The Brady Bunch originally aired from 1969 to 1974, but I fondly remember watching it in syndication when I was a kid in the 80s. In 1988, there was a reunion of sorts with the television movie called A Very Brady Christmas. The parents, "Mike and Carol Brady," try to bring together all of the kids, which many have their own families now, to celebrate Christmas. As you would expect, this task is not as easy as it would seem with all of the kids facing personal obstacles that could prevent them from coming.

The special features all of the original cast except for Susan Olsen (who played "Cindy Brady") because she happened to be on her honeymoon in Jamaica when it was filmed. "Cindy" was played by the beautiful Jennifer Runyon (who I remember as the girlfriend in Charles in Charge as well as the subject of Dr. Venkman's experiment at the beginning of Ghostbusters). It was interesting to see the rest of the Brady kids all grown up. Even housekeeper "Alice" (Ann B. Davis) returned despite her character's husband ("Sam" the butcher) leaving her for another woman.

I don't want to ruin it for you, but all of the kids do in fact come home for Christmas. An emergency interrupts Christmas dinner causing "Mike Brady" to have to go help when one of his buildings collapses. Mr. Brady ends up saving the two people who were trapped inside the building, but gets himself stuck in the process and this video below lets you watch the last 9 minutes or so of the special...

As the family and other on-lookers fear the worst, "Carol Brady" begins to sing the Christmas carol "O Come All Ye Faithful." This harkens back to an episode in the first season of the original series when "Carol" sings that song in church after recovering from a lost voice. Here is a link to watch the video of that scene from 1969. In this special, the others join in and there is a touching moment when Mr. Brady appears safe from serious harm. The family rushes to him with hugs and kisses after what appears to be a sort of Christmas miracle. After that the family returns to enjoy their Christmas dinner and the show ends with the entire family singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." All's well that ends well and that was a fine way to end it.

A Very Brady Christmas is pretty much what you would expect it to be. It was written by Sherwood Schwartz (and his son Lloyd) and tries to maintain the same characteristics that so many enjoyed in the original series. Of course, it ends up being very cheesy though I would say it was a fine effort. As far as 80s Christmas specials go, it is at least memorable. The holiday message of appreciating family and helping others is there and those kinds of reminders are always welcome as far as I am concerned.

That'll wrap up this holiday issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks as always for reading. If you are interested in reading any of my other 80s related issues, please click there for a summary of those. You can also always click on the Archives in the upper left hand column or use the Google Search Box at the top of the right hand column to find any other issues you may have missed. If you are a fan of Kickin' it, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FACEBOOK LOGO in the upper right hand column. This will take you to the Fan Page where I ask you to then click on "Become a Fan". Even if you are not a Facebook member yet, please consider joining and registering as a fan at that page. You can also follow Old School on Twitter by clicking on the FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER LOGO also in the upper right hand column. This will take you the page and you can just click on the box that says "Follow". I am sending daily 80s tweets, so sign up to get those. Let other 80s fans know about it as well! Peace and much love.

Check this out: I have already sent this out on Twitter to all of you who follow me there, but thought it was worth putting here as well. The Muppets performing "Carol of the Bells" as only the Muppets can. Enjoy!

Quote of the day: "My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" -Bob Hope