**Legal Tensions: The Brady Bunch and Step by Step’s Familial Clash**
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Two beloved sitcoms, separated by decades yet centred around the theme of blended families, have rekindled interest following comments from *Step by Step* star Staci Keanan. The beloved 90s series, which featured two single parents merging their households, was once threatened with legal action by the creators of *The Brady Bunch*. This revelation has sparked discussions surrounding originality in television and the similarities that can sometimes blur the lines of creativity.
Keanan, who portrayed Dana Foster in *Step by Step*, shared insights during a recent panel at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut. The panel, moderated by PEOPLE executive editor Breanne L. Heldman, included Keanan and her co-star Christine Lakin, who played Al Lambert. During this discourse, Keanan unveiled that *Step by Step* was allegedly considered a copycat of its predecessor, *The Brady Bunch*, sparking concern among its creators.
The premise of *Step by Step*, which aired from 1991 to 1998, revolved around two single parents, played by Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers, who wed and sought to blend their distinct families while raising their combined six children. Although the series enjoyed considerable success and ran for seven seasons across ABC and CBS, the show’s connections to *The Brady Bunch* were a source of tension among its creators.
Sherwood Schwartz, the creator of *The Brady Bunch*, expressed his dissatisfaction with *Step by Step* during his lifetime. According to reports, Schwartz believed that the latter series borrowed heavily from the former’s premise. He was quoted in the book *Gen X TV: The Brady Bunch to Melrose Place* expressing his frustrations, stating, “I think they stole my show.” Schwartz even contemplated legal action but later believed that pursuing a lawsuit would not be fruitful.
Keanan shared her surprise at learning about these legal discussions during her podcast, *Keanan And Lakin Give You Déjà Vu*, where she delves into the experiences and stories behind the scenes of the sitcom. “I never knew that our show was sued by *The Brady Bunch* people for being a copycat. I never knew that,” she disclosed. Conversations around the potential lawsuit had occurred, but ultimately, no legal proceedings ever materialised.
The narrative of *The Brady Bunch* debuted in 1969, focusing on architect Mike Brady and his marriage to single mother Carol Martin, thereby merging their six children into a single household. The show ran until 1974 and has since become a cultural touchstone, often referenced when discussing family dynamics on television.
Despite the comparisons, Cast members from *Step by Step* are keen to carve out their own identity and assert the originality of their series. With the show’s format focusing on the humorous aspects of a modern family, Duffy remarked, “Somebody mentioned *The Brady Bunch*, which was a great show for its time period, but we wanted to be a married couple that basically couldn’t keep their hands off each other, except for the fact we had seven kids running around the house.”
A crucial element of *Step by Step* was its unique approach to family life. As Keanan noted, Bill Bickley, the show’s co-creator, had intentions of portraying the kind of family he wished to have had in his own upbringing, adding depth to the show’s character dynamics. “I just learned so much about the show and have gained this whole new appreciation for it,” she commented.
As the discussion progressed, it became clear that both series had carved their own niche in the landscape of American television. While *The Brady Bunch* set the stage for the portrayal of blended families, *Step by Step* offered a fresh take, presenting the complexities of family life in the 90s with humour and warmth.
In retrospect, the parallels between the two shows provoke interesting questions about creativity, inspiration, and originality within the entertainment industry. While Schwartz may have viewed *Step by Step* through the lens of competition, it ultimately showcased the evolving narrative of family dynamics on screen—a theme that continues to resonate with audiences today.
As nostalgia for both series endures, their respective impacts on pop culture remain significant, highlighting the humour and challenges that come with blending families.