“I like to watch.”

That’s a high bar, and we both know he doesn’t have the legs to jump.

One of the things that makes this particular episode great is one shot that holds for over a minute. It goes from a two shot of Thelma and Fran and almost imperceptibly zooms in until it ends on Thelma’s face as she realizes “All them things, they’re so much a part of who I am.”

Perfect.

There look to be separate runs on CMT, MeTV, and inexplicably LOGO (and in my head).

The syndie runs reformatted the 2 network seasons to match, removing the original credits and cutting scenes for time. I’m not sure these if the restored versions are streaming or in reruns, unfortunately.

There’s even a full dance sequence—definitely not a typical episode.

It originally aired on NBC and when the show got sent to first-run syndication, the network eps all got trimmed. The Time-Life DVD set restored it, and it was an absolute revelation.

(You got me blubbering! I never share this.)

“Flaming Forties,” the second season opener for “Mama’s Family.”

It’s…a little embarrassing, but very special to me. I could do a TED Talk about how much I love it (I even had Vicki sign my actual annotated script for the episode).

To me, it is perfection in 25 minutes.

I hold it close to my ❤️.

I have a sitcom episode I call “the one guarantee” that always makes me feel better when the world gets a little too much to bear. I consider it my second favorite episode of anything ever (behind “Turkeys Away”, of course).

I think I’ll shut the lights off and put it on before bed now.

It doesn’t. It really doesn’t.

Shit’s fucked, bud.

The Story of Chanukah With Bill Graham:

They were only supposed to play Winterland for one night, but the jam session lasted for 8 funky nights!

I can’t exactly speak to that, because there’s a bit of a “largest menorah” discrepancy between boroughs here in NYC.

Ironically, both Grand Army Plazas (in Brooklyn AND Manhattan) lay claim to it with 32’, 4k lb. menorahs of steel.

I’ve frozen my tuchis off at the Brooklyn one. It’s good fun.

Hate is really having a field day.

The version of “Bless My Happy Home” (the “Mama’s Family” theme) with lyrics?

What the everloving fuck is up with the victim shaming here?

What the holy hell just happened on Bondi Beach?

It was a CHANUKAH party,

“Are You Being Served?” series 6 actor James Hayter?

Welcome, fellow member of the Ebersol Era Redemption Society (EERS).

Okay, that’s fair. After all, it’s not their fault (unless they voted for Orangina).