The Bob Newhart Show: Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

Not that Sting

The Bob Newhart Show: Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
CBS
November 15, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

The Writers: Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses
The Director Who Did a Bunch of That Girls: Richard Kinon
The Returning Guest Characters: Mr. Carlin (Jack Riley) and Frank Walburn (Phillip R. Allen)
The Performer Who Was on Another Series: Titos Vandis, Gene the Janitor here, Col. Andropolis on M*A*S*H
The Plot: Bob forms a psychological corporation with Dr. Walburn
The Joke That Became an Episode: Howard's brother Gordon Borden the Game Warden
The Gimmick: Sting parody

M*A*S*H: Dear Peggy

M*A*S*H: Dear Peggy
CBS
November 14, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
C

This Fritzell & Greenbaum story has a nice opening scene in the officer's hall (or whatever it's called), but as it goes on, it makes less and less sense.  One minute Margaret is helping the camp try to set a jeep-stuffing record and then the next she's being gung-ho about something with Frank.  Father Mulcahy goes against his policy of not writing to patients' families before the conditions are stabilized, just to please his superior (Ned Beatty).  Koreans are trained to work in the OR, but their English lessons, from both Frank and Hawkeye, are meaningless rote, as if no one around is actually bilingual.  Another episode that needed a rewrite, and that's not even counting that Hawkeye refers to Nixon as the Vice-President, presumably prematurely.

Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky), Bobbie Mitchell (this time Lt. Cage), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Dennis Troy (this time as an MP) return.  This is the first of thirty-one M*A*S*H episodes Burt Metcalfe directed.

The Bob Newhart Show: Who Is Mr. X?

The Bob Newhart Show: Who Is Mr. X?
CBS
November 8, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

This first of three BNS stories by Bruce Kane is funny, especially Bob's television interview that turns into a surprise attack and the preceding scene where we find out that Emily is emphatically not an early-morning person.

Claudette Duffy has very few acting credits but she's not only Sister Mary Catherine here but would later be Scavenger 2.  Alan Manson, who plays Congressman Avery, was Col. Hersh on M*A*S*H.  Hesseman is uncredited but he does the voiceover for Augie (confirmed on the commentary).  Bonerz directed again.

M*A*S*H: Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler

M*A*S*H: Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler
CBS
November 7, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
B-

Burt Prelutsky's first of eight M*A*S*H scripts, directed by Gelbart, is an odd one.  A soldier claims to be Jesus Christ, and so both Flagg and Freedman show up, leading to a scene where Flagg basically calls Freedman a Commie.  The tone of the episode shifts wildly and, laugh-track-less this time, it's hard to know how we're supposed to take any of this.

Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) returns.

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.

The Bob Newhart Show: What's It All About, Albert?

The Bob Newhart Show: What's It All About, Albert?
CBS
November 1, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

Bob is having doubts about his career, so he goes to see his old professor, Dr. Albert (Keenan Wynn), who tells him that psychology is a crock.  This Phil Davis story is funny and thought-provoking, although it does have some inconsistencies with the years of Bob's education and practice.  Note that Emily briefly thinks she's going to become vice-principal, which if I recall correctly happened later.

Bobby Eilbacher, who's David here, previously was a different patient of Jerry's, Ricky Rasmussen.

M*A*S*H: The Kids

M*A*S*H: The Kids
CBS
October 31, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
B

This Fritzell and Greenbaum story, directed by Alda, is a definite improvement over the last one.  The 4077th has to temporarily take in some Korean orphans and there are some nice scenes of the staff interacting with the kids, including very different bedtime stories from BJ and Potter.  (We find out that BJ has a little girl.  It seems like daughters were more common on this show than sons.)  When Frank receives an unearned Purple Heart, Hawkeye and BJ find someone who deserves it more.  Margaret's reaction shows how her personality, and loyalties, have evolved.

Haunani Minn, who plays the pregnant woman Sung Lee, would return as a Guerrilla Woman.  Roy Goldman (as Roy Goldman) and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato, given more to do than usual) return.

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.

The Bob Newhart Show: Shrinks Across the Sea

The Bob Newhart Show: Shrinks Across the Sea
CBS
October 25, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Despite an impressive performance by Rene Auberjonois as French psychologist Alan Durocher, this first of two BNS stories by Phil Doran and Douglas Arango doesn't quite work.  It's partly that there's a lot of redundancy, without it really building to anything (except with the running joke about Bob thinking Emily needs to dust more), and partly because I got tired of Durocher bossing around what we think is his wife.  The twist with her being his mistress is good though.

Richard Foronjy, who plays Artie Berkowitz (presumably the cabbie), would be a Sergeant on M*A*S*H the following year.

M*A*S*H: Dear Mildred

M*A*S*H: Dear Mildred
CBS
October 24, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
C-

Greenbaum and Fritzell's awkward dialogue ("horsectomy" is an example) combines with Alda's awkward direction (both composition of shots, like where the horse is in relation to the people, and emotions, particularly Radar's) for this weak episode.  About the only thing I like is the duet between Father Mulcahy and Nurse O'Connor (William's wife Barbara Christopher).

Bonnie Jones (Lt. Barbara Bannerman, in her last appearance), Richard Lee-Sung (this time Cho), Patricia Stevens (now Nurse Able), and Buck Young (his last appearance, this time as Dan) return.

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.

The Bob Newhart Show: Carol's Wedding

The Bob Newhart Show: Carol's Wedding
CBS
October 18, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Emily fixes up Carol again, this time with Larry Bondurant, brother of Emily's friend Judy (whom we don't see but learn details about).  Carol becomes immediately engaged and, as the title suggests, gets married by the end of the episode.  I agree with Bob that this is too rushed, especially since we don't even see the guy till the last few minutes.  No offense to Will Mackenzie (who did a guest shot on That Girl), but after the big build-up, including that Emily thought from his phone voice that he was gorgeous, it's a bit of a disappointment when he finally shows up.  There might've been ways for Gordon & Lynne Farr to do this, even as a whirlwind romance, but it doesn't quite work here.  The episode still has its moments, such as Bob's desk difficulties, and I like that Howard cries at the wedding.  Note that Carol has been engaged twice before, so presumably to someone other than "the guy with the feet."

Ric Mancini makes his first of three BNS appearances, this time as one of the Moving Men.  Robert Casper, who plays Judge Tanner, would have a quirkier role on Bosom Buddies.  Pat Cranshaw, who's the Old Gentleman, would later play a Bum on this show.  He was only 55 at the time of this episode but looked older and showed up in a lot of things, including the movies Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Hudsucker Proxy, as well as six cameos on Mork & Mindy.  Michael Zinberg would go on to direct fourteen more BNS episodes.

M*A*S*H: The Bus

M*A*S*H: The Bus
CBS
October 17, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
B-

The title object breaks down in the middle of nowhere, with the five staff in the picture.  In a way, it's interesting to have an episode with a different setting and a pared down cast, plus frequent guest star Soon-Teck Oh as a Korean soldier, but I would've liked a scene or two showing what was happening back at camp, especially with all the doctors away.  This is the middle of three M*A*S*H stories John D. Hess wrote.

Welcome Back, Kotter: No More Mr. Nice Guy

Yes, Horshack wears belly shirts.

Welcome Back, Kotter: No More Mr. Nice Guy
ABC
October 14, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the first of seven WBK scripts written by George Yanok, who did one episode of The Bob Newhart Show.  It has Woodman and Kotter sort of switching personalities, their characters enough established by this point for that to mean something.  Nothing spectacular here, although the image of Woodman in Revolutionary War costumes, not to mention Travolta and friends "boogying" into class, are certainly memorable.  Note that Julie says Gabe's mother doesn't like her.  (I remember seeing Julie's parents later, but not Gabe's.)

This is the 300th program I've given my default grade, B-.

The Bob Newhart Show: The Heavyweights

The Bob Newhart Show: The Heavyweights
CBS
October 11, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
C

This is the weakest BNS episode so far, which means it's not terrible, just disappointing.  Patchett and Tarses wrote the script, which has Bob overeating because of his overweight therapy group, which includes Dr. Tupperman and a slimmed down Michelle.  On Emily's suggestion, Bob invites Carol to talk to the group, since she's lost over 100 pounds since high school.  One of the group members asks her out and she's pressured into going.  He turns out to be a real creep, and the situation is very different than when Carol willingly went on one date with Mr. Carlin.  The only thing I like in this episode is Howard's confusion over how to put down tile.

Marcia Lewis, who previously was Dorothy, here plays Louise Gross.  (I'm not sure if that's meant to be a pun.)  This is the first of two BNS episodes that Bob Claver directed.

M*A*S*H: Hey, Doc

M*A*S*H: Hey, Doc
CBS
October 10, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
C

This story by Rick Mittleman, who did four for That Girl and recently the opening episode of Welcome Back, Kotter, goes along being a typical episode, no better or worse than most, and then it has Frank get into a tank and drive like a maniac all over the camp, flattening the Swamp and a jeep, only so that Hawkeye and BJ can get him to sign a form for someone who's been stealing equipment for months.  (BJ at one point says they may resort to torture to get Frank to sign.)  The microscope has been stolen by someone else and this guy can get them another one, if he has three doctors sign his form.  A serious rewrite was needed here, although it is a cute touch when Potter, who misses the cavalry, shoots the jeep to put it out of its misery.

Bruce Kirby, Sgt. Kimble here, was Dr. Klein on The Bob Newhart Show.  Ted Hamilton, who's Lt. Chivers, would be the Captain in the Love Boat TV-movie the next year (and devour the scenery as the Pirate King in 1982's Pirate Movie).  Roy Goldman (as Roy Goldman) and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) return.

Man About the House: Come Fly with Me

Man About the House: Come Fly with Me
ITV
9 October 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Chrissy's boss gives her two Sinatra tickets, at the same time that George buys a female budgie for his wedding anniversary.  Chrissy gives Jo a ticket very soon but strings along Robin for much of the episode.  It turns out no one gets to see Sinatra, and the girl that Robin was hoping to ask is interested in Chrissy.

Half the episodes of Series Five get a B-, the other half B.  It'll be interesting to see how the sixth and final season, starting in February, does.

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Election

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Election
ABC
October 7, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Eric Cohen's first of sixteen WBK stories (and Tiffany York's only) starts with an ethnic joke (Chinese) and tries to get humor out of the Sweathogs, particularly Epstein, threatening violence against Vinnie's opponents in the class election.  So it hasn't aged well.  Still, I liked finding out the student population (under 400) and that Juan is one of nine kids, with at least four brothers.  (Half of his Puerto-Rican-Jewish brothers were out stealing pants, and the other half were pressing them, which is a relatively clever ethnic joke.)

John Otrin, who's an uncredited Sweathog here, would much later be an Ambulance Driver on M*A*S*H.

The Bob Newhart Show: Change Is Gonna Do Me Good

The Bob Newhart Show: Change Is Gonna Do Me Good
CBS
October 4, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Gordon and Lynne Farr's story has its moments, like the deadpan "manager's specials" over the supermarket loudspeaker, but I feel like it didn't completely gel.  It's the only BNS episode directed by John Erman, who did a bunch for That Girl, but I don't think it's his fault.  And the "Emily is in a rut" plot, although done better on the Katherine Helmond episode, is by no means bad.  This is just an inevitable falling off for the short streak at the beginning of the season.  Note that Bob's mother's maiden name is Smith.

Box Boy Brian Byers would later be on M*A*S*H and Three's Company.  

M*A*S*H: The Late Captain Pierce

M*A*S*H: The Late Captain Pierce
CBS
October 3, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
B+

The Charles brothers, years before Cheers, co-wrote this episode, which was directed by Alda.   It manages to blend the absurdity of Hawkeye being declared dead, as he's informed by Lt. "Digger" Detweiler (Richard Masur, who was then Ann Romano's younger boyfriend on One Day at a Time), with the genuine pain of him not being able to get word to his grieving father.  (No mention is made here, as on other episodes, of his mother or sister.)  It's clear that Hawkeye is himself still mourning the different losses of Henry and Trapper.  And I like BJ in this episode, where his understated style is used to better effect than before, his concern for Hawkeye and for the patients very clear.

Eldon Quick is renamed Capt. Pratt rather than Sloan this once, but is as bureaucratic as ever.  Odessa Cleveland (the last appearance of Lt. Ginger Bayliss, whose role has definitely dwindled since the first season), Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky), and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) return.  Both Burghoff and Swit are absent, but only he with explanation.

Man About the House: How Does Your Garden Grow

Man About the House: How Does Your Garden Grow
ITV
2 October 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

Funny episode with drug humor, later combined with the "home-brew" episode to form a Three's Company episode.  I like how the viewer as well as the roommates can't tell how much Jo is being deliberately daft.

Dustman Mike Savage would later be a Doorman, while this is Police Sergeant Ken Watson's third and last appearance on the show.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Whodunit?

Note that Vinnie and Rosalie match, which is symbolic.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Whodunit?
ABC
September 30, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is the first of eight WBK stories written by Jewel Jaffe, who played Kathy on Gidget, and Jerry Rannow.  The direction by LaHendro is still a little off, especially the timing, but this is the best episode so far.  Yes, Rosalie can be blamed for lying, and for involving the Kotters in her imaginary trouble, but she makes her point.  (And four decades later, the idea that sex makes girls sluts and boys studs hasn't exactly faded.)  This is the first episode where we see what a sweetie Arnold can be.  I think the Sweathogs are supposed to be about 16 at this point, since he borrows his father's cab.  Notice how very small the group is, with seven boys (Don Stark returns as a Sweathog extra) and maybe four girls.  And the time between the start of class and the bell always seems to be about five minutes, unless there's elapsed time, like for a test.

The Bob Newhart Show: Death of a Fruitman

The Bob Newhart Show: Death of a Fruitman
CBS
September 27, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
A-

Patchett & Tarses wrote this hilarious episode about the off-screen death of Mr. Gianelli and its effects on the group and Bob.  It's great to see Mrs. Bakerman by the way, although as always Mr. Carlin can steal a scene just with a disdainful look.  Bonerz does a fine job of directing, including not just the comedic timing but the relatively serious scene where he and Newhart talk about death.  Season Four is on a streak, although I doubt they can maintain it.  And, yes, as with M*A*S*H, this is the 75th episode and aired in '75.

M*A*S*H: It Happened One Night

M*A*S*H: It Happened One Night
CBS
September 26, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
C+

This is a Gelbart & Muntner script, so a pretty good episode has to be marred by the last few minutes.  I will say that it seems odd that suddenly it's winter again, or at least really cold, since the previous episode was set at the end of summer/ beginning of autumn.  Things I like about this episode:

• BJ realizing that sometimes you have to re-open a patient even when you think your job is finished
• Hawkeye and Margaret bonding over taking care of a patient with PTSD (not that it was called that then), and over a can of 1943 surplus beans exploding on them
• Klinger volunteering to donate blood, B positive
• Radar looking on admiringly at how confidently Potter handles himself on the phone, quite a contrast to Blake of course

As for those last few minutes, Hawkeye suggests he and BJ escort Margaret to her tent from the OR.  She says she'll be fine.  BJ says, "What if you get hit on the head and taken advantage of?"  Hawkeye says, "Let's wait till we get inside first."  And then when she gets to her tent, she finds that Frank has ransacked it, trying to find the love notes that she told him she keeps.  She's understandably upset, but the episode ends there, with no real consequences, and I'm sure that next week they'll be back to their usual relationship, despite his betrayal of trust.

This incidentally is the 75th episode and aired in '75.

Man About the House: Love and Let Love

Man About the House: Love and Let Love
ITV
25 September 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B


The roommates try to come to sort of agreement about who can have the apartment each evening (till about midnight it seems), but it doesn't work out too well.  Meanwhile, George feels pressure from Mildred to "put up a shelf."  The episode is a bit tasteless but funny, like about Robin and Chrissy's "brother Joe," and the last scene with the Ropers has moments of sweetness.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Pilot

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Pilot
ABC
September 23, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is another pilot that wasn't the first episode to air.  But they added a bit of narration at the beginning to present it as a flashback.  It generally works, although as I recall the menacing juvenile deliquency would be toned down as the show went on.  (Here, Epstein being voted Most Likely to Take a Life is plausible, and Horshack actually comes to class with a porn magazine!)   Some things to note that will be contradicted or at least modified later: Woodman is the principal rather than the vice-principal, Julie likes the Sweathogs, and Gabe is presumably 26, since he refers to going to school in 1965 and tells Woodman he's no longer 16.  I like the references to the economy, rooting us in a specific time and place.

Don Stark is a student extra for the first of two times, while his classmate Mike Agresta would be an Office Worker five years later on the Bosom Buddies pilot.  And Leslie Ackerman, who plays Vinnie's sort of girlfriend Silvia would be back, but she makes less of an impression than Debralee Scott.  This is the first episode written by series co-creator Peter Meyerson, who'd written for That Girl and The Bob Newhart Show.  It's one of only three WBK episodes directed by producer James Komack.

The Bob Newhart Show: Here's Looking at You, Kid

I couldn't get a photo from this episode, but here's
one from the scene with everyone at Carol's apartment

The Bob Newhart Show: Here's Looking at You, Kid
CBS
September 20, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Gordon and Lynne Farr wrote this funny and believable episode about Howard proposing to Ellen and then them both having doubts.  As Ellen notes towards the end, Howard is ironing and listening to their song "As Time Goes By," as he was when she came over to tell him she'd ended her engagement to John Tobin.  Ellen is 34 at this point, which Emily jokes is much older than herself.  Oh, and Bob and Emily seem to be celebrating their anniversary (the sixth, iron) at a different time of year than usual.

Trumpet Player Verne Rowe previously was Bob's patient Moose Washburn, while Don Nagel was also the waiter on the last episode of the previous season.  Bonerz directed.  And this is the 400th program I've reviewed for the '70s and we're barely halfway through chronologically.

M*A*S*H: Change of Command

M*A*S*H: Change of Command
CBS
September 19, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
B

Col. Potter officially arrives in this Fritzell & Greenbaum episode, and Morgan immediately settles into character.  Farrell is OK so far, a little bland, but he's mostly here to react to Alda, which, let's face it, was about all Rogers was given to do.  Frank is so upset about losing command that he "runs away from home," although he does return in the end, to find that Hawkeye has already gotten Potter to accept Klinger's cross-dressing.  Note that the colonel says he lied about his age at 15 in order to fight in World War I.

Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky) and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) are around as usual, the former having a few lines in the mess tent.

Man About the House: A Little Knowledge

Man About the House: A Little Knowledge
ITV
18 September 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is another episode where I think the Americans did it better, having the male roommate consider getting a different job before agreeing to sell encyclopedias.  The comedic timing feels a bit off on the original.  And I can't help preferring John Fiedler as Morris Morris, although the "godless society" line from the Brit is good and of course wouldn't have made it across the Atlantic.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Basket Case

Welcome Back, Kotter: Basket Case
ABC
September 16, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the only WBK script by Jerry Ross, who also did one for That Girl and would do one for What's Happening!!  It's a step up from the previous episode, with better timing and more story.  The characters still aren't well defined, but I like the spins that Hilton-Jacobs puts on Freddie to keep him more than just a stereotype.  I must also note that I'd forgotten how affectionate Gabe and Julie are, necking at the beginning of the previous episode, while this time she rubs his back a little.

Jess Nadelman was recently Bud Brey on The Bob Newhart Show and here is the Coach (who calls Gabe "Chickie Baby," which is odd and dated, like the Mickey Rooney character in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini).  Scott Ben-Yashar again plays a nameless Sweathog.

The Bob Newhart Show: The Longest Good Bye [sic]

Much later

The Bob Newhart Show: The Longest Good Bye [sic]
CBS
September 13, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Patchett & Tarses co-wrote this fourth season opener which would get more ironic over time, thanks to the casting of Tom Poston as Bob's old college buddy Cliff "The Peeper" Murdock.  (Bob's nickname is "The Mooner.")  Not only would Poston go on to have a vital role on Newhart, but much later he and Pleshette would marry.  They'd known each other for decades, and in fact dated in the '50s but then had a falling-out.  So this adds an undercurrent to Emily's dislike of Cliff, here and on subsequent episodes.  As for the episode itself, it's funny and has one of those situations where you can see both Bob and Emily's sides.  Yes, Cliff is imposing, but so was Emily's friend with the marital troubles.  Also, I like the musical numbers, just about the last thing you might expect on this show, but they work.  Oh, and the Howard subplot about his burial/cremation plans is good, too.

M*A*S*H: Welcome to Korea

M*A*S*H: Welcome to Korea
CBS
September 12, 1975
Dramedy
DVD
B-

Gelbart, Greenbaum, and Fritzell wrote this hour-long episode in which Hawkeye finds out that Trapper is on his way home, and his replacement, 28-year-old B.J. Hunnicut, is arriving.  So Hawkeye goes with Radar to the Kimpo airport.  He just misses Trapper.  (Wayne Rogers, according to IMDB, is uncredited as the Man on the PA in Kimpo.)  But he does meet with and spend most of the rest of the episode bonding with B.J., who's new to Korea but soon loses much of his shininess.  Meanwhile, Frank is in nominal command, although Margaret seems to be signing the papers.

At one point, Klinger claims to be wearing a flowered hat because it's Spring, but at the very end of the episode we're told that Col. Potter will be arriving on Sept. 19, 1952, and we get a brief glimpse of him interacting with Radar.  I suspect they just wanted the date to align with the next week's air-date.  Note that Hawkeye says he lived with Trapper for over a year.  At this point, there should be ten months left of the war, so it'll be interesting to see how they get around that in Season Five and beyond.  In any case, this is an interesting, if sometimes a bit forced kick-off for Season Four, and it's good to see Christopher and Farr promoted to the opening credits.  Oh, and M*A*S*H was now shifted over to Fridays.  I definitely wasn't watching it then;  Donny & Marie was a more likely selection when I was seven.

Kimiko Hiroshige's role as the Korean Mother is her first of four on the show.  Robert Karnes is a Colonel here and would later be a General.  Tom Dever (this time the M.P. Lieutenant), Roy Goldman (as Roy Goldman), Virginia Ann Lee (formerly the title character on "The Moose," this time a Korean Daughter, perhaps the one Radar saves), and Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky) return.

Man About the House: Right Said George

Man About the House: Right Said George
ITV
11 September 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is another episode that's funnier than I remember, although not exactly classic.  Robin, after making Chrissy give him piano lessons, turns out to know how to play perfectly well (on the piano I mean).  George, who needs a quick twenty quid, sells him the Ropers' piano.  The problem is how to get it upstairs.  His best friend Jerry (Roy Kinnear) of course has a terrible idea how.

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Great Debate

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Great Debate
ABC
September 9. 1975
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Rick Mittleman, who did four That Girl scripts, wrote this inauspicious debut of a very different New York sitcom, although I have more of an issue with director Bob LaHendro (who would direct 37 more episodes), because the timing and characterization is off through most of the episode.  The only one who really seems to know what he's doing at this point is John Sylvester White, who has already nailed the grumpy Mr. Michael Woodman.  The opening and closing "joke scenes" with Kaplan and Strassman (who had spent time around Alan Alda's Groucho impressions and probably found Kaplan's an improvement) aren't bad.  The main problem is that there's not the resonance of later episodes.  This is a program that perhaps more than any other of its time (even Happy Days) thrived on catchphrases and audience anticipation of what the characters would do.  Did I watch this from Week One?  Maybe, but probably not.  I do know that at some point in the first season it became my favorite evening program.  And if I wasn't yet an ABC loyalist, I would be by the time this show left the air, four years later.

The Sweathogs, about whom more later:

• 24-year-old Robert Hegyes as Juan [many middle names omitted] Epstein
• 22-year-old Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington
• 26-year-old Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack
• 21-year-old John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino
• and as the only female Sweathog with lines at the moment, 22-year-old Debralee Scott as Rosalie "Hotsy" Totsy.

Scott Ben-Yashar makes his first of four uncredited appearances as a Sweathog, while Bill Adler does his first of two.  Twenty-three-year-old Helaine Lembeck (daughter of Harvey, sister of Michael) understandably would return a dozen more times as Judy Borden, while Dennis Bowen would be back four more times as "whitebread" Todd Ludlow.  (It's not too surprising that he played Archie Andrews in live-action specials around that time.)