Florence Henderson on Being a ‘Second Mother’ to the Brady Bunch Kids
The Brady Bunch‘s Carol Brady may be one of the most iconic mothers of all time, but it turns out star Florence Henderson was just as much a loving mom off screen as the famously blended family’s matriarch was on.
“We spent so many hours together with the kids, and I sort of became like a second mother to them,” Henderson told PEOPLE Friday on the set ofBreaking Bread with Brooke Burke airing on Feeln. “I treated them with respect. They were treated as pros and they came prepared.”
She added, “I was the only person on the show that was a mother in real life. I already had four children – my youngest was just a little tiny thing.”
But, as most moms must do from time to time, Henderson occasionally had to give the actor playing the Brady kids a little tough love.
“I really wound up treating them like my children on the set, you know, and shaking my finger at them,” she said with a laugh. “It was interesting, and they loved it. I wanted them to be professional and nice kids – and they are.”
And Henderson, 81, shared that she’s still “always in touch with the kids.”
“I feel very close to the kids. I adored Ann B. Davis [who played the Bradys’ housekeeper Alice]. I feel so bad that she’s gone [as well as my TV husband]Robert Reed,” Henderson said. “I think one of the reasons why the show [has] never been off the air in this country and it’s in over 122 countries around the world … was our chemistry. We all just kind of loved each other.”
And what’s the best part about being tied to the Brady Bunch phenomenon for Henderson?
“I think being part of something that has kind of become such a huge part of pop culture,” Henderson shared. “That this little show – which represents something that I think everyone wishes they had, which is a loving family and the fact that it was the first blended family – I just think there was something about the heart of that show that touches people …. It’s kind of wonderful.”
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Brooke Burke Inks Talker Deal With Feeln
Will star in and produce ‘Breaking Bread With Brooke Burke
The food-oriented talker was ordered for six episodes, which will bow on the SVOD service in fall 2015.
“I believe food triggers specific memories and meaningful meals last a lifetime,” said Burke in a statement. “There is no better way to create family traditions than breaking bread with loved ones and friends.”
In addition to Burke, series executive producers include Rob Fried, Cristina Malavenda, Laurence Braun and David Harte.
Confirmed celebrity guests on Breaking Bread include Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, Ali Landry and Alejandro Gómez Monteverde as well as Florence Henderson, Jane Seymour and Carnie Wilson.
Watch a preview of the show below:
Broadcasting & Cable
By: Jessika Walsten
Brooke Burke-Charvet Is ‘Honest’ with Her Kids About Work-Life Struggle
With four children — Shaya, 7, Rain, 8,Sierra, 13, and Neriah, 15 — and their busy schedules to juggle, Brooke Burke-Charvet admits being a working mom is a balancing act.
“It’s probably the biggest challenge, thatwork-life balance,” Burke-Charvet told PEOPLE Friday on the set of her upcoming talk show, Breaking Bread with Brooke Burke, airing on FeeIn.
“Stay-at-home moms think they have it harder, working moms think they have it harder — I do both. The one thing that I think [my husband] David [Charvet] and I do is we compromise our social lives so that we can be home at night with our kids. We really enjoy that family time.”
But, when the hands-on mom has to occasionally miss some of her kids’s events because of work duties, she admits, “Communication is key.”
“Today, we’re at our second day of production and my daughter has a dance performance. I had that conversation with her this morning about why I couldn’t be there,” Burke-Charvet, 43, explains. “I think [it’s a] real-life lesson that mommy works and the reasons why I work … they get it and I’m honest.”
And the TV personality admits she’s “blessed” she’s able to “bring [her] kids to work with [her] a lot” as well.
“They spent 1,000 days in the ballroom,” the former Dancing with the Starsco-host shares. “I also schedule their lives full of fun things while I’m doing things that I enjoy and [have] work obligations … We have quality time when we have our down time, so I think that’s the balance.”
But even though Burke-Charvet is constantly on the go, her family is always her top priority.
“It starts with family. Family is the nucleus of everything I do and it’s also what gives me enough grounding to do what I do in this crazy, superficial industry,” Burke-Charvet explains. “It’s where it all starts and it’s where it all ends for me in my life. We make each other come first. We make each other a priority.”
She adds, “We really enjoy being at home doing nothing. We play Rummikub. We make puzzles. We have family sleepovers … We cook together. We know that that’s our cave. It’s where our safety is and where love lives. It’s the most important thing I do — raising my family.”
And the proud mama couldn’t help but share her growing brood’s latest milestones.
“Neriah, my daughter, just got her first job, which is huge. She’s all grown up right now,” Burke-Charvet says. “I can’t even believe it. It’s at a juice bar … and she’s about to start driving, which is crazy because she was in my kangaroo pouch like yesterday.”
Meanwhile, daughter Sierra is following in her mom’s dancing footsteps. “Sierra is performing at Carnegie Hall in New York this weekend, which is huge,” Burke-Charvet adds. “Shaya just dyed his hair. He’s got two-toned hair right now … It’s so freaking cute.”
As for Rain, “she’s just being fabulous.”
— Mariah Haas
Hallmark’s SVOD Service Feeln to Produce Weekly Talk Show with Brooke Burke
Feeln, a subscription video streaming service from Hallmark, has started production on its first weekly talk show, “Breaking Bread with Brooke Burke.”
Described as a “food-oriented lifestyle talk show,” the series will feature Burke interviewing various celebrity guests either at their home or at their favorite restaurant. Food will be a central part of the conversation, either as a starting point to spark important memories or as a topic in and of itself as Burke’s guests dish on their favorite meals or sentimental recipes.
The initial order is for six, 22-minute episodes, which will air weekly on Feeln starting this fall. Confirmed guests include Florence Henderson, Jane Seymour, Carnie Wilson, Ali Landry and Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, and Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe.
Executive producers for “Breaking Bread” include Burke, Rob Fried, Cristina Malavenda, Laurence Braun, and David Harte.
While Feeln’s first talk show, it’s not the first original series for the streaming service. Previously, it rebooted the ‘80s animated series “Rainbow Brite” featuring the voices of Emily Osment and Molly Ringwald.
Feeln is also the exclusive distribution vehicle for the Hallmark Hall of Fame film collection, which currently includes more than 60 titles with 12 more on the way over the coming year. The streaming service was launched by Oscar-winning producer Rob Fried to cater to the “emerging digital boomer market.” Available across a number of platforms, Feeln goes for $3.99 per month or $23.99 per year.
The Video Ink
Feeln to Launch Weekly Lifestyle Show With Brooke Burke
‘Breaking Bread With Brooke Burke’ will feature celebrity guests, including Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.
Feeln is cooking up some new original content.
The subscription video-on-demand service, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, will produce a new weekly lifestyle show hosted by Brooke Burke, the company announced Thursday.
Breaking Bread With Brooke Burke is described as a food-oriented lifestyle talk show with celebrity guests. Each 22-minute episode will feature Burke either at a celebrity’s home or at a favorite restaurant, where food will serve an important role on the show, either through cooking demonstrations or through guests’ sentimental recipes.
Six episodes have been ordered, and the show is set to launch this fall.
“We know that our audience appreciates content that is entertaining and rich with depth and meaning, and after meeting Brooke, we knew that she was the perfect host for our new talk show,” said Feeln CEO Rob Fried. “Breaking Bread With Brooke Burke serves up the perfect recipe to complement our audience and brand, respectively.”
Confirmed guests so far include Florence Henderson, Jane Seymour, Carnie Wilson, Ali Landry, Roma Downey,Mark Burnett, Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe.
“I believe food triggers specific memories, and meaningful meals last a lifetime. There is no better way to create family traditions than breaking bread with loved ones and friends,” said Burke. “My intention is to take our guests on a walk down memory lane through the palate. I’m a foodie at heart; my kitchen is my family conference room where values are taught and shared.”
Burke also will executive produce the series with Rob Fried, Cristina Malavenda, Laurence Braun and David Harte.
Breaking Bread marks the platform’s first foray into the talk show genre. Feeln’s other original content includes the reboot of the beloved ’80s animated series Rainbow Brite. In addition to original content, Feeln is also the exclusive streaming partner for the Hallmark Hall of Fame film collection. The service is available online and via Roku, Xbox, mobile phones and tablets.
Burke’s other credits include her five-year co-hosting stint on Dancing With the Stars. She is repped by CAA, Bx2 Management and Del Shaw.
Hollywood Reporter
Streaming Service Feeln Greenlights First Original Talk Show
Feeln, the Hallmark-owned subscription streaming service catering to the baby-boomer market, has greenlighted its first original talk-show series.
Six episodes of “Breaking Bread With Brooke Burke” will launch on Feeln in the fall. The 22-minute episodes feature the actress cooking along with celebrity guests.
“Bread” isn’t Feeln’s first original series; the service rebooted animated series “Rainbow Brite,” featuring the voice of Molly Ringwald.
NEW PROGRAMMING + DEALS
Hallmark’s SVOD platform Feeln will premiere lifestyle talk show Breaking Bread with Brooke Burke in fall 2015, targeting the “digital boomer.” Celebrity guests include: Florence Henderson, Jane Seymour, Carnie Wilson, Ali Landry & Alejandro Gómez Monteverde, Roma Downeyand Mark Burnett as well as Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe.
Cynopsis
Fun Fact Friday: Wildlife Edition
Do you know the seven wonders of the world? Make sure to add these adorable animal facts onto your list.
1. Gentoo penguins propose to their life mates with a pebble
2. The hummingbird is the only animal that can fly backwards
3. Sea otters hold hands when they sleep to keep from drifting apart
4. Squirrels plant thousands of new trees each year simply by forgetting where they put their acorns
5. Dogs’ nose prints are as unique as human fingerprints and can be used to identify them
6. Butterflies can taste with their feet
7. Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth
Wildlife expert, Jungle Jack Hanna travels around the globe and encounters different animals in their natural habitat. Catch up on all the wondrous fun on Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures on Feeln!
Feeln Orders Food Talk Show ‘Breaking Bread With Brooke Burke’
Feeln has a new original series for subscribers who love food. The Santa Monica-based, family-friendly streaming service, owned byHallmark, has ordered and started production on its first lifestyle talk show Breaking Bread with Brooke Burke.
Feeln has ordered six episodes of the food-focused Breaking Bread; each episode will be about 20 minutes in length. Burke, an actress and host on shows like Dancing with the Stars, will interview fellow celebrities in their homes or at their favorite restaurants about their most important recipes, meals, and food-based memories. So far, confirmed guests include Florence Henderson, Jane Seymour, Roma Downeyand Mark Burnett, and Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe.
“We know that our audience appreciates content that is entertaining and rich with depth and meaning, and after meeting Brooke, we knew that she was the perfect host for our new talk show,” said Rob Fried, CEO of Feeln, in a release. “Breaking Bread with Brooke Burke serves up the perfect recipe to complement our audience and brand respectively.”
“I believe food triggers specific memories and meaningful meals last a lifetime. There is no better way to create family traditions than breaking bread with loved ones and friends,” explained Burke, who is executive producing Breaking Bread alongside Fried, Laurence Braun,David Harte, and Cristina Malavenda. “My intention is to take our guests on a walk down memory lane through the palate. I’m a foodie at heart, my kitchen is my family conference room where values are taught and shared.”
Breaking Bread is Feeln’s first talk show and lifestyle-centric series, but it’s not the first time the SVOD has produced original content. Back in October 2014, Feeln announced it was rebooting the classic 1980’s children’s series Rainbow Brite. The series featured the voice of The Breakfast Club’s Molly Ringwald, and ran for a limited time on the streaming platform.
Feeln will release Breaking Bread sometime in the fall of 2015.
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