| The Power of the Press | |
| Season 3, Episode # 19 Number (#68) in series (117 episodes) | |
| Network: | ABC-TV |
| TV series: | |
| Guest star(s) | Milton Parsons Angela Satterwhite Bobby Riha Jennifer Reilly |
| Production code: | 069 |
| Writer(s) | Ben Gershman & Bill Freedman |
| Director | Jack Arnold |
| Original airdate | February 4, 1972 |
| Episode Guide | |
| Episode chronology | |
|---|---|
| « Previous "The Big Bet" |
Next » "Sergeant Emma" |
The Power of the Press is the 19th episode of Season 3 of the The Brady Bunch TV series, and the 68th overall episode in the series. Written by Ben Gershman and Bill Freedman, the episode, which was directed by Jack Arnold, originally aired on February 4, 1972.
Synopsis
Peter joins the school newspaper staff, where he prints his classmates' names in an effort to impress them. After nearly failing a science test, Peter hopes to earn points with his teacher by writing a flattering column about him; however, Peter fails to win over his teacher.
Summary
Peter joins his school newspaper and becomes popular when his classmates see themselves mentioned in print. Peter writes a flattering piece on his officious science teacher Mr. Price (Milton Parsons), hoping it will help him gain a better grade. After the test Peter admits what he has done to Mr. Price, not realizing that he has read the piece – standard procedure when staff are mentioned in the paper. They both learn something from the discussion.
Storyline
An excited Peter has just been chosen from the many applicants to be the new bylined reporter, calling himself "Scoop" Brady, with his own column for the school newspaper. He wants to be a hard hitting reporter, only telling the truth. He initially finds that topics for his column are hard to come by, and that making those topics interesting difficult. Advice he gets from family to jazz up columns by naming specific people and flattering them in the process ends up being a hit with the people involved, they who shower him with favors.
Because this job ends up taking up all his time, Peter neglects his school work, which is especially troublesome as it is final exam time. As such, he fails his final science exam, the class led by who is known as the toughest and dourest teacher in the school, Mr. Price. Peter figures if the flattery worked on his classmates, he will use the power of the press to flatter humorless Mr. Price in hopes of passing science class. Meanwhile, Marcia is preparing a puppet show roasting the teachers for the school's year end jamboree night.
Guest starring
- Milton Parsons as Mr. Price
- Angela Satterwhite as Diane
- Bobby Riha as Harvey
- Jennifer Reilly as Iris