That Girl: The Mating Game

Note the "That Girl" daisies substituted
for the "Dating Game" five-petaled flowers.

That Girl: The Mating Game
ABC
April 6, 1967
Sitcom
DVD
B-

As you might guess from the title, this episode lightly satirizes ABC's own The Dating Game, which had started in '65.  I was not happy with Donald's behavior in this episode, particularly when Ann chooses another bachelor over him, Alejandro Rey as Eduardo Guzman.  The worst part is when he not only calls Ann a Jezebel but compares her to the main character (a prostitute) in Never on a Sunday.  He does redeem himself somewhat, especially after she deservedly plays a trick on him.  All is forgiven, as always.

Bobo Lewis makes her first of seven TG guest shots, this time as Louise.  This is Peter Meyerson's only TG episode but he'd go on to write for Welcome Back, Kotter in particular.

This ends the first season of That Girl, averaging out to a B-, a good start.  Some of the familiar elements, like the opening with the kite etc., aren't yet in place, but the program is already a nice blend of different kinds of comedy with mostly heart-warming drama.