Bradymania hits ABC as TBS falls in line with a marathon ‘Bunch’

Here’s the story, of a lovely lady who was bringing up three very lovely girls. All of them had hair of gold, like their mother . . . the youngest one in curls.

Here’s the story, of a man named Brady ...

More than 20 years later, enough people can complete the lyrics to the popular ‘70s sitcom that “The Brady Bunch” has almost become a small cottage industry. It’s spawned a variety show, numerous specials and TV movies, hilarious theater stagings of original “Brady” episodes (“The Real Live Brady Bunch”) as well as the engaging tongue-in-cheek reminiscence “Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg,” authored by the oldest Brady boy, Barry Williams.

“It’s so sweet and gentle,” says Florence Henderson, who played mom Carol Brady, of the show’s enduring popularity. “It’s also never been off the air and is in 150 countries around the world.”

A whole new generation has not only discovered “The Brady Bunch” in syndication but also has taken to its fashions, making a ‘70s retro splash.

“I think a lot of people who were small when the show was on now have their own children,” Henderson says. “And for those parents, it’s like sharing your favorite book with your kids.”

The actress, who now hosts “Florence Henderson’s Country Kitchen” on The Nashville Network and performs throughout the country, will host ABC’s Bradymania: A Very Brady Special on Wednesday, which will offer behind-the-scenes insights and recollections from Henderson and other cast members. Also featured will be clips from popular episodes.

Some of those episodes will be the focus of The Brady Bunch Midnight Marathon, which begins at 9:05 p.m. Thursday on TBS.

“Bradymania: A Very Brady Special” airs 8-9 p.m. Wednesday on ABC. The “Brady Bunch Midnight Marathon” airs Thursday from 9:05 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. on TBS. “The Brady Bunch” airs Monday through Friday at 1:35 p.m. on TBS. For ages 7 and up.

MORE FAMILY SHOWS

While some kids are fortunate to avoid broken bones, a broken arm or leg is far from uncommon. The Operation “Ilizarov Leg Straightening Procedure” (Monday 7-8 p.m. Learning Channel) shows how a boy, who suffered a bad break at age 4, gets his now-crooked leg corrected. The 12-year-old will have his leg broken again, with a wire insertion and tension added to straighten the bone. For ages 12 and up.

It’s commencement season for Beverly Hills, 90210 (Wednesday 8-10 p.m. Fox) as Brandon, Luke, Kelly, Brenda and company don cap and gowns. All cast members will be returning for post-graduate work next fall. For ages 11 and up.

For those who don’t get enough of the show (which airs Saturdays on NBC and daily in syndication) there’s the Saved by the Bell Party Marathon (Friday 9:05 p.m.-3:35 a.m. TBS), chronicling the goofy adventures of a group of teens from the fictional Palisades, Calif. A special prime-time episode of “Saved by the Bell” (Saturday 8-9 p.m. NBC) will feature the teens’ graduation and a pilot for the possible prime-time series “Saved by the Bell Goes to College.” For ages 5 to 14 .

You’ve seen the ads offering eerie and fun murder-mystery dinners and weekends. This week, Pat plays Dr. Watzit to George’s Sherlock Condo when they are summoned to attend a murder-mystery weekend at a creepy country inn on Mathnet, “The Case of the Mystery Weekend” (Saturday 6-7 p.m. KOCE). Using their standard clever methods of deduction--and math--they are able to solve the crime. For ages 8 and up.