The 'Idol' Bunch
Staff Writer
Darla Atlas
The Dallas Morning News, October 13, 2002
The dance moves. The oh-so-earnest emoting. All of those hits from the '70s
performed as medleys.
It's no surprise that The Brady Bunch comes to mind when watching recent
performances of American Idol singers, who will boogie down at American Airlines
Center tonight.
The songs and choreography on display during the series Idol's finale - and
again on the Vegas TV special - brought back painful memories of The Brady Bunch
Variety Hour, circa 1977.
It's not that the Idol performers are bad. America has voted and we agree these
kids are incredible - or at least most of them.
But are these concerts starting to give them a less-than-groovy image? With this
question in mind, we thought we'd match the Idols with their very Brady
counterparts. Darla Atlas
KELLY CLARKSON/MARCIA BRADY
Alike: These two always win everything, be it a singing contest or Most Popular
Girl at Westdale High. Others are possibly jealous.
Different: Marcia (Maureen McCormick) couldn't really sing.
It was an act.
TAMYRA GRAY/CAROL BRADY
Alike: Voice of an angel and a mature presence. Rumored to have a crush on
Justin/Greg. Secretly vying for the Most Popular Girl award.
Different: You can't have a Brady Bunch without Mrs. Brady (Florence Henderson),
but you can have an Idol without Tamyra.
JUSTIN GUARINI/GREG BRADY
Alike: The most happenin' dudes in each group by far. (Two words:
"Johnny" and "Bravo.")
Different: Justin's 'fro far surpasses Greg's wimpy 'do, and his crooning skills
put Greg's (Barry Williams) to shame.
RYAN STARR/JAN BRADY
Alike: The early Idol ejectee and second Brady daughter
(Eve Plumb) seem to have the most "issues."
Different: Jan's clothes may be cooler, but Ryan has the
physical "attributes" for hers.
PAULA ABDUL/ALICE
Alike: The Idol judge and the Brady maid (Ann B. Davis)
never have a harsh word for anyone - and often seem to be
in their own special worlds.
Different: Paula would probably draw the line at doing
the Idols' laundry.
RJ HELTON/PETER BRADY
Alike: This Idol finalist and the middle Brady bro (Christopher Knight) are the
second-most happenin' dudes, because of their non-threatening, wholesome
attractiveness. As American as pork chops and apple pie.
Different: RJ's voice changed before his singing career started.
NIKKI McKIBBIN/CINDY BRADY
Alike: Cute face, bright hair and lots of spunk.
Different: Youngest daughter Cindy (Susan Olsen) is the sweet child; Grand
Prairie's Nikki is the wild child.
EJAY DAY/MIKE BRADY
Alike: They have the same hair.
Different: EJay was a last-minute addition to Idol; actor Robert Reed wanted out
late in his show's game.
A.J. GIL/BOBBY BRADY
Alike: Nondescript. Sorta boring. Not many girls are clamoring for the timid
Idol or the littlest Brady (Mike Lookinland).
Different: A.J. gets his retro look from the '80s, not the '70s.
CHRISTINA CHRISTIAN/KITTY KARRY-ALL
Alike: Adored by many, but thanks to the actions of Nikki/Cindy, they were lost
in the shuffle early on. Mysteriously vanished in one episode - Kitty turned up
in the doghouse, Christina in the hospital. After that, little air time.
Different: The doll has a little more meat on her bones.
WILL YOUNG/DAVY JONES
Alike: British singer is brought in for a guest-starring "moment" with
Kelly/Marcia. Her reaction: "Cool Beans!/Groovy!"
Different: Will, Britain's American Idol equivalent, is not part of a boy band,
a la Davy Jones' The Monkees. Yet.
RANDY JACKSON/THE GRAND CANYON
Alike: "Justin, Justin, Justin." Is there an echo in here? Idol's
name-dropping judge popularized the greeting-in-triplicate.
Different: The Grand Canyon - destination of a wild Brady road trip - has never
worked with Whitney and Mariah.
Darla Atlas
SIMON COWELL/SAM THE BUTCHER
Alike: For the name alone. Simon's take-no-prisoners judging style cut some
contestants to pieces, although Simon/Sam's gruff exterior sometimes melts to
show a softer side.
Different: This Brit was usually suited out in black; Sam the Butcher (Allan
Melvin) wears butcher's white. Also, Sam's relationship with Alice is out in the
open; Simon and Paula indulged in a little love-hate banter while professing
mutual dislike.
JIM VERRAROS/COUSIN OLIVER
Alike: Somehow sneaked under the radar and into the family fold. Both have
glasses. The Idol with deaf parents and the kid (Robbie Rist) who moved himself
into the Brady household were popular at first but wore out their welcome.
Quickly.
Different: Cousin Jim still has several fans out there.