One of the worst sitcoms of the 1960's

[Steve E]

I was really psyched when The Mothers-in-Law was scheduled to be released on DVD.I hadn't seen the show since I was a little kid in the 1970's,so I really didn't remember much about it at all.I kind of recalled that it was funny,but had no specific memories of it.

I'm a huge fan of 1960's TV and I have a rather large collection of shows,both commercial and "otherwise",and I must say...The Mothers-in-Law ranks as one of the worst that I've seen.What a big letdown.I disliked virtually everything about this show...

1.Lame opening credit sequence and theme song...completely unmemorable.In a decade that contained dozens of great themes and intros...this show had neither.

2.The cast is awful.The two leads are both poor actresses,and I find both of them rather unfunny,and at times annoying.The two male leads are even worse...Herbert Rudley is excruciatingly bad.I'm not a fan of Roger C. Carmel.Richard Deacon is usually good (but mostly in b&w shows for some reason),but he's not here.The "kids"...Jerry Fogle is basically wallpaper,it's no wonder that I've never seen him elsewhere.Deborah Walley is quite annoying,especially when she does her "bawling" routine.

3.The "plots" and situations are so contrived...hardly even worthy of a sitcom from the early-50's.It's evidently clear that the writing for this show is well below par,even by the standards of the times.If you removed all the yelling and bickering that occurs...each episode would only be about 5 minutes long.A hopelessly dated show then...and even moreso now.

Honestly,I only made it through the first few episodes of the 2nd season...and it was a chore to get that far.When they threw in the hackneyed "let's add some little kids to the mix" act of desperation...I just couldn't take another minute.

I must say that MPI did a great job with the presentation and packaging (but there's a reason why this set is so cheap).I hope they continue releasing quality sets of obscure shows...there are MANY that are more deserving than this better-forgotten program.

Sorry to be so negative,but seeing this show for the first time in over 3 decades turned out to be a real downer.Truthfully,I would rather watch My Mother the Car,Captain Nice,or It's About Time than this mess of a show.I have all of them...and even they made me laugh more.It's no wonder The Mothers-in-Law dropped out of syndication so long ago...it wasn't worth seeing again,at least not for my money.

[tiredmike59]

I agree, I didn't care for it either.

[1960'sTVfan]

I also have the DVD set. While I somewhat agree with Steve E, I won't be quite as harsh with my critique. The series started off on a rather high note, the first six episodes or so are pretty good. After that, things begin to tail off pretty quick. Overall, it just seems that Desi Arnaz had run out of gas. I think Mothers In Law was one of his last TV ventures.

As far as the actors in the show, I think they did a decent enough job but Jerry Fogel is the most useless of the group. I like Roger Carmel in season 1, his departure from the show in season 2 is really noticeable as Richard Deacon wasn't a good choice to take over that role.

When watching these episodes, sure there is some funny humor here and there but the main redeeming quality for me in this show is the nostalgic value. I have fond memories of the late 1960's, I remember my parents used to watch Mothers In Law each week on TV so now when I watch the DVD's I guess it gives me a good feeling because it takes me back to a happier time in life. Both my parents are gone now, so I'm glad to have The Mothers In Law on DVD as a tribute to their memory. My parents must have liked The Mothers In Law pretty well since they would watch the show every week. I recall they enjoyed the antics of Eve Arden and Kay Ballard, they would call them a late 1960's version of Lucy and Viv.

[comedyfreak]

Originally Posted by Steve E

I was really psyched when The Mothers-in-Law was scheduled to be released on DVD.I hadn't seen the show since I was a little kid in the 1970's,so I really didn't remember much about it at all.I kind of recalled that it was funny,but had no specific memories of it.

I'm a huge fan of 1960's TV and I have a rather large collection of shows,both commercial and "otherwise",and I must say...The Mothers-in-Law ranks as one of the worst that I've seen.What a big letdown.I disliked virtually everything about this show...

1.Lame opening credit sequence and theme song...completely unmemorable.In a decade that contained dozens of great themes and intros...this show had neither.

2.The cast is awful.The two leads are both poor actresses,and I find both of them rather unfunny,and at times annoying.The two male leads are even worse...Herbert Rudley is excruciatingly bad.I'm not a fan of Roger C. Carmel.Richard Deacon is usually good (but mostly in b&w shows for some reason),but he's not here.The "kids"...Jerry Fogle is basically wallpaper,it's no wonder that I've never seen him elsewhere.Deborah Walley is quite annoying,especially when she does her "bawling" routine.

3.The "plots" and situations are so contrived...hardly even worthy of a sitcom from the early-50's.It's evidently clear that the writing for this show is well below par,even by the standards of the times.If you removed all the yelling and bickering that occurs...each episode would only be about 5 minutes long.A hopelessly dated show then...and even moreso now.

Honestly,I only made it through the first few episodes of the 2nd season...and it was a chore to get that far.When they threw in the hackneyed "let's add some little kids to the mix" act of desperation...I just couldn't take another minute.

I must say that MPI did a great job with the presentation and packaging (but there's a reason why this set is so cheap).I hope they continue releasing quality sets of obscure shows...there are MANY that are more deserving than this better-forgotten program.

Sorry to be so negative,but seeing this show for the first time in over 3 decades turned out to be a real downer.Truthfully,I would rather watch My Mother the Car,Captain Nice,or It's About Time than this mess of a show.I have all of them...and even they made me laugh more.It's no wonder The Mothers-in-Law dropped out of syndication so long ago...it wasn't worth seeing again,at least not for my money.

That was very harsh but, they're worst episode is better than what is shown today. Both Comediens were established having done sitcoms before. I vaguely remember seeing this show during it's original run and what stuck out to me was the theme and the way the animated house reminded me of the Hostess commericals.

[dakert]

My favorite episode is "How not to manage a rock group" I like Eve, Herb, Kay and Roger. I only watched 1 episode of season 2 and that was because Ozzie Nelson was in it.

[MickeyMac]

I am with you on this one. I am not a fan of this show, but I like the episode with the Seeds in it.


Even though I dont particularly care for this show I think both Peticoat Junction and Green Acers are way worse than this.

[1960'sTVfan]

Actually, Green Acres is my favorite of the rural sitcoms. Beverly Hillbillies is so-so, I'm not a fan of Andy Griffith or Petticoat Junction.

Another thing I noticed about Mothers In Law, some episodes stray from the original premise of the show and don't involve the newlyweds at all. It seems they tried to re-focus on the newlyweds in season 2, but it was already too late, Roger Carmel had left the show and ratings took a nosedive.

[dakert]

The episode with Beverly Garland in a mini skirt is also a fave. I just love older ladies who can pull off wearing a mini skirt. Thank you Lucille Ball

[McGillicuddy]

I disagree! I love Eve and Kaye, and their antics.

[Benno123]

I watched a few episodes this weekend just because it was rainy and nothing on TV stuck out. I enjoyed what I watched, it wasn't I Love Lucy but then again what can be? But the episodes I watched I enjoyed, especially when Desi Arnaz guest starred.

[1960'sTVfan]

I will admit it's not the greatest show, but it has special meaning for me as I have fond memories of it from my childhood days. The first season with Roger Carmel is better than the second season with Richard Deacon.

[Rambo Stallone]

Originally Posted by Steve E

I was really psyched when The Mothers-in-Law was scheduled to be released on DVD.I hadn't seen the show since I was a little kid in the 1970's,so I really didn't remember much about it at all.I kind of recalled that it was funny,but had no specific memories of it.

I'm a huge fan of 1960's TV and I have a rather large collection of shows,both commercial and "otherwise",and I must say...The Mothers-in-Law ranks as one of the worst that I've seen.What a big letdown.I disliked virtually everything about this show...

1.Lame opening credit sequence and theme song...completely unmemorable.In a decade that contained dozens of great themes and intros...this show had neither.

2.The cast is awful.The two leads are both poor actresses,and I find both of them rather unfunny,and at times annoying.The two male leads are even worse...Herbert Rudley is excruciatingly bad.I'm not a fan of Roger C. Carmel.Richard Deacon is usually good (but mostly in b&w shows for some reason),but he's not here.The "kids"...Jerry Fogle is basically wallpaper,it's no wonder that I've never seen him elsewhere.Deborah Walley is quite annoying,especially when she does her "bawling" routine.

3.The "plots" and situations are so contrived...hardly even worthy of a sitcom from the early-50's.It's evidently clear that the writing for this show is well below par,even by the standards of the times.If you removed all the yelling and bickering that occurs...each episode would only be about 5 minutes long.A hopelessly dated show then...and even moreso now.

Honestly,I only made it through the first few episodes of the 2nd season...and it was a chore to get that far.When they threw in the hackneyed "let's add some little kids to the mix" act of desperation...I just couldn't take another minute.

I must say that MPI did a great job with the presentation and packaging (but there's a reason why this set is so cheap).I hope they continue releasing quality sets of obscure shows...there are MANY that are more deserving than this better-forgotten program.

Sorry to be so negative,but seeing this show for the first time in over 3 decades turned out to be a real downer.Truthfully,I would rather watch My Mother the Car,Captain Nice,or It's About Time than this mess of a show.I have all of them...and even they made me laugh more.It's no wonder The Mothers-in-Law dropped out of syndication so long ago...it wasn't worth seeing again,at least not for my money.

The show isn't great but at least it's better then some shockers like Julia and The Doris Day show calling themselves Sit Coms as well as The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Donna Reed Show, Family Affair, My Three Sons,The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and Gidget. These shows are all Drama not Comedy only Gidget is a little.

[rcbrad]

Boy, this was a real downer for you. It's surprising that you do not like the show since you mentioned other 60's comedies that you enjoy. The examples of the shows that you mentioned never had the ratings, as many favorable reviews, or the longevity in their initial run when compared to The Mothers in Law. Finally The Mothers in law had a more successful run in syndication when compared to the other sitcoms.

There was a great deal of talent in front of the camera and behind the camera that was associated with this show. This is one of my favorite sitcoms of all time. It really is a comedy gem.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by Rambo Stallone

The show isn't great but at least it's better then some shockers like Julia and The Doris Day show calling themselves Sit Coms as well as The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Donna Reed Show, Family Affair, My Three Sons,The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and Gidget. These shows are all Drama not Comedy only Gidget is a little.

They came up with the term "dramedy" for Eight is Enough, I guess those shows could be considered dramedies also.

[jehobden]

Originally Posted by Steve E

...
I must say that MPI did a great job with the presentation and packaging (but there's a reason why this set is so cheap).I hope they continue releasing quality sets of obscure shows...there are MANY that are more deserving than this better-forgotten program.
...

I am glad that the series was released all at once, and very reasonably-priced. I have a feeling that if just S1 had come out, we'd still be waiting for S2, especially since S2 is generally considered to be the show's inferior season, with the casting change for Roger Buell. I did consider the last scene of the final episode to be somewhat of a downer, with Eve & Kaye all by themselves on an empty stage with a horse. I would've preferred to see the show's final scene be something that involved the whole cast, maybe together in the Hubbard living room or dining room.