Copyright 1977, Ideal Publishing Corp.
The Brady's
Mike Lookinland
Teen Beat Magazine: August, 1977, pg. 51
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"I'm so happy that The Brady Bunch is back on the air," said 16-year-old Mike Lookinland. "It's a bit strange doing the show again, I might add. For one thing, we've all grown up a bit. I know people remember us as kids, and although 16 isn't that old, I do feel more mature and knowing what's happening"
When Mike was called to see if he would like to do the show again, he was a normal high school student attending school at Palos Verdes in Racho Palos Verdes, California. After discussing it with his parents, Paul and Karen Lookinland, he agreed. Why not? "One thing I was happy about," he said, "is the fact that we were all going to have something to do. It wasn't just going to be one-liners here and there. What the producers are trying to accomplish is have each one of the Brady kids do their own thing...Even though we're a group, they are trying to have us come across as we are...individuals."
Mike Lookinland, who plays the youngest Brady boy Bobby is the second of three children. Teresa, his older sister is 17 and his younger brother, Todd, is 11. "We're a very close family," Mike said, "so when I'm appearing on film I'm not really acting. My parents are behind me every inch of the way, which gives me a good feeling that what I'm doing is good."
Laughing, Mike went on, "My dad is an assistant principal in Los Angeles, so you can be well assured that I try to make him proud of me in school. How would it look if his kids came home with lousy grades??? Besides, I really enjoy school, so it isn't all that difficult. I think being on the swimming team at Palos Verdes adds to my really liking school," he said with a wink.
Mike, who stands 5'6" tall and weighs 130 lbs., is very much into racquet ball and riding his motorcycle. With his gray eyes sparkling he said "I don't think the producers of our show would be that happy if they knew how much I liked motorcycles, for that matter, I don't think my parents are excited about it either. But I must admit I am careful and I don't get carried away while I ride.
While Mike has done many commercials some of his other TV credits are The Merv Griffin Show, The Mike Douglas Show, TV film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, and he was the voice of Oblio in The Point, and anmated ABC Movie of the Week.
"I enjoy doing commercials-I've been doing them for a while-but my biggest thrill was appearing in The Towering Inferno. It was different than anything I've done. You might say it was a challenge."
"I guess show business is in my blood, because I really enjoy every phase of it. It was great getting together with the Brady Bunch again. We all lost contact with each other for the three years we were off the air. As long as there's a Brady Bunch, I hope that I'll be a part of it. I just hope people realize that we grow also."
Smiling, Mike said, "A fan came over to me the other day to tell me how much older I look in person. She then told me she's comparing me to the reruns of the show we did way back. Well, I hope I look older now, but it's the old story, people remember me as a 13-year-old kid brother. I'm hoping after they see our new shows, I'll be known as a normal 16-year-old young guy."
As busy as Mike is, he manages to find time to play the piano. "I've always enjoyed piano and now that each one of us will have a solo more or less, perhaps mine will be at the piano."
"I would like the show to continue long enough for me to have a romance...boy, don't you think that would shock a few people who remember me as the baby of the group?"
Talking to Mike Lookinland you know he is anything but a baby. He's a foxy guy with a very bright future!