Three's Company: No Children, No Dogs

Three's Company: No Children, No Dogs
ABC
April 7, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Burditt & Wayne episode kicks off the whole "overheard and misunderstood conversation" motif that would become almost synonymous with this show.  It also introduces Richard Kline as Jack's friend "Honest Larry" the used car salesman.  I find it better than its British counterpart, and I like how the personalities of the characters are already well enough established that, for instance, Janet can be both the voice of reason and the one most amused by the idea of Mr. Roper eating dog food.  Chrissy's upbringing as a minister's daughter is another recurring motif.  And Jack bumping into things is becoming more prominent, although his stunts aren't anywhere near the level they'd reach.

Three's Company: Roper's Niece

Three's Company: Roper's Niece
ABC
March 31, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

This, the first of 34 episodes written by George Burditt and the first of 18 by Paul Wayne (who'd written one for Welcome Back, Kotter), is the first one not based on a Man About the House episode, but then George figured out Jack's heterosexuality fairly soon and it became a non-issue, while it's vital to this plot that Stanley believe that Jack is gay, although he does worry that Jack may "still have some normalness in him."  Stanley's niece Karen (Christina Hart, who would return as I think Angelino's niece) is visiting from New York (she has no discernible accent) and Helen suggests that Stanley have Jack take her out.  It's Janet's birthday, so Jack uses that as an excuse, figuring that Karen will be homely since she's related to Mr. Roper.  She turns out to be a knockout and Stanley offers Jack $50 to take her out.  Janet and Chrissy, the former especially of course, are disappointed in Jack.  Then it turns out that he just wanted the $50 to get Janet's cameo out of hock.

The studio audience is again very vocal, particularly when Karen drops her dress to the floor and Jack's beer can symbolically spurts.  The episode is probably the first one where if you're looking for Jack/Janet shipping you can find it.  In the first two episodes, Jack ogles Chrissy and hardly seems to notice Janet.  Here he gives her a big birthday kiss (filmed in such a way that we can't actually see their mouths as he dips her) and he does something sweet for her.

Janet is a little overwhelmed by the kiss and later, when she and Chrissy are sitting forlornly by the cake, she asks, "Do you dig him?"  The '60s/'70s term had many meanings, from understand to like in a way just short of love.  (It could apply to concepts, too, like "I dig rock & roll music.")  I take it to mean, "Do you think he's cute and maybe sexy?", since Chrissy says that if Jack didn't live there, she wouldn't do anything with him, unless he asked her.  Janet does not answer her own question.  I think it's fair to say that at this point she and Chrissy have small crushes on Jack, while he, a little lust for Chrissy and a little flirtation with Janet aside, honestly doesn't think of them that way.

I'm not saying this was authorial intention, in the way that the Robin & Chrissy flirtation was woven into MAtH from the beginning, but it is something to think about while watching these very early episodes, when no one knew that Jack & Janet would be living together seven years later.

What's Happening!!: From Here to Maternity

What's Happening!!: From Here to Maternity
ABC
March 31, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Rick Mittleman story has a nice performance by 25-year-old Chip Fields (Kim's mother) as Shirley's 19-year-old sister Norma; she'd later return as Rerun's sister Donna.  She's coming out to California from Alabama to meet up with and marry her boyfriend Don (Bobby F. Ellerbee, who'd be a Doctor on Three's Company).  She's six months pregnant but Don gets cold feet about the wedding.  Shirley and the guys encourage her to keep the baby instead of giving it up for adoption.  Shirley points out that their mother had two baby boys when their father died, but she kept the family together.  Whether or not you agree that this would've been the right thing to do if Don hadn't shown up, it is a sweet episode, although still with humor, including of course Dee on the New Math and the New Manners.

Of the 21 episodes in the first season, 11 earn B-s, with the rest getting C+s or Bs.  This is almost a textbook example of a pretty good '70s show.  Sometimes there's too much insult humor, and the plots can be corny or unoriginal at times, but there's real heart to the program and the characters are likable and interact well.  From what I recall, the second season was much like the first, but with some more outrageous moments, like Rerun joining a religious cult.

Three's Company: And Mother Makes Four

Three's Company: And Mother Makes Four
ABC
March 24, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

I'm going to go ahead and give this a B-, like Pilot #2 and the British original, although I do think Priscilla Morrill is an improvement over whoever the actress was who played Susan Lanier's mother.  (Morrill was the aunt in the "Summer of the Swans" After School Special, and we'll be seeing her again.)  There's still the basic problem that they think they can keep a secret like this from Chrissy's parents.  That said, the episode is fun, with some of the fun coming from the enthusiastic studio audience, who not only savor the innuendo but make audible remarks like, "Go for it, Jack," and "The mop."

As I mentioned before, I suspect that the cab driver's scene was carried over, but I think both Janet's hair and Mrs. Roper's outfit are different from Pilot #2 and they did indeed have Shera Danese come back as the buxom Barmaid.  This aired on a Thursday, the same night as What's Happening!!, and knowing ABC, the Family Hour, and the late '70s in general, I'm going to guess it was after WH.

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.

The Bob Newhart Show: You're Having My Hartley

The Bob Newhart Show: You're Having My Hartley
CBS
March 19, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Both Emily and Carol announce they're pregnant, in what turns out to be a dream.  Then it turns out that Carol really is pregnant but Emily isn't, so far.  Not only both Murdocks (Tom Poston and Jean Palmerton), but also Johnny Carson, Jr. (Bobby Ramsen), show up, which may be a hint, even before the "pony," that this story by the Farrs isn't the most believable episode, so it being a dream makes sense.  (And, yes, it's far from Bob's strangest dream ever.)  Bonerz directed.

The fifth season ranges from C+ to B+, with a B- average.  Not just in this episode but overall, there's a continued drifting away from realism to absurdity.  It's not the same show it was even in the third season, but it remains entertaining.

Three's Company: A Man About the House

Three's Company: A Man About the House
ABC
March 15, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

Yes, they finally got the mix right.  Not only are Ritter, DeWitt, Lindley, and Fell more settled into their roles, but Somers blends right in.  Even Kit McDonough, in the role of Patricia, is just right.  (She'd go on to at least three other of my shows, starting with Mork & Mindy.)  Hobin's direction is more assured, although like other ABC shows of its time, there is a visible hanging mic.  The NRW script follows the first episode of Man About the House [interesting that an "A" is added to the episode title] more closely than Gelbart's for the first pilot did, although there are touches like adding a mention of an earthquake to remind the audience that this is set in Calfornia.  The studio audience is clearly having a good time, and the home audience would quickly embrace the series as well.

If I remember correctly, this aired in the time slot it would claim, Tuesday at 9 p.m., after the hit shows Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley (#1 and #2 in the ratings that season).  This put it, for the moment, opposite M*A*S*H.  I can't swear that I caught this series from the beginning, but I vaguely recall watching it before the end of this short season.  M*A*S*H was still too grown-up for me, but I was at nine starting to appreciate "adolescent comedy."

M*A*S*H: Margaret's Marriage

M*A*S*H: Margaret's Marriage
CBS
March 15, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B

Tired of Frank's needling, Margaret marries Lt. Col. Donald Penobscott (here played by Beeson Carroll).  The Greenbaum & Fritzell story manages to be both funny and touching.  Even Hawkeye and BJ putting a full body cast on a passed-out Donald at the smoker (bachelor party) doesn't seem as cruel as it might've in the first couple seasons.  (Not that they're totally off the hook.  They could say something the next morning.)

Judy Farrell (Able), Roy Goldman (this time as a Corpsman), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), Patricia Stevens (Baker), and Lynne Marie Stewart (her last appearance, this time as Nurse Clark) return.  This was Linville's last episode.  I don't remember how they explained his departure, although it might've been that he went crazy with jealousy and loss.  The show had evolved beyond the simplistic character of Frank Burns, so that even Klinger seems much more nuanced.

I don't know if this is officially the end of phase two of the series, but it is the end of Season Five.  It's a season that's on a more even keel than in the past, the usual B- average this time representing a range from 2 Cs to 11 Bs.  It's tempting to say that the show has finally found itself, but with six more years to go, it will continue to evolve.

The Bob Newhart Show: Shrinking Violence

The Bob Newhart Show: Shrinking Violence
CBS
March 12, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Sy Rosen wrote this story where not only Bob's patients but Bob himself confuse expressing anger with being hostile and even violent.  Robert Ridgely had previously played an Elevator Repair Man and here is Marvin the Mechanic.  Bonerz directed.

What's Happening!!: What's Wrong with Raj?

What's Happening!!: What's Wrong with Raj?
ABC
March 10, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In another BBunch-like plot, Dee reads Raj's diary, so he plays a trick on her, making her think he's seriously ill.  Of course, Greg Brady never went to the free clinic to hit on, and recite bad poetry to, a 22-year-old nurse.

Ray Vitte makes his last appearance on the show; he'd have roles in the movies Thank God It's Friday and Nine to Five.

M*A*S*H: Post Op

M*A*S*H: Post Op
CBS
March 8, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B-

As the title indicates, most of the episode is set in the post-op room, allowing us to see the staff interacting with various patients, from Margaret being hit on to Hawkeye comforting a man shot in the butt to Klinger making a mustache for a shaven man.

Andrew Bloch makes his first of two M*A*S*H appearances, as Private Cordon.  Judy Farrell (Able), Hilly Hicks (this time Corporal Moody), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Sal Viscuso (this time onscreen as Sgt. Raymond McGill) return.  Alan McRae, who's Corporal Nessen here, would be Airman McFarland on Mork & Mindy.  Also, Sgt. Justiss is played by Andy Romano, JD in the Beach Party movies.  Both Radar and Father Mulcahy are absent.  Four writers wrote this episode: David Isaacs, Jay Folb, Ken Levine, and Gene Reynolds (who also directed).

The Bob Newhart Show: The Mentor

The Bob Newhart Show: The Mentor
CBS
March 5, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

It's hard to care about Larry or his travel agency, but I do like the set decorations during Emily's promotions for the business.

The Midnight Special: Heart

The Midnight Special: Heart
NBC
March 4, 1977
Variety
DVD
B

The Wilson sisters offer "Magic Man" and if it's not quite magical, it's still a solid, professional performance.  This is the 900th television program or segment I've reviewed.

The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: #4

The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: #4
ABC
March 4, 1977
Variety
DVD
C+

By this point, the show, which was airing irregularly, had been revamped.  The Bradys got yet another house, Rip Taylor was added to the cast, and the tackiness had been toned down.  Not that it wasn't still tacky, but the jaw-dropping was less than on the Pilot.  This episode has Greg, who must be 21 by now, wanting to move out and the family devastated by it.  The worst part of the writing though is probably all the frigging explanations, where everyone, including the audience, is considered to be moronic.  (Mr. Brady doesn't know what "siblings" are?)  The musical numbers are blander.  This might've been a C but a few of Robert Reed's line readings sound realistic, and Vincent Price gives it his all.  (Greg of course fails to recognize his former kidnapper.)

Besides the Kroftettes, the Krofft regulars include Van Snowden, who was on The Bugaloos and Lidsville, and I think here he's playing Pufnstuf, the gosh-what-a-casting-coup musical guest.

What's Happening!!: The Tickets

What's Happening!!: The Tickets
ABC
March 3, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Richard Baer, who wrote eleven That Girl episodes and one for M*A*S*H, did only this WH script, in which Roger has two tickets to see Stevie Wonder and has to decide between his two best friends.  No, he doesn't exploit the situation, like Chrissy did on Man About the House and Janet would on Three's Company.  He flips a coin and ends up scalping.  The lines about G-rated and X-rated movies definitely root this in the '70s.

Danny Wells had earlier appeared as Bert Frederick and he's the leisure-suited Policeman here.  Ray Vitte returns, this time named Gene, and he says it's been about a month since they were looking for a boarder.  Further confusing the continuity, Dee is now eleven, although on the "burger" episode her birthday was in September.

Welcome Back, Kotter: I Wonder Who's Kissing Gabe Now

Welcome Back, Kotter: I Wonder Who's Kissing Gabe Now
ABC
March 3, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Nick Arnold & Peter Meyerson story is a nice bit of farce, with the Art teacher, Paula Holtzgang (Denise Galik, who would return in the role) telling Gabe she's in love with him and then kissing him, with Epstein observing it all.  The studio audience of course is having a great time, and it's worth noting that the "crumbs in bed" line, which was toned down from an earlier version per the censors, if The Book of Lists is to believed, gets one of the biggest responses.

I didn't notice Mr. Woodman in this episode, but I think Julie's suggestion of "Sylvester" for the baby's name is meant to be a semi-in-joke about the actor's middle name.  It's funny to watch in hindsight, knowing Julie would actually give birth to twin girls.

Ignoring the three episodes I'm missing (including last week's), WBK in its second season ranges from C to B+, with an average of B-.  There's some good stuff in its "sophomore" year and, still very popular, especially among kids and teens, it was understandably renewed.  This seems to be the junior/ 11th-grade year for the guys, who are the Class of '78.  Unlike the increasingly surreal timeline on M*A*S*H, this is not yet a problem and wouldn't be for awhile.

M*A*S*H: Souvenirs

M*A*S*H: Souvenirs
CBS
March 1, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B

Part of my enjoyment of this episode comes from the casting of Michael Bell as Willie Stratton, who's making money and exploiting the locals, to the point of injury and even death, in his souvenir business.  He would have a couple roles on Three's Company where he would show a similar blend of smoothness and sleaziness.  (Not this sleazy though, he just exploits Chrissy's depression and Janet's dreams for his own benefit.)  I like how Hawkeye and BJ handle him and, yes, I like Margaret punching him when she's drunk.  (Potter blames it on her being Irish!)  But the script also acknowledges that Stratton isn't the only one in the business.  When he says Pierce and Hunnicut can't change the world, they say they're just trying to change their little corner of it.  And the pole-sitting subplot with Klinger generally works, although I'm not clear if he gets latrine breaks.

Burt Prelutsky co-wrote this episode with 27-year-old Reinhold Weege, who'd go on to create Night Court.  Scott Mulhern, who's Andy Cooper here, would have a couple roles on Soap.  June Kim (again a nameless Korean Woman) and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) return.  Burghoff is absent.  And, yes, that's Brian Dennehy as MP Ernie Connors.

Match Game '77

Match Game '77
CBS
February 29, 1977 [sic]
Game Show
DVD
B

Obviously there was no Leap Day that year, and since this aired on a Friday, the date was more likely the 25th, but the DVD packaging says the 29th, so we'll go along with it.  And if that seems arbitrary, it's nothing compared to the infamous "school riot."  Judge (and producer) Ira Skutch decides that "college" matches "school," and so does "scuba diving school" but not "finishing school" or (arguably the best match) a frightened Patty's "night school.  Richard and Debralee are understandably upset, and the audience rebels, too.  After the commercial break, Brett and Charles make peace through humor, although there's still a bitter aftertaste.  (Luckily, just about everyone says "hooker" for the next question.)

The Bob Newhart Show: Desperate Sessions

The Bob Newhart Show: Desperate Sessions
CBS
February 26, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

A pre-CHiPs Robert Pine is on the other side of the law in this story by Michael Zinberg and Michael Davidson, as a bank robber who holds Bob hostage.  Mr. Carlin's resentment of having to share his session is the best part, although Walker Edmiston, who was a Krofft regular, is pretty good as Sgt. Webber, who's been watching too much Dragnet.  Note that the robbery is very specifically set on Tuesday, April 5, 1977, since the date is displayed in the bank.  That was indeed a Tuesday, but this also means that this episode is set before the previous one and may explain why Bob has forgotten both buying Emily an anniversary gift and filing his taxes.

What's Happening!!: Dwayne's Dilemma

What's Happening!!: Dwayne's Dilemma
ABC
February 24, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the only WH script by Jerry Ross, who also did one each for That Girl and Welcome Back, Kotter.  (In scanning his IMDB credits, this seems to have been his pattern, although he did make it to eight for Sanford and Son.)  Dwayne's dilemma is whether to keep dating a girl he likes or stop because of her ex, Darryl (Bob Harcum, who would return in this role, although he's more recognizable as Murray on WBK).

Rose Fonseca, who previously was Gloria, is Angela here.  Bryan O'Dell returns as Marvin, this time eager to put gossip about Dwayne in the school newspaper.  (How often did these school newspapers come out on sitcoms?  The Buchanan Bugle seems to have a quick turn-around time, too.)

M*A*S*H: Movie Tonight

M*A*S*H: Movie Tonight
CBS
February 22, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B

Four writers-- Gene Reynolds, Don Reo, Allan Katz, and Jay Folb-- wrote this episode that doesn't have a lot to it but is nonetheless entertaining.  Potter wants to show My Darling Clementine to raise morale, but the film keeps breaking down.  The gang entertain themselves with music and impressions, from John Wayne to Father Mulcahy.  It's the kind of episode they tried to do in the first couple years that never quite worked, I think because the cast hadn't reached this comfort level with each other yet, and because there was a meaner, less comradely tone.  (Contrast the reaction to Margaret's singing compared to the early episode where she's just treated like a nuisance.)

Jeffrey Kramer makes his first of two M*A*S*H appearances, as the Driver.  Mike's wife Judy Farrell (Nurse Able again), Enid Kent (Nurse Bigelow), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Carmine Scelza (this time a Corpsman) return

The Bob Newhart Show: Taxation Without Celebration

The Bob Newhart Show: Taxation Without Celebration
CBS
February 19, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

While this Sy Rosen story has its moments, including the running joke about Bob loving salami, I kept being taken out of it by wondering, "Why doesn't Bob file for an extension?  Shouldn't he be more impressed that Emily is willing to fly to San Francisco?  How did a letter get from SF to Chicago that quickly, especially when postmarked at midnight?  Why didn't their anniversary being on April 15th ever come up before?" and other questions.  Bonerz directed.

What's Happening!!: The Boarder

What's Happening!!: The Boarder
ABC
February 17, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Eisenstock & Mintz story has the kids' father temporarily move in as a boarder, when Mabel won't otherwise take money from him.  She develops a crush on him but also realizes that he has his "warm spells and cold spells."  Roger is very mature about the whole thing.  Note that his mother doesn't want him to take a job, even though he's had at least two during the course of this first season (at the supermarket, as he wants here, and tutoring).  Again, this may be a problem with episodes not airing in the right order, or continuity may just be screwy overall.

Bryan O'Dell returns as Marvin, this time talking about the school newspaper, which he seems to be editor of.  Ray Vitte makes an appearance in the tag as potential boarder Dean.  He'd return as Gene.  (Possibly the name change was due to it being too similar to "Dee.")

Welcome Back, Kotter: Radio Free Freddie

Welcome Back, Kotter: Radio Free Freddie
ABC
February 17, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B+

A little over a decade after playing Ann Marie's manager on That Girl, George Carlin shows up as DJ Wally "The Wow" Wechsel.  Although Carlin was pushing 40, he's supposed to be a classmate of 30-year-old Gabe.  No matter, he is wonderful in this proto-WKRP episode written by no less than five  people (Nick Arnold, Mark Evanier, Peter Meyerson, Dennis Palumbo, and George Yanok).  Whether he's reacting to the Sweathogs or naming off nonexistent disco bands and songs ("Reverend Funk" was my favorite), he's perfect.  Freddie's "Hi there" smoothness turns out to be just right for radio and his friends are soon jealous of his success, especially since, as any Brady Bunch viewer could tell you, Freddie gets a swelled head.  Wally's comparatively serious talk about life on the radio is also good.  I'd go higher with the grade if we actually heard anything over the radio, like the music.

Fred Grandy, shortly after he became Gopher in the second Love Boat TV-movie (which I don't own), plays Wally's clumsy assistant Andy.

M*A*S*H: The General's Practicioner

M*A*S*H: The General's Practicioner
CBS
February 15, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B

Burt Prelutsky wrote this story where a general wants Hawkeye as his personal physician, and Radar takes care of the wife (or girlfriend?) and baby of a soldier who's being shipped home.  Both plots are handled well, and surprisingly don't intersect, like plots usually do on this series.  The script includes the words "bastard" and "hell," which was about as harsh as language got on network TV in those days.

Leonard Stone, who had recently played Dr. Ned Podbillion on The Bob Newhart Show, here is Col. Bidwell.

The Bob Newhart Show: Death Be My Destiny

Writer/producer Tom
Patchett as "Dave Death"

The Bob Newhart Show: Death Be My Destiny
CBS
February 12, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Sy Rosen wrote this episode that has some great wordplay (including "Uncle Death" and the stuff about Johnny Cash) and wonderful sight gags, as well as a good use of Mr. Herd, already established as a man with a lot of phobias, to explore the subject of fear.

What's Happening!!: The Firing Squad

What's Happening!!: The Firing Squad
ABC
February 10, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Shirley's boss Rob (Earl Billings) finally shows up and, yes, fires Shirley.  I'd like to have had more acknowledgement that Shirley shouldn't be so rude to the customers, but the script by Rick Mittleman makes the point that her rudeness is part of her appeal.  I like the way Shirley's friends, including Roger's mother, rally around her, and it rounds out her character (not a fat joke, although it would be on the show) to know that she dropped out of high school at 16 when her dad died and she sends money to her mother to take care of her seven younger siblings.

Fred Pinkard, who was Mr. Stokey on The Brady Bunch, here plays Mr. Grayson.  Richard Couture makes his first of nine WH appearances, this time as a Patron at Rob's Place.  Bryan O'Dell returns as Marvin, here with a couple lines and what must've been one of the largest Afros on network TV.

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Littlest Sweathog

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Littlest Sweathog
ABC
February 10, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

I give kudos to Eric Cohen for acknowledging Julie's fears and doubts about her pregnancy, but much of the humor falls flat, especially Barbarino's lines.  (I'm really tired of Vinnie coming over and complaining about the food at the Kotters'.  It wasn't funny the first time.)

M*A*S*H: Hepatitis

M*A*S*H: Hepatitis
CBS
February 8, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B-

Father Mulcahy has the title disease, so Hawkeye has to examine everyone in camp.  This ironically leads to people confessing to Hawkeye.  Pierce himself confides in Potter.  Meanwhile, BJ performs difficult surgery and celebrates by getting incredibly drunk.

Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) and Sal Viscusco (PA Announcer) return.

The Bob Newhart Show: The Heartbreak Kidd

Tovah Feldshuh

The Bob Newhart Show: The Heartbreak Kidd
CBS
February 5, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Sy Rosen wrote this story about a Psychology student (Tovah Feldshuh) whose last name is Kidd and who appears to have a crush on Bob.  When Bob finds out that the young woman loves him like a father, Emily boosts his ego by comparing him to Paul Newman.  This is the first of eleven BNS episodes directed by Dick Martin.

Match Game '77

Match Game '77
CBS
February 5, 1977
Game Show
DVD
B

This has one of the classic moments of the show, when the lower tier, with the help of a few props, imitates the upper tier.  Richard and Fannie spar and tease affectionately, like Brett and Charles, with additional mannerisms, like Brett's drinking and Charles's smoking.  The real surprise here is Jo Ann's twinkly-eyed, grinning version of Dick G.  Brett isn't the only one who enjoys this all thoroughly.

Match Game '77

A calmer moment

Match Game '77
CBS
February 5, 1977
Game Show
DVD
B-

In which the men trade neckware, Preparation H is a winning match, and Gene attacks a camera.  Also memorable for an early example of the face mash-up thing.  Note that both this and the succeeding episode supposedly aired on a Saturday (according to the DVD packaging), which seems unlikely.  From what I recall as a studio audience member in the later '70s through mid '80s, a week's worth of a game show would be done in one day, generally a weekday, and they would all air on weekdays.

Welcome Back, Kotter: There Goes Number 5

Welcome Back, Kotter: There Goes Number 5
ABC
February 3, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

The Rannows wrote this back-door pilot for Horshack, which explains Arnold's disappearance.  It's not bad as these things go and I remember enjoying it at the time, probably because I liked getting a look at Horshack's home life.  He's the oldest of four and his friendship with youngest sister Doris (Andrea McArdle, around the time she was a success as Little Orphan Annie onstage) is sweet.  Watching the episode now, I can't really see how it could've been strong enough for a series of its own, but an occasional visit back to the household would've been interesting within the WBK run.  The title refers to the death of his fifth stepfather, Mr. O'Hara the cab-driver.  (In the first season, it was Horshack's father who drove a cab, but maybe he referred to Mr. O'Hara as his father.)

Carrie Wasserman, who carried (sorry for the pun) the After School Special "Dear Lovey Hart," plays Arnold's friend Goldie, while Elyssa Davalos, who was her friend Linda in that plays Arnold's sister Judy.  Producer James Komack appears as Uncle Harry Orshack (with that spelling).  Ellen Travolta, John's thirty-six-year-old sister, appears as Arnold's mother.  (She was still a few years away from playing Scott Baio's mother on three different series.)  Strassman and White are both absent.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Has Anyone Seen Arnold?

Welcome Back, Kotter: Has Anyone Seen Arnold?
ABC
February 3, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Nick Arnold and Peter Meyerson wrote this first of a two-parter, where Horshack plays Cyrano against Judy's Roxanne, until his friends make fun of him and he runs off.  They look for him but Vinnie ends up having to take the role, which he makes a shambles of.  This is another episode where the pay-off doesn't quite work.  And I understand that this was a cliffhanger for an episode that aired right after (in place of What's Happening!!) but it feels odd that Arnold's disappearance isn't even mentioned at the end.

Kristine Greco makes her last appearance on the show.

M*A*S*H: Hanky Panky

M*A*S*H: Hanky Panky
CBS
February 1, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B-

Reynolds wrote and directed this episode in which BJ "falls off the fidelity wagon."  It's interesting that his adultery comes from misguided compassion rather than passion, a huge contrast to Trapper's casual affairs.  I'd go with a B but Margaret gets pretty shrill in her subplot.

Kellye Nakahara appears as Yamato.

The Bob Newhart Show: Halls of Hartley

The Bob Newhart Show: Halls of Hartley
CBS
January 29, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

Michael Zinberg's witty script has Bob considering taking a job teaching at a college in a small Iowa town.  (As would Tony Micelli fifteen years later.)  Howard is upset about possibly losing the Hartleys and so he sets out to find a new best friend.

Richard Libertini, who'd appeared on That Girl, plays Dr. Franklin Pitt.  Director James Burrows is recognizable as the Maintenance Man, although he probably wouldn't have been at the time.

What's Happening!!: The Sunday Father

What's Happening!!: The Sunday Father
ABC
January 27, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This appears to have been filmed much earlier than it aired, since Bill has just moved back to the neighborhood and just started dating Loretta (Rosalind Cash).  Also it's #9 in the DVD collection.  As with some of the other episodes I've viewed lately, it feels like there's less of a pay-off than there should be.  In fact, this is the 200th C+ I've issued on this blog.

Fritzi Burr makes her first of seven appearances as Roger's teacher Mrs. Collins.  She had played Laura on That Girl.  This is the second of two WH scripts from Bob Illes and James R. Stein.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Chicken a la Kotter

Welcome Back, Kotter: Chicken a la Kotter
ABC
January 27, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

As with Ann Marie about a decade earlier, Gabe gets a job where he has to wear a chicken costume for a chicken restaurant chain.  Mainly notable for a couple moments that got by the censors and most of the studio audience: Gabe telling the manager to "cluck yourself" and Arnold saying that there's a man who works at the hot-dog restaurant dressed as a "wienie" and "he don't even work there."  This is supposed to be Arnold's birthday although we don't find out which one.

M*A*S*H: End Run

M*A*S*H: End Run
CBS
January 25, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
C+

John D. Hess wrote this mostly forgettable episode, his last for the series, about a boxing match and an amputation.  Morgan directed.

Johnny Haymer (Zale), James Lough (this time as Private Felix Kornhaus), Greg Mabrey (his second of two roles, here as a Wounded Soldier), and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) return.  This is finally Swit's 100th episode.

The Bob Newhart Show: Of Mice and Men

Bob Newhart as a mouse (with Dean
Martin, Nipsey Russell, and Petula Clark) 

The Bob Newhart Show: Of Mice and Men
CBS
January 22, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This is the third and last BNS script written by Bruce Kane, and considering he gave us the "Moo Goo Goo" episode, it should be much better than it is.  Even when Howard thinks that the role-playing game is like charades-- with Mr. Peterson as himself, Mr. Carlin as Mrs. Peterson, Mr. Herd as Mrs. Peterson's mother, and Emily as Barbara Walters-- it's just not that funny or insightful.  I couldn't help thinking that if this were a second or third season episode, it would've been a B or even B+.

Waitress Flo (not to be confused with the one on Alice) played Mrs. McCarty on That Girl, and was in fact married to Lew Parker, as well as Jim Backus. Bonerz directed.