It was a great scene shocker when Samantha said the "N" word. I was pretty young when this episode originally aired so I don't remember too good. How did an audience respond to this back in 1982? Nell wasn't upset at all, but the chief went into orbit. Nell even tries to calm the chief down and insists that Samantha not be punished. When they finally find her at the police station, and the chief is attemping to scold her for her behavior, Nell again downplays it and says it was their fault. Samantha of course wasn't trying to hurt anybody, but shouldn't she have been told just how awful the word was that she said? Nell acts as if it's no big deal. A couple years later Samantha dresses Joey in blackface to hurt Nell and Nell is very upset. Apparently Samantha did not learn her lesson in not using race to hurt people. The chief wanted to give her a spanking right after she said the word. I don't think she really deserved a spanking because she didn't mean it to be hurtful, but should Nell have stopped the chief from at least scolding her good and making her understand how vicious the word was? The chief is trying to teach her right, and Nell keeps saying the word can be beautiful.

Wonderful episode, along with "Baby of the Family."

It was a great scene shocker when Samantha said the "N" word. I was pretty young when this episode originally aired so I don't remember too good. How did an audience respond to this back in 1982? Nell wasn't upset at all, but the chief went into orbit. Nell even tries to calm the chief down and insists that Samantha not be punished. When they finally find her at the police station, and the chief is attemping to scold her for her behavior, Nell again downplays it and says it was their fault. Samantha of course wasn't trying to hurt anybody, but shouldn't she have been told just how awful the word was that she said? Nell acts as if it's no big deal. A couple years later Samantha dresses Joey in blackface to hurt Nell and Nell is very upset. Apparently Samantha did not learn her lesson in not using race to hurt people. The chief wanted to give her a spanking right after she said the word. I don't think she really deserved a spanking because she didn't mean it to be hurtful, but should Nell have stopped the chief from at least scolding her good and making her understand how vicious the word was? The chief is trying to teach her right, and Nell keeps saying the word can be beautiful.

I liked this episode. As for Samantha not learning her lesson, I see it as two different things. Samantha painting Joey's face was INTENTIONAL. She was seeking revenge on Nell.

Man, that look on Nell's face when Joey appeared was priceless!:lol:

It's been a long time since I saw Gimmie a Break. I remember the Joey black-face episode, but Samatha saying N*igger, I think she had repeated what Nell was saying, I could be wrong.

No, she wasn't repeating Nell. Nell and the Chief were arguing, and they won't listen to Samantha when she tries to tell them that she's been called a name. To get their attention she forcefully asked Nell if she would like it if someone called her a n#gg#r. With this the Chief goes through the ceiling and threatens to spank her. Thus, Samantha runs into the bathroom and subsequently climbs out the window and steals her father's squad car.

No, she wasn't repeating Nell. Nell and the Chief were arguing, and they won't listen to Samantha when she tries to tell them that she's been called a name. To get their attention she forcefully asked Nell if she would like it if someone called her a n#gg#r. With this the Chief goes through the ceiling and threatens to spank her. Thus, Samantha runs into the bathroom and subsequently climbs out the window and steals her father's squad car.

It's been a while since I saw this show, so my memory is foggy. Samanath was off the hook. I remember another episode where she slapped Nell.

Samantha slapped Nell? What episode was that?

Samantha slapped Nell? What episode was that?

I can't remember. I have to get back to you on that one.

Samantha could definitely be somewhat of a brat at times. Don't get me wrong, I love Samantha! She is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE of the girls because she is the most interesting. Samantha had the perfect balance of innocence and rebellion. It was that balance that made her so likeable and fascinating. Her voice was so cute, and she had that certain sweetness. Neverthless, she was capable of things like stealing squad cars and dressing Joey in blackface. One observation I have about the episode where she says the "n" word: I think she's just more proud that she's not gonna get a spanking than she is sorry about what she has done.

It's been a while since I saw this show, so my memory is foggy. Samanath was off the hook. I remember another episode where she slapped Nell.
I think Nell slapped Sam.

I think Nell slapped Sam.


She did, I remember that.

But I am certain that she slapped Nell too.

But I am certain that she slapped Nell too.
Oh hell no!!! LOL

What did Nell slap Sam for? I haven't seen that.

Was Gimme a Break! taped in front of a live audience, or were the laughs and reactions added later? As soon as Samantha says the "n" word you can hear the audience react with disbelief and shock.

what was Baby of The Family Bout

Nell should have let the Chief deal with Samantha the way he wanted to. He was trying to teach her. He's not supposed to teach his child that racism is wrong?

What did Nell slap Sam for? I haven't seen that.

It was in the episode "Herbie". Samantha was being hysterical about the end of the world happening. Nell slapped her to calm her down. Then a few minutes later Samantha slapped Nell back.

Samantha needed her butt spanked for the horrible disrespect she showed Nell.