Your Favorite Teaser? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Milkamplifier · 08-26-2012, 03:34 PM

I love re-watching those 1-2 minute teasers that the episodes begin with (prior to opening credits) over and over again. Sometimes I'll just see one or two if I need a quick "Hazel" fix. Or I'll watch quite a few more instead of watching a full episode.

They work great as stand-alone sketches and can easily show someone who isn't familiar with the show what 'Hazel' is all about. Sometimes they're in line with the theme of the episode, though most often they're not - thus they were the first to get cut for syndication (sacrilege!).

Now that we got to see them again on DVD - what is your favorite one? I love most teasers from season 1, my favorite probably being the banter between Hazel and Mr. B in which she tries to use her "word of the day" 10 times, the word being 'replete' (episode 01x19 "Hazel, The Tryst-Buster").

The simple yet brilliant premise of the scene, Hazel's nonchalant attitide, Mr. B's priceless reactions and building irritation, the always great dynamic/comic timing between Booth and DeFore, and the simple climax - the word is actually being used 10 times... It's just flawless.

Needless to say, 'replete' and 'octarchy' are now a part of my regular vocabulary (when I'm being facetious).

1960'sTVfan · 08-30-2012, 05:03 PM

Since Hazel and Dennis The Menace TV shows were based on their comic strip counterparts, some of the opening teasers of those shows were made as a comedy quickie to resemble the comic strip in the newspaper. It had nothing to do with the plot of the episode. After the opening credits, the plot and story would begin.

MichaelKeith · 08-31-2012, 01:18 PM

I don't have a list of the specific episodes, but I have seen several where the opening teaser is directly related to that episode plot line.

1960'sTVfan · 08-31-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

I don't have a list of the specific episodes, but I have seen several where the opening teaser is directly related to that episode plot line.

That's correct, in Hazel and Dennis The Menace, sometimes the opening teaser ties in with the plot of the episode, other times it does not. The opening teasers are a mixed bag, I guess the producers wanted it that way.

missy's pop pop · 01-12-2014, 12:19 AM

One of my favorites is in S1, when George and Dorothy are relaxing in front of the fireplace. They're both winding down after a busy day, Harold's gone to bed, they're talking about how thankful they are for all they have, and it's as romantic as all get-out--

UNTIL Hazel comes bustling into the living room with sticks and a bag of marshmallows, and suggests it would be a great idea to toast marshmallows in the fireplace!

08-26-2012, 03:34 PM	#1
Milkamplifier Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 08, 2012 Posts: 62	Your Favorite Teaser? I love re-watching those 1-2 minute teasers that the episodes begin with (prior to opening credits) over and over again. Sometimes I'll just see one or two if I need a quick "Hazel" fix. Or I'll watch quite a few more instead of watching a full episode. They work great as stand-alone sketches and can easily show someone who isn't familiar with the show what 'Hazel' is all about. Sometimes they're in line with the theme of the episode, though most often they're not - thus they were the first to get cut for syndication (sacrilege!). Now that we got to see them again on DVD - what is your favorite one? I love most teasers from season 1, my favorite probably being the banter between Hazel and Mr. B in which she tries to use her "word of the day" 10 times, the word being 'replete' (episode 01x19 "Hazel, The Tryst-Buster"). The simple yet brilliant premise of the scene, Hazel's nonchalant attitide, Mr. B's priceless reactions and building irritation, the always great dynamic/comic timing between Booth and DeFore, and the simple climax - the word is actually being used 10 times... It's just flawless. Needless to say, 'replete' and 'octarchy' are now a part of my regular vocabulary (when I'm being facetious).

01-12-2014, 12:19 AM	#5
missy's pop pop Hooray for "Hazel!" Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 19, 2013 Location: St. Louis Posts: 396	How about a nice romantic marshmallow roast? One of my favorites is in S1, when George and Dorothy are relaxing in front of the fireplace. They're both winding down after a busy day, Harold's gone to bed, they're talking about how thankful they are for all they have, and it's as romantic as all get-out-- *UNTIL* Hazel comes bustling into the living room with sticks and a bag of marshmallows, and suggests it would be a great idea to toast marshmallows in the fireplace!

08-30-2012, 05:03 PM	#2
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,091	Since Hazel and Dennis The Menace TV shows were based on their comic strip counterparts, some of the opening teasers of those shows were made as a comedy quickie to resemble the comic strip in the newspaper. It had nothing to do with the plot of the episode. After the opening credits, the plot and story would begin.

08-31-2012, 01:18 PM	#3
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	I don't have a list of the specific episodes, but I have seen several where the opening teaser is directly related to that episode plot line.