The 1960s was the last
decade in which situation comedies favored idealized versions of American life.
There would be send-ups of current events, from the British invasion to the spy
craze, but the humor was always more sweet than cynical, mischievous instead of
mean. That was probably a relief to many Americans as the turbulent decade
progressed away from the staid status quo of the 1950s into an era of war,
assassinations and political turmoil.
These were the funniest sitcom
episodes of the decade. As with the 1950s list, a two-show per series limit
still applies – which sadly renders ineligible about 30 more episodes of Get Smart.
The Dick Van Dyke Show
“The Curious Thing About Women” (1962)
While this list is not a
top-ten ranking, I wanted this episode to be first because for me it was not
just another hilarious show in a brilliant series. Watching it first in
syndication as a kid, and many times thereafter, my future career aspirations
were inspired by the office scene where Rob, Sally and Buddy develop an
unremarkable event (Laura opening Rob’s mail before he gets a chance to read
it) into a classic comedy sketch. I can’t think of another scripted moment on
TV where the abundant joy of creativity that writers occasionally experience
was more perfectly expressed. The scenes with Mary Tyler Moore and the
inflatable raft were pretty funny too.
Bewitched
“The Joker is a Card” (1965)
“Yaga-Zoo-Zee, Yaga-Zoo-Zee, Yaga-Zoo-Zee-Zim!”
Paul Lynde makes his first
appearance as Samantha’s practical joke-obsessed Uncle Arthur, and it’s one for
the ages. Every moment he’s in this is perfect, especially when he offers to
teach Darrin a spell to put Endora in her place. The payoff scene is as celebrated
a moment as Bewitched ever produced.
Get Smart
“Mr. Big” (1965)
Everything that made Get Smart one of the funniest series
from any decade was already in place in its first episode, written by Mel
Brooks and Buck Henry. You got your shoe phone, your Cone of Silence, and a
villain sure to incite offense in humorless defenders of political correctness.
The Lucy Show
“Lucy and Viv Build a Shower” (1963)
While Vivian Vance would
remain with The Lucy Show for another
two seasons, this episode features the final classic physical comedy sequence
that she and Lucy would share. They worked so well together by this time that
the shower scene was not even rehearsed before it was filmed.
Green Acres
“Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” (1965)
The first season of Green Acres features one long story arc as
Oliver and Lisa Douglas leave New York for Hooterville, so Oliver can pursue
his farm livin’ dreams. Every episode brings more surreal frustration; here,
having just mastered the generator in the previous episode (“You can’t have a 2
with a 6”), he now finally gets his phone installed – at the top of a telephone
pole outside his bedroom window.
The Andy Griffith Show
“The Big House” (1963)
“Here at the rock we have two basic rules…the first
rule is…obey all rules.”
Whether it’s Andy or Opie
and Aunt Bee or Floyd or even Otis, whomever you meet in Mayberry will make you feel welcome. But if you’re looking for laughs, the episodes
featuring Don Knotts’ as Barney Fife cannot be topped.
In “The Big House,” the state police temporarily lodge two hold-up men in
Mayberry’s jail, allowing Barney to play hard-boiled lawman. They promptly
escape – not once but three times.
Get Smart
“A Man Called Smart, Part 1” (1967)
Of course you’ll want to
watch all three parts of this story, which was originally intended for
theatrical release. But it’s the first installment that features a masterpiece
of slapstick comedy starring Don Adams, a stretcher and a revolving door. Adams,
whose distinct voice and catchphrases were a big part of the show’s success,
never utters a word throughout the sequence, and still earns huge laughs. There
is also an innovative opening chase scene that portends Adams’ association with
Inspector Gadget.
The Dick Van Dyke Show
“Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth” (1965)
The first episode of the
show’s fifth and final season contains the most memorable of Carl Reiner’s always-welcome
appearances as Alan Brady. The story has Laura going on a game show and getting
tricked into revealing that Brady is bald. Rob’s horrified reaction is
hilarious, but the highlight finds Laura trying to save her husband’s job. Her
confrontation with Alan, as he sits glowering at his desk behind a display of
now-useless hairpieces, remains one of the series’ best moments.
The Beverly Hillbillies
“The Giant Jackrabbit” (1963)
This is probably the most
famous episode out of nine seasons, and while I could make a good argument for
a few other classics this is one time where I’m content to follow the crowd.
The ‘A’ plot has Granny in full Wile E. Coyote mode, trying to trap a kangaroo
she mistakes for a jackrabbit. The ‘B’ plot has the Clampetts trying to order
food from a caterer – in the annals of funny one-sided phone conversations, this
one is up there with the best of the master, Bob Newhart.
Hogan’s Heroes
“Will the Real Adolf Please Stand Up?” (1966)
Hogan’s Heroes took the evil sting out of the German army through the bumbling antics
of Col. Klink and Sgt. Schultz – but what would happen if the neutered Nazis
ever met their fuhrer? Here, Sgt. Carter impersonates Hitler, to distract the
commandant while Hogan smuggles secret plans to the underground. Larry Hovis
creates the funniest take on one of history’s worst monsters since The Producers.
Next: The 1970s
