The Brady Bunch: Jan, the Only Child

The Brady Bunch: Jan, the Only Child
ABC
November 10, 1972
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the only Brady episode Ralph Goodman wrote, with the collaboration of Al Schwartz.  As the title suggests, it's another one about Jan being unhappy with her place in the family.  I remember watching it as a kid and thinking I would change places with her, to have such fun siblings.  Now I'm too much of a loner to want that, although it would've been fun to have the Bradys as cousins, provided I could visit and go home, not sleep in a bunk bed like Oliver would.

There's some mild flirting between Greg and Marcia (or Barry and Maureen if you prefer) during and after the square-dancing in the living room.

That Girl: The Elevated Woman

That Girl: The Elevated Woman
ABC
March 19, 1971
Sitcom
DVD
C

So the series ends with a clip show, offering flashbacks to about ten episodes, mostly from the first couple seasons, meant to illustrate Ann and Donald's argument (written by Turteltaub and Orenstein) about women's liberation.  Instead, it proves my point that the show declined in the last three seasons, except for occasional good episodes.  And it demonstrates how much Don and Ann's appearances have changed.

Still, this season does average B-.  Much as I wish the season, and the whole series, had lived up to its potential more, it remains, like Ann Marie, for the most part likable.

That Girl: Two for the Money

That Girl: Two for the Money
ABC
March 5, 1971
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Somewhat predictable episode involving horse racing and modeling, although I do like how patient and understanding Donald is.  Louis De Farra was recently Pierre and is Oscarelli here.  Cashier Dick Yarmy was earlier Fred Thompson.  Roy Applegate is Bill and was Harry earlier, while Arthur Abelson is Harry here and would later appear on M*A*S*H.  Hal Williams was Donald's friend Herbie last time but this time is named John.  Joe Ross, who was Duane Cartwright on The Brady Bunch, plays Barney here.  For some reason, Dick Van Patten is the announcer at the race track, while it's Larry McCormick over the radio.  Alex Rocco is a race track employee here.  Producer Bernie Orenstein plays a Better and this time Sam Denoff is the Big Better.

That Girl: That Script

That Girl: That Script
ABC
January 1, 1971
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Turteltaub-Orenstein episode has a mystery feel to it, where the situation with the writer and his second wife (Nina Foch, who was Bibi Crosby in Gidget Grows Up) is not what it seems.

Morty Gunty again plays Sandy Stone.  This time Bob Ross's Waiter character is referred to as Pete or some other name he hasn't been before.  This is Roger Duchowny's directorial debut in a career lasting 25 years.