I also hear the name Greg. Yeah, as in Greg Brady. The Brady Bunch represents a fun time in my life. But it’s only part of the story. There’s more to say and that’s what The Greg Brady Project is all about – a place to say it. So, I’ve invited some friends to join me and share their perspectives on the Brady’s, the 70’s and just about everything else. Now, I’m inviting you…

25 Jan

The Tenth Brady

written by Bob Hunt in Blog | 21 comments

When I say fifth Beatle, whose name pops into your mind? Chances are, it’s George Martin, the legendary producer whose talent shaped the arrangement and sound of the songs we know so well. But maybe not. Others argue that the accolade should go to Pete Best, the original drummer who was dumped early on in favor of Ringo Starr. Still others believe it’s Mal Evans, whose behind-the-scenes efforts as roadie and general gofer contributed to happily working Beatles as much as anyone. And then there’s Yoko Ono. The point is, there are a lot of cases to be made for the honorary title of Fifth Beatle.Which brings us to a question likely to spark scholastic debate for generations to come: after we account for the nine smiling faces that beam from the opening credits matrix, who was the Tenth Brady?The obvious, George Martinesque answer is Sherwood Schwartz, the driving force whose creativity breathed life into the Brady universe. Then again, we can’t forget the unmistakable and instantly recognizable contributions of incidental music composer Frank DeVol. But wait, you cry, what about Sam the butcher? Indeed. Or the controversial Cousin Oliver (the Yoko Ono of the Bradys, perhaps?). I can hear the academic firestorm raging even now.Who gets your vote for the coveted title of Tenth Brady?

21 Comments

linkerjpatrick
on Jan. 25th, 2008

The first name that comes to my mind is cousin Oliver but he showed up later in the show. However the beatles fifth was actually early on in their history however Oliver showed up later in your show.

the “tenth” brady could have been the straight hair the guys had before they decided to go for the crazy 70’s perms.

I think My Three Sons and Happy Days however are more known for real “5th Beatles” as both had older sons who mysteriously disappeared. Probably taken by aliens and the memories of them wiped by the Men in Black.

Bob Hunt
on Jan. 25th, 2008

Hmmm…interesting point about the importance of having been around from the beginning. Maybe I should vote for the late Mrs. Brady, whose mysterious visage appears beaming from a picture frame in the pilot.

linkerjpatrick
on Jan. 25th, 2008

Hmm… that’s a good point about the previous spouse. Since it was a different last name I guess Carol’s first husband would not be considered a “Brady.”

Would be fun the see a “prequel” about what the family’s were like before they merged. However it might look like a My Three Son’s (and or/daughters) repeat.

Bob Hunt
on Jan. 25th, 2008

A Brady prequel! Now there’s a franchise idea. Someone get Sherwood on the horn.

Renee
on Jan. 26th, 2008

Well, perhaps it should be Davey Jones. Then again, that would not work out, Marsha had such a HUGE crush on him! Or, it could be Joe Namath. But, I would have to say Cousin Oliver.

Laura
on Jan. 26th, 2008

I would vote for either Sam the butcher or Tiger. lol

I didn’t like cousin Oliver (sorry).

A prequel is a great idea. I always wondered (as a kid) what happened…death or divorce. I figured it must have been a bad deal since the kids never talked about their lost parent and because the whole Carol family took on the Brady name.

linkerjpatrick
on Jan. 26th, 2008

I thought the whole point of a “tenth” Brady could include an unliked character, i.e. the proverbial red headed step child.

What if Carol’s previous married name had also been Brady and she met Mike because they were sitting next to each other because of an alphabetical listing at a support group. Strangely that sort of thing happens all the time.

Jan
on Jan. 27th, 2008

My vote goes to Davy Jones. And he could be one of your guest celebrity bloggers, too.
He loves to ramble…:-)

He has both a MySpace and his website, http://www.davyjones.net

If he had married Marsha, he’d be a Brady. And as he says on almost EVERY show he does…he’d be getting out of jail just about now…:-)

Love ya, Greg…uh…Barry…:-)

Laura
on Jan. 27th, 2008

@linkerjpatrick – whoops, I didn’t know that’s what the “tenth” meant. Your same last name theory is an interesting one. I never thought of that!

Bob Hunt
on Jan. 27th, 2008

Well, I might be swayed to cast my vote for Davy Jones now. After all, I was quite pleased to see his cameo in The Brady Bunch Movie. “Girl” is a hysterical highlight of the film as much as it was an unforgettable part of the original series. Truly this Monkee was an integral citizen of the Brady universe, thus making him eligible for Tenth Brady recognition.

But if I MUST make a choice…I think I’m going to go with Frank DeVol. I’ve had that incidental music running through my head for nearly 40 years now!

Paula
on Jan. 28th, 2008

Tiger, of course!

Mona
on Jan. 28th, 2008

Even though I’m a New Yorker, I think the obvious answer in light of the fact that the superbowl is this weekend is – of course – that Tom is the 10th Brady

Jonathan Shipley
on Jan. 28th, 2008

Everyone here seems to be touting the guest appearance of one Davy Jones. But, come now, he is not the best guest to appear on the show at all. If he has a shot at being the 10th Brady than by all means Deacon Jones has just as much right. It was Deacon Jones, by the way, who was in a glee club and saved Peter Brady humiliation on the football field.

Anita
on Jan. 28th, 2008

Barry, Barry, Barry. . .this is SO not Brady-related, but I just had to chastise you for omitting the TRUE Fifth Beatle, Murray the K!

Just here to keep you on your toes,
Anita

Chris
on Jan. 28th, 2008

Don’t forget the Beatle’s fifth member from back when they were a five piece band, Stuart Sutcliffe!

Bob Hunt
on Jan. 28th, 2008

Paula – How could I omit Tiger?! Then again, what do we do about Fluffy the cat?

Jonathan – A good point, and a progressive lesson for the 70’s: just because you’re a boy who sings doesn’t mean you’re a canary.

Anita – After reading “Here, There, and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles,” I would also include Geoff Emerick as a worthy Fifth Beatle.

Bob Hunt
on Jan. 28th, 2008

Chris – Ah, yes, Stu. And, while we’re at it, let us not foget Brian Epstein.

Susan
on Jan. 29th, 2008

I personally think I should be the tenth Brady. I know every little piece of trivia in that show so much so that I could practically have been a sibbling. I wore my hair like Cindy growing up, I had a crush on Bobby, I could impress people with being able to recite line for line, most of the shows lines, and (although this has not impressed some) and I am a loyal fan. So, there. I nominate my 30-something self.

Judy Thomas
on Jan. 29th, 2008

My vote would be Johnny Bravo – Gregs alter ego!

80s man
on Jan. 30th, 2008

it was the grandpa brady. Played by robert reed in one ep (if my memory serves me correct)

80s man
on Jan. 30th, 2008

yep just confirmed my memory was right !!!

Judge Hank Brady!!!