This was a very funny episode of a so-so show. Does anyone know why Meredith Baxter does not appear in it?

Meredith Baxter wasn't in the episode because during that season she was pregnant with twins.

Meredith Baxter wasn't in the episode because during that season she was pregnant with twins.
Yes, it seems she was absent or only seen briefly in about half the episodes from Season 3. I wonder if her pregnancy was high risk in real life as well as in the show.

In any case, this episode was HILARIOUS!! Loved every second of it. :rofl:

A so-so show, come on now...

A so-so show, come on now...
I think that even though it is a very topical ahow, the writing and acting has held up very well today. I enjoyed watching the first 4 seasons on DVD (the first time I'd seen the episodes as an adult) and am looking forward to Season 5 in March!! :cool:

I agree... the main poster said a so-so show. It was my favorite show growing up, I never missed it.

I agree... the main poster said a so-so show. It was my favorite show growing up, I never missed it.
I was still pretty little when the show was on the first time (I remember only bits and pieces), and seeing it as a teen in reruns. I checked the DVDs out of the library a few months ago and it was the first time I'd really watched them closely. I'd forgotten how likeable MJF was, even though Alex's ethics were questionable, at best. :lol: I think the show REALLY hit its stride with the introduction of Ellen.

just set my DVR to record this episode, my favorite of the entire run of the show, on Friday on the Family Network(?)

just set my DVR to record this episode, my favorite of the entire run of the show, on Friday on the Family Network(?)
Awesome!! Have fun!! :rofl:

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"Let me get this straight. There was a kangaroo....in my living room?!?" One of the greatest lines ever spoken in a sitcom And the delivery by Michael Gross was absolutely hilarious! Nobody was ever better at playing the "put upon" father than him.

I have to disagree with the "so-so" show part. This was one of the better sitcoms of the 80's and I find it much better than most sitcoms today.

As for this episode, it had to be the single funniest episode of the series IMO. Yes, the kangaroo line was hilarious...but the one that had me laughing just as much was...

"Do you plan on being mad at us forever?"

"That...is the plan."

The line itself is not that funny on paper, but Michael Gross just made it so hilarious with his delivery. I'm cracking up just thinking about it right now.

Michael Gross was/is definitely one of the most underrated sitcom actors of the 80s. His deadpan portrayal of Steven Keaton was one of the best parts of the show. :cool: :D

Another thing I like about this ep was that it wasn't a "very special..." or anything heavy. This episode was light-hearted and went for laughs all the way. When that one kid kicked Skippy in the shins, I thought I'd fall over laughing. :rofl: :brent

"There was a kangaroo...in my living room."

"It was just here for the party, dad."

"Well, then I'm overreacting!"

This ep was also a refreshing twist on the tired "Mom and Dad are out of town, so let's have a huge bash!" plot. It made sense why the kids did what they did. :cool:

FT was my favorite sitcom of the 1980's. There was nothing so-so about it. This was a great episode too. Michael Gross was the perfect tv dad.

Agreed!!! :D