| Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore | |
| Season 1, Episode # 4 Number (#4) in series (117 episodes) | |
| Network: | ABC-TV |
| TV series: | |
| Guest star(s) | Fred Pinkard |
| Production code: | 006 |
| Writer(s) | Paul West |
| Director | John Rich |
| Original airdate | October 17, 1969 |
| Episode Guide | |
| Episode chronology | |
|---|---|
| « Previous Eenie, Meenie, Mommy, Daddy |
Next » Katchoo |
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore is the fourth episode of the first season of The Brady Bunch TV series, and the fourth overall episode in the series. Written by Paul West and directed by John Rich, the episode premiered on ABC-TV, airing on October 17, 1969.
Synopsis
Alice discovers that the children are going to Carol with their problems instead of her. Thinking the family does not need her anymore, Alice invents a story about a "sick aunt in Seattle". Marcia and Jan overhear a phone conversation between Alice and her friend and discover the ruse. They tell their parents and the family devises a plan to get Alice to stay and are successful.
Storyline
For any domestic chores or to manage their problems, Mike and the boys turn to Alice as they always have since Mike's first wife/the boys' mother passed away. Alice comes to the realization that they should instead turn to Carol to make her feel like the woman of the house and truly the boys' mother. Alice's plan works like a charm as Carol feels buoyed by the boys and Mike turning to her. One side effect of this plan is the girls feeling neglected by Carol, which she can explain and rectify. What Alice didn't count on was feeling like she is no longer needed in the Brady household as the boys in particular now always turn to Carol instead of her. As such, she makes up a pretense to leave their employ. Mike and Carol can't tell her not to go, but when they learn the real reason for her leaving, they have to try and come up with a way of not just telling her but really showing her how much they want her to stay.
Guest starring
- Fred Pinkard as Mr. Stokey