Season Eight - My Observations - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Kasey · 03-31-2018, 10:58 AM

I just finished Season 8 and thought I’d share my observations as I work my way through the later years.
I last watched Seasons 6 and 7 when TV Land first aired them in 1998 (yikes—that was TWENTY years ago). S6 had the Ernie adoption arc going for it, but I found S7 so dull that I am hard pressed to even remember a single episode plot from that year. Thank goodness the producers decided to overhaul the show for the 1967-68 season.

The move to Hollywood and the addition of Katie breathed new life into MTS. The series NEVER would have made it to 1972 without Tina Cole. She was the perfect addition to give the Douglas household the feminine touch and I liked how a recurring theme throughout the season was Katie being afraid of crossing Uncle Charlie. I especially enjoyed the high number of Ernie-centric episodes this season, since he’s my favorite character. Also, the suburban setting and the time period are exactly how I imagined my family’s life to be at the time before I was born (I wasn’t around in ’67 but it seemed like such an idyllic time to be a kid and I’ve always romanticized it since the 1980s). Everything seemed so relatable, unlike the fantasy sitcoms like Bewitched or Jeannie or the ones set in NYC like Family Affair or That Girl. There is a real ‘normalcy’ to this era of MTS that I find appealing.

Lastly, I never really cared for the episodes that revolved around Steve’s work life--the exception being “Gossip, Inc”. This may well be my pick for MVE of the season. A great script full of misunderstandings, a superb guest cast that boasts not only the fabulous Shirley Mitchell as Charley’s squeeze Sally but also Abby Dalton (The Joey Bishop Show, Falcon Crest), Marvin Kaplan (Alice), Jane Dulo and Gail Fisher (Mannix) in a small part. Ending the episode with a framed picture of Steve replacing the old boss was a nice touch.

All in all, I highly recommend this as one of the best seasons!

stevea · 03-31-2018, 06:21 PM

Yeah that Sally character is a hoot, with lines similar to, Charley, you're such a classy guy, etc.

Then in the 9th season, when visiting the diner, he's told she's run off to Vegas to marry another guy.

Hazel Anyday · 03-31-2018, 10:37 PM

Actually Season 7 was the last real My 3 Sons type program where there were really 3 sons and father and old guy. Before the women folk were added on and the show changed a bit. There are quite a few good season 7 episodes, take a gander over the summary of episodes here to be reminded of some of the classics from S.7:
http://www.tv.com/shows/my-three-sons/season-7/

Yes, part of the joy for me watching Leave It To Beaver, Dennis The Menace & My 3 Sons is it does remind me of my time as a kid growing up in the '60's. I think I was about 2 years younger than Ernie, watching now just seeing the lunch boxes reminds me of the same lunch boxes I remember in school, the cars the furniture, the phones all bring back mammaries. I still use the same "desk phone" that they used in the '60's. We had a wall phone like you see in Beaver's kitchen, always wished we had a desk phone though. Guess that's why I bought them when I moved out on my own. My prize is a 2 tone red/black desk phone, love it. I feel now like Steve in this ad:

stevea · 04-01-2018, 06:49 PM

Yes, season 7 had some good episodes--one that immediately comes to mind is the one where Robbie tries selling real estate, and as he's trying to sell a house in the pouring rain, mud starts seeping under the back door.

I like season 10 since they added Beverly Garland, and I really like her. I'll be looking forward to 11 and 12, also, if MeTV gets around to them.

paul.austin · 04-02-2018, 06:40 AM

Dodie was a pain in the rear, but i blame the writers, not Dawn. I'm surprised Dawn hasn't done promos for MeTV. Team her up with Robbie Rist.

biffbronson · 04-08-2018, 09:33 PM

I don't know if Dawn has returned to the U.S. after living in Germany. If not, availability may remain an issue regarding promos. (When I corresponded with her via email years ago, her replies were extremely brief and there were only a couple in total. I never did learn of any of her plans.)

Regarding episodes revolving around Steve's workplace, another memorable one for me as a Brenda Benet fan comes in Season 10, when Brenda's character is a little too hot or flirtatious in the opinion of some.

Katie's family is a very strong point of Season 8, in my opinion. Kathryn Givney is great as her grandmother. (Her work on Hazel was also memorable.)

stevea · 04-08-2018, 10:53 PM

Kathryn Givney also had a memorable role in a Donna Reed Show episode (The House on the Hill-season 5). She had that crotchety old lady part down pat.

Dawn's acting improved as she grew into the role...at the start, she was pretty shaky. I'm really surprised they didn't retake a couple of scenes where she obviously had problems.

paul.austin · 04-09-2018, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Dawn's acting improved as she grew into the role...at the start, she was pretty shaky. I'm really surprised they didn't retake a couple of scenes where she obviously had problems.

Yeah, Nanny and the Professor fans might be happy that Season 10 M3S Dawn wasn't their Prudence Everett.

03-31-2018, 10:58 AM	#1
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	Season Eight - My Observations I just finished Season 8 and thought I’d share my observations as I work my way through the later years. I last watched Seasons 6 and 7 when TV Land first aired them in 1998 (yikes—that was TWENTY years ago). S6 had the Ernie adoption arc going for it, but I found S7 so dull that I am hard pressed to even remember a single episode plot from that year. Thank goodness the producers decided to overhaul the show for the 1967-68 season. The move to Hollywood and the addition of Katie breathed new life into MTS. The series NEVER would have made it to 1972 without Tina Cole. She was the perfect addition to give the Douglas household the feminine touch and I liked how a recurring theme throughout the season was Katie being afraid of crossing Uncle Charlie. I especially enjoyed the high number of Ernie-centric episodes this season, since he’s my favorite character. Also, the suburban setting and the time period are exactly how I imagined my family’s life to be at the time before I was born (I wasn’t around in ’67 but it seemed like such an idyllic time to be a kid and I’ve always romanticized it since the 1980s). Everything seemed so relatable, unlike the fantasy sitcoms like Bewitched or Jeannie or the ones set in NYC like Family Affair or That Girl. There is a real ‘normalcy’ to this era of MTS that I find appealing. Lastly, I never really cared for the episodes that revolved around Steve’s work life--the exception being “Gossip, Inc”. This may well be my pick for MVE of the season. A great script full of misunderstandings, a superb guest cast that boasts not only the fabulous Shirley Mitchell as Charley’s squeeze Sally but also Abby Dalton (The Joey Bishop Show, Falcon Crest), Marvin Kaplan (Alice), Jane Dulo and Gail Fisher (Mannix) in a small part. Ending the episode with a framed picture of Steve replacing the old boss was a nice touch. All in all, I highly recommend this as one of the best seasons!

03-31-2018, 10:37 PM	#3
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	Memories memories (I'm singing) Actually Season 7 was the last real My 3 Sons type program where there were really 3 sons and father and old guy. Before the women folk were added on and the show changed a bit. There are quite a few good season 7 episodes, take a gander over the summary of episodes here to be reminded of some of the classics from S.7: http://www.tv.com/shows/my-three-sons/season-7/ Yes, part of the joy for me watching Leave It To Beaver, Dennis The Menace & My 3 Sons is it does remind me of my time as a kid growing up in the '60's. I think I was about 2 years younger than Ernie, watching now just seeing the lunch boxes reminds me of the same lunch boxes I remember in school, the cars the furniture, the phones all bring back mammaries. I still use the same "desk phone" that they used in the '60's. We had a wall phone like you see in Beaver's kitchen, always wished we had a desk phone though. Guess that's why I bought them when I moved out on my own. My prize is a 2 tone red/black desk phone, love it. I feel now like Steve in this ad:
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

03-31-2018, 06:21 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,671	Yeah that Sally character is a hoot, with lines similar to, Charley, you're such a classy guy, etc. Then in the 9th season, when visiting the diner, he's told she's run off to Vegas to marry another guy.

04-01-2018, 06:49 PM	#4
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,671	Yes, season 7 had some good episodes--one that immediately comes to mind is the one where Robbie tries selling real estate, and as he's trying to sell a house in the pouring rain, mud starts seeping under the back door. I like season 10 since they added Beverly Garland, and I really like her. I'll be looking forward to 11 and 12, also, if MeTV gets around to them.

04-02-2018, 06:40 AM	#5
paul.austin Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 22, 2012 Posts: 673	Dodie was a pain in the rear, but i blame the writers, not Dawn. I'm surprised Dawn hasn't done promos for MeTV. Team her up with Robbie Rist.

04-08-2018, 09:33 PM	#6
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,493	I don't know if Dawn has returned to the U.S. after living in Germany. If not, availability may remain an issue regarding promos. (When I corresponded with her via email years ago, her replies were extremely brief and there were only a couple in total. I never did learn of any of her plans.) Regarding episodes revolving around Steve's workplace, another memorable one for me as a Brenda Benet fan comes in Season 10, when Brenda's character is a little too hot or flirtatious in the opinion of some. Katie's family is a very strong point of Season 8, in my opinion. Kathryn Givney is great as her grandmother. (Her work on Hazel was also memorable.)

04-08-2018, 10:53 PM	#7
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,671	Kathryn Givney also had a memorable role in a Donna Reed Show episode (The House on the Hill-season 5). She had that crotchety old lady part down pat. Dawn's acting improved as she grew into the role...at the start, she was pretty shaky. I'm really surprised they didn't retake a couple of scenes where she obviously had problems.