Jan Brady, the beloved middle sibling from The Brady Bunch, is auctioning off her personal memorabilia and revealing surprising facts about the iconic catchphrases associated with the show. In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, actress Eve Jan Brady Plumb discussed the items up for auction and shed light on the origins of some of the show’s most famous lines.
During its run from 1969 to 1974, The Brady Bunch featured numerous episodes centered around Jan and her relatable experiences as a middle sister. From feeling left out to grappling with insecurities and searching for her identity, Jan’s character resonated with viewers who saw their own teenage problems reflected on screen. Plumb fondly described Jan as unafraid to fail and someone who would keep trying despite setbacks.
Among the most coveted items in Plumb’s auction lot is the teleplay for the episode Her Sister’s Shadow, which gave rise to Jan’s famous exclamation, Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! However, Plumb clarified that this catchphrase did not become popular until two decades later when it was parodied on Saturday Night Live by comedian Melanie Hutsell. Plumb further revealed that the line Sure, Jan, often associated with her character, was actually from the 1996 film A Very Brady Sequel, in which Jennifer Elise Cox portrayed Jan and fabricated a fictional boyfriend named George Glass.
Plumb explained that during its original airing, The Brady Bunch was not considered popular or particularly interesting. The show was seen as saccharine and viewed as filler compared to other more hard-hitting programs of the time. Plumb highlighted that the sole factor considered edgy or interesting about the show was the fact that the parents, Mike and Carol, shared a bed on screen.
In 1976, Plumb had the opportunity to break away from her Jan character by playing a 15-year-old prostitute in the TV movie Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway. This role marked a significant departure from Jan and opened doors for more mature projects in her career.
Though Jan’s catchphrases and plotlines took time to gain popularity, they have become an enduring part of pop culture. Plumb humorously acknowledged that an article from 1969 once labeled The Brady Bunch as the worst among new TV shows that year, highlighting the irony in that pronouncement.
As fans eagerly await the auction of Jan Brady’s memorabilia, they can relish in the fact that these catchphrases and memorable moments from The Brady Bunch have achieved a permanent place in the public consciousness. Jan Brady’s character may forever be associated with lines like Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! and Sure, Jan, immortalized by portrayals on Saturday Night Live and in the 1996 film.
