Racy Tracy Rattigan

This is the worst episode of the series. Richard Dawson plays an obnoxious, offensive boor constantly making passes at Laura. Not the least bit funny.

Dawson's performance can be summed up by the title of a good DVD episode..'Offensive, obnoxious egotistical..'. An awful entry.

Richard Dawson guest stars on the show this week. His character is called 'Tracy Rattigan' and he's taking over for Alan for a couple weeks. This means the cast will be working with him to write the show...which, at first, seems like a neat idea. However, Tracy ends up being a complete jerk...a womanizer who hits on every woman he meets. He's particularly enamored with Laura...and when he comes to the Petrie house, he behaves like a boorish jerk. Rob responds appropriately.

This is a very badly written and acted show. First, Richard Dawson's acting is about as subtle as a stripper doing her act at a Baptist barbecue! It's awful. Second, the script makes no sense at all. Third, it's just not funny.

Yes, Richard Dawson's character is something to be desired -- but worth seeing for Richard Dawson.

More over, producer Sheldon Leonard directed, connected to the DANNY THOMAS SHOW, so its interesting to see the kind of performance he gets out of the comedian. If you really hate the guy, then Sheldon Leonard did his job.

Dawson plays a rip-roaring British comedian called Tracy Rattigan(?), subbing for Alan Brady who is on vacation. Rob, Buddy and Sally all want to meet this guy -- BE careful what you wish for. He got his nickname "Racy Tracy" because he has an eye for the ladies, specifically Laura, who he REALLY wants to get to know.

Mistake #1; Rob invites him over to the house. Conclusion (For Tracy): How to make yourself very, very unpopular.

Definitely a Carl Reiner script with an outrageous, if not obnoxious character.

And not that far from the truth. I'll bet Reiner knew lots of Racy Tracy's in the biz, hence how the script came about.

Again, not for all tastes, but worth a look for Richard Dawson (for all us HOGANS HEROES fans) and director Sheldon Leonard, who should have made a gag appearance as the referee.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 27 remastered CBS dvd box set. Now on blu ray for a new generation of fans.