Protesting on Classic TV

Rather than mirroring the counter culture protests of the 60s and 70s against wars, and civil rights directly, these sitcoms usually took a safer, less contoversial stance by protesting things like the closing of parks and the unfair removal of trees.

And only The Brady Bunch could march and protest without ever showing them leave the house:

Bewitched

Hazel

Partridge Family

Mayberry RFD

Falling Cakes

The Donna Reed Show 1961

Mister Ed 1963

Bewitched 1968

The Brady Bunch 1969

Another unfunny TV trope the Bradys used was the old falling-cake bit, when something would ruin the bake in the oven.  Donna Stone, Samantha  and Alice were all victims of this.

More Sitcom Tropes -- Teenage Boys First Junk Car

Father Knows Best 1957

Leave It To Beaver 1961

My Three Sons 1963

The Partridge Family February 1971

The Brady Bunch October 1971

Recycled Sitcom Stories

A strange man follows the Brady family around while they are shopping at a local supermarket. At first they are wary, but it turns out he wants them to appear in a TV commercial.

A strange man follows the Douglas family around while they are shopping at a local supermarket. At first they are wary, but it turns out he wants them to appear in a TV commercial.

The Brady Bunch November 1971

My Three Sons January 1972

Who Wore It Best?

 

Bewitched 1970

Brady Bunch 1972

Stealing From The Best?

Patty Lane and Jan Brady navigate being without a boyfriend.

The Patty Duke Show 1966

The Brady Bunch 1970

Sometimes When You Are Not Dressed, Fancy People Show Up Unexpectedly In Your Home.

My Three Sons 1970 

The Brady Bunch 1971

Re-Purposed Sitcom Writing

Mary Stone, Patty Lane and Marcia Brady meet awkward, eye-glass wearing schoolmates,

who they decide need makeovers.

They teach them how to walk, 

and dress.

Fortunately, in the end, despite some ensuing rivalry, all ends well.

The Donna Reed Show 1960

The Patty Duke Show 1965

The Brady Bunch  1972

(All based, of course, on George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion")

Marlo Thomas, "My Favorite Martian"

Recycled Sitcom Stories

(PS I am waiting for these to show up as MeTV promos)