Episode Reviews: “The Expectant Dad (Alice Knitting Sweater For Dog)” & more:

[Frank Gannucci]

Episode Reviews: “The Expectant Dad (Alice Knitting Sweater For Dog)” & “New Bowling Ball”:

Episode #19
TV: Hasn’t been seen on TV since its original airdate.
DVD: Hasn’t been released.

Nobody knows for sure if this episode ever aired on TV or not. In the early 2010s, it was revealed that this as long as some other sketches were rumored to have been shown on TV. I am going to assume that the script for this one is right.

Alice is busy knitting a sweater for a dog. Alice says to Trixie that she can't talk about her new job to Ralph because Ralph will say to quit the job. This discussion is almost the same as in "Santa & The Bookies" & “Run, Santa, Run.” Ed comes down. Ed: "Alice, where's your better one and a half?" Alice says that Ralph isn't home. He sees Alice trying to take laundry upstairs and says that she shouldn't carry that big of an item, so he volunteer’s Trixie's services, much to Trixie's chagrin. They leave.

Ralph comes home and sees the sweater. Ralph thinks that he will become a father. He mentions that when his son is born, he will name him "Ralph." Ed says that that might cause confusion. Ralph: "I was named after my father. They used to call us 'Big' & 'Little' Ralph." Ed: "Who was your father, 'Little' Ralph?" Ha!

The girls come back and Ralph acts all nice when Alice arrives. Trixie: "What's going on here?" Ralph mentions to Alice that he knows what she knows but the way he explains it far too confusing. Alice: "You are nuts." Ralph offers everyone some unique food, which Ed says that he will take it. Ralph (yells): "OH WHY DON'T YOU SHUT UP!" Ralph tries to kick Ed out but it doesn't work. Ralph talks some more about what he thinks that Alice might have. Alice thinks that Ralph found out that her mother is coming. Ralph (yells to Alice): "SHE IS NOT SETTING FOOT IN THIS HOUSE!" (Normally to Alice): "I'm sorry. She and your dad can come and stay until New Year's if she likes but if it isn't you, out they go."

Ralph & Alice have some time alone. Ralph continues to talk about what he thinks that Alice might have and he is happy about it. Alice thinks that he is talking about her job and says that she could do it every Christmas. Oh boy! Alice says that if she does, she might have to join a union. Ralph: "I didn't know that you had to join a union to have a baby." Alice then knows what Ralph has been talking about and says that the sweater is for a dog. Ralph is disappointed but says when they have a baby; he would rather have a girl just like Alice. They hug and kiss.

Episode #24
TV: I believe that this episode was shown on FOX in 1988 during their specials about Jackie Gleason called “The Best of Gleason.”
DVD: Attached to “Bread”, “Razor Blades”, “New TV Set”, “Ralph Threatens To Leave”, “Alice & Ralph Get Dressed For A Date Last Night” (aka “The Dance”), “The Ring Salesman” (’51 version), “Quiz Show” (’51 version), “Xmas Party” (’51 version), “The Turkey”, “Lost Baby”, “Quiz Show” (’52 version), “Halloween Party” (’52 version), “Cold”, “Pickles”, “Jellybeans” & “Six Months To Live” (’51 version).

On the Lost Episode DVD Box Set, there is bonus footage of announcer (Jack Lescoulie) introducing us to the episode in which he says that Audrey Meadows is Alice Kramden. On the Best of Gleason, Ed McMahon introduces us to this sketch. This is the first appearance of Audrey as Alice. The episode opens up with Alice coming home. Trixie comes in. Alice says that she has to rush to make dinner. Alice also bought food and a new bowling ball for Ralph. Ralph is going bowling tonight. The boys come in. Ralph looks at the bowling ball and loves it. Ralph: “She’s all mine.” Ed: “I hope the two of you are very happy together.” Ed said that he saved money to get a bowling ball, but she says that Trixie thought of only herself and got her tooth pulled with that money. The Nortons leave.

Ralph is ready for dinner. He is upset that dinner isn’t near ready yet. When Alice tells Ralph what they are having, he doesn’t like it. Alice asks Ralph to unwrap the steak. When Ralph finds out that the steak is frozen solid, he is upset. The steak has to thaw out but Ralph has to go bowling in a little while. Ralph yells. Alice: “Keep yelling and the steak will thaw out in no time.” This is also one of the first times that Ralph says to Alice that one of these days, he will hit her. Ralph gets the can opener but has difficulty with it. He accidentally hurts his finger with the can opener. According to Ralph, now he can’t go bowling. Alice says for him to stop exaggerating. Ralph tires to prove Alice wrong by putting his hurt finger in the bowling ball. He can’t get it all the way in somehow. Ralph: “I’m going bowling now.” Ralph then finds out that he can’t get his fingers out of the ball. Uh oh! Ralph is upset at Alice some more. He now thinks he can’t do his job anymore because of the fact that he has a bowling ball stuck to him. Ed comes down. Ralph explains to him what just happened to him. Ed: “Why don’t you go on a diet? Maybe it will drop off.” Alice and Ed help Ralph out. Ed grabs the ball while Alice grabs Ralph by the waist and both of them pull. The ball falls off as Ralph backs into the corner with Alice behind him and accidentally hits her slightly. Ralph’s thumb is so hurt that he thinks he (Ralph) can’t go bowling. Ed leaves. Ralph is still upset at Alice. Ralph calls him unlucky. Ralph: “Not as unlucky as King Faruk though.” Alice says that Ralph hurt his left hand. Ralph finds out that he is RIGHT HANDED. So, he can go bowling after all. He tries to leave. Alice wishes him good luck. Ralph is upset at what he just did to Alice. He asks Alice if she wants to see him bowl. She says yes. Ralph: “Baby, you’re the greatest.” They hug and kiss.