Comfort TV Class Reunion Episodes

 

Last week my high school class celebrated its 40-year reunion. I did not attend, as I now live about 1,700 miles from my high school.

 

Even had I lived closer, however, I probably would have felt out of place. As much as I delight in looking back at television’s past, I do not feel the same nostalgic reassurance dwelling on my own previous life and times. Plus, all of my friends now view the world and its issues differently than I do, which often results in awkward conversations and protracted silences.

 

I did go to my ten-year reunion, which was enjoyable. Most of the guys still had hair (including me) and the girl I crushed on from fourth grade through high school was still beautiful – and still indifferent to me. But ten is the easy one to attend; you don’t have to look down at the badges because the faces are now unfamiliar, and no one expects you to have your life figured out yet.

 

And because these events are so rife with the potential for happiness, sadness, humiliation, rekindled romance, and setting old scores aside, it’s not surprising they have found their way into so many Comfort TV shows. 

 

The most common recurrent theme is a male character arriving with a beautiful woman to show up the girl he once loved, and all of the classmates that viewed him as a loser. It’s amazing how long old slights dwell in our memory banks, leaping out to grab us again when triggered.

 

“I just want to appear successful to these people, that’s all,” says Kip (Tom Hanks) in “The Reunion” (Bosom Buddies). “This is the class that voted me most likely to be on the methadone program.” Kip can’t wait to flaunt stunning girlfriend Sunny (Donna Dixon) – “Can you believe who I’m with?” Meanwhile, Henry (Peter Scolari) is dealing with another emotional trauma generated by reunions – the painful memory of being cruel to a sweet girl who liked him. 

 

 

On The Bob Newhart Show, Mr. Carlin (Jack Riley) couldn’t find an actual girlfriend to escort, so he talked Emily into posing as his wife. And on The Facts of Life, George (George Clooney) convinces Blair (later replaced by Jo) to be his date to impress the one girl who would never go out with him.  Both guys overdo it, as guys tend to do; Carlin tells everyone Emily was a Playboy centerfold; George introduces his date as a duchess and a Nobel Prize winner.

 

 

Wings offered a gender-switched variant on this storyline, in “Remembrance of Flings Past.” Helen, once the fat kid picked on by the cheerleaders, can’t wait to show off her new and improved self – only to find that the clique that once shunned her are still as nasty as ever. 

 

 

Mary Richards had no such problems, of course, having been one of the most popular girls in her teenage years. But in an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show entitled “Didn’t You Used to Be…Wait Don’t Tell Me,” even the former Viking Queen of Leif Ericson High has a lousy time at her reunion, when only ten other classmates show up (one of whom is played by the always annoying Richard Schaal). 

 

 

Donna Stone, as practically perfect in every way as Mary Richards, also had her share of calamities at her college reunion, including a black eye and her husband’s persistent grilling over an old boyfriend named Duke. But this Donna Reed Show episode (“Donna Goes To a Reunion”) features by far the most elegant soiree on this list, though I’d expect nothing less from Donna’s alma mater.

 

 

Didn’t anyone in TV land enjoy themselves at these affairs? John Walton did, though at first he dreaded the thought of his high school class returning for their reunion. As the only graduate who stayed on Walton’s Mountain, he was sure he’d be looked down on as the class disappointment.  But he discovers instead that his classmates hold him in the highest esteem, and that few achievements in this life are as great as raising a happy, loving family. “The Prophecy” delivers a message that used to be more prevalent, and one that we need to hear more often now.

 

I’m sure I missed a few other examples of this trope, but surely none could be more bizarre than the one that aired early in Taxi’s first season. In “High School Reunion,” Louis (Danny DeVito) dreads the prospect of his 20-year reunion. Bobby (Jeff Conaway) attends in his place, pulling off a surprisingly accurate Louis impersonation – until Louis himself shows up and the event ends in a pile of rubble and broken bodies. 

 

 

Thankfully, from the photos I’ve seen, my 40^th reunion wrapped up with no property damage and everyone still upright. And on second thought, I’m kind of sorry I missed it now.

The Ten Funniest Situation Comedy Episodes By Decade: the 1970s

The 1970s are still my favorite Comfort TV comfort zone, not because the shows were inherently better but because they were the ones that I watched through my formative years.

It was an era that introduced some of television’s best situation comedies, including several that pushed the envelope on what could be said, shown or implied in prime time. Here are my picks for the decade’s ten funniest episodes.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

“Chuckles Bites the Dust” (1975)

“A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants”

I’ve never read the script David Lloyd wrote for this episode, but for the funeral scene I can’t imagine it gave Mary Tyler Moore any more to work with than “Mary tries to suppress her laughter.” And look at the magic she created from such a simple directive. That scene is justifiably famous but the whole episode is brilliant, from Lou and Murray swapping tasteless jokes about Chuckles’ demise to Ted’s on-air obituary: “I'd like to think that somewhere, up there tonight, in his honor, a choir of angels is sitting on whoopee cushions.”

All in the Family

“Sammy’s Visit” (1972)

When high profile stars visit a situation comedy, they tend to pull so much focus that the episode becomes more about them than the show’s regular characters. One of the great achievements of “Sammy’s Visit” is how it brings Sammy Davis. Jr. and the working class Bunkers together in a believable way, and then finds the right balance to distribute the content and the laughs equally. Kirk and Uhura may have shared TV’s first interracial kiss, but the one in this episode is much more memorable.  

The Bob Newhart Show

“Over the River and Through the Woods” (1975)

“More goo to go!”

It’s regrettable that drunk scenes have become yet another casualty of our enlightened age. Once they were to great comic actors what a hanging curve ball was to a .300 batter – a golden opportunity to hit one out of the park. That’s what happened when Bob Newhart, Bill Daily, Jack Riley and Peter Bonerz were handed a scene in which their characters get sloshed over Thanksgiving. They hit their rhythm early and for ten minutes set-ups and punch lines are served and volleyed with perfect timing and precision. When it all comes together like this, there’s nothing better. 

Fawlty Towers

“Gourmet Night” (1975)

I’m not sure if a British show should be eligible, but how can Fawlty Towers be left off any list of the funniest situation comedies? The question then becomes which of its 12 amazing episodes to select. “The Germans” might be the most obvious choice, with Basil’s constant references to the war he’s not supposed to mention, and that unforgettable long-limbed goosestep, but I’ve always been partial to “Gourmet Night.” It’s a classic farce that builds to a feverish climax in which Basil yells at and then beats up his car. The final line is perfect. 

The Odd Couple

“Password” (1972)

“Aristophanes…”

Oscar is invited to be a celebrity guest on Password, and self-proclaimed expert Felix, who owns two copies of the Password home game (one for his car) pleads to be picked as his partner. The results are predictably disastrous (and hilarious), and are made even more memorable by the range of reactions from guest stars Allen Ludden and Betty White. 

 Taxi

“Reverend Jim: A Space Odyssey” (1979)

“What…does…a…yellow…light…mean?”

When an episode is so funny that even the cast can’t contain their laughter, it deserves to be here. During the famous driving test scene, Christopher Lloyd and Jeff Conaway keep repeating the "What does a yellow light mean?" joke and it kills every time. By the third run-through, Marilu Henner and Tony Danza can clearly be seen laughing when their characters are supposed to be frustrated.

Laverne & Shirley

“Guinea Pigs” (1977)

The girls are invited to a fancy cocktail party but can’t afford the $20 admission. To earn the money they volunteer at the Institute for Behavioral Sciences – Shirley is only allowed to eat dirt as part of a nutrition study, while Laverne is deprived of sleep. They make it to the bash, and what follows is more than five minutes of non-stop laughs. Timeless episodes like this and “The Diner” are why, out of all the Garry Marshall ‘70s sitcoms, Laverne & Shirley has aged the most gracefully. 

Rhoda

“Rhoda’s Wedding” (1974)

This two-part episode would be memorable just for the milestone referenced in the title and the Mary Tyler Moore Show crossover cast appearances. But this is also the rare “event” show that is also among the best written of the entire series run. 

Green Acres

“The Case of the Hooterville Refund Fraud” (1970)

Green Acres just kept getting nuttier with each passing season, and yes, that’s a compliment. I could try to summarize the plot of “The Case of the Hooterville Refund Fraud” but it won’t do the episode justice: the town folk receive an unexpected (and undeserved) windfall and Mr. Haney convinces them to invest in monkey racing, in which little monkeys race around a track chasing after a wooden banana. Some things are better experienced than described.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

“Ted Baxter’s Famous Broadcasters School” (1975)

We started with this series so we’ll end here as well. The idea of Ted lending his name to a school of broadcasting is already funny; the fact it was a scheme floated by a con artist is even funnier, but the best part is when the WJM news team show up for the first class and find only one student in the room. On the short list of things that always make me laugh, there is Ted singing the school’s theme song, and Lou Grant’s Ralph Kramden-like reaction. 

Next: The 1980s

Television’s Most Beautiful Music

The most beautiful music ever written for television was composed to underscore a commercial for a Canadian tea manufacturer.

But before we finish that story…

One of the more interesting aspects of growing older is how it changes your perspective on any number of things. Some people change political parties. Some move closer to or further away from religion. Some discover the joys of golf after racquetball becomes too strenuous.

My change of heart concerns what used to be called “muzak,” particularly by me in my teenage years.

I used to hate it. Now the lush instrumentals of Ray Conniff, Percy Faith and Paul Mauriat have become a peaceful refuge from a world that keeps growing louder (Dear everyone: I have no interest in your cell phone conversations; why are you forcing me to listen to them?).

Sirius XM channel 69 (“Escape”) – no better way to chill out after a stressful day. 

Television has inspired many serene compositions that would fit comfortably into the easy listening genre. Some of my favorites include:

Quentin’s Theme (Shadows of the Night)

Bob Cobert’s melancholy waltz, introduced on Dark Shadows, was recorded by more than 20 artists, including Andy Williams, and earned a Grammy nomination in 1969. 

You’re My Greatest Love (Theme from “The Honeymooners)

Written by series star Jackie Gleason, this romantic orchestral piece admittedly seemed at odds with the thunderous arguments in so many episodes. 

Angela (Theme from “Taxi”)

I’ve been a fan of smooth jazz artist Bob James for years. This is his best-known composition. As with The Honeymooners it’s a gentle theme for a volatile show, but somehow it works. 

Laura’s Palmer’s Theme (Twin Peaks)

Angelo Badalamenti’s music is too ominous for relaxation, but one cannot deny its sway. The sadness of the subject is expressed in somber, heartbreaking tones, with piano interludes that bring some hope of light amidst the darkness. When the piece ends, however, you know which side won. 

But for me, the most beautiful song ever written for television (See? I didn’t forget!) is “The Homecoming,” written by Hagood Hardy and introduced in a 1970s commercial for Salada Tea.

 

It can be difficult to put into words why a piece of music resonates – or fails to resonate. I guess that’s why in nearly 40 years of rating records on American Bandstand, almost every answer to Dick Clark’s question about a new single was, “I like the beat, and it’s easy to dance to.”

In this case neither of those attributes apply. “The Homecoming” has no beat and I doubt anyone has ever danced to it. It’s more Mantovani that Mozart but there is a sublime classical quality to the piece that is part of the reason it appeals to me. The opening strains in particular remind me of a Debussy nocturne. I love the gentle, wistful melody. I love the glissando of strings at the 1:46 mark. I love that it sounds like a walk through a forest.

I’m still not sure what it has to do with tea. The original commercial in which it was introduced is not on YouTube, but I hope to see it one day and fill in the rest of that story.

The music also has no connection to The Homecoming, a 1971 made-for-TV movie of the same name that introduced the Walton family to television. It’s still worth watching if you can get past Patricia Neal as a much bigger sourpuss than Michael Learned ever was as Olivia Walton.

Hagood Hardy’s musical legacy includes one other gift in his contribution to the revered 1985 television adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. 

Composing music as spectacular as the series’ Prince Edward Island setting was a formidable challenge. I think he succeeded. 

Sadly, Hardy died in 1997 at the far-too-young age of 59. His 2012 CD “All My Best” is recommended for anyone who shares my appreciation for his work.

What do you think is the most beautiful music written for television?

Dancing With the (Classic TV) Stars

 While most of my TV viewing time is devoted to shows that aired their last episode anywhere from 30-60 years ago, I do make time for some current series. One of them is Dancing With the Stars.

I’ve been a fan since the first season and have never missed an episode. It’s a beautiful show to watch in HD, with the elegant ballroom set and colorful costumes. And host Tom Bergeron is the best in the business – he has perfect live TV instincts and knows exactly how much to add to a moment while always keeping the focus on the performers.

The celebrities are ostensibly the primary draw, to see if they take to the samba like seasoned pros or get dragged around the floor like a wet sack of potatoes. But like many fans I am drawn more to their professional partners, who represent the apex of the species, and would easily sail past the cutline if eugenics ever made a comeback.

Ultimately, I am a fan because dancing is a beautiful thing to watch, especially when it is done well. It is an art form that elevates the spirit.

Of course, long before Dancing With the Stars there were memorable dance moments on television, dating back to Arthur Murray’s Dance Party in the 1950s.

These are a few of my favorites:

Happy Days (“They Shoot Fonzies, Don’t They?”)

This is the dance marathon episode, where Fonzie partners with Joanie even though he’s exhausted from pushing his bike 12 miles. At the climax, the Fonz performs a Russian folk dance called the Kazatsky with an athletic, showstopping virtuosity that is completely unexpected from the character or from Henry Winkler. Who else was shocked at how good he was? Plus you also get Charlene Tilton as a snotty cheerleader, so this is a win-win all around. 

 I Love Lucy (“Lucy Does the Tango”)

In its final season, I Love Lucy was still capable of comedy greatness. The scene in which Lucy and Ricky dance the tango, while Lucy has dozens of eggs hidden under her shirt, generates the longest sustained laugh in the series’ history – longer than the chocolate factory assembly line, Vitametavegamin or the grape stomping in Italy. 

The Monkees (“Everywhere a Sheik, Sheik”)

This is my favorite Monkees scene. It’s an ideal showcase for Davy Jones’ English dance hall panache, and it comes off as both polished and silly at the same time. The girl, by the way, is Anita Mann, an Emmy-winning choreographer who has worked on everything from Sesame Street to Solid Gold. 

Star Trek: The Next Generation (“Data’s Day”)

Dr. Crusher teaches Data how to tap dance. While the scene is mostly played for laughs, it is obvious that both Brent Spiner and Gates McFadden know what they’re doing.

Taxi (“Fantasy Borough: Part 2”)

I was never a big Taxi fan, to be honest, but even if it never quite connected with my personal taste I can certainly recognize its outstanding writing and remarkable cast. The series’ second season concluded with a big Broadway number performed to “Lullaby of Broadway.” Maybe the dancing here isn’t so precise, except for Broadway vet Marilu Henner, but the scene wins you over on enthusiasm alone. You can’t watch this and not smile. 

The Honeymooners (“Young At Heart”)

Jackie Gleason was a big guy who was remarkably light on his feet. Along with the golf lesson (“Hellooooo, ball!”) Ed Norton teaching Ralph to dance “The Hucklebuck” certainly ranks among the best moments in the classic 39. 

Frasier (“Moon Dance”)

Niles’ unrequited love for Daphne had percolated for more than a season, before the duo danced a sizzling tango that brought his hidden feelings to the surface – and crushed them moments later. Still, Daphne in that devastating red dress was a sight to behold.

Friends (“The One With the Routine”)

Siblings Ross and Monica get on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and introduce their “famous” brother-sister dance routine to a nationwide audience. It was a toss-up between this and Elaine’s dancing on Seinfeld for a best-of-the-worst dance moment. Friends rates the edge for the performance’s go-for-broke gusto, and for inspiring years of tributes at proms and weddings.