Soap: Episode 42

Soap: Episode 42
ABC
February 1, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B-

Corinne gives birth to a healthy baby boy, while Jessica and Mary reminisce about their labor stories.  (Eunice says she wants Dutch's baby, but this never happened during the run of the show.)  Jessica and Detective Donahue have a date at his place, while Chester regains his memory.  Burt decides to prove that Sally partially lied about his adultery.  (It's actually fully lied, but he and the audience don't know that yet.)  And Alice turns into a Jewish mother after living with Jodie three days.

Jo de Winter returns as Corinne's nameless obstetrician.  The Major, Danny, Chuck, Bob, and oddly enough Corinne are absent.

Mork & Mindy: Skyflakes Keep Falling on My Head

Mork & Mindy: Skyflakes Keep Falling on My Head
ABC
February 1, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This McRaven & Johnson episode feels a bit off, Exidor's material included, although I do like the exchange where Mork and Mindy "admit their feelings" in the sense that they have them and know what they are but aren't going to name them.  (At least this wouldn't drag on for years and years like Tony and Angela on Who's the Boss?)  Note that Mork makes some Watergate references, but then What's Happening!! had a Nixon joke a few weeks back.

This is the 800th sitcom episode I've reviewed, obviously with many more to come.

Three's Company: Stanley's Hotline

Three's Company: Stanley's Hotline
ABC
January 30, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is perhaps the only sitcom to ever use a farcical mix-up between wart removal and abortion.  Schedeen does a better job filling in for DeWitt than Leland Smith did filling in for Fred Berry a few days earlier.  (And I think it was for similar reasons, contract renegotiations with ABC.)

M*A*S*H: Hot Lips Is Back in Town

M*A*S*H: Hot Lips Is Back in Town
CBS
January 29, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B

Larry Balmagia and Bernard Dilbert wrote the teleplay based on a story by Dilbert and Gary Markowitz.  Despite the title, it's actually about how Margaret's divorce (now official) has made her realize she needs to focus on her Army career, and not get sidetracked by men, especially the wrong men.  So when she comes up with a workable plan for nurses to help with triage and then finds out that the general isn't taking her seriously, she sends him away.  Meanwhile, Radar falls for a nurse who's lovely inside and out.  (So of course we'll never see her again.)

Jan Jorden (Baker), Enid Kent (Bigelow), and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) return.

Diff'rent Strokes: No Time for Arnold

Diff'rent Strokes: No Time for Arnold
NBC
January 26, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C+

In this Albert E. Lewin story, no one in the family can tell the difference between pee and water.  And Willis teaches Kimberly to dance to "Le Freak."

What's Happening!!: Dee the Cheerleader

What's Happening!!: Dee the Cheerleader
ABC
January 25, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This Sally Wade story has potential but it also has flaws:

1. There's too much set-up to explain why Rerun is absent and Snake has temporarily moved in;
2. Little Earl creeps me out when he talks about Dee's "crazy hips";
3. Not enough distinction is made between the effects of busing and the specific expectations of Mr. Bradley the principal (Davis Roberts returning in the role);
4. And Dee is 13 but going to high school?  Did she skip a grade at some point?

I do like Dee standing up for her rights, the ironic twist about the Chicana cheerleader, and the bonding not only between Dee and her friend but among the girls and Shirley.

Mork & Mindy: Young Love

Mork & Mindy: Young Love
ABC
January 25, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In this Tom Tenowich story, Eugene is tired of his mother's nagging so he and a new little girl, Holly (Tammy Lauren, who was on various shows at the time, like Angie), with similar complaints decide to get married.  Mork performs the ceremony.  This is never as funny as the bloopers I've seen from it, and I'm not crazy about how Mindy explains boys and girls hitting each other to express affection, but I will note that the vow to "learn about life by watching Three's Company" is a worthy one for any Gen-X sitcom fan.

M*A*S*H: The Young and the Restless

M*A*S*H: The Young and the Restless
CBS
January 22, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B-

In this first of two M*A*S*H stories written by Mitch Markowitz, a talented young surgeon, Capt. Simmons (James Canning in his second of two M*A*S*H appearances), puts the doctor's noses out of joint, while Klinger acts like he thinks he's in Toledo.  This episode is mainly notable for, one, Margaret talking some sense into Potter, two, Potter telling Winchester why he doesn't like him, and three, Klinger wearing interesting men's outfits for a change.

Kellye Nakahara returns as Kellye Yamato.  And if I haven't mentioned it before, she's always referred to as "Kellye," unlike Nurse Baker et al.

Diff'rent Strokes: The Woman

Diff'rent Strokes: The Woman
NBC
January 19, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is the first episode of the series where everything clicks.  The kids unite to stop Mr. Drummond from marrying a woman who sends her own children to foreign boarding schools.  Elinor Donahue is of course best known for her role as Betty on Father Knows Best, but she had played Medley Blaine in Gidget Gets Married and would show up on Mork & Mindy a couple years after this.  She does well with the role of Diane Sloane here, showing us why Phil would be so infatuated after six weeks but also revealing why she would not be a good member of this close-knit family.  (And I have to wonder if she's influenced by Phil's money, since the audience audibly reacts to the huge engagement ring.)  There are a couple nice, more serious scenes between Mr. Drummond and Mrs. Garrett.  Sadly, the writer Ron Alexander has no other credit at IMDB.  It would've been interesting to see what else he was capable of.

Soap: Episode 41

Soap: Episode 41
ABC
January 18, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B

This is one of the better Harris & Silver episodes, since it doesn't really have any weak scenes.  It starts with the Campbell & Dallas men drinking to forget their losses-- of wives, lovers, and Bob's suede jacket.  Even the Dutch & Eunice scene, with him being caught by the police, isn't bad.  Meanwhile, Tim leaves Corinne to go live in a cave and make peace with God, and not long after this, Corinne goes into labor, in her sixth week!  Note that Billy is somehow still 15, although his birthday is supposed to be in October.  (There is no way to explain this with any timeline.)  This is also the episode where Jodie meets a lesbian, Alice (Randee Heller in her first of nine appearances), and talks her out of suicide.

Chester is absent and no one seems to be grieving him, if they ever did.

Mork & Mindy: Mork the Tolerant

Mork & Mindy: Mork the Tolerant
ABC
January 18, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Turner & Mitchell story introduces new downstairs neighbor Mr. Bickley (Tom Poston in his first of 32 appearances).  He makes greeting cards for a living but is a curmudgeon.  Nonetheless, Mork tries to befriend him, first throwing a disastrous dinner party and then giving him an adorable puppy.  Poston is a good addition to the cast, providing sourness to balance the sweetness, at a point when even Fred seems to have been won over by Mork.  Also, this episode gives Mork a lot of unexpected lines, like the wine listing to the side.  Note that Williams seems genuinely amused by Poston in the still on the right, laughing out of character.

Ed Greenberg makes his first of two Mork appearances, as Jack.  Cora is absent.

Three's Company: The Older Woman

Three's Company: The Older Woman
ABC
January 16, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Wayne & Burditt story has Jack involved with Mrs. Roper's cousin, Barbara (41-year-old Claudette Nevins, who had been a Hostess on The Bob Newhart Show).  She's an archaeologist who "digs him," and the feeling is mutual.  The girls approve, until they mistake Barbara's mother, Martha (71-year-old Irene Tedrow, who had recently played Mr. Drummond's mother, here making her first of two 3'sC appearances), for Jack's new girlfriend.  So Larry volunteers to seduce the woman, to prove she's just into young guys.  I'd like the episode better if it didn't go in that farcical direction and actually explored Jack's new relationship and reaction to it.

M*A*S*H: The Price

M*A*S*H: The Price
CBS
January 15, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
C+

Erik Tarloff's second of three M*A*S*H scripts is somewhat predictable, although Morgan does a nice job with Potter's sacrifice of his beloved horse, temporary as it turns out.

Yuki Shimoda makes his first of three M*A*S*H appearances, as Cho Pak.  Johnny Haymer (Zale) and Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky) return.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Bride and Gloom

Welcome Back, Kotter: Bride and Gloom
ABC
January 13, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C

This Barret & Bloom story doesn't make much sense, from the way the news of Vinnie getting married, to Juan's cousin in need of a Green Card, is handled, to the fact that she tells Vinnie she wants dental work, even though she doesn't speak much English and he speaks no Spanish.  Also, the energy feels low.  I was going to go with a C-, but I like Juan dancing to "Hava Nagila" on marimba, as well Mr. Woodman's tale of being jilted by an aviatrix.

Linda McCullough makes her last appearance as Vinnie's girlfriend Sally.

Diff'rent Strokes: The Club Meeting

Diff'rent Strokes: The Club Meeting
NBC
January 12, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C+

More Brady writers join in, this time Tom & Helen August.  So it's not too surprising that when Willis invites his old friends from Harlem over to the apartment, he gets a swell head about his new wealth.

Confusingly, Tony Williams, who plays William, would return as Charles, while Brian Salmon, who's Charles here, would be back as Tiny.  Anthony Thompkins would, however, consistently be Vernon.  And Pop Attmore, who's Bubba, was Dwayne on the "Kelly's Kids" episode of The Brady Bunch, when he was known as William Attmore II.

Soap: Episode 40

Soap: Episode 40
ABC
January 11, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B-

The main reason to watch this Harris & Silver episode is for the scene where Jodie confronts Carol, who's gone back home to Texas.  The other threads are that the family gathers together for a memorial service for Chester (who's slowly regaining his memory), but no one actually has any good memories of him; and Sally tells Mary about her "affair" with Burt, and his new fling with an 18-year-old.  Note that the rhyming recaps are already getting old in this second venture and I'll be glad when they're dropped.

Peggy Pope makes her first of five appearances as Carol's mother.  Charles Hallahan, who plays Lance, would be Colin Turnbull on M*A*S*H.  Eunice is absent and I don't know if she's heard that her father is probably dead.

What's Happening!!: Making Out

What's Happening!!: Making Out
ABC
January 11, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C+

It's a little surprising to find out that this episode was written by a woman, Joanne Pagliaro, who would do three more.  Roger and Rerun compete over who's better at romancing their new girlfriends, April (Ronalda Douglas, in her third and last appearance on WH) and Cindy (Candy Ann Brown, who almost twenty years later, as Candy Brown Houston, would play Sue on Ellen).  And then they switch off, and the women go along with it, even though Raj told Cindy he loved her and then claimed he lied about that.

Rani DuBois makes her fourth and last appearance on the show, as Girl of Interest.

Mork & Mindy: Mork and the Immigrant

Mork & Mindy: Mork and the Immigrant
ABC
January 11, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Regular writer April Kelly co-wrote this episode with David O'Malley, his first of two for Mork.  Mork meets a stereotypical Russian Sergei (Tim Thomerson, who had co-starred with Conrad Janis on Quark).  He has him move in, without first discussing it with Mindy.  And then they both end up trying to register as "aliens."  There's a funny line about money controlling democracy, but otherwise this episode is weaker than usual.

Ned Wertimer, who plays the Clerk, was recognizable by then as Ned the Doorman on The Jeffersons.

M*A*S*H: Inga

M*A*S*H: Inga
CBS
January 8, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B-

Hartley plays the title character, Dr. Inga Halvorsen, in this episode that Alda wrote and directed.  It's the sort of thing that gave him a lot of male-feminist cred at the time.  (He and Phil Donohue were the best examples.)  It feels a little heavy-handed but it is appreciated, especially looking back on the Hawkeye of the early seasons.  I would've preferred that the point about Hawkeye learning to respect a woman as his equal had been made more subtly, but shrug.  It's still nice to see.

Phyllis Katz (her last appearance, this time as a nameless Nurse), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Sal Viscusco (PA Announcer) return.  This is the 200th dramedy I've reviewed, with M*A*S*H contributing the most of course.

Diff'rent Strokes: The Fight

Diff'rent Strokes: The Fight
NBC
January 5, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the first of six DS episodes by Sandy Veith and while it treads a familiar and, yes, Bradyesque path, it does a couple different things with the material.  One is that it gives Coleman a chance to act tough and even imitate Muhammad Ali.  Another is that it adds another layer to the conflict between Willis and Mr. Drummond over who is Arnold's "father."  Note that Kimberly shares a bathroom with the boys, and we get a glimpse of the hallway outside the boys' bedroom.

Soap: Episode 39

Soap: Episode 39
ABC
January 4, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B-

The best thing about this Harris & Silver episode is the interaction between Guillaume and Helmond, whether he's pretending to be her husband to protect Eunice and Dutch, or comforting her over her actual husband's death.  (And we know he hates Chester.)  It turns out that Chester is actually alive but still amnesiac.  Meanwhile, Burt tries to gently dump Sally, who first threatens suicide and then swears revenge.  And Danny wants revenge on Elaine's killers.  Note that Elaine was buried only a day or two after her death.  (Peter's funeral was similarly rushed.)  Also note that Benson and Billy think Eunice can't cook, although she told Walter she could.  And further note that Burt and Danny already had a conversation about their gun knowledge, when Danny tried to kill Burt.

GW Bailey, who plays the Hobo, would begin his recurring role as Rizzo on M*A*S*H later that year.  Richard Stahl, who plays Officer Hickey, would appear on an early episode of Who's the Boss?, again working with Helmond.  Corinne, Tim, and the Major are absent.

M*A*S*H: B.J. Papa San

M*A*S*H: B.J. Papa San
CBS
January 1, 1979
Dramedy
DVD
B-

Neither of the main plot threads of this Larry Balmagia story feel very fresh.   BJ taking care of a local family is reminiscent of things both Hawkeye and Trapper have done, while Charles hoping to become the personal physician of a gruff general who prefers Hawkeye seems like something I've seen before, more than once.  Still, the show isn't yet stale and at least these threads are well done.

Chao Li Chi makes his first of two M*A*S*H appearances, as the Father.  Johnny Haymer (Zale), Shizuko Hoshi (the Mother), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), Dick O'Neill (this time General Marian Prescott), and Sal Viscuso (PA Announcer) return.  This is only the second M*A*S*H episode James Sheldon directed, the other being the first season's "Edwina."

Diff'rent Strokes: Retrospective

Diff'rent Strokes: Retrospective
NBC
December 29, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
C-

A one-hour retrospective?  I can see that after seven seasons, but after seven episodes?  And we get flashbacks to more than one scene of each of those seven episodes, with the family, together for 56 days and about to celebrate Christmas, reminiscing in the frame sequences written by Gilligan's Island veteran Budd Grossman and Brady Bunch vets Howard Leeds (writer of one episode but producer of all) and Ben Starr (three Brady scripts).  Riley and Travolta are re-tagged since their cameos are long enough.

Soap: Episode 38

Soap: Episode 38
ABC
December 21, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B

This Harris & Silver episode has some weaker scenes and yet redeems itself.  For instance, Burt and Mary confront each other about their "affairs," and it's marred by Mary's ridiculous thing (which has come up in the past) that she thinks she's fat.  But at least they're finally talking, even if he's still lying (about who the woman was).  And I don't really care about Detective Donohue and Jessica supposedly being in love, but I do like the talking-to Benson gives him.  And the kidnapping thread continues to have too much slapstick and stupid humor, but then there is the literally killer ending of Elaine coming home to die in Danny's arms.  Despite the start and middle of their relationship, this ending is bittersweetly beautiful, especially with the reaction shot of the rest of the family huddling together in their grief.  (Well, not Chuck & Bob who are upstairs working on their mind-reading act.)  The only thread I don't have an issue with is Tim not believing Corinne about the timing of her pregnancy.  Viscuso and Canova work well together, and both characters have views that the audience can relate to.

Greg Antonacci and Frank Coppola are of course back as kidnappers Dave and Mel, but only the latter would return.  This is of course Manoff's final appearance as Elaine, although she would go on to a long-running role as Richard Mulligan's daughter Carol on Empty Nest.  Billy, the Major, Eunice, Dutch, and obviously Chester are absent.

What's Happening!!: Positive Identification

What's Happening!!: Positive Identification
ABC
December 21, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This first of two WH stories by Bill Box and Dick Westerschulte never gets past its formula feel, from the Christmas burglary to the overuse of the catchphrase of the burglar, Willie Spencer (Stu Gilliam, who previously played Gary).  Still, I like Shirley as Mrs. Claus.

Wendell Wright, who plays the Sergeant that believes in astrology, had recently been Rodney Raisin on Soap.

M*A*S*H: Dear Sis

M*A*S*H: Dear Sis
CBS
December 18, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B

Alda wrote and directed this Christmas episode which is also a tribute to mild-mannered but frustrated Father Mulcahy.  It's also nice to see the interaction between Radar and Winchester.  Note that both Margaret and Klinger are feeling bitter about their exes.  Also note that either Mulcahy's sister deciding to quit being a nun has been retconned out of existence, or he has more than one Sister sister.


Jo Ann Thompson makes her first of fourteen appearances as Nurse Jo Ann.  (No, she doesn't get a last name.)  Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Perren Page (Driver) return.

Welcome Back, Kotter: A Winter Coat's Tale

Different episode, same era

Welcome Back, Kotter: A Winter Coat's Tale
ABC
December 16, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
C+

In this Barret & Bloom story, Vinnie buys himself an expensive coat for Christmas, but of course learns the "true meaning" bla bla bla.  Mostly notable for one, Mrs. Kotter filling in as a teacher even though she admits she's not licensed, and two, for Epstein eating spaghetti off Vinnie's tree.

Of the two Hollander brothers who play the "Punks," Adam would die less than six years later, hit by a car while riding a bicycle.  Note that Shortridge's name is finally in the credits.  (They really rushed things with Melonie Haller.)

Diff'rent Strokes: The Trial

Diff'rent Strokes: The Trial
NBC
December 15, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Rosen & Rubin episode is one of the better ones so far.  It takes the sitcom situation of a mock trial, as on, yes, The Brady Bunch (and again the maid presides as judge), but adds the layer of whether justice is as accessible for poor blacks as for rich whites.  (And, yes, there's irony to this episode, knowing what the three child actors would experience with the law in later years.)  Note that at this point Kimberly doesn't really have a personality or interests, beyond being a stereotypical teenage girl.

Soap: Episode 37

Soap: Episode 37
ABC
December 14, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B-

I don't really care about most of the threads in this Harris & Silver episode (Dutch & Elaine scared of spiders on the farm, Burt and Danny dealing with the kidnappers, Detective Donohue telling Jessica he loves her), but it is worth tuning in for the scenes before and during the wedding.  Crystal brings out so many sides to Jodie and the others, particularly Damon, work well with him.

Greg Antonacci and Frank Coppola return as the kidnappers Dave and Mel.  Corinne for some reason is absent, even at the wedding.  Note that, while not technically implied male nudity, Dutch carries out the week's theme by dropping his pants.

What's Happening!!: No Clothes Make the Man

What's Happening!!: No Clothes Make the Man
ABC
December 14, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Sally Wade story has Raj losing his long-time job at the supermarket, briefly getting a job selling meat door-to-door, getting a job as a nude model, and then getting a job as a cub reporter, even after he tells the publisher off.  The episode slightly resembles the Three's Company episode where Jack sells encyclopedias and perhaps becomes a nude model, although we see more of Roger's skin (legs and chest) than we did of Jack's.  And, yes, this seems to be implied male nudity week, if we count 3'sC and M*A*S*H.

Harry Basch, who plays Mr. Evans, had three roles on That Girl.  And, yes, that's John Ritter's then wife Nancy Morgan as Mrs. Peterson the secretary.

Mork & Mindy: Mork's First Christmas

Mork & Mindy: Mork's First Christmas
ABC
December 14, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is producer Bruce Johnson's first of twelve Mork scripts, here collaborating with creator Dale McRaven, who did the pilot.  It's also the first of five directed by Jeff Chambers.  It manages to balance sentiment and humor, with Mork giving Mindy and her family happy memories, then and now.

Salesman David Ketchum was on That Girl three times.  Pat Cranshaw makes his second Mork appearance, as the Old Man at the department store.  Interestingly, there's no report to Orson, although Mork obviously learns a lot, including from Eugene (Jacquet) and Susan (Fairchild).

Three's Company: Eleanor's Return

Three's Company: Eleanor's Return
ABC
December 12, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

This Shulman & Baskin story is very farcical, especially when Larry streaks, but it also gets at Jack's basic insecurities.  Eleanor is newly divorced and ready to move to San Diego.  (What happened to the baby?  Did he die?  Does her "jerk" husband have custody?  Is the baby staying with her parents till she resettles?)  Jack, egged on by Larry, thinks that Eleanor is going to move back in, so he agrees to sabotage her surprise party, not realizing that the party is for him for passing his comprehensive exams.  (He has two more years of school left.)  I like the dynamic among the girls and how Eleanor fits in, and not just because of hair color.  This is one of those episodes that's not quite a B+ but is definitely one of the best of the series.

M*A*S*H: An Eye for a Tooth

M*A*S*H: An Eye for a Tooth
CBS
December 11, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B

In this Ronny Graham story, the interwoven threads are Margaret is happy because she's gotten her finances straightened out with her new ex Donald, frequently promoted helicopter pilot Capt. Toby Hill (Peter Palmer, who was the bully Jeff on Three's Company) arrives just as Father Mulcahy is getting impatient about never being promoted, and Charles plays Margaret against Hawkeye and BJ in a series of escalating pranks.  I found the episode somewhat predictable but I enjoyed seeing it get there.  Note that the Officer's Club is celebrating its one-year anniversary, Mulcahy has been at the 4077th "years," and Margaret claims she's known BJ for a year.

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

Diff'rent Strokes: Goodbye Dolly

Diff'rent Strokes: Goodbye Dolly
NBC
December 8, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This was written by another Brady Bunch veteran.  (I'm assuming the thinking of the DS producers was that both shows were about kids in blended families.)  It's the first of ten scripts by Albert E. Lewin, who'd done three for the Bunch.  And it's about as corny as the rest of the episodes so far.  Which is a shame, because while it's nice to see Jack Riley in his first of four appearances on the show, here as '40sish detective Miles Monroe, it makes me sad that he's not getting better material to work with in his early post-Bob-Newhart days.  Note that Arnold's doll, one, is actually a stuffed animal, not a doll; and two, looks like a Paddington bear rip-off.

Soap: Episode 36

Soap: Episode 36
ABC
December 7, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B-

This Harris & Silver episode, would've been a B, since I like the scene where Corinne's nameless Doctor (Jo de Winter, who was "Dear Libby" on The Brady Bunch) tells her that she has the healthy uterus of a woman who's five months pregnant, even though Corinne has been married only a month.  (More about the timeline below.)  Helmond has some funny lines, and de Winter and Canova are solid.  I also like the scene with Carol and Dennis both trying to Talk with Jodie while he's filming a silly commercial (although one perfectly plausible in that era of the Fruit of the Loom underwear ads such as this one, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnAAr2dQrNA).  I could take or leave the scene introducing Detective Donohue (John Byner in his first of seventeen Soap appearances).  But the two scenes with Danny and Burt dealing with Elaine's kidnapping put too much emphasis on slapstick and dumb humor, like Burt's reaction to a ransom of $250,000, "that's almost a quarter of a million."

As for the timeline, Corinne says she hadn't been with anyone between Tim and Peter, and the latter died six months ago.  And since it was November on the previous episode, that would give us a death date of presumably May (or very early June).  So is this still taking place in '77?  It would've made more sense for Corinne to say Peter died about a year ago (making her pregnancy even more surprising), and he did die roughly at the same point in Season One as we're now at for Season Two.  Unless the murder has been retconned, or Sally isn't that great a secretary and she doesn't update her work calendar.  Also, don't forget that Carol is pregnant.  So it'll be interesting to see when her baby is supposed to be due, if the show ever tells us.  (I don't think so.)

Alex Henteloff, who's Mr. Peppy Flake, had been Capt. Casey on an early M*A*S*H episode, while Wendell Wright, who plays Rodney Raisin, would appear on What's Happening!! a couple weeks later.  Understandably, Elaine, Chester, Eunice, and Dutch are absent, but so is the Major.

Three's Company: The Party's Over

Three's Company: The Party's Over
ABC
December 5, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Although on my earlier blog, I said that the Man About the House episode of the same name was better, I think that while this isn't as funny, I do prefer that Mr. Roper doesn't commit borderline adultery with Mrs. Hollins from the pet shop (Diana Herbert, who played a Secretary on That Girl).  I don't think I mentioned it before, but it does seem odd to me now that the kids think they can get away with throwing a party without their landlord who lives right below finding out.  In any case, both versions get B-s and, yes, this adaptation is by NRW as usual.

M*A*S*H: Out of Gas

M*A*S*H: Out of Gas
CBS
December 4, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B

This Tom Reeder episode is better than the last one.  I particularly like how it teams up arrogant but vulnerable Winchester and humble but tough Mulcahy.  It somewhat resembles earlier episodes where items are traded, but gives it a twist.  Also, the way Hawkeye flirts with Margaret is much sweeter than in the early days, when there was a hostility to it.  They wouldn't have worked as a couple in the long term, but their post-fling chemistry is good.

Byron Chung (this time Myung), Johnny Haymer (Zale), and Kellye Nakahara (Yamato) return.

Welcome Back, Kotter: A Little Fright Music

Welcome Back, Kotter: A Little Fright Music
ABC
December 2, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Barret & Bloom story has Freddie rewriting the school song and then getting an offer from recording artist J. Bubba-Hampton (Sip Culler, who was Mr. Johnson on What's Happening!! and who would be Steve on Roseanne).  However, Freddie used Mr. Woodman's original melody.  Mr. Kotter is back and is the voice of reason in the episode.  Unfortunately, both Vinnie and (inexplicably) Arnold are gone, so I would've gone with a C+, but I had to bump up the grade for Washington and Woodman's flashy outfits.

Diff'rent Strokes: The Spanking

Diff'rent Strokes: The Spanking
NBC
December 1, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Arnold drops water-bombs, so Mr. Drummond threatens to spank him.  The females are anti-corporal-punishment, while Willis thinks he should be the spanker as Arnold's blood relative.

Among writing partners Seaman Jacobs and Fred S. Fox's writing credits are an episode of Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, unspecified episodes of Hong Kong Phooey, and an episode of What's Happening!!  This is their first of four for DS.  

Soap: Episode 35

Soap: Episode 35
ABC
November 30, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B


This Harris & Silver episode contains perhaps the funniest exchange on the series, the "Mickey Mouse's dog was gay?!" dialogue between Jodie and Jessica, showing what pros Crystal and Helmond already were.  (And I think Mary's laughter at the end is Damon's genuine amusement.)

The scene has a more serious side, as both Mary's son and sister want her to talk to Burt, but she's not ready yet.  And Burt tries to let Sally down gently but she gets so upset that he agrees to keep it going.  At the end of that scene, she calmly calls someone to tell them that Burt will soon be a broken man.  Meanwhile, Eunice runs off with Dutch, Chester goes missing, and Elaine gets kidnapped.  Note that the wall calendar by Sally's desk says November.  We'll see if this helps with the timeline later.

Harrison Page, who was on That Girl in two different roles, one of them a policeman, here plays Benson's old friend Deputy Gilmore.  Frank Coppola makes his first of five appearances as Mel and Greg Antonacci his first of three as Dave, who I believe are the kidnappers.

What's Happening!!: Raj Moves Out

What's Happening!!: Raj Moves Out
ABC
November 30, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This week it's Raj's turn to do something stupid: move in with a girl he's known only a week.  Rerun, who's been his friend for ten years, is hurt.  Well, Dee and to a lesser degree Shirley are the only ones acting sensibly in this episode.  Dee even gently lets Raj know that the girl's ex-roommate is not what she claimed (see picture).

Co-writer Marty Brill would later play Mike O'Connell on Three's Company.

Mork & Mindy: Old Fears

Mork & Mindy: Old Fears
ABC
November 30, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This sweet April Kelly story is marred by distractingly bad old-age makeup on Williams.  Cora is mourning a friend's death so Mork uses his age machine to make himself elderly, "senile minus two."  (Again, this is disconnected from the later canon about how Orkan aging works.)  Mindy is angry and concerned when she finds out, but it turns out that Cora suspected all along.  She and Mork have a good conversation and he comes out to her as Orkan.  She immediately accepts him and they're better friends than ever.  Pity the makeup artist couldn't have done better work, especially from the mouth to the chin.  Note that Eugene is 10 and his (unseen) mother 31.

Three's Company: The Kleptomaniac

Three's Company: The Kleptomaniac
ABC
November 28, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

This NRW story has a continuity error but is otherwise solid.  Mr. Roper offers Jack $50/day to paint the outside of the apartment building, although he's only giving him the weekend.  That's not the error.  Helen receives a COD package and says that Jack and Stanley went to the paint store.  But only a minute later, Jack is on the ladder, looking into his own bedroom.  He's just in time to see Chrissy take money out of his bureau in order to loan it to Mrs. Roper.  (There's a line about not giving an IOU to the UPS for a COD.)

There are more sight gags than usual, from Ritter but also from his teamwork with DeWitt.  I like that the misunderstanding is (relatively) plausible.  And Jack and Janet's concern for Chrissy is sweet.  Note that the date Chrissy types on Jack's letter has eight characters, so I'm guessing it was M/D/1978 format.

M*A*S*H: Dear Comrade

M*A*S*H: Dear Comrade
CBS
November 27, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
C+

This is the first of three M*A*S*H episodes Tom Reeder wrote and it feels like it should've gone through another couple drafts, and I think Dubin's direction should've been subtler.  With the latter, it feels like the humor is playing to the overly loud laugh track.  Reeder will have a joke in a place where it doesn't quite fit, and then Dubin will have the cast punch it up.  The other script issue is that it's partly from the perspective of Charles's new houseboy, Kwang (Sab Shimono in his first of two M*A*S*H roles), who's a North Korean spy.  As with a lot of these "Dear" episodes, the frame of a letter doesn't quite work because much of what we see is not observed by the letter-writer.  I do like the twist that Kwang, bothered by the staff's ignorance, comes up with a rash cure (a cure for rashes, not a thoughtless cure) that wins him the admiration of the doctors (except Winchester).

Robert Clotworthy, who was Clete in the ABC After School Special "The Skating Rink," here is Private Welch, and would be Tony Williams twice on Three's Company.  Laurie Bates makes her first of three appearances on the show as a nameless Nurse, while David Dozer does his first of three, as Groves.  Larry Block (this time Cimoli), James Saito (this time a Korean Soldier), Dennis Troy (this time Corpsman #1), and Sal Viscuso (PA Announcer) return.

Welcome Back, Kotter: Frog Day Afternoon

Welcome Back, Kotter: Frog Day Afternoon
ABC
November 25, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Barret & Bloom story has a bit of in-joky casting, Dena Dietrich as Ilona Garland the Biology teacher.  In addition to her roles as the sisters of Helen Roper and Dorothy Petrillo, she's probably most recognizable as Mother Nature in a series of Chiffon butter commercials.  (And the slogan "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature" pops up on various sitcoms of the day, including What's Happening!!)

Ms. Garland threatens to flunk Arnold if he won't dissect a frog.  He manages to convince everyone that it's braver to stand up for his beliefs than to kill an animal.  I feel like Epstein is getting a bit Flanderized at this point (his "excuse note" for the frogs that Arnold wants to free falls flat), but this is still one of the better episodes of the last season.  Note that Mr. Woodman, who was fleeing Miss Fishbeck a couple seasons ago, seems quite taken with Ms. Garland.

John Travolta is absent (along with Kaplan, Shortridge, Fleischer, and Harcum) but sister Ellen shows up in her last appearance as Horshack's mother.

Diff'rent Strokes: Prep School

Diff'rent Strokes: Prep School
NBC
November 24, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the first of seven DS stories written by Alan Rosen and Fred Rubin, but the only one by Michael Russnow, who doesn't seem to have written for any other of my shows.  Mr. Drummond wants the boys to attend his alta mater, but he doesn't realize that the current headmaster, Miles Bordinay (Howard Morton, who was Slocum on That Girl), is a bigot, or at least a snob.  He gives Willis and Arnold entrance exams that they can't answer correctly because of their background.  I find it unlikely that 13-year-old Willis has never heard of the female symbol of Justice, but otherwise the episode makes the point that some intelligence tests measure "class" rather than intelligence.  Note that the school is an hour a way, so we know from the beginning that the boys won't end up going there, since they'd probably just come home on weekends, as with the absent Kimberly.

Soap: Episode 34

Soap: Episode 34
ABC
November 23, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B

The best scenes in this Harris & Silver episode are the ones of female-bonding, from Mary and Elaine doing mudpacks together to Carol's wedding shower.  And speaking of showers, Mary doesn't buy Burt's story about a plane landing in the road, especially since she notices he showered before he came home.  Jessica admits that, looking back, she thinks Chester cheated on their honeymoon, but she encourages Mary to talk to Burt.  Meanwhile, Tim works for Burt's construction company but quits after one day, Chester thinks he's Marlene Dietrich, and the Flanderization of Danny's intelligence begins, with his plan to hire midgets to work in four-foot-high office space.