Retroality.TV: Where Reality Meets Wessonality

Classic Icons and Newsmakers Meet Today's Reality - Retroality.TV featuring Heather Thomas, Cheryl Ladd, Adrienne Barbeau, Lynda Carter, Susan Olsen, Rick Springfield, Mario Lopez, Michael Johns, Gilles Marini, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s Sitcoms, Game Shows, Dramas, Cartoons, Film, Music and Sports Heroes, and Current Reality Stars

THREE'S CONTROVERSY: In this blog exclusive, Retroality’s editor reveals that the late John Ritter initially doubted Suzanne Somers’ cancer.

FARRAH'S STORY?: The iconic TV angel's producing partner, Craig Nevius, tells why he's suing Ryan O'Neal and Alana Stewart.

COME ON DOWN! A new book celebrates legendary Price is Right announcer Johnny Olson, while a Barker's Beauty reveals Rod Roddy's secret off-camera sadness

Become a fan of

Retroality.TV with Chris Mann

Create your Fan Badge

>>FOREVER GOOGLING in an e-sea of Britney “news” and Hanna Montana hell for the latest scoops on—and from—the pre-TMZ, made-for-TV celebs and primetime hits that helped you escape actual reality in the pre-reality-TV-obsessed ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s & ‘90s?

>>INSATIABLY CURIOUS about the Flower Power, Me Generation and Greed Decade influences—and current views and healthy passions—of classic Hollywood survivors and their inextricably linked, retro-inspired reality TV counterparts?

>>DREAM ON, televisionaries. Retroality.TV is your definitive voice of retrorealism, your uber guide to retrocentric boob-tube buzz and your 99% Britney-free online oasis where yesterday’s fantasies meet today’s reality

Author of the hit, acclaimed TV tell-all Come and Knock on Our Door, Retroality.TV editor Chris Mann served as Consulting Producer on NBC’s hit 2003 telefilm Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company. He’s also covered talent, legal issues and social trends as a freelance writer for TV Guide, emmy, Geek and other publications. Additionally, Chris pens and sometimes art directs celeb cover-story profiles and photo shoots for numerous healthy living magazines. click for more

"I have to admit that Come and Knock on Our Door was the very best book I ever read about any TV show. I felt like I was on the set of Three’s Company. The author (lemme just take this time to say that Chris Mann is a genius) captured every element of the show." — Bill Cassin (Scarsdale, NY)

"Chris Mann did a fantastic job on this book! I entered this reading experience expecting a superficial offering of one-sided stories about the trials and tribulations of this pop culture phenomenon known as Three's Company. I exited feeling satisfied at the invested hours I spent in reading this book." — Robert Nguyen (Orange Cty., CA)

"Chris has managed to tell the backstage story in a non-biased manner but has decided to let the stars tell their own sides, ensuring their integrity and the integrity of the book in the process. This book is anything but a tabloid. It tells the stories from those who experienced it. No commentaries are made. No opinions are offered. Just the facts.The show itself was dissected and Chris Mann speaks about the behind the scenes goings on as if he were there.”—Roy J. Dlucca (Phoenix, AZ)

"This is one hell of a good book. One you can really get glued to. Very informative. I just love it. I’m buying all the Three’s Company DVDs as they come out, and this is like a bible to them." — Brian (Melbourne, Australia)

"Like so many others, I grew up watching Three's Company, so I couldn't wait to dive into this book. The behind the scenes stories are alternately funny and enlightening, and the author clearly went to great lengths to present all sides of the story. This is especially important, since opinions on the Somers situation vary widely." — J.T. Schweizer (Queens, NY)

"It documented the fight between Suzanne Somers and the producers so thoroughly, I felt as though I was there. It interviewed the actors and producers so honestly, I knew that (the experience) had really hurt them. It is almost impossible to be inside someones head, especially a celebrity’s, but Chris Mann has taken that experience and put it on paper, making this one of the most (if not THE most) superb TV book I have come across." — "MooShoo2000"

"This book was very interesting, detailing in full the behind-the-scenes conflicts, including the much-ballyhooed incident with Suzanne Somers. But what I find most extraordinary is that the author gets EVERYONE'S side on this one ... he doesn't take sides, just presents both arguments and lets the readers decide who was right or wrong. What I enjoyed was that Chris Mann spent his time discussing the cast and the problems they were facing, not describing in detail the episodes we have all seen many times. Chris Mann did a great job of giving the public the information they wanted, and I must give him credit for gaining the cooperation of the entire cast, which seems unheard of these days." — Donald Brickeen (Memphis)

"It goes in depth and gives all view points, without taking sides. It blends Suzanne Somers' and Joyce DeWitt's interviews as if they were talking face to face. It holds every actor and person involved with the show at the same level of appreciation and regard." — A reader

"Just about everyone involved with the show is interviewed and gives their take on all the going-ons. There is a great description of how Three's Company finally got on the air, the tensions and problems that developed between its stars, the decision to cancel the show, and everything in between." — F. Leal

"I was constantly surprised at how much building tension there was behind the scenes of this number-one show." — A reader

"Gossip, drama, depth, this book has it all." — A reader (Miami, FL)

"This book provides a great way to bring closure to an epic adventure from my childhood." — A reader

When ABC revived The Brady Bunch as a song-and-dance variety show in fall 1976, one cast member famously sat out: Eve "Jan" Plumb (surprise!). Producers scrambled to find a replacement and whipped up the lovely, musically talented and, at first glance, eerily Eve-esque Geri Reischl. A winsome country singer and child actor whose resumé includes the cult films I Dismember Mama and The Brotherhood of Satan, Reischl proved endearing to fans and Bradys alike. Three decades later, "Fake Jan" remains one of TV's most memorable phonies, and Reischl endures as a genuine cult phenomenon. This faux Plumb has been spoofed on The Simpsons, inspired a band and even launched her own cheeseball-laden holiday: "Fake Jan Day," celebrated, fittingly, on Jan. 2. Eat your heart out, Marcia Marcia Marcia. (Uh-oh. I think Mar. 3 just became a holiday, too.)

Jan Brady has gone down in TV history as the quintessential conflicted middle child and tragicomically insecure younger sister of the beautiful, talented, popular Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. As Fake Jan, you gave the girl some spunk. How did you perceive the character as portrayed by Eve Plumb, and how did you approach the "grown up/Fake Jan" as presented in the bizarre Variety Hour format?
I always knew that Jan being the middle child would have some issues so I knew I would have to approach this part differently then how I lived my own personal life. Jan would have to be somewhat annoying, always bummed out about something but she would also need to be a strong individual at the same time. I needed to find a fine balance between the two. I had to be on top of my game since I was replacing such a well known tv character. I wanted to be accepted by the audience and fans so I knew I needed to come across as likable.

Ironically, you were the Brady sister with the true singing talent in real life. Were you aware going in that you'd be carrying the Brady girls musically? Also, did your musical background help or hurt your "outsider" or "new kid on the block" status with the Brady cast?
I had no idea I would be carrying the Brady girls.I didn't really think about that. I just went into this knowing I would be doing what I loved to do more than anything and that was singing and dancing. I knew it would be right up my alley. I never thought of it as work either. I guess it would be like a kid going to Disneyland knowing you were going to have the best time of your life.

I really think my musical background helped. The whole cast knew this was a variety show. I believe my singing and dancing abilities were greatly appreciated by the other cast members.

From country music to I Dismember Mama, you certainly had a varied background in TV, film and stage. What were your professional goals heading into The Brady Variety Hour, and how did the series influence your career path?
My professional goals at that time were to become a well known country singer. I loved to sing more than act. I loved acting don't get me wrong but performing in front of lots of people brings you so much joy and happiness. It's live and you get instant feedback from the audience.

According to Love to Love You Bradys, your hormones were raging during the variety show. In retrospect, what was it about you that made Barry Williams tell Susan Olsen, "Geri just exudes sex"?
Gosh, I was just being myself. I have always been a very sexual person so I guess it's just noticeable. He loved how sweet and innocent I was and then the sexual part just made it that much better? I need to ask Barry about this someday.

Had the series been renewed for a second season, what are the chances you would have, um, exuded sex directly with any of your TV brothers?
If the series would have been renewed and there would have been an opportunity to 'exude sex' I would have jumped on it in a heartbeat. That would have made a great memory for later don't you think? It probably would have been very wild but you didn't hear that from me.

What was it like for you to reunite with your Fake Jan roots—and eventually some of your Brady siblings—when Love to Love You Bradys co-author Ted Nichelson first contacted you in 2000?
I have loved every minute reconnecting with my Fake Jan roots because it has reconnected me with all of my wonderful fans. I have the best fans (turned friends) in the whole world. It has been fun meeting up with the Brady cast again...especially Susan Olsen. We have been connected for sometime now. She is the best. I love that girl. Many thanks to Ted Nichelson because he is the one who started the whole Geri Reischl/Fake Jan website. He is also the one who helped get me connected with my fans starting back in 2000. I am very appreciative of that. Larry Latouf is my new webmaster. He is doing a fantastic job with my website and I am very grateful to him too. I am forever meeting the nicest people.

Did the train wreck that was The Brady Variety Hour—and by this I mean the finished product as well as mounting behind-the-scenes troubles, including Maureen's cocaine addiction—leave you disillusioned about Hollywood?
This so-called "train wreck" didn't leave me disillusioned at all with Hollywood. I never thought of it as a "train wreck." Yes it was definitely different but a lot of people did love the show and I believe it's liked even more now than it was back in 1977. This show still has a lot of devoted followers and they are introducing their children to the Brady Bunch Variety Hour and for some reason the kids are liking it too. So it can't be all that bad...lol.

You went on to play Dorothy in a series of successful Wizard of Oz-themed commercials for Crispy Wheats 'n' Raisins. How did your General Mills contract prevent you from taking the role of Blair Warner in what would become the pilot of The Facts of Life? Any regrets there?
General Mills had auditioned over 300 girls for this cereal commercial and I had signed a contract with them to do at least 3 or 4. I had also auditioned for The Facts of Life but I had already signed the contract with General Mills so when it came time to start shooting the pilot the two of them coincided and that was not good. I had to back out of doing The Facts of Life because General Mills refused to let me go. I have no regrets what so ever. Everything happens for a reason so this series was not meant to be for me. I had lots of fun playing Dorothy even though I looked just like Alice in Wonderland.

You embrace your Fake Jan identity and cult following, whereas Eve Plumb has distanced herself somewhat from Real Jan. What do you make of her reticence? And with the insight you have into portraying the angst-ridden character she made famous, what would you say to Eve if you had a chance to chat with her?
I feel as if Eve Plumb has embraced her character but just not to the same extent of some of the other cast members or as much as the public would like for her to. I really don't know what the first thing I would say to her would be. I would love to meet her someday. I would love to check out her paintings. I've heard she is a wonderful artist.

What's next for you, Geri Reischl? Any parting thoughts you can share with us?
Well lets see...I turned 50 on Dec. 31 so that in its self is a milestone. I say this because one of my Facebook friends said I was hitting a milestone. Never quite looked at it that way but I guess they're right. So now I have another 50 years to look forward to.

Also, being a part of one of the best known shows on television has made my life so much richer. As in richer I mean I appreciate all of the wonderful and devoted fans I have: All of you truly touch my life in so many wonderful ways. I will always be thankful to each and everyone of you. You really do rock!