Was Carol Brady Supposed to Be a Divorcee on The Brady Bunch?

Was Carol Brady Supposed to Be a Divorcee on The Brady Bunch?

The Brady Bunch has captured the hearts of generations, and fans often delve deep into the show's history and plot details. One such intriguing question has been whether Carol Brady was initially supposed to be a divorcee. This article explores the rationale behind the character's marital status during the original series and addresses the various conflicting reports about Carol and Mike Brady's relationship.

Initially Conceived as a Divorcee

According to the initial scripts and the original treatment, Carol Brady was indeed conceived as a divorcee. In the early drafts, the character was written with a history of divorce, reflecting Sherwood Schwartz's original vision for the show. However, the issue of divorce was a sensitive topic in Hollywood during the 1960s, and executives likely felt it was too controversial for television at the time.

This controversy led to an unresolved status for both Carol and Mike Brady during the series run. The show's writers and producer wanted to highlight Carol's strength and independence away from a marital context, focusing instead on her role as a mother and homemaker. This choice aligned with the show's overall themes of family togetherness and mutual respect within the blended family.

Mary Tyler Moore's Controversy

A similar situation occurred with Mary Tyler Moore's Laugh-In. The character she played, in the stage version, was initially written as a divorcee but had the same challenge of being too controversial for the screen. It was dropped to ensure the show remained in good standing with both the network and the public.

Brady Bunch's Unspoken Consensus

One theory points out that Carol's character was heavily implied to be divorced, particularly in the pilot episode. However, the subsequent episodes dropped the storyline, leaving mystery around Carol's past. This strategy was employed to maintain an element of intrigue and to prevent the show from being too edgy, which could have alienated its core audience.

Even within the show, no further mention of Carol's husband, or his father to the children, was made. This unspoken consensus suggested that Carol's husband had likely passed away, making her a widow. This interpretation was supported by Mike Brady, portrayed as a widower with no mention of his wife in the series.

Ban on Divorce on TV

Another perspective from reliable sources, such as a television writer uncle who worked on the show for three years, confirms that Carol Brady was indeed a widow. Divorce was banned on TV for decades, which explained why the matter was unresolved during the series run. The network wisely chose to present Carol as a strong, independent woman in widowhood, rather than risking controversy with a divorce storyline.

Conclusion

The ultimate status of Carol Brady remains a mystery within the context of the show, but the evidence leans toward her being a widow, reflecting the original script's idea and the broader TV landscape of the 1960s. This ambiguity adds depth to Carol's character and aligns with the show's emphasis on familial love and unity.