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Buddy's Blog: Mad For Maureen
by Buddy Singer, Access Senior Field Producer
With apologies to my wife, Robin, and her husband, Michael, I have to say - I love Maureen McCormick.
If there is a nicer, sweeter, more open and honest person in Hollywood then Maureen, I've yet to meet her. At this point I should also add this disclaimer; Maureen is my neighbor, has been for many years. Our kids went to summer day camp together. My oldest daughter, Jenna, used to baby-sit her daughter, Natalie, who's now 17.
In years past Maureen would walk the neighborhood on the 3rd of July, placing small American flags on everyone's lawn so we'd have a flag on display for the 4th.
Yesterday, I was with Billy as she put him through one of her kick boxing exercise routines. And yes, she kicked butt. Maureen has been in the news a lot lately, admitting that she had once been bulimic and, for a time, a cocaine user.
"I have an addictive personality," she said.
The tone not maudlin or meant to elicit any sort of sympathy. To the contrary, it was upbeat, matter of fact. She almost seemed excited to talk about it. Except for the subject matter, you wouldn't have been surprised to hear the words coming out of Marcia Brady's mouth.
And though the two will be forever tied in the hearts and minds of legions of "Brady Bunch" fans, Maureen isn't Marcia. While Marcia biggest crisis might have been the zit that appeared on her face before a big date, Maureen, (now 50 and proud) is opening up about her battle with bulimia and five year addiction to cocaine. Bringing it all out in the open has brought Maureen and her daughter closer together. Maureen says Natalie is proud that her mom has faced her demons head-on. And in putting it out there for the world to see, Maureen also says Natalie now feels she can talk to her mom about anything. No subject is off-limits.
As for the weight gain that landed her on "Celebrity Fit Club," that too is history. Through her kickboxing routine, Maureen has shed all the added poundage. Those pounds also come with a story. She lost her mother to cancer and had to place her mentally handicapped brother in a home because her 85 year old father could no longer care for him. The stress was simply too much and food was her way of coping. She is also going through an unbelievable battle with one of her brothers.
That too will soon be making news. For now, let's just say it's an ugly family dispute. If it happened to you, you certainly wouldn't want it out there for the world to see. But what's the point in hiding? Sooner or later it would all come out anyway. Lurid details about the life of a "Brady Bunch" sweetheart would be simply irresistible to the tabloids. Instead of waiting for the bombshell headlines to explode, diffuse them before someone else has a chance to light the match.
Watching her in the gym throwing punch after punch and kick after kick, you realize nothing is going to beat her down. Personal challenges, rumors, past indiscretions, Maureen is happy to take on all-comers. In the end she'll kill them all, not with a ferocious kick but with kindness.
My wife and I believe that Paris should stay in Jail for the 45 day's. If anybody else in our great land and nation sure would be in jail . If past actor's actress or people in music were in Jail before .Any body regular should spend 90 days in jail . Just because Paris has money from mommy and daddy doesn't mean she should get away scott free .If Paris did the crime I think she should do the time and comunity service as well .Thank you Mr .Richmond
I grew up watching Maureen on The Brady Bunch. I loved her and I'm glad that she was able to lose all the extra weight. Since watching her do it, I've decided I can do it too and have started losing the extra weight. I hope that whatever crap comes out in the future about the family deal isn't enough to have the weight come back on. She is a beautiful person and I'd love to see her on the tv a lot more.
Please send my website to Maureen. I went through an event like her...but my father died and was buried by the people that kept him from me. I'm trying to get all my information posted on my site. I saw her on Dr. Phil...and felt/still feel her pain. Something must be done to stop people preying on the elderly...it's very sad for everyone!!! Lisa/Austin, TX
I, like millions of adoring fans have grown up with Maureen. From her pre-Brady days through her adult aspirations, she has remained the sweetest, and most inspirational person to emerge from the entertainment industry. Loosing my father to cancer and then having to cope with my mother as an Altzheimer's patient, I know what family crisis and turmoil can bring down on one's self.
She has taken her sweetness and inspiration one deeper with me, in the way she actually saved the life of someone that makes it their career saving lives. After 9/11 we saw 343 Firefighters and Paramedics loose their lives in the performance of their daily duties. To see one more perish at the hand of an unfortunate fire/rescue accident is one too many. However, Maureen reached out, across the breadth of this nation, and saved the life of just one more. She did this on not one occasion, but twice! Although, the first time was 14 years prior to 9/11, and the other time a mere 4 years before that tragic day. To see our Firefighters, EMS Personnel or Law Enforcement Officers perish in the line of duty, or as a result of injuries sustained there, is too much weight for the public to bear.
Through her heartfelt song, Maureen displayed this seemingly imcomprehensible feat. As she sang from her heart, she unknowingly saved a life, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
John Sisk