Growing up, there were few things I loved more than the Beatles and the Brady Bunch. While a seemingly mismatched combination of 20th century pop culture, my childhood memories are filled with scouring stacks of dusty, used records at the Salvation Army for Beatles and Wings LPs, as well as tuning in every weekday at 5pm for an hour of Brady Bunch reruns. The result? I can sing along with most every Beatles, Wings, Paul McCartney song and identify a Brady Bunch episode as fast as a Name That Tune contestant.
So, when I learned that Hope Juber was going to be on the fifth Rock & Romance Cruise, my heart skipped a beat.
From her last name, music fans will most certainly recognize Hope as the wife of Laurence Juber, the wonderfully talented guitar player who, among his many accomplishments, was with Paul McCartney and Wings between 1978 and 1981. But for Brady Bunch fans, Hope is a legend in her own right, with her roles in some of the most memorable episodes of the show, as well as being the daughter of legendary screenwriter and producer Sherwood Schwartz.
Just last week, I happened on a classic Brady episode while flipping between channels. Marcia, Jan, and Cindy were planning their first slumber party. But when Marcia got called into the principal’s office for a doodle with an inappropriate comment, she wrongly accused her best friend “Jenny” played by Hope. Man, I had forgotten just how moody and downright mean Marcia could be from time to time. Jenny, on the other hand, showed class by accepting Marcia’s apology at the end of the episode.
And for all Brady superfans, “Greg Gets Grounded” when a frog lands on Hope’s head at a drive-in movie may be the pinnacle of her Brady Bunch stardom.
But the Brady Bunch years are just an early snapshot of Hope’s amazingly fascinating life. She went on to be a story editor at Paramount TV, create a comedy rock and roll band, and write a series of musicals. She even co-wrote the third Brady Bunch movie.
And if that wasn’t enough, she’s been married to Laurence Juber for 40 years with two grown daughters who are both involved in the music business. I was hoping that Hope would give a talk during this past cruise, but perhaps the Jubers will return again. I know I would like to hear more from this downright fascinating and talented woman.
Song of the Day: The Brady Bunch Theme Song – Sherwood Schwartz
Comments