M*A*S*H: Iron Guts Kelly

M*A*S*H: Iron Guts Kelly
CBS
October 1, 1974
Dramedy
DVD
B+

In this story written by Gelbart and Burns & Allen veteran Dorfman, Lt. Gen. Robert 'Iron Guts' Kelly (James Gregory) dies during an evening with Margaret.  She can't let Frank know, so she has to turn to Hawkeye and Trapper for help.  When Kelly's adjutant, Colonel Wortman (51-year-old Keene Curtis, who'd make two memorable appearances on Three's Company), finds out, he decides to make it look like the general died in battle.  Lots of good scenes, including a half-asleep Radar trying to track down a battle.

Alberta Jay makes her first of two appearances, as an Anesthetist.  Byron Chung (this time Mr. Kwok), Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky), Bobbie Mitchell (now Nurse Able), and Dennis Troy (this time 2nd G.I.) return.

That Girl: Soot Yourself

That Girl: Soot Yourself
ABC
March 12, 1971
Sitcom
DVD
C

TG makes another ill-advised attempt to be relevant in this Turteltaub-Orenstein story (directed by Turteltaub) about Ann protesting the way Newsview covers the pollution issue.  It's kind of sad that this plot was handled better on The Brady Bunch.  Reva Rose makes her last appearance as Marcy, while Gino Conforti makes his last as Nino.

That Girl: An Uncle Herbert for All Seasons

Joe Flynn as he should be.

That Girl: An Uncle Herbert for All Seasons
ABC
December 18, 1970
Sitcom
DVD
C

A seriously miscast Joe Flynn plays the title character, Lew's flamboyant and perhaps untrustworthy brother.  Even when Lew shows up, there's not much comedic pay-off.  Unless you want to see Donald sporting a wide peace-sign tie, you can skip this episode.

Ed Peck's last TG role is as a Customs Official, while Customs Official #2, Joe Mell, was previously Sol on this show and had recently been a Druggist on The Brady Bunch.  Screenwriter Bob Garland would later do a Bob Newhart Show episode.

That Girl: Super Reporter

That Girl: Super Reporter
ABC
December 4, 1970
Sitcom
DVD
C

Sigh, we're back to the disappointing sort of stories that Turteltaub-Orenstein too often cranked out. It starts out fine, with some farce of Ann actually hiding a man in her closet, and even the thing of Don being stuck in the superhero costume is OK, although I don't see why he can't send Ann to get other clothes from his apartment right away.  But then he behaves completely out of character, telling off an authority figure very rudely (when he's usually diplomatic, even when angry), and tricking his boss into giving a speech on not prejudging young people by their clothing.  "Relevancy" and hokey comedy is not a good combination.  (Unless you're working for Sherwood Schwartz of course.)

Jimmy Cross played a Policeman on Gidget but is the Drunk here (the sort of role he was much more often cast in).  Policeman Brad Trumbull was previously a Reporter.  Autograph Fan Florence Mercer was Estelle Webber before.

That Girl: Stop the Presses I Want to Get Off

That Girl: Stop the Presses I Want to Get Off
ABC
November 27, 1970
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Ann gets some reporting assignments and Donald helps her more than he should.  No one mentions when she had the exclusive interview with the opera star.  And she wears some really awful outfits, from a tent-like caftan that Mrs. Roper would avoid to a T-shirt with Porky Pig waving the American flag.

Vernon Scott appeared as himself earlier but here is Reporter #1.  Bill Mullikin, who's George here, was Lance Pierce on The Brady Bunch, also a journalist character.  James Gregory makes his first of four appearances as Donald's boss Jonathan Adams.  This is Gordon Farr's only TG script but he'd write thirteen for The Bob Newhart Show.  And Saul Turteltaub directed this one.