The single funniest scene I have seen in my many years of television viewing took place in an episode of The Associates, a series which died way too soon. The scene featured two magnificent veterans, Wilfred Hyde-White and John Houseman in his Professor Kingsfield persona, alone in a conference room debating the true meaning of the word "crapulence". I will leave the rest to the readers imagination except to volunteer that the word refers to sickness resulting from excessive indulgence or intemperance.
The Associates was a gem featuring a group of very talented up-and-comers, gifted veterans and an impressive array of guest stars. James Burrows directed and the show was written by a staff whose collective resume includes work on many of the elite television comedies including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and spin-offs, The Cosby Show, Taxi, Frasier and many more.
Can anyone tell me why the show ended so soon and so abruptly?
