That Girl: Don't Just Do Something, Stand There

Communication difficulties

That Girl: Don't Just Do Something, Stand There
ABC
September 8, 1966
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Ann and Donald meet-cute when she sells him a stick of gum (5 cents!), but complications ensue, because of a roll-top desk and a perfume commercial that involves a fake kidnapping.  (Ann doesn't seem to have an agent at this point, and she could really use one, considering the casual negotiation for her role, with the salary and expectations pretty fuzzy.)  As Marlo Thomas explains in the cute pre-closing-credits bit, this aired slightly before the official start of the Fall Season and she hoped that we'd all tune in the next week to see how Ann ended up leaving her parents' home and moving to New York.  I'm not sure why this aired first, except perhaps because the producers or ABC recognized the chemistry between Thomas and Bessell and hoped that that would draw in viewers.

Jerry Fogel would later play three other characters in the series and Burt Taylor two more, while Luana Anders, who's Shirley here, would be Beryl later.  But Ed Peck, who's Sam, would play four more characters!  Jack Goode, who plays the slimy Mr. Rudolph, would return as Mr. Handley.  And Bonnie Scott is introduced as neighbor Judy Bessemer, although her character isn't really explained at this point.  Arnold Margolin and Jim Parker would co-write five more TG episodes, while Bob Sweeney would direct six more.