Everytime I see the Mondello's, all I can think is dysfunctional family. The Mom was clearly born in the 1800's and looks more like a Grandmother instead ofa Mother. His Dad is always away or at home screaming at or beating one of the kids. Their sister is considered a disgrace to them because she is an old maid still living at home and can't land a man. The older brother married and moved out to get away from that mess. Larry said that he is always telling his wife to shut up.

I laugh when Larry talks about his family, but in reality it is depressing.

I laugh when Larry talks about his family, but in reality it is depressing.

I agree. In one episode Beaver tells June that Larry's sister is taking a course in sailing and that her Mom said it was her last chance to get a man.

It's hilarious to think that life is over for a young woman of 18-20 if she hasn't found a steady man. Mrs. Mondello seems to be way over the top with her anxiety over it though. It was funny to listen to it, but sad to think there were people who was like that....or is like that. I agree Hoagie, very dysfunctunal. It's all due to the man of the house being gone constantly, IMO.

It's hilarious to think that life is over for a young woman of 18-20 if she hasn't found a steady man. Mrs. Mondello seems to be way over the top with her anxiety over it though. It was funny to listen to it, but sad to think there were people who was like that....or is like that. I agree Hoagie, very dysfunctunal. It's all due to the man of the house being gone constantly, IMO.

Back in those days women were expected to married before 20 and expected not to leave home till then.
As you have said before, Mr. Mondello probably had another family in Cincinnati.

Back in those days women were expected to married before 20 and expected not to leave home till then.
As you have said before, Mr. Mondello probably had another family in Cincinnati.

Yeah or she needed to at least have a steady man by then. It must have been because the father wanted to "unload" her....LOL!

Yeah or she needed to at least have a steady man by then. It must have been because the father wanted to "unload" her....LOL!

If she looks anything like Larry, she will be living there from now on.:lol:

I am guessing Larry's sister was pretty homely, and when they did the reunion in the 80's, didnt Larry become some kind of spiritual guru?? Yeah, the Mondello's had a lot less stability than the Cleavers.

I never saw the reunion show Mickey, but listening to Larry you would think she belomged to the planet of apes or something. If I had to guess I would say that Larry's sister was like her mother in looks.

If she looks anything like Larry, she will be living there from now on.:lol:

LOL! You are too funny!

I think the reason the Mondello family was depicted like that was to create a contrast between them and the Cleaver Family making the Cleaver's look even more like the perfect all-american family they were depicted as. To a degree the Haskell's and Rutherford's served the same purpose.

I think the reason the Mondello family was depicted like that was to create a contrast between them and the Cleaver Family making the Cleaver's look even more like the perfect all-american family they were depicted as. To a degree the Haskell's and Rutherford's served the same purpose.

I agree with your point. I guess it's not something I really thought about, but yeah, the horrible relationship Fred has with Lumpy is another example. In private Fred's always calling him names and has even hit him. And Eddie....well, no explaination needed there...LOL!:lol:

I agree, The Cleavers were supposed to be the all american, well adjusted family. In the earlier shows, Fred was always bragging about Lumpy in front of others, but down towards the last, he didn't seem to care anymore about letting his real feelings show.

I agree, The Cleavers were supposed to be the all american, well adjusted family. In the earlier shows, Fred was always bragging about Lumpy in front of others, but down towards the last, he didn't seem to care anymore about letting his real feelings show.

I think Fred would occassionally slip up in front of people, but I don't recall him ever really letting up on the bragging. Like in the episode "Merchant Marine" when he bragged to Ward of how close he and Lumpy were. But I think Ward was too smart for that because there is something about over-stating your case and Fred tried too hard to impress people that it was painfully obvious that it wasn't so hunky-dorey.

I think Fred would occassionally slip up in front of people, but I don't recall him ever really letting up on the bragging. Like in the episode "Merchant Marine" when he bragged to Ward of how close he and Lumpy were. But I think Ward was too smart for that because there is something about over-stating your case and Fred tried too hard to impress people that it was painfully obvious that it wasn't so hunky-dorey.

He did always put on heirs where Lumpy was concerned. I may have been thinking of the time he lost it with Lumpy on the phone when he called to tell him his car had been towed away at the Langely wedding.

He did always put on heirs where Lumpy was concerned. I may have been thinking of the time he lost it with Lumpy on the phone when he called to tell him his car had been towed away at the Langely wedding.

Yeah that thought crossed my mind too. He was able to stop, but I think Mr. Langley knew Fred was full of BS.

Yeah that thought crossed my mind too. He was able to stop, but I think Mr. Langley knew Fred was full of BS.

I agree. Mr. Langely saw right through that act. Mr. Langely seemed upset that Wally lost his pay because of Eddie.

I agree. Mr. Langely saw right through that act. Mr. Langely seemed upset that Wally lost his pay because of Eddie.

Yeah well, I think that Mr. Langley should have paid Wally right in front of Eddie and given Eddie's pay to get Fred's car out. That would have taken the little smart ass down a few notches.

Yeah well, I think that Mr. Langley should have paid Wally right in front of Eddie and given Eddie's pay to get Fred's car out. That would have taken the little smart ass down a few notches.

I agree. Wally shouldn't have to take the blame for Eddie's screw ups.

I agree with your point. I guess it's not something I really thought about, but yeah, the horrible relationship Fred has with Lumpy is another example. In private Fred's always calling him names and has even hit him. And Eddie....well, no explaination needed there...LOL!:lol:

I don't think Eddie's home life was as bad as he told everyone it was. Granted they had problems, but I think it was mostly because of Eddie himself.

I don't think Eddie's home life was as bad as he told everyone it was. Granted they had problems, but I think it was mostly because of Eddie himself.

I wasn't really eluding that The Haskell's had the problems that the Rutherford's had, but I was really just talking about Eddie's behavior in general. And to hear Eddie talk, his family is so much better then the Cleaver's.

I wasn't really eluding that The Haskell's had the problems that the Rutherford's had, but I was really just talking about Eddie's behavior in general. And to hear Eddie talk, his family is so much better then the Cleaver's.

I just meant with episodes like the one where he moves out on his own, he sounded like he over exaggerated what went on between him and his parents.

I just meant with episodes like the one where he moves out on his own, he sounded like he over exaggerated what went on between him and his parents.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that episode. I also agree that he over-exaggerated and most likely it wasn't the truth like most of the time when he opened his mouth.