This S5 ep convinced me S5 is where Hazel JTS.

Smart as a whip Hazel, who is the S1-4 Mensa maid constantly outsmarting lawyers and tycoons, gets “duped” into signing a $250 ($2,059 today) contract with a weight loss facility. Why didn’t she have a lawyer look it over first? Even with Mr. B gone she surely must have known some lawyers through all her connections.The S1-4 Hazel I know never would have done something this dumb. So disappointing to see Hazel portrayed this way. Your thoughts?

It did seem very out of character for Hazel to be bamboozled into such a dopey scam. At least in the end, Hazel was smart enough to sell her subscription to that other lady. Still, it was so unlike Hazel to be outsmarted in the first place.

It did seem very out of character for Hazel to be bamboozled into such a dopey scam. At least in the end, Hazel was smart enough to sell her subscription to that other lady. Still, it was so unlike Hazel to be outsmarted in the first place.

Yeah, and the show wasn’t the same without Mr. B and Missy.

Yeah, and the show wasn’t the same without Mr. B and Missy.

The Mr. B and Missy seasons were much better than the Steve/Barbara/Susie Baxter seasons. It's also so strange that neither Deidre or George ever mentioned Steve in the previous seasons. Also, on that Thanksgiving episode with the Baxter mom feeling useless, there is her daughter who complains that she never learned to cook. So George and Deirdre had another sister? Why was she never in any other episodes or even mentioned ever again?

The Mr. B and Missy seasons were much better than the Steve/Barbara/Susie Baxter seasons. It's also so strange that neither Deidre or George ever mentioned Steve in the previous seasons. Also, on that Thanksgiving episode with the Baxter mom feeling useless, there is her daughter who complains that she never learned to cook. So George and Deirdre had another sister? Why was she never in any other episodes or even mentioned ever again?

Good points. All shows seem to have quirks like this though. Diedre was a great character though- and always love how she gets shown up.

The series had several changes in the 5th season, moving from NBC to CBS might have resulted in different writers being hired, this could explain the out of character Hazel in the weight loss episode. CBS targeted a younger demographic of viewers by hiring Ray Fulmer and Lynn Borden to replace Don DeFore and Whitney Blake, I wonder if this might have also been a cost cutting move because I imagine the salaries of Fulmer and Borden were less compared to what CBS would have paid to DeFore and Blake. Fulmer and Borden were good in their roles but it's true the series wasn't quite the same without Mr. B. and Missy.

The series had several changes in the 5th season, moving from NBC to CBS might have resulted in different writers being hired, this could explain the out of character Hazel in the weight loss episode. CBS targeted a younger demographic of viewers by hiring Ray Fulmer and Lynn Borden to replace Don DeFore and Whitney Blake, I wonder if this might have also been a cost cutting move because I imagine the salaries of Fulmer and Borden were less compared to what CBS would have paid to DeFore and Blake. Fulmer and Borden were good in their roles but it's true the series wasn't quite the same without Mr. B. and Missy.

I agree that Fulmer and Borden were quite decent. But DeFore and Blake were FANTASTIC. Decent compared to Fantastic works out to mediocre, relatively speaking. Which is why S5 is so lackluster.

This isn't the only episode where Hazel was not so smart. Stay tuned...

I agree that Fulmer and Borden were quite decent. But DeFore and Blake were FANTASTIC. Decent compared to Fantastic works out to mediocre, relatively speaking. Which is why S5 is so lackluster.

I don't describe the 5th season as lackluster but it is different. I like most of the episodes that season, there are a few lesser ones but not many. It's been said that Shirley Booth had some health issues going on during season 5, I notice in some episodes she seems tired, lacks her usual energy and not as feisty as she usually is.

I agree about season 5. Most of the episodes are quite watchable. There are a couple of clinkers, but there are in the earlier seasons, as well.

Supposedly Booth's health issues are why she ended it. It had fairly good ratings.

I posted about this particular episode once or twice actually before (the 30 Pounds ep.). This is the only episode where Hazel just totally acts out of character, she's suddenly a simple minded idiot who falls for anything and then the most horrifying scene of all (for a Hazel fan) is when Hazel actually sinks into a chair in total defeat and starts balling like a baby without a brain in her head. Really, you'd have thought Shirley Booth would have refused to do this ridiculous and totally out of character scene esp. that crying like she's a helpless simp.

OH, another thing about this episode (which is the only good thing) is that Hazel for the first time in history when she has to buy something more than 3 bucks actually shells out $200. She doesn't claim she's broke as she does every other time she needs to buy anything slightly expensive. This is something that has always bothered me, why is Hazel constantly broke? She claims in some shows to have saved money and has a retirement account yet anytime she has to buy something suddenly her bank account is empty and she's destitute. Even buying a present at Christmas for Mrs. B she has to get a 2nd job, she doesn't have $15? Come on. In another show she has enough to lend her nephew money but she doesn't have 15 bucks for herself? Maybe Hazel was the last living slave and was never paid.

Back to "30 Pounds..." even if you can buy that Hazel has suddenly developed a case of the stupids and is bamboozled by Catwoman at the gym would she really sink into babbling tears?

This has to be, for me the worst episode of the whole series of Hazel. Just for the way they changed Hazel into a babbling idiot. The acting of everyone else is just fine but Hazel herself is outrageously not herself.

As for thoughts about 5th season in general, I used to always hold the belief that the 5th season was the worst season. But in recent decades I no longer look at it this way. I can appreciate the last season for what it is. I like the new (but not improved) Baxters, the daughter is cute and makes a good companion for Harold and for him to have scenes with her he never could have had as the only child.

Do I think it would have been 100% improved with the real George & Dorothy? Most definitely, no doubt about it. But I can appreciate and enjoy Steve & Barbara on their own and as their own characters. They may not be as good as the originals but neither are they unwatchable, they are just enjoyable in different ways from George & Dorothy. These changes to season 5 were not preferred but it certainly does not denigrate the series overall either. Season 5 is different, that's all. George & Dorothy are missed to be sure but Steve & Barbara are pretty good too.

I posted about this particular episode once or twice actually before (the 30 Pounds ep.). This is the only episode where Hazel just totally acts out of character, she's suddenly a simple minded idiot who falls for anything and then the most horrifying scene of all (for a Hazel fan) is when Hazel actually sinks into a chair in total defeat and starts balling like a baby without a brain in her head. Really, you'd have thought Shirley Booth would have refused to do this ridiculous and totally out of character scene esp. the that crying like she's a helpless simp.

Even if you can buy that Hazel has suddenly developed a case of the stupids and is bamboozled by Catwoman at the gym would she really sink into babbling tears?

This has to be, for me the worst episode of the whole series of Hazel. Just for the way they changed Hazel into a babbling idiot. The acting of everyone else is just fine but Hazel herself is outrageously not herself.

As for thoughts about 5th season in general, I used to always hold the belief that the 5th season was the worst season. But in recent decades I no longer look at it this way. I can appreciate the last season for what it is. I like the new (but not improved) Baxters, the daughter is cute and makes a good companion for Harold and for him to have scenes with her he never could have had as the only child.

Do I think it would have been 100% improved with the real George & Dorothy? Most definitely, no doubt about it. But I can appreciate and enjoy Steve & Barbara as replacements, they're not as great as George & Dorthy, but neither are they unwatchable, they are just enjoyable in different ways from George & Dorothy. These changes to season 5 were not preferred but it certainly does not denigrate the series overall either. Season 5 is different, George & Dorothy are missed to be sure but Steve & Barbara are pretty good too..



The only really good thing about S5 is seeing a young Ann Jillian. But otherwise, I miss Mr. B and Missy.

I agree that the S5 eps are watchable, but not as entertaining as the earlier season eps.

This isn't the only episode where Hazel was not so smart. Stay tuned...

Where? When? I’ll keep my eye out...

Where? When? I’ll keep my eye out...

https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=388853

The series had several changes in the 5th season, moving from NBC to CBS might have resulted in different writers being hired, this could explain the out of character Hazel in the weight loss episode. CBS targeted a younger demographic of viewers by hiring Ray Fulmer and Lynn Borden to replace Don DeFore and Whitney Blake, I wonder if this might have also been a cost cutting move because I imagine the salaries of Fulmer and Borden were less compared to what CBS would have paid to DeFore and Blake. Fulmer and Borden were good in their roles but it's true the series wasn't quite the same without Mr. B. and Missy.

That episode wasn't written by a new Hazel writer, it was written by Robert Riley Crutcher who wrote more Hazel episodes than any other writer. By the way, that episode is also the only Hazel episode where the actress who played Millie is listed as Ann Jillian instead of Ann Jilliann.

The beginning of this episode always confuses me. Obviously something happened that made Hazel feel that she needs to get fit and lose weight. They ellude to Steve's business partner ribbing her about her weight or eating habits or something, but did they actually show that? Maybe the syndication edits have removed that part?

At the beginning of the episode, Hazel gets a letter from Rosie- Rosie has lost 20 pounds, and Hazel says Rosie looks ten years younger, so now Hazel wants to lose weight and look younger, too. Was this part cut out? I remember the old CBN channel cut out whole scenes back in the 1980's. For instance, in the last episode, in the first scene, Millie the teenage girl is talking on the phone, and imagining her boyfriend is on the other end of the line, telling her how beautiful she is. Then at the end of the episode (and the series), Millie tells her boyfriend, "We were just talking about my favorite subject- me." referring to the first scene- but since CBN cut out the first scene, I had no idea what she was talking about- until I watched the DVD version 30+ years later.

I don't ever recall seeing a part about a letter from Rosie. I'll have to watch closer but I think it's cut on the FEtv and Antenna TV episodes. I have seen the part with Millie on the phone pretending to talk to her boyfriend.

Well, as they say, to find the truth go to the source. So, I done did that just now. I just watched the first 5 min. of Hazel and here's the poop:
First before the opening credits there's a scene of Hazel mopping the kitchen floor talking with Barbara about how mad she is at Bill Fox for ribbing her about her weight. She then goes on to tell Barbara that she thinks she's just fine for a woman with her big bones and Barbara humors her and agrees. Then the opening credits roll and that's the point where Hazel receives a telegram telling her Rosie's lost weight and now looks 20 years younger. That's when she decides to start a diet and says she won't eat lunch and Harold and Susie come in to tell Hazel about her heavy calorie lunch waiting for her in the kitchen.

OK, so that's the rest of the story. And that should be a lesson to all here to always obey my commands and that is to buy the DVDs and stop watching the commercial ridden highly edited versions on TV today. The commercials now go on for 5 to 6 minutes at a time and the shows have been cut to ribbons. You want a reason to buy the DVDs? Try being able to see the whole complete show and understanding it for one. Otherwise continue to scratch your head and wonder what's going on?

And that should be a lesson to all here to always obey my commands and that is to buy the DVDs and stop watching the commercial ridden highly edited versions on TV today.


I absolutely agree and I wonder what else I'm missing from all the other episodes.

Well, as they say, to find the truth go to the source. So, I done did that just now. I just watched the first 5 min. of Hazel and here's the poop:
First before the opening credits there's a scene of Hazel mopping the kitchen floor talking with Barbara about how mad she is at Bill Fox for ribbing her about her weight. She then goes on to tell Barbara that she thinks she's just fine for a woman with her big bones and Barbara humors her and agrees. Then the opening credits roll and that's the point where Hazel receives a telegram telling her Rosie's lost weight and now looks 20 years younger. That's when she decides to start a diet and says she won't eat lunch and Harold and Susie come in to tell Hazel about her heavy calorie lunch waiting for her in the kitchen.

OK, so that's the rest of the story. And that should be a lesson to all here to always obey my commands and that is to buy the DVDs and stop watching the commercial ridden highly edited versions on TV today. The commercials now go on for 5 to 6 minutes at a time and the shows have been cut to ribbons. You want a reason to buy the DVDs? Try being able to see the whole complete show and understanding it for one. Otherwise continue to scratch your head and wonder what's going on?

Yes, this happens a lot with freebies and/or low priced sets. When the run time of a 60s show is under 25 min, something has VERY LIKELY been cut. While I like Hazel, I’m not inclined to go out and buy the entire series. I’m 100% convinced Antenna has done significant chopping given the LONG LONG LONG commercials. Antenna is not as good as it used to be, but as long as it’s free I’m not going to gripe(a lot).

The first season on DVD at Amazon is over $120 bucks. Anywhere to find it cheaper??

The first season was originally put out by Sony, years later Shout took over and did what Sony never did and they released all the rest of the seasons 2-5. Now about a year or so ago Sony discontinued production of their season 1, while Shout's Hazels seasons 2-5 are still in production, hence why those prices are cheaper and the discontinued Sony s.1 DVDs are now a fortune. This would be a good example to buy 'em when they're available and do it when they come out. If you snooze you lose.

By the way, the episode currently under scrutiny here, "Lose 30 lbs...." is a Season 5 episode, so the cost of season 5 DVDs is still low, NOW's the time to buy.