The Brady Bunch: The Original Plan Was to Focus on the Parents, Not the Kids

Published: June 27, 2025

The classic TV show The Brady Bunch has been a beloved favorite for many since its premiere in 1969. However, according to one of the show's producers, Lloyd Schwartz, the original plan was to focus on the parents, not the kids.

In a 2022 episode of The Real Brady Bros. podcast, Schwartz revealed that the show "evolved" over time, and the focus shifted from the parents to the kids. "We began the show with a family unit, and then it evolved," Schwartz said. "It was originally supposed to be about the parents, and the kids were there – six kids were there – and then we realized that the kids couldn't [not] affect the parents."

As a result, the show's iconic theme song was tweaked in the second season to reflect the new focus on the kids. The original lyrics, "That's the way they became the Brady Bunch," were changed to "That's the way we became the Brady Bunch."

Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady on the show, added that the emphasis on the kids is what made The Brady Bunch so unique for its time. "A lot of times the shows are kind of one-sided," Knight said. "It's from the parents' point of view and the children are irritants, or it's from the kids' point of view and the parents are, you know, idiots, or played for comic purpose. I think the reason that our show works, and it works for kids growing up, is because it's respectful to them. In fact, it's also respectful to the parents."

Co-host and costar Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady, agreed, saying that he was grateful the show evolved to focus on the kids. "I'm glad I took that turn," Williams said. "It was great fun. I loved having episodes that were around what my predicament was because there'd be more scenes, there was more meat, there were more layers, there was a chance for an arc, some growth, emotion, you know, all kind of the things that brought me in to the acting world, which would have been sacrificed if it was just always being thrown back to mom and dad."

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