It's Garry Shandling's Show: Mr. Smith Goes to Nam

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Mr. Smith Goes to Nam
Showtime
March 18, 1988
Sitcom
VHS
B-

This Season-Two closer was the last TV appearance of Gilda Radner, who'd die in May of the next year.  The title thread has to do with Leonard recognizing Gilda's nurse, Blake Cumbers (Blake Clark, who was 2nd MP on M*A*S*H and had actually played a couple earlier roles on IGSS).  Leonard feels guilty for not defending Blake and the rest of the squad against the Viet Cong twenty years earlier.  As Garry notices early on, the episode is meandering, and we never do find out what happens with his Sea Monkeys.

David Greenlee, who plays Young Leonard Smith, would be a Checkout Clerk on Roseanne.  This is the second of two IGSS stories written by Richard Day, who would do seven for Ellen.   

It's Garry Shandling's Show: The Schumakers Go to Hollywood

It's Garry Shandling's Show: The Schumakers Go to Hollywood
Showtime
November 20, 1987
Sitcom
VHS
B

Ed Solomon co-wrote this fourth episode of Season Two with Tom Gammill and Max Pross, both of whom worked on Saturday Night Live in its fifth season.  Grant wins a poetry contest, with a free trip to Hollywood, from Sherman Oaks.  There's arguably more fourth-wall-breaking than usual in this one, from Grant and Pete going to a taping of IGSS to the studio audience singing the opening song and dancing to the closing song.  Florence Henderson appears as herself, still looking great at age 53.  Note that Jackie is absent, busy with her new baby.  (Yes, she had a baby since the last episode I watched.)

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Dinner with Garry

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Dinner with Garry
Showtime
April 3, 1987
Sitcom
VHS
B

In the fifteenth episode (the penultimate for Season One), Garry wants to fix up his widowed mother with his internist, Dr. Paul Derwin (Dennis Patrick, Cason's real-life husband).  The passage of time is handled cleverly again in this episode, ending with a scene at a disco in 1989.  Twenty-one-year-old Jay Kogen, who appears as Big Grant here for the first of three times, was Jay on The Bob Newhart Show a dozen years earlier.

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Laffie

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Laffie
Showtime
March 13, 1987
Sitcom
VHS
B

Shandling & Zweibel wrote this episode (the thirteenth in the series) that is both Baby-Boomingly nostalgic and cable-friendly tasteless.  (The prison rape joke would probably not have made it nowadays, although the "Nancy reaching orgasm while hiding a dog under her long skirt" sequence might've.)  Garry takes in a smart stray collie but Leonard Smith says this violates the terms of the condo contract.  "Laffie" nonetheless helps rescue Leonard from an oncoming miniature train.  Sixty-one-year-old June Lockhart appears as herself.

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Grant's Date

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Grant's Date
Showtime
January 30, 1987
Sitcom
DVD
B

Ed Solomon, Jeff Franklin (who did a couple Bosom Buddies scripts and who here does his first of three for IGSS), and Patricia Rust (writing her first of two for IGSS) collaborated for this story that's similar to but more playful than the recent Who's the Boss? one about Tony driving Jonathan on his first date.  Grant is 12 rather than about 10 and he's interested in Kim (described by Garry as the oldest 12-year-old he's ever met and in fact played by 15-year-old Priscilla Weems around the time she had a recurring role on Designing Women).  Garry chaperones and chauffeurs the two of them on their first date, in a golfcart, which is still the largest vehicle at the drive-in.  (Arguably, this scene is a Brady Bunch parody, although a ninja film plays rather than a Western.)  Just as Jenny fell for Tony, Kim falls for Garry, until Grant steals the car to impress her.  It's a nice showcase for Nemes (Grant and Garry argue over who the episode is about) and for once Garry isn't blamed for things going awry.

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Garry Met a Girl Named Maria

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Garry Met a Girl Named Maria
Showtime
January 23, 1987
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Ed Solomon's first of eight IGSS stories, collaborating with Janis Hirsch on her second of two, kicks off the return of the series after a hiatus (as Garry notes in his opening monologue).  Although it has some nice touches, like the map during the credits and the characters bursting or threatening to burst into song, I don't think it's aged as well as the episodes we looked at previously.  To some extent, it's a parody of the "regular character considering marrying a female illegal alien to prevent her being deported" plot, as Garry fully acknowledges, and I think naming her Maria (as was the name on What's Happening!! and Three's Company, while it was Angelina on Welcome Back, Kotter) is a nod to this trope that would reach its ultimate expression in that fall's series I Married Dora, on of course ABC.  But the stereotypes (not just Latino but gay) are presented without much finesse and the "Lou Gehrig" joke gets dull with repetition.

Tony Plana, whose TV debut was as Amid on What's Happening!!, plays Maria's brother Jorge.  Richard Karron, who was an Officer on Three's Company, is again a Priest on this show.  Assistant Director Peter Barth again appears as himself.  And Barbara Cason, who was a Nurse on Mork & Mindy and Miss Fritzinger in The Brady Girls Get Married, makes her third appearance as Garry's mother Ruth.

It's Garry Shandling's Show: It's Garry Shandling's Problem, But It's Jo-Jo's Show

It's Garry Shandling's Show: It's Garry Shandling's Problem, But It's Jo Jo's Show
Showtime
October 15, 1986
Sitcom
VHS
B

This sixth episode is the first of two written by Janis Hirsch, who did two for Square Pegs.  It features contest winner Jodi Jones from Texarkana.  At first, she's treated as a special guest, the credits (although not the theme song) giving her equal billing with Garry.  But then Nancy's sex-addict friend Morgan (Christine Kellogg, who would return in a different role) arrives and draws attention, especially from Garry.  There's more playing with form here than the last episode we looked at, and I laughed out loud at the "newspapers piling up" gag as well as Nancy's deadpan follow-up.  I was also surprised by the relatively sexually explicit plot, but then it did debut on cable.  Late '80s Fox would bleep Jo Jo's insult of Garry.  (IMDB says it's "asshole.")

Geoffrey Blake makes his last appearance as Lewis and doesn't have very much to do.  Lynette Mettey, who played four different nurses on M*A*S*H, is Dr. Brody here.  Paul Willson, who had a couple roles on Mork & Mindy, appears for the third time in the role of Garry's neighbor Leonard Smith (often referred to by his full name).  Kate Mulligan plays Bethany, her first of six roles on the series.  Production Manager Peter Barth appears as himself, as he occasionally would that season.  And, yes, comedian Norm Crosby appears as himself, complete with tux and mic, at the sex clinic.

This episode is the 400th show I've reviewed to receive a B.  The series would have a hiatus of about three months and then come back as strong as ever.

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Grant Gets Broken

It's Garry Shandling's Show: Grant Gets Broken
Showtime
September 17, 1986
Sitcom
VHS
B

This is the second episode of the series, as Garry tells us in his opening monologue.  That is, Garry Shandling delivers an opening monologue as a character named "Garry Shandling," in a series that took the George Burns aspects of Burns & Allen and made them even more modern and meta.  It's the first of my cable series, although I originally watched it on Fox a year or two after it premiered.  (And for awhile Fox and Showtime aired new episodes almost simultaneously.)  Then and now, I found it funny, not just gimmicky but genuinely quirky and likable.  Sitcom situations are presented tongue in cheek, as when Garry sees no point in having his friends' approval to babysit again, when "we've already done that show."

I don't remember anything about Episode One but as it's called "The Day Garry Moved In," we can guess that it set up the premise.  The series is still settling in, and in fact Garry tells us we haven't met Jackie yet, because she hadn't been cast before.  Bachelor Garry, who says that he can barely dress himself, is friends with Pete and Jackie Schumaker, played by Michael Tucci (from Grease) and Bernadette Birkett.  Their 12-year-old son is played by 12-year-old Scott Nemes (who was in Meatballs Part II).  In this episode, Pete and Jackie are having marital problems, so he suggests they go to Santa Barbara for the weekend and he'll babysit Grant.  They're reluctant, till Garry's responsible single neighbor Nancy Bancroft (Molly Cheek, with some of the biggest '80s hair I've ever seen outside of a metal band) says she'll help out.  Unfortunately, Garry's friend Lewis (Geoffrey Blake in a role that would soon be dropped) hits Grant with Garry's front door.  The fourth wall is soon in shambles, and not just from Garry.

Richard Karron, who was an Officer on Three's Company, makes his first of three appearances on IGSS, here as a Priest.  Gorgeous Dream Babe Lesa Lee would play a nameless Woman on Who's the Boss? in '89.  Shandling co-wrote this episode with Alan Zweibel, who wrote for Saturday Night Live in the '70s.  Veteran director Alan Rafkin, who did an episode each for That Girl and What's Happening!!, two for M*A*S*H, and twenty-three for The Bob Newhart Show, here does his first of an impressive forty-eight for IGSS.

M*A*S*H: The General's Practicioner

M*A*S*H: The General's Practicioner
CBS
February 15, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B

Burt Prelutsky wrote this story where a general wants Hawkeye as his personal physician, and Radar takes care of the wife (or girlfriend?) and baby of a soldier who's being shipped home.  Both plots are handled well, and surprisingly don't intersect, like plots usually do on this series.  The script includes the words "bastard" and "hell," which was about as harsh as language got on network TV in those days.

Leonard Stone, who had recently played Dr. Ned Podbillion on The Bob Newhart Show, here is Col. Bidwell.

M*A*S*H: Lt. Radar O'Reilly

M*A*S*H: Lt. Radar O'Reilly
CBS
October 12, 1976
Dramedy
DVD
B-

In this Greenbaum & Fritzell story, Master Sergeant Woodruff (Sandy Kenyon, who was Rick Farmer on Gidget and who had a couple roles on That Girl) agrees to promote Radar in order to have his gambling debts forgiven.  Of course, Radar realizes he was happier as a corporal.  Note that Colonel Blake is mentioned, although it's unclear how long he's been dead, especially with the retcon.

Johnny Haymer (Zale), Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky), Lynn Marie Stewart (now Nurse Baker), and Sal Viscuso (PA Announcer) return.  This is the 500th program I've reviewed from the '70s and, yes, we still have the Carter era ahead of us.  It's also the 100th episode of M*A*S*H and thus the 100th for Alda.  (The rest of the cast will get there sooner or later.)

What's Happening!!: My Three Tons

What's Happening!!: My Three Tons
ABC
August 26, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B

This episode walks a thin line about fat jokes, although I think the main message is that they're OK among friends but not among co-workers.  Rerun has a chance to be part of a dance troupe (Berry's former group the Lockers as the Rockets), but as Dwayne discovers, they only chose him for his weight, not his dancing ability.  Mama comes up with a scheme for revenge.  I'd go with a B-, but Rerun's "sharp threads," including when modified for Roger and Dee, are memorable, and the dance routines are still fun to watch.

Wolfman Jack plays the Emcee of SoulStuff.  Danny Wells, who plays Bert Frederick, would return as a Plainclothesman, while Stu Gilliam, who's Gary here, would be Willie Spencer later.  Ronalda Douglas has her first of three WH roles, as the Secretary.  Note that Hemphill is absent, but I'm guessing that, since her name isn't in the opening credits, Shirley wasn't originally meant to be a regular, just a recurring character.  This is the only WH story written by Jim Mulligan, who'd do three for M*A*S*H, and it's the only WH episode directed by Alan Rafkin.

The Bob Newhart Show: The Ceiling Hits Bob

The Bob Newhart Show: The Ceiling Hits Bob
CBS
March 8, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

The ceiling of Bob's offfice doesn't literally hit Bob in this Patchett & Tarses story, but after it caves in during his absence, a series of events causes him to feel overwhelmed.  One thing I like about this season-closer is that we get a scene with Emily, Carol, and Ellen, while Bob is in the apartment playing Monopoly with Mr. Carlin and another patient.

Don Nagel plays a Waiter for the first of two times on the show.  Bill Quinn returns as Eddie the Mailman, as does Lucian Scott as Mr. Vickers.  Jess Nadelman, who's Bud Brey, would be on both Welcome Back, Kotter and Three's Company in the next couple years.

Season Three feels a shade weaker than Season Two, with its best episodes-- "Big Brother Is Watching" (A-) and "Sorry, Wrong Mother" (B+)-- early on.  Still, it averages to a B overall and this remains a good, solid show that knows how to play to its strengths.  The inclusion of Ellen I think is more of a bonus for Emily's character than Howard's, since Howard in love is possessive yet critical, while it's nice to see Emily have another female close friend than Carol, getting to play big sibling in a different way than Bob does.

The Bob Newhart Show: My Business Is Shrinking

The Bob Newhart Show: My Business Is Shrinking
CBS
February 1, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

Arnie Kogen and Ray Jessel's second of two BNS stories is funny but with an undercurrent of depression, since Bob's practice is in a temporary lull.  I like that Bob has ups and downs in his profession.  As for the humor, the Howard scene is my favorite, from hammering the tape on a note to getting away with the old "tree surgeon who fell out of a patient" gag.

Phillip R. Allen makes his first of two appearances as Dr. Frank Walburn.  And, yes, that's Mary Jo Catlett as the near-sighted Mrs. Englehart; she's probably best known as Peal on Diff'rent Strokes, but we'll next see her on M*A*S*H.

The Bob Newhart Show: A Pound of Flesh

The Bob Newhart Show: A Pound of Flesh
CBS
January 25, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

When Bob refuses to lend Jerry money to buy a motorcycle, Jerry gets the loan from Howard, which puts a strain on several friendships.  Merrie Earle plays Mrs. Loomis again, as well as her twin sister Bernice.  This time, Dick Wilson plays Mr. Berry.  And it's Jerry Mayer's penultimate BNS script.

The Bob Newhart Show: Home Is Where the Hurt Is

The Bob Newhart Show: Home Is Where the Hurt Is
CBS
December 21, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
B-

I get a bit annoyed with Carol on this Patchett & Tarses Christmas show.  I understand that she's upset about the idea of visiting her parents, but is it really necessary for Bob, Emily, and Jerry to miss a concert because of her?  Howard getting "drunk" on alcohol-free egg nog is worth tuning in for though.

Bill Quinn makes his second of four BNS appearances, as Eddie the Mailman.

The Bob Newhart Show: Serve for Daylight

The Bob Newhart Show: Serve for Daylight
CBS
December 14, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Jerry Mayer wrote this story about Bob and Emily playing tennis together in a tournament sponsored by the Urology Department.  Paula Shaw, who's Dr. Tammy Ziegler, would later be Janet's mother on Three's Company.

The Bob Newhart Show: Jerry Robinson Crusoe

Ah, mid-'70s fashion!

The Bob Newhart Show: Jerry Robinson Crusoe
CBS
December 7, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
B

This first of two BNS stories written by Erik Tarloff has Jerry reuniting with an old girlfriend, Courtney Simpson (Gail Strickland, who would return in the role), and following her to Tahiti.  Bob remains in denial till the end.  Meanwhile, Mr. Carlin thinks he's possessed by the Devil.

The Bob Newhart Show: Ship of Shrinks

The Bob Newhart Show: Ship of Shrinks
CBS
November 9, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
B

Mitchell and Neigher's second BNS story has Bob going to a convention in Hawaii after being published in a psychology anthology.  However, only two pages of twenty in his article made the final cut, so he doesn't particularly want to go.  And Emily becomes a lot more hesitant about flying when Howard sounds like he's going to spend more time doting on Ellen than navigating the plane.  And Ellen and Howard have a fight, so she doesn't go.  It's of course up to Bob to resolve everything.

Bobby Ramsen makes his first of six BNS appearances, as Dr. Rimmer.  And a pre-Laverne & Shirley David L. Lander shows up as Milt the Delivery Boy.

The Bob Newhart Show: Brutally Yours, Bob Hartley

The Bob Newhart Show: Brutally Yours, Bob Hartley
CBS
November 2, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is the only BNS script John Rappaport wrote, although he'd do ten for M*A*S*H.  As always in the sitcom plot of characters being brutally honest, things go awry.  What's a nice twist here is that Elliot and Michelle have a ball being mean, and shippers note that they do this on a date, where he thinks she's in love with him.  (We don't see the date but we hear about it during and after.)  And Jerry and Carol have an upcoming date at the very end of the episode.  One half of the couple that Bob alienates is Lawrence Pressman in his first of two appearances as Emily's coworker Ed Hoffman.  Also, this is the second BNS episode to reference the Redford version of The Great Gatsby.

The Bob Newhart Show: Dr. Ryan's Express

The Bob Newhart Show: Dr. Ryan's Express
CBS
October 26, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Although there are some amusing moments in this Patchett & Tarses story, like all the Smitties, I'm not clear what the message is.  Maybe it's that we should be patient with incompetent people, like Shirley O'Hara's Debbie Flett, since they have feelings, too.  But I couldn't help feeling sorry for Carol, going to a funeral and coming back to chaos.

Mr. Carlin is again in an inappropriate group, this time the Over 60s.  The rest of the group is seen elsewhere in my TV collection.  Lucian Scott returns as Mr. Vickers.  Maxine Stuart was a Manager on That Girl and is Mrs. Chaney here.  Paula Victor, who's Mrs. Della Vella here, would be Miss Fishbeck on Welcome Back, Kotter.  (Still no sign of Mrs. Bakerman by the way, but she would return.)