Episode Reviews - "In the Soup" - season 4 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

stevea · 01-15-2026, 12:57 PM

Perhaps the best-known episode of the series, another one around this time written by Connelly and Mosher.

Wally wants to host a party, but how to get rid of the Beaver? Wally tries to bribe him with movie money, but unbeknownst to Wally, June has solved it by accepting Whitey's invitation for Beaver to spend the weekend with him.

Whitey comes over to pick Beaver up, and as they're walking to Whitey's house, they come upon a new billboard, complete with soup bowl held high by a model woman's arm -- and the bowl emanates steam, as though there is hot soup in it.

Of course, this prompts the boys to argue over whether there is soup in the bowl, and Whitey convinces Beaver to climb up and see. I think I've read in Mathers' book that he actually does the climb himself, and of course Beaver falls into the bowl.

Eventually Beaver is rescued by the fire department, by this time in front of a large audience, complete with a tyke who wants his autograph.

Any comments or reviews? How would this episode have been done in modern times?

MichaelMartinD · 01-27-2026, 10:19 AM

No question, one of the all-time classic episodes. Love the buildup to Beaver's predicament, and the intercutting between that and the preparations for Wally's party. (Or should I say "paurty"?) Not sure if it would need to be updated at all in the present day. Do they still have 3D billboards like that today?

stevea · 01-27-2026, 10:41 AM

Today the billboard would either be an animated sequence with LEDs, or not be allowed in Mayfield city limits due to an ordinance.

But I think the producers could overcome those obstacles and do the episode. Beaver might have had a line - "Whitey, my phone won't work in all this steam. You call your dad."
"I can't. I left mine at home, since I was only gonna be gone for a few minutes."

01-15-2026, 12:57 PM	#1
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,934	Episode Reviews - "In the Soup" - season 4 Perhaps the best-known episode of the series, another one around this time written by Connelly and Mosher. Wally wants to host a party, but how to get rid of the Beaver? Wally tries to bribe him with movie money, but unbeknownst to Wally, June has solved it by accepting Whitey's invitation for Beaver to spend the weekend with him. Whitey comes over to pick Beaver up, and as they're walking to Whitey's house, they come upon a new billboard, complete with soup bowl held high by a model woman's arm -- and the bowl emanates steam, as though there is hot soup in it. Of course, this prompts the boys to argue over whether there is soup in the bowl, and Whitey convinces Beaver to climb up and see. I think I've read in Mathers' book that he actually does the climb himself, and of course Beaver falls into the bowl. Eventually Beaver is rescued by the fire department, by this time in front of a large audience, complete with a tyke who wants his autograph. Any comments or reviews? How would this episode have been done in modern times?
	Last edited by stevea; 01-27-2026 at 10:36 AM. Reason: typo

01-27-2026, 10:19 AM	#2
MichaelMartinD Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 23, 2013 Posts: 576	No question, one of the all-time classic episodes. Love the buildup to Beaver's predicament, and the intercutting between that and the preparations for Wally's party. (Or should I say "paurty"?) Not sure if it would need to be updated at all in the present day. Do they still have 3D billboards like that today?

01-27-2026, 10:41 AM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,934	Today the billboard would either be an animated sequence with LEDs, or not be allowed in Mayfield city limits due to an ordinance. But I think the producers could overcome those obstacles and do the episode. Beaver might have had a line - "Whitey, my phone won't work in all this steam. You call your dad." "I can't. I left mine at home, since I was only gonna be gone for a few minutes."