The Big Bang Theory: The Jerusalem Duality

The Big Bang Theory: The Jerusalem Duality
CBS
April 14, 2008
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Engel & Glickman wrote the story, Goetsch & Molaro the teleplay, and it's about Sheldon's insecurities when a 15-year-old genius arrives, as well as Sheldon's friends' attempts to distract the genius with a girl.  Mark Harelik returns as Dr. Gablehauser.  It's nice to see Joel Brooks, as Professor Goldfarb, still has his comic timing three decades after his Three's Company cameos, and I wish they'd given him more to do.

M*A*S*H: Cementing Relationships

M*A*S*H: Cementing Relationships
CBS
December 1, 1980
Dramedy
DVD
C

David Pollock and Elias Davis's first of eighteen M*A*S*H stories (Pollock did one for What's Happening!!) seems like it would have potential, but it just doesn't work for me.  The title mostly references the 4077th's struggles to put in a cement floor in the OR.  The other thread is about a stereotypical Italian soldier, Corpsman Ignazio De Simone, played by Joel Brooks, who's usually much better than this.  He falls for Margaret and becomes a nuisance.  The episode isn't awful but it's not funny or insightful either.  Note that Klinger is now so dumb he can't spell "caution," although he's still brighter than Soap's Danny Dallas.  Kellye Nakahara returns as Yamato.

Three's Company: The Root of All Evil

Three's Company: The Root of All Evil
ABC
March 4, 1980
Sitcom
DVD
B

This first of two 3'sC stories written by Howard Albrecht and Sol Weinstein is a solid contribution.  The regular cast work very well together (it's actually one of my favorite Larry episodes) and Brooks makes a welcome return as Dr. Prescott.  I'm not sure why it's not a B+, considering how much I (and my ex-husband) used to quote it all the time, e.g. "We killed the money!", but it just doesn't feel quite great on this viewing.

Note that Chrissy has an Aunt Tilly who once lived in Chicago.  (In contrast to all of Chrissy's relatives, Janet and Chrissy didn't even know Jack had a brother till Lee showed up.)  Also note that Janet suggests putting aside three months' rent ($900 I believe) out of the $1600 something Chrissy wins, but I don't think they actually do this.

Three's Company: Jack the Ripper

Three's Company: Jack the Ripper
ABC
October 9, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In this Richmond & Perret story, both Jack and Mr. Furley are having trouble asserting themselves, including (in Jack's case) with Dean Travers (William Pierson).  So on Janet's advice, they both see Dr. Prescott, well played by 29-year-old Joel Brooks with unbuttoned shirt, chains, and a nifty parody of the more dubious therapy of the decade.  I prefer the other Dr. Prescott episode, since I never like to see Jack yelling at the girls for no reason, but this episode does have the two patients barking at each other, as well as Chrissy's dumb blonde act at least being funny (I cracked up at the running joke about the bill for paint in Mr. Furley's mailbox), and a nice little chat between the girls and Lana, including about Lana's three ex-husbands.  Also we find out Janet has a brother who seems to be close in age.