Saw another exceptionally funny episode of Sons today. And yes, it did involve Bub. Mondays is breakfast with My 3 Sons day for me and today it was Episode 5-13, "You're in My Power" with Robbie thinking he had the power to hypnotize (something as a kid I wished I could do too). But while watching a hypnotist on TV (giving Rob the idea) Bub actually got hypnotized by the TV hypnotist and everytime someone whistled Bub went into a little dancing jig. I tell you I've seen the show many times before but I still laughed out loud everytime I saw Bub dancing. It was just plain funny, esp. Steve's reactions to seeing Bub dance out of the blue.

Now this show was late in the time that Bub would be on My 3 Sons shortly before he was let go (fired) and replaced with Charlie. But seeing Bub in action in this show, lots of lines he had to say, the physical business he still did, he seemed perfectly healthy to me, at least healthy enough to finish the 5th season. I wish they had let Bub finish out the season before his banishment to Ireland. He certainly seemed in fine form in this episode.

Anyone wanting to hear Bub sing or just a lot of great music listen to the Sounds Like Radio shows. Bub's on Episodes 16, 34, 52, & 75.:)
https://anchor.fm/your-humble-host

I have read several published newspaper articles on William Frawley and his abrupt exit from the show and why he did not return. One article quoted Fred MacMurray as stating it was due to "prostate surgery." Which might explain why he was able to "dance a jig" just 4 episodes before he filmed his last episode. Maybe not so sick at that time, but other symptoms led them to the need for surgery.

They tried to keep it quiet, but the fans noticed and were questioning his absence. Fedderson's office finally addressed his absence in Feb 1965 by stating that he had surgery and was recuperating. William Demarest was just temporary until Frawley was fully recouperated and ready to return, which was taking longer than planned. By all accounts, at that time, everyone was planning that he would return.

This quote from Fedderson in an article in the "Tampa Bay Tribune" September 22, 1968 explains why Fedderson had no choice but to let William Frawley go.

I saw that episode today on MetV and yes William seems as well as usual as Bub. I did think the episode right before "I'm a Tadpole" could been done many months earlier. Just seemed odd that Robbie would suddenly adore Sally when his brother Mike has been dating Sally for a year now.

They let Frawley work the first part of season 5 without insurance, to give them time to figure out the transition to a new actor and character. Frawley actually continued to come to the set after William Demarest started, because it was something to do and because he was close to the boys. But Frawley was grumbling a lot about Demarest’s performance and causing tension, and the producers finally had to tell him to stop coming in. John Stephens, the producer, said that Frawley’s departure was the toughest thing he had to go through professionally.

If you have ever seen the adult “sons” interviewed, they always light up if the interviewer mentions Frawley. Stan Livingston says he was like a grandfather to him. The original three sons said the show was never the same for them after he left.

As I've said in other threads, and others have mentioned, Frawley and Livingston were close and Frawley really liked him. Their fondness for each other showed in the episodes.

Good news for those who like to hear Bub sing and do his stuff. Just heard the latest Sounds Like Radio episode 93 and Bub sings another great song in this show, also heard are 2 versions and a sing-along of "Happy Trails" with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.:talk: Retro-style pop music and an episode of The Great Gildersleeve on each Sounds Like Radio and Bub's back on Episode 93! Other Bub's are on Episodes 16, 34, 52, & 75.

Here's where it all happens along with other great radio shows all free and very entertaining:):
https://anchor.fm/your-humble-host

Love every episode that Bill Frawley was in. He just fit the part to a “T” and you could see the great chemistry among the actors.