Susan Olsen | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
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What childhood experiences influenced Susan Olsen's career?
There are countless people that have come up to me and said, that show literally saved my life. It makes more of my heart because I don't feel alone in this feeling. Oh no, you're not alone at all. You say fame to me, I know what it means. I mean, I really know that feeling of like, there's no manual. So then you're famous and the show is over. So what's your mindset? To some extent, I felt guilt. Guilt? Well, thank you so much for being here. Thank you. Thank you for having me. So I'm obsessed with Gunsmoke. So that's where I want to start. Oh, I love it. Yes. I'm obsessed with, I bought like every Gunsmoke episode ever. Like it's like 800, it's like something, you got to be something wrong with you to watch them all.
And I've watched a lot of them. It was on what, 20 years? Something like that. You know, one interesting thing about that you, because you were on the show, was they debated for many years whether or not James Arness would get with the woman whose name I can't think of, was played the proprietor of the saloon.
Oh, really?
A kitty.
A kitty.
Yeah.
Because fans would always say, are Kitty and the Marshal ever going to get together? Yeah. And they made a decision kind of like the Simpsons did where they decided never age Bart. They made a decision that the secret of the show's success was that they never get together romantically. Right, right, right. They would hint at it. Maybe a one night stand, but never together. And they believe that had to do with the longevity that they never gave away. That's it. Yeah. Yeah. Keep that tension. So obviously you were very young when you were on the show, seven years old or so. Yeah, I think I was.
How did Susan Olsen transition from child star to adult performer?
Well, on Gunsmoke, I was six for the first episode. And speaking of, you know, romantic relationships. The mother, the story is about a mother, a widow with two children. Of course, I was one of them. Festus is sweet on her. And it played really well with the audience. So they did a second episode and they were thinking about having him get hitched. And so I might have been a regular on Gunsmoke. Abelia? Yes. The episode one. Yes. And then the second one. Yes. Earl Holloman played the father. So the nerd in me wants to know what it would be like to be on a set like that. I mean, obviously you were a kid, but do you have a memory of like this? Because it was the whole, and I watched some of the scenes that you were in.
It's like the whole city, you know, all the buildings and the carts going by with the horses and all that. Yeah, I didn't see that until the second episode. Okay, maybe that's the clip that I saw. It took place at our house and it was rural. And the second episode was especially fun because the kids were entering our animals in a fair. So we had a goat and then we had this adorable piglet. named thomas and um so i you know i got got to work with the piglet and i i have ellie may clamp it syndrome so i was over the moon about that So is that something you reflect on fondly? I mean, it's such a distant memory, but it must be kind of cool, you know? I reflect very fondly. One of the most fond things is Ken Curtis, who played Festus.
And I don't know how many people know this, but he was also a big band singer. Did not know that. Yeah. And he had a beautiful voice. He had kind of a melodious way of talking, which is interesting. Yeah. Yeah. I think musical instincts get used in everything you do. And my mom overheard him because he would pretty much stay in character. Even with the cameras off? Yeah.
What challenges did Susan face during her time on The Brady Bunch?
But when we'd rap... Then like he's on the phone and my mom's just thinking, gee, that man has a sexy voice and turns around, it's Festus. He was actually a really good looking man with a beautiful speaking voice, a beautiful singing voice. And I was enthralled with the fact that he could change so drastically. I thought, wow, that's a real actor. And he was so freaking nice. I mean, he was so sweet, considerate and, you know, praising, just a dream to work with. You know, James Arness was sort of handpicked almost by John Wayne.
Oh, okay.
John Wayne had a lot to do with the opening of Gunsmoke as a show.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What childhood experiences influenced Susan Olsen's career?
0:00–1:44
2
How did Susan Olsen transition from child star to adult performer?
1:44–4:17
3
What challenges did Susan face during her time on The Brady Bunch?
4:17–6:39
4
How did the casting process for The Brady Bunch work?
6:39–8:23
5
What insights does Susan have about childhood fame?
8:23–10:08
6
How does Susan reflect on her relationships with co-stars?
10:08–11:54
7
What role did The Brady Bunch play in American culture?
11:54–14:03
8
How does Susan Olsen view her legacy and impact on future generations?
14:03–1:14:11
Speakers
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