Episode Reviews: “New TV Set” & “Ralph Threatens To Leave”:

[Frank Gannucci]

Episode Reviews: “New TV Set” & “Ralph Threatens To Leave”:

Episode #3
TV: This episode was seen on The Honeymooners Really Lost Debut Episodes. This special was shown in 1993 on Disney Channel (yes, THAT Disney Channel) and was shown on TV land in 2000.
VHS & DVD: Has not been released on VHS & DVD. Since these episodes are probably in the public domain, MPI may not release them but who knows?

The episode opens up with Ralph and Alice looking like they were just talking to each other. Alice just bought a new TV set. She got it on a free trial that was listed in the paper. My how times have changed. Ralph is steamed. Alice: “It will be wonderful Ralph.” Ralph doesn’t seem to think so. Alice says that if we still like it, we can buy it on time. Ralph doesn’t like that either. Ralph: “I haven’t made the payments on that midget radio we got and that was four years ago.” A delivery man comes by with a big box and asks the Kramdens for $3.04. Alice asks Ralph for the money. $3.04. I can imagine if this episode was made today, the price would be higher. Ralph obliges. Alice says she used up her money ($4) to the delivery man to deliver it and install it. The box has nothing but food in it. Ralph doesn’t like the fact that Alice has spent money on those things. Alice: “I will tell you who I am inviting.” Ralph: “Go ahead. Who? Who? Who?” Alice: “Quiet. You sound like an owl.” Alice has invited the Nortons to come down and watch TV with them. My, how times have changed. Ralph: “Why don’t you have a block party?” (yelling out the window): “COME ON DOWN EVERYBODY!” Alice: “I know what you are going to say: ‘One of these days…’”

The Nortons come down. Trixie is played by Elaine Stritch and this is the first time that Art played Ed. Ed starts grabbing the food. Trixie called Ed a pig. The Nortons start arguing much to Ralph’s chagrin. Trixie: “I am by a hot stove all day while you are down in a cool sewer.” They continue arguing. Trixie says that Ed came over to her house and asked to marry her. Yet, this is another different story on how Ed & Trixie said how they got engaged. Trixie wants to leave. Alice asks her not to. She does. Ed asks her not to go and leaves. Alice: “I hope you are satisfied.” Alice goes into the bedroom. Ralph: “What did I do?” Ralph didn’t do anything to help the Nortons as far as their fight goes. A man from the company that the TV set came from comes by and says it’s 11pm and that their trial period for the TV is up and asks if he can take it back unless the Kramdens want to buy it. You mean that Alice invited the Nortons to have food and watch TV at that late hour? The man says that Alice was crazy about the set. Ralph, feeling bad for the way he acted, ends up buying the set on trial. The man leaves. Ralph tells Alice the good news. Alice thanks Ralph. They have food and beer while they watch the TV set. Alice is sitting on Ralph’s lap as the show ends.


Episode #4
TV: This episode was seen on The Honeymooners Really Lost Debut Episodes. This special was shown in 1993 on Disney Channel (yes, THAT Disney Channel) and was shown on TV land in 2000.

VHS & DVD: Has not been released on VHS & DVD. Since these episodes are probably in the public domain, MPI may not release them but who knows?

The episode opens up with Alice cooking dinner. Ralph comes home and gets fed what Alice calls a vegetable meatloaf (one without meat). Ralph doesn’t like it. Ralph: “When a man comes home, he expects some meat for dinner.” Alice calls Ralph a meathead. Alice says the meat is a favorite among college girls. Ralph: “I’m a bus driver.” Alice: “Big deal. Bus driver.” That is enough for Ralph to leave.

Ralph gets a big bag to put all his things in. You can see that they still have the TV set from the previous episode. Alice: “You can’t be serious.” Ralph: “Oh, I am.” Ralph: “You never loved me. You feel in love with my uniform.” Ralph said the same thing in “Better Living Through TV.” Alice says that Ralph is acting like a child. Alice: “Where are you going?” Ralph: “Never mind that. Where are YOU going?” Alice: “I’m going to stay home and wash my hair.” Ralph: “That is what our love means. I’m going and you are staying at home to wash your hair.” Ralph hopes that after she washes her hair to curl it so she can go out and flirt. Ralph accuses Alice of flirting with the waiter last Tuesday when they were out for dinner. Alice: “I was looking at the waiter so I can get some meatballs.” Ralph: “When I left a quarter tip, why didn’t you say: ‘Make it 35.’? What was the extra dime for?” Alice: “Because he gave me an extra meatball.” Ralph: “That does it. 400 People in the restaurant and he picks YOU to give an extra meatball too.” Alice has had enough. Alice: “You don’t have to leave. I’M leaving. After 12 years, a meatball came between us.” Ralph says no she won’t. He is “all ready packed.” Ralph: “If you need anything, let me know. If you need me, you can get in touch with me at…as soon as I get there, I will let you know. If you need money, there is $6 in pennies under the bathtub. He leaves. Alice is visibly crying. I guess this counts as one of the 18 or 19 times that he walked out of her life. Ralph comes back. Ralph: “I can’t go. I got a Knights of Columbus meeting tomorrow.” Alice laughs. Alice: “You big lug. We will never break up. I have always loved you even when you short-changed me when I walked on your bus.” Ralph wants to go out for dinner. Alice suggests going out for a pizza. Ralph (angrily): “You starting with meatballs again?” (normally): “I’m sorry baby. Come here.” They hug and kiss.