“The Brady Bunch”’s“ ”Susan Olsen Says She Dreaded This 1 Episode, Asked for ‘A Week Off of School’ When It Aired (Exclusive)

The Brady Bunch actress, Susan Olsen, who played Cindy Brady on the hit sitcom from 1969 to 1974, recently shared her less-than-favorable experience about a specific episode from the show’s fifth season. The episode in question, titled “The Snooperstar,” aired on February 22, 1974. In this episode, Olsen’s character, Cindy Brady, transformed into a mini Shirley Temple, complete with curly blond hair, a red ruffled dress, and a rendition of “On the Good Ship Lollipop.” The episode was intended for comedy, with Cindy aiming to emulate the iconic child actress of the 1930s and ’40s.

Despite her successful portrayal of Shirley Temple, Olsen revealed that this episode was her least favorite. She admitted that while another episode from the second season, where Cindy develops a lisp, may have seemed more challenging, it was the Shirley Temple impersonation that left a lasting impression on her. Olsen expressed feelings of embarrassment during the scene, particularly with the earnestness she put into mimicking the famous child star.

The concept of Cindy Brady imitating Shirley Temple was introduced when Olsen was just 8 years old during the show’s first season. However, the episode featuring the impersonation was not filmed until Olsen was 12. She described the experience as awkward and cringe-worthy, especially the moment she had to sing “Good Ship Lollipop” alongside actress Natalie Schafer. Over the years, Olsen eventually came to appreciate the episode, thanks to a friend who highlighted her comedic acting skills in that particular scene.

Olsen recalled that her friend pointed out that her over-the-top performance as a 12-year-old trying to be like a 5-year-old was what made the scene amusing. Despite initially feeling mortified about the episode, Olsen now sees the humor in it and acknowledges that her portrayal of Cindy’s aspiration to be Shirley Temple was indeed a standout moment in her acting career. She noted the absurdity of the situation, with her braces, growing nose, and childlike demeanor adding to the comedic effect.

As the episode’s airing date approached in 1974, Olsen’s primary concern was facing her classmates’ reactions. She even jokingly asked her parents if she could skip school for a week once the episode premiered to avoid any teasing. Despite her initial discomfort, Olsen has since reconciled with the episode and now views it in a more positive light, appreciating the comedic value it brought to the show and recognising it as a memorable acting challenge in her career.

In hindsight, the difficulties she faced portraying Shirley Temple as Cindy Brady on “The Snooperstar” episode have now become a fond memory for Olsen, illustrating the journey of growth and self-acceptance she experienced throughout her time on The Brady Bunch. The episode serves as a testament to Olsen’s versatility as an actress and her ability to find humor in even the most awkward situations, contributing to the enduring legacy of the beloved sitcom.