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Patio chairs at center of Oprah's Meghan and Harry interview — made by a 'Brady Bunch' actor — sell out online

An unlikely TV character's name is at the center of Oprah's sit-down interview with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry: 'Peter Brady.'

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By
Samantha Murphy Kelly
, CNN Business
CNN — An unlikely TV character's name is at the center of Oprah's sit-down interview with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry: 'Peter Brady.'

Christopher Knight, the actor who portrayed the middle brother in "The Brady Bunch" television series, announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the wicker and acacia Burchett Outdoor Club Chairs sold by his furniture company is out of stock on sites such as Overstock and Amazon.

The furniture, from Christopher Knight Brands, sold out after it was prominently displayed during Sunday night's bombshell interview.

"In Oprah's sensational interview with Prince Harry and Meghan this week, who would have thought the furniture would have been noticed at all, but it was...and not even by me!" Knight wrote on Facebook. "I am honored to have the patio chairs from my collection become the seat of the most fascinating famous sit down in recent history. It would appear Meghan and Prince Harry got 'Knighted' in a way never anticipated."

The set, which costs $554, was used as the couple revealed shocking allegations about racism at Buckingham Palace and why they stepped back from senior roles in the British royal family. The interview drew a massive audience with about 17.1 million viewers on Sunday night in the United States and 11 million in the United Kingdom the following day.

Although the brand's products often show up in movies, reality TV shows and interview segments, a spokesperson said the company isn't aware until they're watching and seeing it themselves.

"Unlike all times prior, this time the furniture has grown beyond set dressing and become part of the story," the spokesperson told CNN Business. "It seems everything the Royals say, do, or touch draws interest. Though we are grateful for the notoriety -- the social media response has been tremendous -- we remain surprised at the occurrence."

The set of chairs is part of a collection that was introduced for the first time this season. "While it was already selling well and gaining great traction, the attention this famous interview has brought the product accelerated the sales beyond what anyone could have expected," the spokesperson said.

On Facebook, Knight clarified that he did not design the set, citing his business partners' "excellent taste and skills in delivering a line of furniture that is both affordable and fit for royalty -- both foreign and domestic."

Knight took a hiatus from acting in 1988 to pursue a career in business. He became a serial entrepreneur, starting a 3D graphics company and an educational products business, and later launched his furniture brand in 2012. Six years later, he debuted a lifestyle collection of curated products, including bedding, table top and glassware.

In 2019, Knight returned to the small screen for a four-part HGTV series called "A Very Brady Renovation," featuring all six original Brady sibling cast members, the Property Brothers and other personalities.

This isn't the first time in recent months a surprising product became the center of attention during a heavily watched broadcast. The Vermont school teacher behind the cozy mittens worn by US Sen. Bernie Sanders during President Joe Biden's inauguration was flooded with requests from people wanting to buy a pair. Although she originally said they're no longer for sale, Jen Ellis later auctioned three pairs for charity.

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