Three's Company: Make Room for Daddy

Three's Company: Make Room for Daddy
ABC
January 27, 1981
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Staretski and Ripps story manages to overcome its premise.  The "daddy" is Andrew Gainer (Keene Curtis, who'd previously played Chrissy's doctor), father of Jack's date Cheryl (Janice Kent, who'd be Laurie on Who's the Boss?).  He comes to Jack for advice on women.  Jack dismisses Larry's advice as too sleazy, but Jack is the one saying that a woman's lips may say "stop" but her eyes will say "go."  And, yes, I know that Chrissy and Janet had the "sometimes no means maybe" conversation early on, but that was two friends joking around, not one man giving a male acquaintance rapey advice.  And yet, the way it plays out, we see that Janet can take care of herself and Andrew can take no for an answer and apologize for his behavior.  Also, this episode has what may well be the most famous Cindy & Jack clumsiness scene, with the ironing board.

Note that this is the second recent 3'sC episode with a Beatles reference; previously it was "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" and here it's Jack's punning "She gets by with a little kelp from her friends."  I wonder if these are because of John Lennon's recent assassination (Ritter was a big fan) or merely coincidental.

Waiter Joe George previously played a Chauffeur, and would later be a Crook on the show.  This has I believe the only "Chrissy phone call" where Jack answers.  And this is the 100th program I've reviewed for the '80s, with a lot more ahead.

Three's Company: Chrissy's Hospitality

Three's Company: Chrissy's Hospitality
ABC
November 13, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Mark Tuttle wrote this episode which is a favorite among cast and crew, as well as myself.  It's a very good blend of drama and farce, able to give us one of the best eavesdropping scenes-- Mr. Furley misinterpreting the shower curtain installation-- and also touching concern for Chrissy from her roommates.  And Somers has some of her best lines in the series, including an explanation of how she was named Christmas Snow by her father Luther although she wasn't born on Christmas Day.

The regular cast is ably supported by the guest stars at the hospital.  Keene Curtis, in his first of two 3'sC roles, is Dr. Todson, whose laughing-till-he-cries-at-Chrissy is misinterpreted by Jack and Janet.  Hope Clarke, who played a couple of the more serious roles on What's Happening!!, brings just the right level of gravitas to the role of Second Nurse, the one who tells Jack and Janet that the doctor wants to talk to them about Chrissy's condition, setting up the big misunderstanding.  Ruth Manning is the First Nurse ("Oh, she has a head injury!") and would return as Harriet Hadley.

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.