My Favorite Families On TV

In the 1970s on a Friday night you’d find me in front of the TV watching the Brady Bunch and the Partridge Family. I don’t know how or why I knew to watch them. Before streaming, “appointment TV” was the only game in town. I mean I had to remember and commit time to watching. As a kid I had plenty of both.

These shows had an attraction I couldn’t deny. I watched them for the shenanigans, music, and overall fashion sense and design style.

The Brady Bunch lived in a mid-century house in sunny California. If I had to guess they city where they lived I’d say they lived in Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley (the Valley) near Los Angeles. The interior of the house seemed so modern compared the house where I lived which was built in the 1930s. For example, the kitchen had an open floorpan. The color scheme was brown, orange, and green. It had a pair of stacked ovens nestled in a brick wall, a stovetop and kitchen sink in an orange island, brown formica cabinets, and an avocado colored refrigerator. It was a fantastic place.

The Partridge Family probably lived in Burbank in the Valley too. Their house used a contemporary 1970s design style. The overall color scheme was white and beige. The living room where most of the action happened reminded me of the houses in my neighborhood. It had an entry to the living room which was framed by two cabinets with supporting posts.

Both families were not traditional television families. Bradys were a blended family. Shirley Partridge was a widow with five children.

I could compare and contrast the families all day. All you need to know is I loved both shows and both families. Unless a family function got in my way you’d find me parked in front of the TV watching these families live and love with a bit of mayhem.

The Brady Bunch surrounded by their famous quotes.

The Partridge Family with lyrics from the show’s theme song between them.