Good Things About the Fergus Episodes from Season 12 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

horizonbeach11 · 06-15-2018, 01:51 PM

i finally made myself watch all four of the Fergus episodes that started out season 12. Instead of being snarky and hyper critical (which it was recently correctly pointed out has been happening a lot around here and could use some balance) I decided to make a list of what I thought was good about these episodes.

1.) Barbara looked much younger and prettier in season 12 than in her previous two seasons on the show. The longer, darker, more naturally styled hair flatters her and she seems to wear more mod clothing too.

2.) Because these episodes revolve around Fergus and his search for a wife to become Lady Douglas and provide him with a castle full of "wee barons", the focus is off of poor, lonely Katie missing Rob constantly and Katie acts more like her happy old self.

3.) Dodie is much more settled into the family and confident. Her hair and clothing is also much improved.

4.) Fred MacMurray wasn't too much of a diva to make these episodes, in spite of the corny identical cousin theme and badly dubbed Scottish brogue.

5.) The triplets are rarely seen.

6.) Uncle Charley is the one who finds Fergus a wife and by the end of the story line is getting along with Fergus instead of trash talking him every chance he gets.

7.) Anne Francis was delightful as Terri Dowling, AKA cocktail waitress turned Lady Douglas. She looked very pretty although, tiny bit of snark here, she didn't quite look like she was 37 (she was 42 IRL) but she otherwise fit the role perfectly.

8.) Fergus left and went back to Scotland.

9.) I'm done watching them.

There, if you think of any others, feel free to add them.

biffbronson · 06-16-2018, 01:20 PM

Thanks for compiling those observations.

As I mentioned in another thread, my admiration of how Anne Francis looked in these episodes tends to cloud my judgement. I thought also she came across as appropriately somewhat befuddled by what was coming down, so to speak.

I had to laugh a little when you mentioned "badly dubbed" -- the description I'd read elsewhere was "awkwardly."

stevea · 06-16-2018, 01:22 PM

The dubbing in those episode...ugh! Thanks for the great review.

horizonbeach11 · 06-18-2018, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Thanks for compiling those observations.

As I mentioned in another thread, my admiration of how Anne Francis looked in these episodes tends to cloud my judgement. I thought also she came across as appropriately somewhat befuddled by what was coming down, so to speak.

I had to laugh a little when you mentioned "badly dubbed" -- the description I'd read elsewhere was "awkwardly."

I hadn't seen a lot of Anne Francis before I watched these episodes. I've never seen Honey West and, while I have no doubt seen her in smaller roles in other classic TV shows, I don't have a clear memory of her from that earlier era.

One role that I vividly remember her playing in the late '70s that I can only attribute to her either needing money or doing a favor for her old pal Aaron Spelling was in a horrible episode of "Charlie's Angels" called "Pom Pom Angels" (Cheryl Ladd herself referred to it as "ghastly") where she played a high priestess in a strange cult that kidnapped pretty young women and cut off their long hair. Not exactly her shining moment, but she still gave it all she had and did as much with the role as she could. Therefore, it was a refreshing change to see her as cute, vivacious Terri Dowling in these episodes of M3S, as compared to that gloomy mess.

horizonbeach11 · 06-18-2018, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

The dubbing in those episode...ugh! Thanks for the great review.

Doesn't it seem that Fred MacMurray, great actor that he was, could have pulled off a reasonably accurate Scottish accent? I wonder if they asked him and he flat out refused to do it or if they tried it and he couldn't do it authentically enough so they just gave up and did the dubbing? If I ever run into any of the surviving cast members (not likely, lol) I will have to ask them.

stevea · 06-18-2018, 07:05 PM

Yeah, I'll have to ask Stan or Barry the next time I see them!

(Did you see a PM I sent re S11/S12? I sent it before the site went down.)

horizonbeach11 · 06-18-2018, 07:32 PM

I didn't see your PM, I'm fairly new here and I hadn't thought to look for PMs so thanks for pointing it out. I just read it and replied.

stevea · 06-19-2018, 09:37 AM

Normally you get a pop up when there is a PM, and that probably wasn't working for awhile when they changed servers.

horizonbeach11 · 06-19-2018, 11:34 AM

Yeah, I belong to another forum that uses this same software and I always get a pop up when I get a PM there, but for some reason I didn't get one here. It probably did have something to do with the server change.

biffbronson · 07-04-2018, 07:47 PM

There are some funny bits of business, like Charley calling Fergus "Fungus" -- ! And Dodie thinking Fergus associates her somehow with the famous dog when he calls her "Lassie."

The ongoing gag about Steve and Fergus not seeing the resemblance among themselves is borrowed from Fergus' appearance in the black & white seasons, with the "weak chin" comments.

stevea · 07-04-2018, 08:09 PM

I find myself really enjoying this story arc--I hadn't seen these episodes in years, but they're well-written (George Tibbles, again)--they delegate the season openers to the head honcho.

I really like Charley's openness--he goes toe to toe with Fergus in the bedroom, with Dodie listening. Then Dodie and Barbara are funny--(Barbara: "you shouldn't be listening--what did they say?")

Bonniegirl · 07-05-2018, 12:23 AM

I caught two of the "Fergus" eps. They were corny,

but I found them to be really fun and enjoyable!!! I

Bonniegirl · 07-05-2018, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I find myself really enjoying this story arc--I hadn't seen these episodes in years, but they're well-written (George Tibbles, again)--they delegate the season openers to the head honcho.

I really like Charley's openness--he goes toe to toe with Fergus in the bedroom, with Dodie listening. Then Dodie and Barbara are funny--(Barbara: "you shouldn't be listening--what did they say?")

That was a really good part!! I was LOL ing !!!

stevea · 07-05-2018, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

I caught two of the "Fergus" eps. They were corny...

There was a line where Barbara even admitted that, while talking to Fergus.

biffbronson · 07-07-2018, 07:13 PM

I think it's noteworthy that the marriage to Fergus is the third one for Terri. I mean, in those years it was very common for actors themselves to marry multiple times, but much more rare to have a TV character who's ended a couple of marriages and still wants another go at it.

Some fashion notes for Episode 4: Ernie's wild pants in his first scene; an interesting outfit for Barbara for the wedding, not as short as her Season 11 dresses; full ethnic regalia for Fergus as groom; and a rare updo for Katie. I don't think I've ever seen any other occasion of Tina Cole with her hair up.

06-15-2018, 01:51 PM	#1
horizonbeach11 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 05, 2018 Location: Inside a console TV Posts: 109	Good Things About the Fergus Episodes from Season 12 i finally made myself watch all four of the Fergus episodes that started out season 12. Instead of being snarky and hyper critical (which it was recently correctly pointed out has been happening a lot around here and could use some balance) I decided to make a list of what I thought was good about these episodes. 1.) Barbara looked much younger and prettier in season 12 than in her previous two seasons on the show. The longer, darker, more naturally styled hair flatters her and she seems to wear more mod clothing too. 2.) Because these episodes revolve around Fergus and his search for a wife to become Lady Douglas and provide him with a castle full of "wee barons", the focus is off of poor, lonely Katie missing Rob constantly and Katie acts more like her happy old self. 3.) Dodie is much more settled into the family and confident. Her hair and clothing is also much improved. 4.) Fred MacMurray wasn't too much of a diva to make these episodes, in spite of the corny identical cousin theme and badly dubbed Scottish brogue. 5.) The triplets are rarely seen. 6.) Uncle Charley is the one who finds Fergus a wife and by the end of the story line is getting along with Fergus instead of trash talking him every chance he gets. 7.) Anne Francis was delightful as Terri Dowling, AKA cocktail waitress turned Lady Douglas. She looked very pretty although, tiny bit of snark here, she didn't quite look like she was 37 (she was 42 IRL) but she otherwise fit the role perfectly. 8.) Fergus left and went back to Scotland. 9.) I'm done watching them. There, if you think of any others, feel free to add them.

06-16-2018, 01:20 PM	#2
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	Thanks for compiling those observations. As I mentioned in another thread, my admiration of how Anne Francis looked in these episodes tends to cloud my judgement. I thought also she came across as appropriately somewhat befuddled by what was coming down, so to speak. I had to laugh a little when you mentioned "badly dubbed" -- the description I'd read elsewhere was "awkwardly."

06-16-2018, 01:22 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,701	The dubbing in those episode...ugh! Thanks for the great review.

06-18-2018, 07:05 PM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,701	Yeah, I'll have to ask Stan or Barry the next time I see them! (Did you see a PM I sent re S11/S12? I sent it before the site went down.)

06-18-2018, 07:32 PM	#7
horizonbeach11 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 05, 2018 Location: Inside a console TV Posts: 109	I didn't see your PM, I'm fairly new here and I hadn't thought to look for PMs so thanks for pointing it out. I just read it and replied.

06-19-2018, 09:37 AM	#8
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,701	Normally you get a pop up when there is a PM, and that probably wasn't working for awhile when they changed servers.

06-19-2018, 11:34 AM	#9
horizonbeach11 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 05, 2018 Location: Inside a console TV Posts: 109	Yeah, I belong to another forum that uses this same software and I always get a pop up when I get a PM there, but for some reason I didn't get one here. It probably did have something to do with the server change.

07-04-2018, 07:47 PM	#10
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	There are some funny bits of business, like Charley calling Fergus "Fungus" -- ! And Dodie thinking Fergus associates her somehow with the famous dog when he calls her "Lassie." The ongoing gag about Steve and Fergus not seeing the resemblance among themselves is borrowed from Fergus' appearance in the black & white seasons, with the "weak chin" comments.

07-04-2018, 08:09 PM	#11
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,701	I find myself really enjoying this story arc--I hadn't seen these episodes in years, but they're well-written (George Tibbles, again)--they delegate the season openers to the head honcho. I really like Charley's openness--he goes toe to toe with Fergus in the bedroom, with Dodie listening. Then Dodie and Barbara are funny--(Barbara: "you shouldn't be listening--what did they say?")

07-05-2018, 12:23 AM	#12
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,775	I caught two of the "Fergus" eps. They were corny, but I found them to be really fun and enjoyable!!! I

07-07-2018, 07:13 PM	#15
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	I think it's noteworthy that the marriage to Fergus is the third one for Terri. I mean, in those years it was very common for actors themselves to marry multiple times, but much more rare to have a TV character who's ended a couple of marriages and still wants another go at it. Some fashion notes for Episode 4: Ernie's wild pants in his first scene; an interesting outfit for Barbara for the wedding, not as short as her Season 11 dresses; full ethnic regalia for Fergus as groom; and a rare updo for Katie. I don't think I've ever seen any other occasion of Tina Cole with her hair up.