“The Brady Brunch” Reboot: Here’s Why the Hit TV Sitcom Was Canceled in the First Place 

The Brady Bunch is a classic TV show that aired from 1969 to 1974. Initially, the show didn’t attract many viewers, but it found its fanbase through reruns, leading to spin-offs and reunion specials.

Recently, Susan Olsen, who played the sweet Cindy Brady in the show, revealed that a new version of the show was shelved because of her political views. So, let’s explore the controversy behind this decision and why the reboot didn’t happen.

1 – The Brady Bunch—Timeless Classic of American Television

The Brady Bunch is a classic American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz. It centers on a blended family with six children—three boys and three girls. While the show didn’t achieve high ratings during its original run, it gained immense popularity in syndication.

This popularity led to several spin-offs and reunion specials, like The Brady Bunch Hour, The Brady Girls Get Married, and A Very Brady Christmas. In the 1990s, the show was turned into a funny movie called The Brady Bunch Movie, which had a sequel named A Very Brady Sequel.

Then, in 2002, there was another TV movie called The Brady Bunch in the White House. One of its episodes, Getting Davy Jones, was praised by TV Guide as one of the greatest TV episodes of all time. Today, The Brady Bunch continues to be a beloved part of American culture, cherished by fans of all ages.

2 – Why Was The Brady Brunch Reboot Canceled?

Susan Olsen, who played Cindy Brady on The Brady Bunch, claimed CBS Studios canceled a planned reboot due to her political views. She cited her support for Donald Trump and her opinions on COVID vaccines and LGBTQ+ issues. On the Walk Away Campaign podcast, she expressed frustration, saying: 

I did have a phone call with my [TV] siblings and my agent. Everybody was saying, ‘We’re sorry, but they just won’t budge. They just will not have you in this.’ I was like wow, I’ve been canceled. A role that I’ve played for over 50 years, I can’t play it now because I’m too dangerous. I was like ‘Well, okay guys, good luck, I hope you can sell it.’

During a video call about the reboot, Olsen was questioned about her political views. She felt that others strongly believed in certain ideas and kept arguing with her. When they discussed trans children and suicide rates, she asked if people regret having gender-affirming surgeries.

The reboot was set to include a trans character among Jan’s children and a Black partner, but Olsen criticized this as feeling superficial. She wanted a more meaningful storyline for those characters.

In talking about systemic racism, the actress noted that the U.S. has made progress by electing a Black president twice. She believed this showed that claims of ongoing systemic problems were not as strong.

3. Susan Olsen’s Views Previously Led to Her Dismissal From Radio Show

In 2016, Susan Olsen was let go from LA Talk Radio’s Two Chicks Talkin’ Politics after she shared anti-LGBTQ views on social media. According to THR, the station posted a statement on Facebook.

They expressed their commitment to inclusivity and said they couldn’t keep a host whose views didn’t align with their mission. Olsen said the station did a deep dive into her social media and found around 50 pages of her comments.

They decided her views no longer fit with the direction they wanted to go. Even after being let go, Olsen stood by her beliefs, calling her comments her “greatest hits” and insisting she still agrees with everything she said (via Deadline).