The Mothers-In-Law (TV Series) Here Comes the Bride, Again (1968) User Reviews

Mama Mia Here We Go Again

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 26 December 2016]

A mysterious letter from Italy leads Eve (Eve Arden) to question Kaye (Kaye Ballard) about her grandmother. It turns out Kaye has led Italian grandmother Jeanette Nolan (as Gabriela Balotta) to believe Jerry is marrying tomorrow, into a nice Italian family. Elopements are unheard of in Italian families, and long engagements are valued. So, when the older woman arrives unexpectedly, everyone has to pretend Jerry (Jerry Fogel) and Suzie (Deborah Walley) are not yet married. Moreover, Herb (Herbert Rudley) has to pay for a big traditional wedding. Complicating matters, whenever Grandma Nolan becomes upset or excited, she faints dead away...

This episode opened season two of "The Mothers-In-Law". Like many of the series stories, ideas from previous Desi-Lucy shows were recycled. This was natural because former Desilu productions chief Arnaz directed from a script by "Lucy" writers Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Davis. They were able to borrow from the best, themselves. We are reminded of Ricky Ricardo's mother visiting from Cuba, and a long storyline originating in "I Love Lucy" begins herein. With this episode, Richard Deacon replaces Roger C. Carmel (as Roger Buell). The first appearance of Mr. Deacon is in the opening credits, his first scene is inconspicuous and the transition is smooth.

****** Here Comes the Bride, Again (9/15/68) Desi Arnaz ~ Eve Arden, Kaye Ballard, Jeanette Nolan, Richard Deacon

A sudden recast just "Because"...

[mark.waltz · 8/10 · 22 February 2021]

The ego related exit of Roger C. Carmel as Roger Buelle brings in veteran TV character actor Richard Deacon (Dick Van Dyke Show) as Kay's husband, ending the fact that all of the adult actors were playing a character by the same first name. The first episode of the second season deals with the arrival of Kay's grandmother, a traditional old fashioned woman played by veteran actress Jeanette Nolan. She has shown up, thinking that her great grandson Jerry is getting married, not realizing that they have actually been married for nearly a year. Everybody wants to save face with the old lady so they go along with the facade, especially the fact that Suzie, the "bride to be", is Italian.

It's a really good way to start the second and last season, but it's obvious that the show is quickly running out of ideas. As funny as it is how much longer can you stretch what's going on out? William Lanteau guest stars as well as a reporter. This is just one of many wacky older lady performances that Nolan, later "Dirty Sally" and Rose's mother on "Golden Girls" would portray, with the memory of her Lady Macbeth opposite Orson Welles a forgotten credit, but the "Twilight Zone" episode "Jess Belle" now a cult classic. There's a twist at the end that truly is terrific.