The Brady Bunch: The Hustler

The Brady Bunch: The Hustler
ABC
March 1, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This last Freedman & Gershman Brady story has Bobby beating Mike's boss Harry Mathews (Jim Backus in a role closer to Mr. Howell than his previous Brady character) at pool.  It's also the last Bunch episode to feature Robert Reed, but more about that next time.

Susan Quick, who's Gloria Thompson here, made two appearances on That Girl as Heather Dolan.  Lennie Bremen plays a Truck Driver again on this series.  Michael Kane directed only two other things, one of which was the pigeon episode of Gilligan's Island.

Gilligan's Island: The Pigeon

Gilligan's Island: The Pigeon
CBS
April 3, 1967
Sitcom
DVD
B-

I remember being frustrated by this episode as a child, that Burt (Sterling Holloway) thought that the castaways' messages--even the $1000 bill!--were fake.  And speaking of fake, the ridiculous yet still creepy spider boosts this episode from a C+ to a B-.  That the women almost rescue the men is a nice touch, although I could've done without Mrs. Howell describing them as helpless.  Note this must be the episode with the most miniskirts, not just on Mary Ann but also Ginger, who seems to have kept the Mary-Ann-shortened dresses from "The Second Ginger Grant."

This is the second of two GI episodes for Jack Raymond (story) and the last one for Brad Radnitz (teleplay).  Michael Kane would also direct a Brady Bunch episode.  It's the 100th show of mine to air on CBS, the Burns & Allen episodes giving that total a little boost.