After finding TV fame on Today in 1959, Florence Henderson went on to play the quintessential American mom on the hit 70s show The Brady Bunch. Now, as co-host of the new Later Today, Henderson, at 65, has come full circle, GEORGE WAYNE catches up with Henderson to discuss her amazing self-preservation techniques and the world’s obsession with all things Brady.

George Wayne: You say you are 65. Shirley Jones is what, 75? 

Florence Henderson: No, Shirley Jones is 65 or 66.

G.W. O.K., so you’re both the same age, and have been rivals for all those years.

F.H. Our careers have paralleled each other, and we have been friends all these years. It’s odd. I screen-tested for Oklahoma!, and I didn’t get that.

But then I got the starring role on Broadway in Fanny.

G.W. And now, my God, it’s been for 30 years that you’ve been milking The Brady Bunch!

F.H. You know what, George? I was ready to let her go. But people will not let that show go.

G.W. Why do you think they won’t let you give up Carol Brady?

F.H. I think it’s because the show is seen through the eyes of a child.

It had a little moral message to it.

G.W. Well, now we must talk about Later Today. I think that the chemistry on this show is lacking. Is this morning show of yours supposed to be a kitchen-klatsch version of The View?

F.H. Well, that’s an interesting way of putting it. I think we do more information segments. We don’t just sit around the couch talking all at the same time.

G.W. Well, work on the chemistry for me, Florence.

F.H. I thank you for that—we are.

G.W. Because the Delta Burke look-alike [Jodi Applegate] is gritting her teeth, having to share the stage with the two of you. The Halle Berry look-alike [Asha Blake] must be screaming at her agent, “This isn’t Dateline. Get me off this show!”

F.H. Well ... George, I’m surprised you don’t have a talk show!

G.W. I’ve been told that.

F.H. Well, maybe you will come on our show one day.

G.W. I wouldn’t say no to that notion. When was the last time Flo visited her hometown of Dale, Indiana?

F.H. Last year for a family reunion.

G.W. What nickname does your family call you?

F.H. They call me Florency. And I like to work out, so some of my friends call me Flo-Ho.

G.W. So you do work out? I was wondering, because you are one flawless fossil!

F.H. Oh, I like that! Flawless fossil!

G.W. Well, you must have had a bit of surgery— a little touch-up.

F.H. Look at how you slipped that in there!

G.W. It’s a given! Who hasn’t had it done? F.H. Well, when you’re ready to have a little work done, give me a call, George. Do you work out?

G.W. Definitely. The only problem is, I ended up having an affair with my trainer and he had a girlfriend on top of it.

F.H. Well, mine is purely professional. 

G.W. Why is there that Hollywood rumor that Flo-Ho had an affair with her TV son Greg Brady?

F.H. Oh, please! Because it sold a lot of books for Greg Brady, for Barry Williams.

G.W. Do you still talk to him? F.H. Sure, I talk to all the kids, especially Susan Olsen [Cindy], Chris Knight [Peter], and Mike Lookinland [Bobby]. Ann B. Davis [Alice] is a dear friend. I don’t talk to Marcia and Jan that much.

G.W. Why?

F.H. I don’t know, to tell the truth.

G.W. Nothing really went on between you and Greg?

F.H. Nothing really went on.

G.W. You wouldn’t lie to me?

F.H. I would not lie to you.

G.W. Well, this must be one like that gerbil rumor.

F.H. People would love to believe those things. They get disappointed when it’s not true.

G.W. Do people ask you that question all the time?

F.H. It’s one of the most asked questions.

G.W. And it drives you nuts.

F.H. No, it doesn’t. Why get uptight or angry about it? You just answer it honestly, and go on to the next one.