The Big Bang Theory: The Peanut Reaction

The Big Bang Theory: The Peanut Reaction
CBS
May 12, 2008
Sitcom
DVD
C

Not even the return of Vernee Watson as Althea can make me care about this story by Aronsohn & Prady, teleplay by Goetsch & Molaro, where Penny convinces Leonard's friends to throw him a surprise party, and Howard fakes and then actually has a reaction to eating peanuts in order to keep Leonard from going home.  For one thing, they could've thrown the party at Penny's, and the episode could've had a different focus.

The Big Bang Theory: Pilot

The Big Bang Theory: Pilot
CBS
September 24, 2007
Sitcom
DVD
B-

The pilot introduces roommates Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki a decade after Roseanne), their friends Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and their new neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco, who'd played Little Ellen on Ellen, as well as one of the daughters on 8 Simple Rules, which I don't own, and no, this character doesn't seem to have a last name).  It also establishes the blend of sex humor and geek humor.  (I'm not an expert on the series, but surely the title, with its Barenaked Ladies theme song, is a double entendre of sorts.)  There's not much plot here, other than the guys meeting Penny, and Sheldon and Leonard unsuccessfully trying to get her TV back from her ex-boyfriend Kurt (Brian Patrick Wade, who would return).  Sheldon has most of the good lines.  I own only this season at the moment and haven't decided whether to buy more, especially since it's still going and that would be a big investment of money and time.  I have seen episodes from different seasons, usually on hotel TVs.

This episode was written by show creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady.  Veteran director James Burrows didn't do any more episodes.  I'm pleased to see that Vernee Watson, still looking great and still with a dry delivery three decades after Welcome Back, Kotter, will be back as Althea the nurse.  And, yes, this is my first CBS sitcom since Square Pegs and M*A*S*H!

Welcome Back, Kotter: A Sweathog Christmas Special

Welcome Back, Kotter: A Sweathog Christmas Special
ABC
December 15, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C

The main thing this clip show establishes is that the writing was often better in the first season, as in the "sit-in" episode and the one where Epstein was ashamed of losing a fight to Todd.

I'm tagging Watson and Scott but not Lembeck because she's not in my edited copy.  Charles Fleischer is in two clips as Carvelli, with his sidekick Bob Harcum as Murray in one.  There's no sign of the twins, although Gabe again tells a joke to Santa.  Mel Stuart (of Willy Wonka) co-wrote (with Eric Cohen), produced, and directed the new segments of this episode.

What's Happening!!: Nice Guys Finish Last

What's Happening!!: Nice Guys Finish Last
ABC
March 24, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Dee's pen pal, Judy Crane (Vernee Watson from Welcome Back, Kotter), escapes from jail, leading to a scene where Dee outsmarts two criminals.  And, yes, Raj wears tiny shorts to play soccer.  Police Officer Freeman King would return as a Customer.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Sadie Hawkins Day

Welcome Back, Kotter: Sadie Hawkins Day
ABC
November 18, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B+

This Eric Cohen script, based on a story by Joyce Gittlin and Steve Clements, who'd write another for WBK, is my favorite so far, even though I do have a couple complaints. which I'll get to.  First off, it's a hilarious episode, some of the humor coming from over the top things like the Hustle lesson that sweeps Mr. Woodman into it, and some of the humor coming from real and relatable adolescent moments.  I particularly like how Mr. Kotter keeps trying to get through to Vinnie, including telling a story about his friend Bonzo Moretti's sister Betty, and finally it sinks in.  I don't like Vernajean threatening Freddie to get him to go to the dance with her (particularly since they almost got married a year before).  And I think the thing about Judy being really unattractive is getting old.  That said, I was very impressed with this episode and it shows that the series was by no means getting stale in its second year.  And, yes, it was a good week for Travolta.

Eighteen-year-old Dinah Manoff, who would co-star with Travolta in Grease, and of course go on to Soap and Empty Nest, plays Charmaine, one of the girls who tries to ask Vinnie to the dance.  (A pre-It's a Living Wendy Schaal is another of the girls.)   Paula Victor, who was Mrs. Della Vella on The Bob Newhart Show, plays the often referred to but never previously seen Miss Fishbeck.

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble
ABC
November 12, 1976
TV-Movie
DVD
B

I can best describe this "based on a true story" (not really) story as moving kitsch.  That is, it's hokey and manipulative, but there is something touching about it.  Travolta was a teen idol by then (and still very much on the rise), so I appreciate his willingness to play such an unusual character who is not "cool" in any traditional way.  Reed as his father starts out looking like first-season Mike Brady and progresses to, well, Variety Hour Mike Brady.  (But more about that later.)  There are moments, like when Travolta is in his Scooby Scuba outfit talking about being an alien as his high school friends smoke dope, that stretch and even snap the limits of credibility, but it is oddly compelling.  And I like that Glynnis O'Connor plays a flawed but likable love interest.  (In real life, Travolta began his tragic romance with Diana Hyland, who plays his mother and who would be dead in March.)

Travolta's WBK classmate Vernee Watson plays Gwen here.  Kelly Ward, who plays Tom Shuster here, would be Putzie in Grease, as well as have a role on M*A*S*H.  "Obnoxious Reporter" (he's not that bad) Timothy Hines would appear on the last season of The Bob Newhart Show, while Ralph Bellamy who's the unaging Dr. Gunther here, would also do BNS.  And, yes, that's Newhart's Dr. Phil Newman (Howard Platt) as a neighbor.  Randal Kleiser would go on to direct Grease and Blue Lagoon, among other, well, kitsch.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Inherit the Halibut

Welcome Back, Kotter: Inherit the Halibut
ABC
September 30, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the first of three WBK stories written by Neil Rosen and George Tricker, and the second of two directed by Bill Hobin (who'd do a bunch of Three's Company).  It includes a trial, a couple Nixon jokes, and a nice, understated performance by Hilton-Jacobs.  I don't feel it quite achieves beyond "pretty good," although I can't pinpoint what's missing.

Kristine Greco makes her second uncredited appearance as a female Sweathog, while Scott Ben-Yashar, in at least his third, is probably the jury foreman.

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Telethon

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Telethon
ABC
February 12, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B

School supplies are running low so the Sweathogs hold a telethon on a very local TV station.  There are some good performances here, including "Me and My Shadow," but I think it would've been better to have not just Barbarino (again doing his "Barbara Ann" parody/homage, with the crowd going even wilder) able to perform on camera.  After all, Marcia Strassman could actually sing.  (Her 1967 "Flower Children" single can be found on Youtube.)

Kristine Greco makes her first of thirteen uncredited appearances as a female Sweathog.  Sometime WBK writer Jerry Rannow plays Oliver Niles.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Follow the Leader, Part 2

Welcome Back, Kotter: Follow the Leader, Part 2
ABC
January 22, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Yes, the show aired twice that week, as the conclusion of the two-parter heralded the switch from Tuesdays to Thursdays (which is the weekday I associate with the series).  The Rannows wrote Part 2 as well, and although not as sharp as Part 1, it has its moments, including Gabe & Julie playing George & Gracie.

A few things to note.  For all its grittiness (by ABC sitcoms aimed at preteens and younger teens standards), there's a certain innocence to the show, as when Kotter wakes up in bed with half-naked Vinnie.  (Barbarino claimed on the "sit-in" episode that he slept in the nude.)  The studio audience goes crazy at the sight of Vinnie, especially when he gets up to answer the window, but there's no innuendo about him and Mr. Kotter, quite a contrast to the scene a few years later of Jack waking up with Mr. Roper on Three's Company.  The studio audience is very vocal at this point (and this was a time for that, especially with ABC sitcoms aimed at teens and younger teens), and one girl can be heard saying, "I heard that," when Kotter tells Washington to "take his whistle and blow."

We learn more about Julie in this episode, like that her last name is Hansen and she's from Nebraska.  (The latter fact may've come up before.)  She apparently is unemployable as an Anthropology major, although she will get a job by the end of the series.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Follow the Leader, Part 1

Welcome Back, Kotter: Follow the Leader, Part 1
ABC
January 20, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Rannow & Rannow story is both funny and relatively mature for the show, with Julie now resenting how much the Sweathogs come over and interrupt her time alone with Gabe.  Meanwhile, the Sweathogs hold an election and choose Freddie as their leader, which makes Vinnie drop out of school and thus get kicked out by his father.  So then he wants to stay with the Kotters, which is the last straw for Julie.  This is I believe the first of my shows to reference President Ford, whom Freddie says wasn't elected, and Juan replies that Ford was the only one who wasn't under arrest at the time.

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Sit-In

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Sit-In
ABC
January 13, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is the only WBK story written by William Bickley and Michael Warren, who'd do one the following year for What's Happening!!  It nonetheless has such Kottery moments as jokes about Julie's tuna casserole, and Epstein playing Chico to Gabe's Groucho.  There's also a nice discussion of everyone's image of God, and a "Bicentennial Moment," which was a big thing in '76.  I'm not sure if it's LaHendro's fault that there's a very obvious hanging mic when the Sweathogs first sit on the floor.  Note that Julie used to organize sit-ins.

Dennis Bowen appears briefly as Todd Ludlow, and Woodman mentions that Todd is Student Body President.

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Longest Weekend

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Longest Weekend
ABC
January 6, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This is the only WBK story written by Carl Kleinschmitt, who wrote five for That Girl and two for M*A*S*H.   Julie goes away with a friend on a ski trip and Gabe gives in to loneliness and jealousy, and Mr. Woodman and the Sweathogs aren't any help.  We find out that Gabe was a corporal in the Army (presumably serving in Vietnam) and he and Julie have been married three years but this is the first time they've been apart.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Arrividerci, Arnold

Welcome Back, Kotter: Arrivederci, Arnold
ABC
December 16, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Jerry Rannow & Jewel Jaffe Rannow story has a lot of sweet and/or funny moments, including two playlets, one with Kotter as a Cary-Grant-like devil tempting Edison, the other with Gabe and the Sweathogs showing why they want Arnold to come back from his "normal" class.  Gabe and Julie are pretty physical in this one, he nuzzling her neck in one scene, and she putting her leg over his on the couch.

Welcome Back, Kotter: California Dreamin'

Welcome Back, Kotter: California Dreamin'
ABC
December 2, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

Susan Lanier makes her first of two appearances as Bambi Forrester (yes, a pun).  Apparently this was a big enough splash that it got her the role of the first Chrissy Snow on Three's Company, but more about that later.  What's more notable looking back is that if there's any moment when you can pinpoint Travolta becoming a teen idol, it's here, during his "Barbarino" version of "Barbara Ann."

The California stereotypes were, I recall, widespread in the mid-'70s, although being in the more inland, deserty portion of the state I at age seven never ran into anyone remotely resembling them.  The student crush on "Gabesy" may look more dated in that it simply wouldn't have been handled this way from I'd say the '90s onward.  You definitely wouldn't have got Gabe joking to Julie about running off with Bambi.  Note that for a guy who almost got married not long ago, Freddie isn't exactly faithful to Vernajean.  (He was taking the other black female Sweathog on a date in the previous episode.)  This episode is an early writing credit for Mike Weinberger, who'd go on to write for Three's Company and Who's the Boss? among other shows I watched.

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Reunion

A different reunion

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Reunion
ABC
November 18, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This George Yanok story feels very '70s in that Gabe's successful former schoolmate has always envied the Sweathogs.  LaHendro's direction is awkward here, with people standing with their backs to the camera and timing that is slightly off.  But I do like that Julie's "famous tuna casserole" is definitely a running joke now, and the weird-laugh-off is cute.

Bridget Hanley, who's Mary Flannigan, had played Sally on Gidget.  Bill Adler returns as an uncredited Sweathog.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Mr. Kotter, Teacher

One of the better moments, a dance number out of nowhere.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Mr. Kotter, Teacher
ABC
November 4, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Jerry Rannow and Jewel Jaffe Rannow wrote this story where Woodman has Kotter suspended for his teaching methods.  Despite throwing in celebrity imitations and costumes (see Travolta in drag decades before Hairspray), this never quite makes it, although it seems an inevitable episode given the characters.

Hope Summers, who plays Ms. Riley, previously was on That Girl and M*A*S*H.  She was 79 at this point and had been acting since the '50s; she'd die in 1979 and Foul Play would be one of her last credits.

Welcome Back, Kotter: One of Our Sweathogs Is Missing

Welcome Back, Kotter: One of Our Sweathogs Is Missing
ABC
October 28, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This episode written by Marilyn Suzanne Miller (who was writing for Saturday Night Live by then) starts out with Gabe telling a joke about his uncle murdering three wives, and then leads to Epstein denying he flirted with the girlfriend of Todd Ludlow (Dennis Bowen) because she's a "dog."  But it does lead to a semi-serious look at machismo, violence, and the definition of manhood.  The best part is when the Kotters are trying to talk to Juan and end up talking to a lamp.  Note that Juan's father's name is Murray, and three of his brothers are Pedro, Irving, and Sanchez.  Also, he reminds his mother he's #6, so I guess that means he has three younger siblings.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Classroom Marriage

Welcome Back, Kotter: Classroom Marriage
ABC
October 21, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is the only WBK script written by Myles Wilder and William Raynor, who had collaborated on three Brady Bunch episodes, but it is the first where everything falls into place.  The characters and their interactions are recognizably what they would be for the next three years.  (Season Four is a different animal, of which more later.)  It's not just a matter of catchphrases but things like the Jewish wedding ceremony Epstein performs and how Freddie and Vernajean (21-year-old Vernee Watson in her first of thirteen WBK appearances) do little disco moves to it.  The cast is clearly having fun, as can be seen by Kaplan and Strassman trying not to break character too much when Horshack comes in wearing a gorilla mask.  Epstein's backwards disguise is I'm fairly certain a shout-out to Harpo's in Duck Soup, especially since Gabe goes into a Groucho impression.

As with Carol's sudden marriage on The Bob Newhart Show, it does feel abrupt for Washington to suddenly be in love with a character we've never seen before, but this bothered me less in syndication, when episodes wouldn't necessarily air in order.  Also, I like the chemistry Hilton-Jacobs and Watson have together; they're believable as a couple, whether kissing or quarreling or, at Kotter's prompting, being honest with each other.  I'm glad she became a semi-regular.