Marvin Marx wrote this iconic episode, perhaps one of the greatest tv sitcom episodes of all time. Fondly remembered by all of us kids. Marx wrote tons of material for Jackie Gleason, also for Joey Bishop and Betty Hutton.
Ralph and Norton go on tv, and with yet another get rich quick scheme. You have to admit one thing. As far as goofy sitcom ideas go, and not necessarily with this show, most are outrageous and would never work. However... there's a method to the madness here because it's a possibility Ralph and Norton FINALLY latched onto a money-making idea! That's the wonder of this story, the little guy getting a piece of that pie.
Ralph finds a box containing a bunch of left over bottle slash can slash whatever openers that could be put to practical use? Why not advertise on tv? And during reruns of Charlie Chan! What better time to advertise while everyone's trying to figure out whodunit.
The guys get the airtime, and a spiffy looking kitchen set. Art Carney is laugh out loud hilarious playing the host, busy cooking dinner and ready to introduce Jackie Gleason's outrageous "chef of the future." Everything that could go wrong, goes wrong, must see tv for the shear lunacy. This is what made Jackie a household name.
You really feel sorry for Ralph, and watch him slam BANG into one of the fake walls...
If you haven't seen this, watch it for its historical significance and a tribute to two masters of comedy. Also the reason why Jackie Gleason confessed many years later, the biggest mistake of his career was that he did not produce a second season of episodes. Imagine what they could have done?
Marx may have lifted the idea from I LOVE LUCY, the wacky episode where Lucy and Ethel market salad dressing on tv. Sound familiar?
Get the HONEYMOONERS box set for this episode, Number 7, remastered dvd. The classic 39 episodes.
