June 24, 2021
Watch: 'Here's the Story' of a 'Brady Bunch' and 'Drag Race' Mashup
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
What was once the story of a lovely lady, a single father, and their kids, is about to become a different kind of blended family as "Brady Bunch" vets and "Drag Race" queens unite.
The Today Show covered the news of how the classic sitcom met this reality show about fierce drag performers – now, they're coming together for a crossover for Paramount+ called "Dragging the Classics: The Brady Bunch."
"Five of the original 'Brady' kids (Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, Mike Lookinland, Eve Plumb and Susan Olsen) will be joining 'RuPaul's Drag Race' favorites to re-create the episode 'Will the Real Jan Brady Please Stand Up?'" the news outlet reported.
The episode first aired 50 years ago, in 1971. TVLine revisited the plot, recalling that "Jan – tired of living in her older sister Marcia, Marcia, Marcia's shadow – decides to purchase a black wig and debut the 'New Jan Brady' at classmate Lucy Winters' party."
As detailed by TVLine, two of the original "Brady" actors, Knight and Lookinland, will reprise their roles as Peter and Bobby, respectively, but Williams, who played the eldest son, Greg, will now play Brady dad Mike, while Plumb (who played Jan) will portray Lucy and Olsen (who played Cindy) takes on the role of Margie, a classmate "who crushes on Peter."
The queens step in for the remaining roles, with Marcia playing Shea Couleé; Kylie Sonique Love playing Jan; Kandy Muse playing Cindy; Brady matriarch Carol will be portrayed by Bianca Del Rio; and BenDeLaCreme will assume the role of heartthrob Greg.
And what about everybody's beloved maid, Alice? Don't worry, she will be played by Nina West. "Drag Race" judge Michelle Visage will also be on hand in the role of Helen, and even RuPaul is expected to appear in the crossover.
"The show will even use state of the art technology to transport the cast into the original Brady house," CBS News reports.
What's more, the site adds that RuPaul, who served as a guidance counselor in the 1995 big-screen "Brady Bunch" film, is also playing the "Wig Attendant" in this special.
"Dragging the Classics: The Brady Bunch" will premiere on Paramount+ on Wednesday, June 30. Additionally, "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" will premiere its sixth season on the streamer on June 24.
Watch the CBS News clip below:
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
