In this episode, Kraus has a crush on Larry the butcher and goes overboard in trying to impress him (WAY overboard!). Upset by her inability to attract his interest, Marcy enlists herself and Benson to help her with her methods and her confidence.

By following Benson’s advice (be mysterious!), Kraus gets Larry to ask her out. When he asks her to the Rotarian dinner dance, Kraus is excited but also worried about her inability to dance very well. Again, Marcy gets Benson to help in a very funny dance scene. Eventually the whole staff, including Katie, is singing and humming the “Blue Danube Waltz” and dancing in the kitchen. That’s a great scene. :D

When the day of the dance comes, Kraus is all decked out in a new, fancy dress. But despite looking nice, she chickens out and runs back to her room when Larry arrives. The Governor and Benson talk to her and find that Kraus has had a long battle with insecurity and rejection. Benson convinces her to give it a try anyway, and the evening ends with Kraus one up on Larry: he gets drunk, tries to get fresh with her, and she ends up meeting another man at the dance. (I guess it didn’t work out too well because we never hear about this man again, either!) :lol:

Favorite quotes (there are SO many in this episode, I know I missed quite a few):
Kraus: Why should I be upset? Just because I made a fool of myself?
Benson: That’s a pretty good reason.

Benson: I’ll tell you what: I’ll be Larry and you (Kraus) be you.
Marcy: What about me?
Benson: You be quiet.

Kraus: What was wrong with that?
Benson: Well, if you can manage to tone that down to begging, you might have a shot at it.

Benson: She likes your shirt.
Larry: And my eyes.
Benson: They don’t do nothing for me.
Larry: Well why did she say that?
Benson: You know Miss Kraus.
Larry: I thought I did but is there something different about her?
Benson: Definitely.
Larry: I mean, I saw her lots of times but I never really looked at her before. You know, she’s not half bad.
Benson: What half you lookin’ at?

Governor Gatling: That’s it, Miss Kraus. Let it all out. It’s good for you. Nature has all sorts of ways to help us release tension: Crying, laughing...throwing up.

Governor Gatling: I know women. I used to be married to one.
Benson: No kidding?

Marcy: Just show her (Kraus) the steps.
Benson: The steps are outside, she can’t miss ‘em.

I like this episode. Creative and funny. Lots of good quotes and the memorable kitchen waltz. The scene in Kraus’ bedroom when they are rehearsing what she should say to Larry is really funny too. And did anyone else think Marcy was rude when she said (right in front of Kraus), “Everyone has their own way of expressing interest in someone. Some people just get a little carried away, that’s all.” Wow! Not very nice! :whatever:

I loved this episode - it's my favorite this season after Snowbound and Bugging the Governor. The best part by far is the humming/dancing scene in the kitchen. I was very impressed with Caroline McWilliams and Lewis J. Stadlen cutting a rug - they made it look effortless!!

Another reason why I like this episode is that we get to see the sensitive side of Gretchen Kraus. Is there anyone out there who cannot relate to her shyness and fear of rejection? I know I can.

Love all the quotes - and in the case of Marcy, can we say, "pot calling the kettle black??" I'd be careful if I were her!! :rofl:

Another reason why I like this episode is that we get to see the sensitive side of Gretchen Kraus. Is there anyone out there who cannot relate to her shyness and fear of rejection? I know I can.

Exactly. And most people who put forth such a tough exterior the way she does tend to use this facade as a way to shield their own insecurities from the world. It's like a wall or a fortress they build to protect themselves. That's my two-bit psychological analysis right there. ;)

17 – Kraus Affair

I guess this one didn't grab me all that much, b/c all I have is quotes!

Marcy (as Kraus): So you’re a butcher.
Benson (as Larry): [pause]. (As himself): What am I supposed to say to that?
Marcy: Improvise, improvise.
Benson (as Larry): Alright, yeah, yeah, I’m a butcher.
Marcy (as Kraus): What do you like to do in your spare time?
Benson (as Larry): Slaughter pigs.


Taylor: [coughs]
Gene: OK, Taylor, I’m reading it.
Taylor: [coughs]
Gene: Will you please stop rushing me?
Taylor: I’m not rushing you, sir, I was clearing my throat.
Gene: I know. That’s what you do when you want to rush me.
Taylor: Those are fakes, this is for real.


Gene: Well, a few nicknames are no reason to get upset. When I was young, the kids used to call me ‘Goofy.’ Look at me now!
Kraus: (looking at him, cries harder).


Benson: Governor, what are you doing here?
Gene: Oh, nothing. Came down here to think.
Benson: In the dark?
Gene: Oh, I think much better in the dark. Just can’t seem to sleep in it.
Benson: Want some milk?
Gene: No, no, it’ll put me right out.

Benson: Governor, what are you doing here?
Gene: Oh, nothing. Came down here to think.
Benson: In the dark?
Gene: Oh, I think much better in the dark. Just can’t seem to sleep in it.
Benson: Want some milk?
Gene: No, no, it’ll put me right out.

Hey, that's right. This is another "milk" episode. I think I am going to have to go back and make a note of how many "milk" episodes are found in Season 1. :lol:

Hey, that's right. This is another "milk" episode. I think I am going to have to go back and make a note of how many "milk" episodes are found in Season 1. :lol:
We should all have a swig of milk everytime someone drinks milk on that show! :cow:

We should all have a swig of milk everytime someone drinks milk on that show! :cow:

I'm not sure about that. There'd be a nationwide milk shortage if we did! :happyface

I'm not sure about that. There'd be a nationwide milk shortage if we did! :happyface
Yeah, you're probably right. :lol:

Yes this was a great episode it was classic Benson all the way full of wry observations, insulting put-downs and understated whimsy. Personally I can defiantly relate to Kraus's childhood plight except I was on the other end of the spectrum. :( I was the shortest boy in the class though out most of high school and always looked much younger then I really was. It's not easy being different during that stage of life because you want to fit in so much. I can understand how Kraus may have developed some serious insecurities. Favorite line. The governor: When I was a kid they all called me Goofy and look how I truned out. :lol: :lol:

blink, where did you find that avatar? It's awesome!! :cool:

:thanks: I kind of made it myself. Its just a b&w promotion photo that I have in my collection and with the help of Adobe Photo Shop's text tool that's all it took. :wave:

:thanks: I kind of made it myself. Its just a b&w promotion photo that I have in my collection and with the help of Adobe Photo Shop's text tool that's all it took. :wave:
I love it! Great job! :cool:

Hey, that's right. This is another "milk" episode. I think I am going to have to go back and make a note of how many "milk" episodes are found in Season 1. :lol:
I've been watching Family again on DVD - and THOSE people always drank milk, too!! :cow: Milk must have been THE beverage back in the day. :lol:

I've been watching Family again on DVD - and THOSE people always drank milk, too!! :cow: Milk must have been THE beverage back in the day. :lol:


Yeah, I guess so! :lol:

Hey you know, I can use that cow icon on episodes that feature milk. Something like this:

:cow:
MILK ALERT!

;)

Yeah, I guess so! :lol:

Hey you know, I can use that cow icon on episodes that feature milk. Something like this:

:cow:
MILK ALERT!

;)
I like that idea, Lisa - go for it!! MOOO!! :cow:

I like that idea, Lisa - go for it!! MOOO!! :cow:

I'm doing it, starting with the next episode (which, incidentally, IS a milk episode! :happyface )

By the way, great avatar. Perfect in time for Thanksgiving! :turkey:

^ Thank you, Lisa - it will be changed to a great Christmas one next week. Speaking of avatars - doesn't blink have a terrific Benson one? :cool:

^ Thank you, Lisa - it will be changed to a great Christmas one next week. Speaking of avatars - doesn't blink have a terrific Benson one? :cool:

Yeah it's pretty funny. :lol:

(Poor Gene, though!)

Too bad we don't have a coffee cup smiley...when I start my Season 2 discussions on Barney Miller, I want to do a Yemana Coffee Joke Alert. You know, the same thing Lisa does with the cow smiley for a Milk Alert. (TJ, Janice, can you help?? ;) Thanks! :D)

Too bad we don't have a coffee cup smiley...when I start my Season 2 discussions on Barney Miller, I want to do a Yemana Coffee Joke Alert. You know, the same thing Lisa does with the cow smiley for a Milk Alert. (TJ, Janice, can you help?? ;) Thanks! :D)

Sounds like a great idea, Monika, but don't you think you should probably start with Season 1 first? It's never too late. :D

Sounds like a great idea, Monika, but don't you think you should probably start with Season 1 first? It's never too late. :D
Yeah, I guess I probably should. :D

I just watched this episode again today and I realized we never mentioned "Geppetto" (when Marcy says, "Oh great, we're fixing her up with Geppetto"). This is who she's referring to, in case you weren't sure!

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Geppetto

I was just watching this episode again and at the very end, the Governor is telling the story about how he met his wife, and how he'll never forget what she said to him and Benson says, "Please, can't this wait?" Then the Governor says, "That's it! That's exactly what she said!"...ok I want to know, is this supposed to be some kind of sexual innuendo? :lol: You know, there are quite a few of those during the show's run...I can start a whole thread on Benson sexual innuendoes alone. :rofl:

yes I remember that episode

It's funny just how many sexal innyendoes they used on sitcoms back then. Often you had to know what they where talking about before you could get the joke, unlike now days when they just come right out and say it and there's no art to that.:thumbsdow

It's funny just how many sexal innyendoes they used on sitcoms back then. Often you had to know what they where talking about before you could get the joke, unlike now days when they just come right out and say it and there's no art to that.:thumbsdow

Exactly, and what's funny is that years later when you watch the same episode, you come to the realization that you just didn't get the joke at the time and when you do now it's even funnier. :lol:

I was just watching this episode again and at the very end, the Governor is telling the story about how he met his wife, and how he'll never forget what she said to him and Benson says, "Please, can't this wait?" Then the Governor says, "That's it! That's exactly what she said!"...ok I want to know, is this supposed to be some kind of sexual innuendo? :lol: You know, there are quite a few of those during the show's run...I can start a whole thread on Benson sexual innuendoes alone. :rofl:
:rofl: :brent I love that quote!

:rofl: :brent I love that quote!

So I was right that it was a sexual innuendo by the Governor? Honest to God, I did not catch on to that for the longest time. :doh:

So I was right that it was a sexual innuendo by the Governor? Honest to God, I did not catch on to that for the longest time. :doh:

I think it was an innuendo, but it was a little hard to catch on at first. :lol: The show's humor could be so subtle sometimes. :rofl:

I think it was an innuendo, but it was a little hard to catch on at first. :lol: The show's humor could be so subtle sometimes. :rofl:

Right; and I even mentioned above in this thread that there were quite a few sexual innuendoes in the show over its 7-year run. I guess it's just a tribute to the talent of the writers that they could usually make them subtle enough to keep it a family show. ;) (And if you were a kid, you probably didn't get the jokes anyway!)

By the way I am itching for Season 2. I want to do episode threads again! :mad: :D

One innuendo I recall offhand is where Katie says to Benson that she wishes she was older or he younger -- and he just looks at her and moves that conversation along.

Right; and I even mentioned above in this thread that there were quite a few sexual innuendoes in the show over its 7-year run. I guess it's just a tribute to the talent of the writers that they could usually make them subtle enough to keep it a family show. ;) (And if you were a kid, you probably didn't get the jokes anyway!)

By the way I am itching for Season 2. I want to do episode threads again! :mad: :D

I miss your threads, too, Lisa!!! :wave:

*singing* "Regrets, I've had a few..." :rofl:

*singing* "Regrets, I've had a few..." :rofl:

Yeah but that wasn't from this episode. ;)

Yeah but that wasn't from this episode. ;)
I thought I posted it on the "Bugging the Governor" thread. How'd it get here? :confused: :crazy: :rofl:

I thought I posted it on the "Bugging the Governor" thread. How'd it get here? :confused: :crazy: :rofl:

I thought that seemed strange because I know you really like "Bugging the Governor". :lol:

I thought that seemed strange because I know you really like "Bugging the Governor". :lol:
I do!! :D

I was just watching this episode again and at the very end, the Governor is telling the story about how he met his wife, and how he'll never forget what she said to him and Benson says, "Please, can't this wait?" Then the Governor says, "That's it! That's exactly what she said!"...ok I want to know, is this supposed to be some kind of sexual innuendo? :lol: You know, there are quite a few of those during the show's run...I can start a whole thread on Benson sexual innuendoes alone. :rofl:
Lisa, you SHOULD make a thread of the subtle sexual innuendos that Benson had over the years. That would be a great topic. :D