Mork & Mindy: Rich Mork, Poor Mork

Mork & Mindy: Rich Mork, Poor Mork
ABC
November 26, 1981
Sitcom
DVD
C

This Rosenstock & Teicher story has some nice moments, but it's hard to get past Mork's irresponsible behavior.  Not only does he spend a lot of money on gifts for Mearth, at a time when, as Mindy points out, she's the only one earning a salary and their food bill has gone up, but then he invests $900 in Exidor's boutique.  If not for Grandma ex Machina (Cora buys the shop once teens decide to defy their parents by shopping there), the McConnells would be in debt.

Mork & Mindy: Long Before We Met

Mork & Mindy: Long Before We Met
ABC
November 19, 1981
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This Raznick & Collins story doesn't live up to its potential.  Mork and Mindy attend her tenth high school reunion*, while Grandma (really Great-Grandma) babysits Mearth.  There's no reaction moment in this or any other episode of Cora finding out the existence and maturity of her great-grandson (who now is learning fractions).  They interact a little but not much is done with it, beyond that she's his favorite and only babysitter.  (Understandable, considering how his parents are keeping his identity a secret.)

As for the reunion, Glenda Faye (Wilzak in her last appearance) is there, and she knows about Mork and Mindy being married, and yet there's no line here or elsewhere indicating that she minds not having been invited to their wedding.  (It's not like they eloped.)  Two others in attendance are Paul Rubens as geeky Dickie Nimitz (of course the best part of the episode) and Mindy's boyfriend for her last two years of high school, Steve Sanders (Robin Strand, who'd be Steve Stepanowicz on Square Pegs).  Mork becomes jealous of Steve, so after they return home, Mork (using ruby slippers) time travels back to Mindy's senior prom.


Fred is there, with more hair, but he's not given much to do.  Mork, anticipating Moscow on the Hudson, pretends to be a Russian exchange student.  He hits it off with Mindy, including supporting her dreams of becoming a journalist, while Steve comes across as a jerk.

The episode isn't bad, but like I said, it seems like all these elements ought to add up to more.


*Sic!  Mindy was 21 when the series began three years ago.  I can understand that they might not want to do a sixth-year reunion a la Bosom Buddies, but a fifth-year reunion would've been more plausible than tenth.  And, yes, I spotted this error at the time.

Mork & Mindy: My Dad Can't Beat Up Anybody

Mork & Mindy: My Dad Can't Beat Up Anybody
ABC
November 12, 1981
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Mearth hero-worships Christopher Reeve as Superman.  (The second movie was released the previous December, around the same time as Popeye.  Reeve and Williams were close friends since Juilliard.)  Mork feels inadequate as a househusband and tries to find a job.  Writers McRaven & Johnson seem to have forgotten Mork's previous jobs, including as a night watchman (a job he's rejected for here).  When Mearth finds Mork's spacesuit, Mork pretends to be a superhero.  Governor Lamm (1975-1987) is mentioned by name, which is funny considering that two episodes this season have implied that Colorado is in the Midwest.

Lee Weaver, who played a Sergeant on Soap, is Gus the cop here.  Stanley Kamel, who's Charlie, would be Clean-cut Man on Three's Company.  Hugh Gillin, who was Gen. Tomlin on M*A*S*H and recently Terri's father on Three's Company, is Dave the Bartender here.  Orson is absent so instead Mork makes the report to Orson's Hispanic maid!  (Sounding suspiciously like Williams doing a Señor Wences voice.)

Mork & Mindy: Mama Mork, Papa Mindy

Mork & Mindy: Mama Mork, Papa Mindy
ABC
November 5, 1981
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Kout & Zateslo story continues to move things along quickly.  By the end of it, Mearth seems to have moved from infancy to toddlerhood or maybe beyond, speaking in full sentences.  Mork is excited about motherhood but Mindy is dubious about fatherhood.  Her own father, after his initial fear, offers good advice.  For the first time in awhile, Mork makes a report to Orson, who he asks to be godfather.  And there is no "To Be Continued."

Frank Buxton, who wrote an early episode of The Bob Newhart Show, here directs his first of four Mork episodes.

The Bob Newhart Show: Not with My Sister You Don't

The Bob Newhart Show: Not with My Sister You Don't
CBS
February 3, 1973
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In a plot that would be used on other sitcoms (e.g. Three's Company and Bosom Buddies), Howard is overprotective of his younger sister and uncomfortable with her dating Jerry.  We get our first glimpse of Howard's apartment, which looks more dated than Bob and Emily's.  And Howard claims he's never been in Bob's office before, which means he doesn't count the episode where he spoke to the Fear of Flying group.  Note that Howard claims to be 16 years older than 22-year-old Debbie, even though he recently referred to being 40 two years ago.

Mel Stewart, of All in the Family, plays Bob's patient Mr. Dabney.  Writer Frank Buxton would go on to direct four episodes of Mork & Mindy.