The first thing that I would like to do is commemorate the thirty views of my most recent failed attempt to stimulate some conversation about this fine series! Thirty years ago, the character of Joey was introduced to "Gimme a Break!". I have read and heard a lot of different points of view about the pros and cons of adding him to the series. Some people will say that he killed the show. Others will say that it was the death of the chief that killed the series. And then there are still some who will argue that it was the introduction of Joey's brother Mathew that was the true nail into the coffin. In some ways, "Gimme a Break!" is very similar to a lot of other series in which the original children characters start to get older and they try to salvage the shows by bringing in some younger blood. A classic case is that of Cousin Oliver on "The Brady Bunch". Is anyone here a fan of that series? There is another similarity in situations there that I would like to mention. The "Gimme a Break!" episode "Samantha's Protest" was made shortly after the introduction of Joey, just like the "Brady Bunch" episode "The Snooperstar" came out shortly after the introduction of Oliver. I would say that Katie getting her bubble burst in the former was very similar to Cindy Brady getting her bubble burst in the latter. If anyone would like to know what in the world I am rambling on about, just ask! I will be happy to elaborate!