5 Questions With: Florence Henderson

"I adore Chris, and I wish him and Adrianne all the happiness in the world. I hope, you know, they're married forever."

To many people, Florence Henderson will forever be Mrs. Carol Brady. But the 74-year-old actress (yup, we said 74) has played many different roles during her half century in showbiz.

In addition to portraying one of the most iconic TV moms of all time, she's been a Broadway diva, talk show hostess and, more recently, a reality queen. Her no-nonsense stint on the sixth season of 'The Surreal Life' as the housemates' counselor (she has a degree in hypnotherapy in real life) won her a younger generation of fans. But sometimes her honesty gets her into trouble: On 'My Fair Brady,' she caused a rift with her 'Brady' son and friend Christopher Knight when she said he shouldn't marry model Adrianne Curry. (They did anyway.)

At an age when most people would opt to retire, Florence Henderson refuses to even slow down. Her latest project is 'Ladies of the House,' a heartwarming Hallmark movie about three women of a certain age who decide to rebuild a run-down home as well as their own lives. AOL TV chatted with the TV legend about her plans for the future, whether she and Knight are on speaking terms and the reality competition she's dying to go on.

To many people, Florence Henderson will forever be Mrs. Carol Brady. But the 74-year-old actress (yup, we said 74) has played many different roles during her half century in showbiz.

In addition to portraying one of the most iconic TV moms of all time, she's been a Broadway diva, talk show hostess and, more recently, a reality queen. Her no-nonsense stint on the sixth season of 'The Surreal Life' as the housemates' counselor (she has a degree in hypnotherapy in real life) won her a younger generation of fans. But sometimes her honesty gets her into trouble: On 'My Fair Brady,' she caused a rift with her 'Brady' son and friend Christopher Knight when she said he shouldn't marry model Adrianne Curry. (They did anyway.)

At an age when most people would opt to retire, Florence Henderson refuses to even slow down. Her latest project is 'Ladies of the House,' a heartwarming Hallmark movie about three women of a certain age who decide to rebuild a run-down home as well as their own lives. AOL TV chatted with the TV legend about her plans for the future, whether she and Knight are on speaking terms and the reality competition she's dying to go on.

1. 'Ladies of the House' stars three '70s/'80s icons: you, blacksploitation queen Pam Grier and Donna Mills from 'Knots Landing.' Were you fans of each other's work?
Definitely. Everybody was just so lovely. There were no divas. I'd met Donna over the years. I didn't really know her well, and on this movie we became friends. As a matter of fact, last weekend her daughter turned 14 and she had the neatest fashion show birthday party. I think there were 40 girls, and they formed nine groups of five, and one would do the makeup, another would do the hair and so forth. It was the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I was a judge.

2. Sounds like a reality show! Speaking of which, do you plan on doing anymore reality TV?
Well, I don't know. I don't think I would do a show like 'Surreal Life' again. I would love to be a judge on 'American Idol,' or do a show like 'Dancing With the Stars.' When I was coming up in TV, we had all these variety shows, you know, 'Dean Martin' and 'Ed Sullivan' and 'The Smothers Brothers,' you name it. 'Idol,' 'America's Got Talent,' 'Dancing,' these are our variety shows now.

3. For the past few seasons of 'Dancing,' your name has been rumored to be on the shortlist. Do you know why you haven't been invited to compete?
No, I don't. I guess because I haven't really actively pursued it. I know a lot of people go, "Take me, take me!" But I haven't done that. Maybe I should. [Laughs] I've seen some people on there that weren't very, you know, nimble on their feet. I think I could hold my own pretty well.

4. Since we're on the subject of reality ... how are you and Christopher Knight doing? You made some comments this past July about his marriage that upset him. Are you two still on speaking terms?
I haven't been in touch with him, but I'm not in touch with Chris all the time, anyway. Chris and I are connected; we will always love each other. We have no animosity toward each other, and I have no animosity toward ... oh god, I can't think of her name ... Adrianne! [Laughs] I was shocked by the reaction [to what I said]. I mean, I said it with humor, but it got picked up in a lot of articles all over the country. It was so silly, really. I adore Chris, and I wish him and her all the happiness in the world. I hope, you know, they're married forever.

Find out where the rest of the 'Brady Bunch' cast is now.

5. You look incredible for your age and you have so much energy. What's your secret?
I don't feel like an older person! [Laughs] I'm always surprised at my age because I don't think about it, and I don't feel it. I feel better than I did when I was 30. As I gain in years, I try to gain in wisdom. I live more intelligently. I realize the importance of exercise and, you know, trying to have harmony, mind, body and spirit. To me that's very important, so I try to take care of those three areas to keep myself centered and balanced. And I keep working. I have no plans to retire. I'm doing my one-woman show, 'All the Lives of Me.' It's autobiographical and I sing and talk about my life. I'm open to whatever comes up. I love challenges. I'm always excited about the future and anxious to see what comes my way.