This is an exceptional episode, and one that the series was famous for, as it combined comedy with a hard look in the proverbial mirror. Credit director and actor Jerry Paris, who was beginning to churn out many sitcoms and movies, and was quite successful, topping his career with such hits as HAPPY DAYS.
Here, Rob's old chum, played by Lee Philips, extends a personal invite for him to write for a Playboy-esque magazine, in charge of all the "comedy" material. Whatever that will entail?
There's lots of money at stake, and a multiude of beautiful women to assist him in his daily "routine."
This puts both Rob and Laura in a tight spot, taking a second and third look at what their lives and relationship may become.
I disagree with the last reviewer that this sitaution makes Laura appear jealous or cold. I think she's more in shock than anything else, and unknown to her, Rob is walking a delicate tightrope between the good, the bad and the ugly himself. This is, to a degree, a re-working of the famous motorcyle episode, where Rob bought a cyle to take the plunge from the same old, same old. It's relatable to many of us, at one time or another, who may have been offered a new job, if not a new career in unexplored territory. Now what?
Phillips is very good as the urban man about town, a popular actor in his own right, who had a co-starring role in PEYTON PLACE, among many other classic movies and tv shows. He later guested on Dick Van Dyke's next series, DIAGNOSIS; MURDER.
Very well written and worth a look, perhaps to compare some personal notes too. 1964 episode.