The Gift

The Grifters; or The Wheels of Evil (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Gift Airdate: December 17, 1975 Written by Rocci Chatfield Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Laura gets entangled in history’s first pyramid scheme, steamrolls Mary, and pretends Caroline is dead. RECAP:  DAGNY: You know, I realized today WalnutContinue reading “The Gift”

The Camp-Out

Eff You and the Bush You Rode In On, Nellie Oleson (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Camp-Out Airdate: November 19, 1975 (?) Written by Gerry Day Story by Joseph Bonaduce Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Mrs. Oleson thinks the Ingallses’ vacation is a scam to win a leaf-gathering contestContinue reading “The Camp-Out”

The Spring Dance

The Love of Willie Oleson; or She’s My Cherry Pie (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Spring Dance Airdate: October 29, 1975 Written by Gerry Day Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Laura fakes a love affair with Willie to get a boy’s attention. Meanwhile, Grace Snider does the exact sameContinue reading “The Spring Dance”

Ebenezer Sprague

Blah Humbug (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Ebenezer Sprague Airdate: September 24, 1975 Written by Hindi Brooks Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: It’s yet another old-man best friend for Laura when she teaches an asshole to love. RECAP: We open on Mr. Nelson the Gray-Haired Dude driving down the thoroughfare, accompanied byContinue reading “Ebenezer Sprague”

To See the World

The Sequel Nobody Wanted; or If She Says Puppa Paw One More Time, I’m Out (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: To See the World Airdate: March 5, 1975 Written by Gerry Day Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Mr. Edwards takes idiot Johnny Johnson to Mankato, where he fails to teach himContinue reading “To See the World”

Doctor’s Lady

Don’t Cry Out Loud, Mr. Hanson In Which Doc Baker is Propositioned by a Hot Young Woman and the Vestiges of His Heterosexuality are Destroyed Forever (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Doctor’s Lady Airdate: January 22, 1975 Written by Arthur Heinemann Story by Arthur Heinemann and Ann Beckett Directed by Lewis Allen SUMMARY INContinue reading “Doctor’s Lady”

School Mom

I Wish I Was Dumb Abel! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: School Mom Airdate: November 13, 1974 Written by Ward Hawkins Story by Jean Rouverol Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY: Miss Beadle breaks every bone in her body, so Ma subs for her at the school. Possibly better known as “Dumb Abel.” RECAP:Continue reading “School Mom”

Town Party Country Party

Olga Nordstrom’s Lonely Hearts Club Foot (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Town Party Country Party Airdate: October 30, 1974 Written by Juanita Bartlett Directed by Alf Kjellin SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A hobble-footed girl makes friends with Laura, but her insane father doesn’t want her to have fun. Pa rassles him and he relents.Continue reading “Town Party Country Party”

The Love of Johnny Johnson

“I don’t give a hoot for your dumb old Johnny Johnson!” (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Love of Johnny Johnson Airdate: October 9, 1974 Written by Gerry Day Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Laura falls in love with an age-inappropriate idiot, but he only has eyes for uptight prissContinue reading “The Love of Johnny Johnson”

Country Girls

She’s Heeeeeeeere. . . .(a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Country GirlsAirdate: September 18, 1974Written by Juanita BartlettDirected by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Laura and Mary start school, where they’re mocked by cruel Nellie. Mrs. Oleson declares Egg Wars on Caroline. Laura learns to read in like three days. RECAP: We openContinue reading “Country Girls”