balldave

I've watched this more than any other MTM episode. So well balanced with a good cast, as always. Even to the selection of Gustavo the waiter. Ted is a pompous jerk as always. A few quirks..why is Lou so fired up to try to get a helicopter when he was turned down bluntly at the staff meeting.

Watch for a missed line when Mary wonders "How many disasters do we get in Minneapolis ?" as Ted walks in..You see Murray motion to apparently comment 'Oh nice timing Ted.' But the loud audience reaction to Mary's comment makes it pointless for Murray to say anything and he motions to Mary that he's abandoned the line.

As preteens we would invariably take advantage of 'all you can watch' theatres back in the 60's. So we sat through back to back showings of Magic Christian; Planet of the Apes and the like. But not this turkey! Even as a pre-teen I couldn't tolerate the frantic inane dialogues and sloppy slapstick. It too highlights one of the burning conundrums of historical theatre. How did Ethel Merman (And Carol Channing) garner such adoration for her screeching monotone delivery and academy award level of over acting ? If nails on a blackboard could ever be captured on celluloid it was done here !

Here Jools Fahey tops the growing list of truly obnoxious characters on this show. Gina the pathologist is still a strong contender by virtue of her conceit and rudeness. Trudy vaccilates in and out of the list but will always be a top 5. Lest we forget too, seniors Doug and Ron. There are few residents of Brokenwood with any nice qualities; it's a virtual hell hole of miscreants. But in this episode the writers don't know when to stop and layer on the Jools craziness to the point where it totally detracts from the main plot. But it does look good on daffy Dennis the lawyer in the end. Oh sorry...lawyer Miranda holds a top ten place as well. If only she could act eh ?