Just One Episode: Classic Sitcoms

We travel up and down the dial and wind up in Cincinnati to spend some time at struggling radio station WKRP. In the most famous episode of the show, Mr. Carlson hatches a Thanksgiving promotion involving live turkeys. Will a failed promotion lead to successful comedy?

We take a spooky detour to 1313 Mockingbird Lane to visit the Munsters this week. Eddie's teacher and principal visit after reading a surprising essay about his "normal" American family. Will my daughters be scared, amused, neither or both?

We travel to New York City to check in on That Girl, an aspiring actress played by Marlo Thomas from 1966 through 1971. Marlo/Ann meets Broadway icon Ethel Merman who somehow volunteers to cook cabbage for Ann and her boyfriend. Do the kids find this episode a tasty tart or a saggy souffle?

We take a trip to the groovy 1960s to visit with Darrin and Samantha Stevens. Samantha's is a witch who has agreed not to use her powers, but that doesn't stop Samantha's mother from creating two Darrins, one for work and one for fun. We know this won't work as planned, but does hilarity still ensue?

We travel to Chicago to check in on Bob Newhart, psychologist. Can Bob get his patient to stop being afraid to live life? Why does Bob suddenly have the same problem? Is the show still funny in 2020?

We travel to Minneapolis when times were simpler, at least for a Mary Tyler Moore, an unmarried white woman trying to make her way in the male-dominated world of journalism in the 1970s. Mary shows her biggest fault in one of my favorite episodes. Is it still funny to my kids and me over two generations after it originally aired?

We take the sitcom time machine back to the 1950s to see Lucy in action. We watch the famous chocolate factory episode. Is it still funny to kids born half a century after the episode first aired?

Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy? Can they win on the gameshow Password? Can two Gen Z kids appreciate one of Dad's favorite sitcoms from his childhood?

We travel to Mayberry, North Carolina to spend some time with Andy Griffith, Barney Fife and Opie. Will Opie's wishes on a magic lamp come true? Will we enjoy finding out?

The family starts the podcast watching the classic family sitcom from the 1970s. Who will win the student body presidential election, Marcia or Greg?