Welcome to another Wildcard Wednesday! To complement coverage of Susan Harris’ The Golden Girls (1985-1992, NBC) concurrently running on Sitcom Tuesdays, I thought I’d take this time to share an original script of Fay (1975-1976, NBC), Harris’ first sitcom, which we’ve discussed several times on this blog — most recently last year when I shared a complete episode and gave brief general thoughts on the series. (Please revisit that entry here.) The episode featured today is one of two that I screened at UCLA in 2014, “Mom’s Realization,” which aired as the show’s third on September 18, 1975. It was written by Gail Parent, whose work will be featured on Sitcom Tuesdays very soon, and directed by Richard Kinon. As you can tell from my thoughts at the time, expressed here, I was pretty impressed by the episode, which I’d better note now played better than it reads — evidence of how much great performers like Grant and guest Lilia Skala can enhance the written word! But, you be the judge. Below is the final draft of “Mom’s Realization.” Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Here is the teleplay. (The tag ends abruptly; it is possible that the final page is missing, but I can’t confirm as such.)
Come back next Wednesday for another Wildcard post! And tune in on Monday for another forgotten musical!
I can imagine the episode ending on that line, with Mom once more showing her infinite patience.
I only remember one action, not even a line, from seeing this show when I was young, and that was Fay pouring a bowl of something (probably soup) over Jack’s head. I always remembered slapstick stuff like that, and I may have watched the show just for that moment if it appeared in a promo.
I have a couple more memories of the show that preceded FAY on NBC, THE MONTEFUSCOS. I loved the theme song, and I do remember at least one line from the show, delivered by one of the oldest son’s two sons: “We wanna watch Uncle Jim [the Protestant son-in-law] get creamed!”. There was a bunch of shouting in this one. I have found a promo for one episode of this show on You Tube. It’s not a great show, especially considering it had Bill Persky & Sam Denoff producing.
Hi, Jon! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Neither UCLA nor Paley has any of THE MONTEFUSCOS, so I’ve never seen it (but from what I understand, maybe I should be grateful)! I think the two shows’ pairing is interesting — one decidedly old-fashioned in its sensibilities, the other ostensibly modern…
Hi, I was wondering if you’d consider writing up on Diana Rigg’s short-lived sitcom that aired during the 1973-1974 season. I caught an episode on youtube (the one with the shirtless guy in Diana’s apartment) and it was actually decent.
Hi, Matt! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Yes, I’ve been reluctant to discuss DIANA thus far because I only have six entries from its 15-episode run. But in addition to being a multi-cam, it’s NBC’s try at THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW — then paired with NBC’s attempt at ALL IN THE FAMILY, the Dom DeLuise vehicle, LOTSA LUCK, which I covered here several years ago — and was also co-created by Leonard Stern, the man behind several forgotten gems, most notably my beloved HE & SHE.
So, with all that going for DIANA (along with an interesting ensemble cast), there’s a good chance you’ll see the series here before this blog reaches its conclusion — but probably later, rather than sooner.