April 14, 2016
Writer: Dan Guntzelman and Steve Marshall
Director: Rod Daniel
Original Air Date: December 17, 1979
Merry Christmas from Cincinnati!
I found this is an episode that didn't get shown as much in syndication. I don't remember it as well as others. That is kind of a shame because the writers take great pains to not trade in the typical Christmas episode tropes (I'm looking at you, ep. 53!) and it makes for a truly touching show - unlike last week's episode which swerved at the end to force in a touching moment.
It's also a rare episode that is both a frame for big set gags AND a fully rounded character study. Written by the show's regular story editors, Dan Guntzelman and Steve Marshall, maybe they were trying to show the other writers how it should be done.
The episode's first half revels in the cynical side of Christmas: Johnny playing syrupy music; Herb's house being infested with in-laws; even Bailey is grouchy about trying to get a flight to Chicago! Christmas can be a stressful, expensive and uncomfortable time. WKRP showed that years before movies like "Christmas Vacation," "A Christmas Story" or "Bad Santa" made complaining about Christmas a trope of its own.
Decking the Hall with Boughs of Holly
Mr. Carlson seems to be reenacting scenes from a Charlie Brown Christmas, especially when it come to Christmas trees. Telling the story to Jennifer about going out every year to find a tree only to have his mother be disappointed sounds to me like Charlie Brown and Lucy's relationship. Another sign of the tight writing here is the call back joke to this story at the end of the episode, in which Carlson takes all the trees to please his mother.
Rather than the Christmas tropes, this episode plays with the trope of the prettiest girl in school not being invited to the prom. Could Jennifer really be alone at Christmas?
Jennifer has made a family for herself in Cincinnati with her co-workers, even if they don't necessarily see themselves that way. She was happy to get them gifts without expecting anything in return. We saw by her apartment that gifts don't have much meaning for her. The office party was meant to be her time to enjoy the holidays rather than having to worry about being perfect in front of the Admiral or the children. She didn't ruin the party for them - they ruined the party for her first.
As much fun as we'e had in the first cynical half, the episode moves quickly to sweetness with Venus' panicky phone call to Johnny. Despite the cynicism, one of their friends is depressed and needs attention now! Rally the troops! Buy the tress! Christmas plans be damned! And eventually everybody comes to the realization Jennifer had originally - they are a family.
We get a chance to examine Jennifer Marlowe from many different sides on this occasion. Giddy Jennifer, planning a party and laughing at Mr. Carlson's corny jokes. Angry Jennifer, disappointed by her co-workers. Reluctant Jennifer, knowing how telling people she's taking orphans to Bethlehem sounds to regular working folks. Poignant Jennifer, touched at the outpouring of love from her friends. This is Loni Anderson's best performance to date.
It's a great character piece, but there are also many funny pieces here, like decorations on a grand tree! (Hmmm, maybe I'm getting a little too Christmas sentimental here myself). First is Venus as Santa; perfectly set up by Carlson trying to imagine what that would look like just before Venus walks in. No one in the audience could have imagined it, but the moment you see it, he couldn't have been anything else - it's what the cover of the Earth Wind & Fire Christmas album should look like!
Santa Cool
Herb has a nice running story about how crowded his house is right now, culminating in the phrase "I took a shower with a bald man this morning!" A great balance is achieved between Herb as sad sack loser and his slimier side, like coming over to give Jennifer a "Christmas Goose." Where the goose Herb, indeed.
The best gag is Andy telling Herb he has to leave Jennifer's place because he didn't bring a Christmas tree and the rest of the gang going along with it. Even Carlson plays along! I wonder what kind of tree Herb would have found, as the parade of firs into Jennifer's apartment continued to get scrawnier and scrawnier. Carlson's tree does look like the famous Charlie Brown tree sprung to life.
"I never thought it was such a bad little tree" said Linus.
Other notes: For those keeping track, Jennifer has now kissed three of her co-workers, Johnny, Andy (after the tornado) and now Herb. George Gaynes played the French admirer in Jennifer's apartment. He was the real life husband to Allyn Ann McLerie, who played Carmen Carlson in Ep. 30. Writer Steve Marshall plays the second delivery man; the one who says to Andy "Out of the way, Sport"
Roy
Started the Shout! DVD set last month and slowly working through the series - glad to read your take.
ReplyDelete