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Reviews
Three's Company: The Catered Affair (1979)
Sexism on Display
Three's Company never pretended to be more than what it was. At times, what it was, was cringe worthy. It's hard to imagine, even then (How? Why?) anyone in the production staff felt this was fit for an American audience. Playing sexual predation for laughs, sadly, was a staple of television comedies of the era. Few were as heavy handed as this episode of Three's Company. Watching through 2022 eyes, it's simply stunning anyone in the cast agreed to perform this script. Seeing Chrissy's boss chase her around the office only to be discovered by his wife is about as low brow broad as comedy gets. The whole idea that she would even stay and work for a man like this stretches credulity. Alls well that ends well in a 30 minute sitcom though.
New Amsterdam: The Legend of Howie Cournemeyer (2021)
Very Good Episode
Too bad people are so triggered by a show with a point of view. Sorry if important issues are too much for you to handle. The familiar and tired "leftist propaganda" mentions are tedious and mean nothing. This show has always been rooted in strong character development. Losing Dr. Kapoor was a sad storyline but one we all saw coming. Anupam Kher's wife is dealing with a serious health issue, so he had to bow out. He will he missed.
Mary Tyler Moore: He's All Yours (1970)
The Worst
This is easily the creepiest, most disturbing episode of the series. And that includes the episode where Stuart Margolin practically kidnaps Mary. Even in its time, it makes little sense; the jokes fall flat. Honestly, how did such a talented group of writers and producers green light this?
Barney Miller: Quo Vadis? (1978)
A Masterpiece
Quo Vadis? is one of the ten best episodes in the history of this great show. One of the reasons why Barney Miller holds up so well is that it's grounded in realism. The dialogue, especially in this installment, is always natural. Barney was never a joke and punchline show. The performances from Barbara Barrie, in her penultimate appearance, and Hal Linden are spectacular. You can feel the pain of what it means to be a cop's wife. You can feel how hard it is for a cop to maintain being a good police while juggling family life. The strains in their relationship are authentic. The love they feel for one another, equally pure. The B plot involves an older woman (Ivy Bethune) who's appalled by what she considers smut at a local art museum. The payoff comes in the final scene when it's revealed who the woman in the portrait really is. Great writing, great performances all around, with the typical dry humor. Notable too, this was the first of the remaining 5 Season 4 episodes where Jack Soo was absent. Soo had begun to look sickly as the season wore on. Ron Carey's role began to increase and he does not disappoint in this one.
Mary Tyler Moore: It's Whether You Win or Lose (1972)
An Absolute Classic
One of the top five episodes in the history of this great show. It's laugh out loud from start to finish. Angered that a hellacious snowstorm has cancelled his trip to Vegas, Lou is fixing for a poker game to salve the disappointment. Mary unwittingly persuades Murray to join the game. Murray passes until he realizes a hapless Ted will join he, Lou, Gordy and Pat the Bartender. It isn't until later when Murray's wife Marie shows up at her apartment in a frantic search for him that Mary finds out Murray is a compulsive gambler. The scenes of the poker game are the appetizer for the big payoff. After Ted cleans house, without playing a single hand, Murray bets him double or nothing that he will mispronounce the name of a Japanese official. What ensures is hysterical. The show really started hitting its stride at this point. One of Ted Knight's best performances and one of John Amos' most unsung roles.
Benson: Rivals (1981)
A Classic
Benson was at its best in the first 3 seasons of the show's run, and never better than this epic farce showcasing the immense talents of Robert Guillaume, Inga Swenson, René Auberjonois, and Caroline McWilliams. Kraus' friend and arch rival (a terrific Marian Mercer) is visiting from Germany, and would like to drop in for a quick visit. What happens next is word play on a Frasier level. Guillaume and Swenson share a hilarious scene as "husband and wife". A superb outing not to be missed.
Three's Company: The New Landlord (1979)
A Classic Farce
Of course, we all know this show thrived on the one note premise of misunderstanding. That's a conversation for another review. When the writers and producers went all in on the classic strokes of broad comedy, you get gems like this. Don Knotts' entrance as Ralph Furley was a stand out. The physical comedy of John Ritter is once again on full display. There isn't a scene he doesn't steal. This was one of the best uses of Ann Wedgeworth's enormous talents as Lana. It's a shame the writers never understood that someone like Jack would never be turned off by a man hungry, slightly older woman. It's a story arc they never pursued as Wedgeworth left the series mid season.
M*A*S*H: Oh, How We Danced (1981)
Rally Around B.J.
The writers squeezed a lot of mileage out of B.J.'s "woe is me" homesickness. Sometimes it worked to great effect. Other times it was unbearable. This was one instance where it hit the mark, in large part, because it didn't dominate the entire half hour. In an episode that had two "a plots", we see Charles looking to get his manhood back after being humiliated by a drunk major. It's laugh out loud funny watching Charles (David Ogden Stiers) learn karate and then...actually attempt to use it. The episode pays off with an anniversary surprise from home for B.J. Mike Farrell gives a very poignant, yet, subtle performance.
All in the Family: The Draft Dodger (1976)
A Classic
Quite simply, this is one of the ten best episodes of All In The Family. The show had tackled the Vietnam War in past episode discussions, but nothing like this and nothing like one of the most heated debates of this or any era. Mike's friend David (Renny Temple) drops in for a surprise visit during the Christmas holidays. Originally from Chicago, he's been living in Canada. The nervous audience reaction upon this reveal is chilling over 40 years later. Archie's announcement that his old friend, and sometime foil, Pinky Peterson (Eugene Roche) will be joining them too, adds another layer of tension. Pinky's son Steve was killed in Vietnam. The way shows like AITF, and to a greater extent M*A*S*H, blended comedy and dramatic commentary together, was incredible. It created powerful television. Carroll O'Connor gives a riveting, heart wrenching, performance. Archie's anger, frustration, and outright contempt for David mirrors so many men of a certain age. David's firm, strident objections represented so many young men who chose the path he took. In one of the shows' most devastating scenes, O'Connor delivers a line that literally had to be censored prior to air. Roche's counter point to Archie's tirade, which was classic Archie, so much so, you can tell the audience was almost feeling guilty laughing at times, gets to the heart of the divisiveness that was the Vietnam War. The way the episode ends, with Edith trying to talk Archie back to the dinner table, is one full of emotion and a touch of sadness. An episode not to be missed, and when you're finished watching, study up on why this topic was and remains so volatile to this day.
All in the Family: Archie Gets the Business (1977)
Archie's Chance to be Somebody
Season 8 effectively was the last season of All in the Family. I'm not sure why the producers didn't spin off into Archie Bunker's Place after The Stivics Go West because this opener lays the groundwork for the continuation. Archie, desperate to raise himself up from his lower middle class roots, wants Kelsey's Bar. After visiting a recovering Kelsey, played by Frank Maxwell this time instead of Bob Hastings, in the hospital, Archie becomes intrigued as soon as he learns that Kelsey is ready to sell. Harry (Jason Wingreen) is also trying to raise up enough capital to buy the bar outright from his boss. Though not the funniest of episodes, it is one that can only work late in a show's run. It only works if the character development is of the highest order. In that sense, it's what sets this episode apart from what was, by AITF's very high standards, an average season. We still watched this show because we fell in love with the main players and by extension, with the brilliant actors who played them.
All in the Family: Mike and Gloria Split (1977)
Later Season Gem
The final three seasons of AITF are obviously not as great as the first 6, but that doesn't mean the show lacked for quality. You just had to search for the gems in seasons 7 through 9. This episode is a classic and includes an Archie/Meathead scene that even Rob Reiner once called the ultimate Archie to Meathead moment. Mike and Gloria are playing a game of Scrabble before bedtime, when Mike begins to talk condescendingly to her. This leads to a huge fight in the mold of their epic battle during the great Black is the Color of My True Love's Wig from season 4. Watching Archie and Meathead have another "my way" vs "your way" back and forth, this time about how Meathead gets into bed, is hysterical. The payoff is among the show's best. To top it off, it's Archie, of all people, who tells Mike why he was in the wrong. It's a nice twist that lays the groundwork for season 8's Two's a Crowd. Back at home, Mike and Gloria reconcile and save one final laugh for the fade out. This one is not to be missed.
M*A*S*H: Wheelers and Dealers (1981)
Mediocre Madness
Any show that lasts as long as M*A*S*H is bound to show signs of erosion. This 10th season installment, sans the OR, finds Colonel Potter having to take a driving class from none other than Rizzo. In the other main story point, B.J. receives another letter from Peg. This time, his beloved wife informs him she's taken a job to help pay off their second mortgage. Both plots are lukewarm at best. Potter's riding of Rizzo is amusing, and as usual G.W. Bailey delivers. The biggest issue with this episode regards B.J., whose self pity is insufferable. Mike Farrell is a terrific actor, but at times he overacted Hunnicutt. I'm not sure why he felt the need to inject his own misery on the others in the camp, as if his suffering was far greater than anyone else's. Margaret, in one of her most underrated scenes, straightens B.J. out. His rage was justifiable and understandable when Erin mistook Radar for her dad. This was full on wallowing and it doesn't play well.
All in the Family: The Games Bunkers Play (1973)
Tables Turned on Mike
This episode is a classic for many reasons, the obvious being, Mike having to look in the mirror. AITF was at its best when it could be brutally honest. None more so than this installment. Rob Reiner plays every line to perfection. Watching him completely melt down, especially when Gloria forces him to face his own hypocrisy, is laugh out loud funny. Sally Struthers is superb. And Mike Evans has one of his finest scenes as Lionel when he shares with Edith about what their friendship means to he and his family. Jean Stapleton, the center of gravity in the show, shares more wisdom with Mike about why Archie resents him. This show always paid off every emotion, feeling, and nuance. O'Connor's little dance leaving the house early in the episode is a scene stealer.