Florence Henderson on Carol Brady: Wanted Character to Have a Job

Florence Henderson

Florence Henderson Wished 'Brady Bunch' Character Had a Job

Did you ever wonder why Carol Brady never had a job on The Brady Bunch?

Turns out Florence Henderson, who played the iconic role, fought to get Carol a job, but was unsuccessful.

In a new interview for the special Best in TV, airing September 18, Henderson dishes on her role on The Brady Bunch, including her lack of career.

Read: Florence Henderson Biography

Henderson noted, "I fought so hard to have Carol Brady get a job," believing that viewers would think Carol was "spoiled" if she didn't work outside the home.

Well, who can blame them? She had school-aged kids, so the kids were out of the house all day, plus the Bradys had a live-in maid.

What did Carol do all day?

Henderson shared, "I said, you know, she's got Alice ... people are going to hate [her]. I worked all my life. And through all pregnancies. ... [The network] wouldn't do it."

She added, "I mean, I did needle point. I helped Alice prepare food. But I guess they wanted me to be the perfect wife and mother."

Henderson's wish for Carol to be a working gal finally came true -- though it wasn't until the reunion specials.

She said she wouldn't participate "unless you give me a job," adding, "And you know what job they gave me? ... Real estate."

You know what Henderson did get during the run of The Brady Bunch? Looking sexy at bedtime.

Henderson explains, "That was one thing I got my way on, that I would wear a sexy nightgown, and I'd have makeup on. In reality, I go to bed with baggy pajamas, of course, and no makeup. But I thought, Yes, let people know that we were a couple that really had sexual chemistry, that we really loved each other."

Read: New 'Brady Bunch' Coming to TV, Starring Bobby as Mr. Brady

I always wondered why they needed Alice if the mother was home all day, but with six kids to juggle, who wouldn't want an Alice?

The question remains: how did they afford a live-in maid?