The Paul Williams Story

As much as I anticipated this segment, it must be said that it was a major letdown, especially the mediocre performance of Doney Oatman, who plays Edna Unger, who did little of substance, and was as wooden as they come. Pamelyn Ferdin did a much more credible job a few years before as Edna. Even Paul Williams gave a rather lame performance, especially when he performed. I'm also not that surprised that Oatman's acting career ended about 3 years later. One scene in particular that bugged me was when Edna meets Willaims, her idol, and she just stares at him and gapes without uttering one word, then he leaves shortly after. I've seen wood with more emotion. Now that I piled on her enough, there's a few decent moments, I guess, but not enough to ever want to watch this again. Maybe the writers were out of ideas? The only interesting moment is when Oscar mentions Alice Cooper's name.

Definitely I agree with the last reviewer, an episode that HAD to have been inspired by the classic Marsha and Davy Jones episode on the BRADY BUNCH, although a little more dramatic.

Simple story. Felix's daughter, Edna (Doney Oatman) wants to see Paul Williams in concert and he refuses. So she runs away! Of course, not for long, but there's some ruffled feathers. No matter what, see this for the singer, composer and actor who we all love. Both a surprise and a treat, lots of memories for all us kids who first saw this in the 70s. Paul wrote "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays," which filled the airwaves back in the day.

Eddie Garrett plays Paul's bodyguard, later to have a regular role on Jack Klugman's other show, QUINCY. Oatman often appeared on the ABC AFTERNOON SPECIALS. Directed by Harvey Miller, who wrote PRIVATE BENJAMIN.

SEASON 5 EPISODE 9 remastered Paramount dvd box set. The Final Season collectors edition with a fun cover. Thanks much to CATCHY TV for running this wild series.

So.... people like to give this episode a lot of flak.

For me this is where I first encountered Paul Williams, late night in reruns on my 10" black and white tv. Admittedly it is a wholly uninspired episode However when I watched it something about Paul Williams caught my attention and made me find out who this person is. I have since met Paul and talked to him about this episode and he said that everything about it was written on the fly. Even the song! Lets also not blame poor Doney Oatman for a lame performance, she was just a young girl new to acting and told to "act starstruck" you cant say words that aren't written in a script. They were set by the precident of the brady bunch in 1971 when Marsha met Davey Jones and all she did was drool over her bottom lip. So lets call this what it is,a vehicle for Paul. Shows do/did it all the time.

So just enjoy it for what it is.

I'd just like to add if you don't know who Paul is, You already do. His music,voice and acting have probably been a part of your life and you never knew. He is also a fantastic and kind human, and you cant really ask any more then that.