This is awesome. I remember this episode, and even recall Michael Keaton's response when he asks if it is hard going to law school to become a lawyer, "aw, well the the hell with it". Hysterical.
This is hilarious! So well-written, and Tony Randall is sensational as always! What a crime that this ran only two seasons, and junk like the Big Bang Theory gets 12 seasons.
It speaks volumes to how the quality of everything has declined. There's a 1990 interview with Tony Randall in which he says America is losing its hunger and drive for greatness and creative leadership, and it had better rectify its sloppy and indolent path or it would lose its greatness. Looking at the state of things in 2021, we didn't listen.
The opening montage of Philly brings back a lot of childhood memories - John Wanamaker Department Store, City Hall (the top of William Penn's hat to be exact) as the tallest building in the city by law, and many more.
I am in awe of the class,the writing,the perfect casting ,every gesture of every character,and even the title.I think this is the best thirty minutes of television I have ever seen,and that includes The Paper Chase and the Bob Newhart show.
Such good writing. Great acting all the way around. I didn't miss this show when it was on originally. Keaton should have been a contender for the departing Travolta from Welcome Back Kotter.
Tony was basically "Felix" in a court setting. He could never shake that persona. It was too defined. Cool seein a young Michael Keaton in the classroom scene.
ABC should not have cancelled this show in 1977. It was the only MTM Enterprises show in the top 30 in the 1976-77 season. CBS picked it up for the 1976-77 season, but it only lasted to the Spring of 78. Tony Randall is terrific in any role he plays. Michael Keaton joined the cast of Mary Tyler Moores's ill-fated variety show "Mary". He also starred in the 1979 CBS sitcom Working Stiffs with Jim Belushi. Show only lasted 4 episodes. The 1982 movie Night Shift was Keaton's big break in the movies and he's had a nice career.
First time I even hear about this series. I come here because I know Randall from The Odd Couple, one of my favorites, thinking that this was a mediocre attempt to squeeze rating out of Randall's talent, and I run into a very funny and well written comedy. I wish I could see more of it.
I remember this show. 'Must have been around ten. The only reason I can figure out why it's virtually forgotten is because he was so famous as Felix. They should've given it more of a chance. Such great acting, writing, direction and talent. Jack Klugman went on to become even more famous as Quincy MD; the forerunner of all forensic detective series now.
Thank you for sharing this! I remember this show on its original airing and became a fan.Unfortunately,it didn't last long.So if you have anymore episodes PLEASE share.again thank you.
Yeah this is hilarious alright. I can't stop laughing. It's such an amazingly well written script. It should have won so many awards. Just hilarious. It's a felony crime it wasn't on longer than just one or two painstaking years. I still can't stop laughing.
Jay Tarses wrote and produced some great TV. The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd and The Slap Maxwell Story, co-created Buffalo Bill, and was an executive producer for The Bob Newhart Show.
OMG! He is so good! I literally cried when Nancy got up and walked out. The devastation on his face for what he had just done to her was so deep and palpable.
Reminds me of the show Dear John starring Judge Hirsch. One man reacting to everything and everyone around him. Since Dear John came years later in 1983, maybe they stole a lot from this show.
I was 20 when this episode aired. I do not remember it, nor the series--probably drunk or something But I see I missed a gem. The scary thing is that I am now a professor at a community college...and the students are not that much different than the ones in this skit. Scary...
Late in the second season, they were still tinkering with this show, tying to make it work. This was a for proposed revamp of the show which would have pretty much eliminated Walter’s home life from the show and focused on his day job and night job.
All right. I'll be the bad guy. I was 14 when this show was on. I didn't care for it. I wasn't impressed with Tony Randall at the time. As I grew older I respected him more. This show seemed contrived and formulaic. The jokes were aimed at an older audience but they didn't watch it either as Tony Randall; as funny and cool as he was, didn't have the star heft needed to lure an audience onto a couch in front of the television. They wanted to hear his whining from the Odd Couple. Which was a cool show that everyone watched and everyone liked. I did too.
I remember this. This was supposed to take place in Philadelphia I think. Hence the opening credit scenes in Philadelphia: Independence Hall, John Wanamaker's Dept. store Center City, City Hall. Mr. Randall just mentioned top students from Penn and Temple Universities. A Barney Martin, a younger Seinfeld's dad as a court reporter. I didn't know that was his name. Huh, interesting
When I was in the 5th grade two of the boys, Jim and Jerry both had a crush on me and wanted to be my boyfriend. Lots of valentine cards,etc. Anyway, the teacher was going to have the class have a mock trial and Jim and Jerry were supposed to be lawyers. Now that I’m older,78years older, I realize how hilarious 🤣 it was. Of all the objections and submitting and restated’s and even some unheard of terms used. Also, we had a music 🎶 teacher we called Miss Nancy. She had frizzy, short red hair 👩🏻🦰 and when she would get upset with us she would grab her hair with both hands and pull it. Ahhh, those were the good o’l days. When my mother would talk about her first or second grade teacher, it was clear that she worshiped her. Back in those days the teachers had to be unmarried women. It was a one roomed school house and I think only went up to the 7th grade. Mother said that they always started the day by singing Good morning to you, Good morning to you, We’re all in our places with sunshiny faces, Oh this is the way, to start a new day, and then they would say The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Mother only went up through the 7th grade. However, at the age of 40 she studied and got her LVN license.
Loved Tony's role as Brain in Gremlins 2, his voice suited the eloquent (but not really sophisticated) SpokesGremlin when he gets to be on the television. *Shoots one of his kin* "Now, was that dignified? No, fun, but hardly dignified"
I don’t believe this show has ever been commercially available - if it was I would buy it! There are definitely bootlegs out there though, all looking as crappy as this one. :)
The bootlegs all appear to be from people’s home VHS tapes. This was produced by MTM, who also produced the Mary Tyler Moore and Bob Newhart shows - they certainly COULD release this show if they wanted to.
According to Gary David Goldberg in his memoir "Sit, Ubu, Sit", Creators Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses did not get along with Tony Randall, nor did they get along with each other, and also refused to take calls from ABC President Fred Silverman. Despite good ratings, Silverman cancelled the series, due to his unhappiness with their behavior. When the series was picked up by CBS for a second season, Randall returned under the condition that he would not have to work directly with Patchett and Tarses.
Oh wow! Is there a chance you have the episode "The Ego Affair" (S01, E04)? I'm trying to collect the filmography of Victor Buono and it's basically impossible to get this episode since this series is so rare. Please let me know! :)
@@michaelmoricz8422 Hey! Thank you for replying after all. :) In the meantime I actually got the episode. Victor's appearance is only five minutes long. Do you want it?
That's not true. He was married on 'Mister Peepers', which was Tony Randall's big break in acting. On The Tony Randall Show, he is a widower, so he was married at some point. And in other shows, just not in The Odd Couple.
![🎤 จับฉลากร้องเพลง x P’ #XXSIVK [EP.1] (2/2) เพื่อนจับได้คำไหน..ต้องร้องคำนั้น เริ่ม! 💓🎶 #MXFRUIT](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1bJvMJXmeS4/mqdefault.jpg)
You could put Tony Randall in any situational comedy, and he would be sure to shine. Such an enormous talent.
Never seen this … but I’ll bet it’s a 1,000 times better than anything out there now !
😔 I miss Tony and Jack. 💔
@@ericthompson2044 We all do.
I remember him in Doris Day movies. Please Don't Eat The Daisies & I think it was in Pillow Talk as well. He always cracks me up.
@ericthompson2044 really great TV representations of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon's movie characters.
When television made sense and people could ACT!! God, I miss those days!
GRUMPY OLD PERSON ALERT!!!
GRUMPY OLD PERSON AVERT!!!
GRUMPY OLD PERSON ALERT!!!
Alice, you are a tired old cliche'.
First time seeing this series ; It started out slowly, but "Felix" pulled it through. I believe he could make any show into a hit.
Tony Randall is a great great actor almost awesome Definitely
This is awesome. I remember this episode, and even recall Michael Keaton's response when he asks if it is hard going to law school to become a lawyer, "aw, well the the hell with it". Hysterical.
He played the same role in one more episode, showing up at the Judge's office to wash his windows, and upsetting Miss Reubner. :)
His character was named Zeke.
Thanks for the name of Michael Keaton’s name. I was wondering what it was. 😊
Michael Keaton--It's very fascinating to see how far he's come from this episode to The Founder...One of my favorite actors all-time!
Have you ever seen "Pacific Heights"? He was sooo bad! I think it's one of his best roles.
You could tell from this he had Batman in him.
This is hilarious! So well-written, and Tony Randall is sensational as always! What a crime that this ran only two seasons, and junk like the Big Bang Theory gets 12 seasons.
This series was a must see for me back in the day.
Which one had the gay character?
It speaks volumes to how the quality of everything has declined. There's a 1990 interview with Tony Randall in which he says America is losing its hunger and drive for greatness and creative leadership, and it had better rectify its sloppy and indolent path or it would lose its greatness. Looking at the state of things in 2021, we didn't listen.
@@joeambrose3260 I believe it was another show Tony had called Love,Sidney.
@@joeambrose3260 Love, Sidney(1981-83 NBC). Tony really didn't do much TV after that, including his regular game show appearances.
I remember the odd couple but I missed this show. Very funny. Tony Randall was great. Thanks
The opening montage of Philly brings back a lot of childhood memories - John Wanamaker Department Store, City Hall (the top of William Penn's hat to be exact) as the tallest building in the city by law, and many more.
This show's friggin HILARIOUS
Great show. I can't believe it wasn't more popular. Great cast.
He was an opera fan and i met him often at the metropolitan.
I love Tony Randall in The circus of Dr. Lao by George Pal. Thanks, Nick.
I am in awe of the class,the writing,the perfect casting ,every gesture of every character,and even the title.I think this is the best thirty minutes of television I have ever seen,and that includes The Paper Chase and the Bob Newhart show.
You are not to bright..are you?
Such good writing. Great acting all the way around. I didn't miss this show when it was on originally.
Keaton should have been a contender for the departing Travolta from Welcome Back Kotter.
Love this show!
Tony was basically "Felix" in a court setting. He could never shake that persona. It was too defined. Cool seein a young Michael Keaton in the classroom scene.
Wow as a life long resident of Philly it was great seeing the beginning intro an the references to the state of Pennsylvania.
ABC should not have cancelled this show in 1977. It was the only MTM Enterprises show in the top 30 in the 1976-77 season. CBS picked it up for the 1976-77 season, but it only lasted to the Spring of 78. Tony Randall is terrific in any role he plays. Michael Keaton joined the cast of Mary Tyler Moores's ill-fated variety show "Mary". He also starred in the 1979 CBS sitcom Working Stiffs with Jim Belushi. Show only lasted 4 episodes. The 1982 movie Night Shift was Keaton's big break in the movies and he's had a nice career.
Says who ?
Michael Keaton in
Pacific Heights!
Great show for a great actor
I Wish someone would post
Love, Sidney..
That Was A Great show.
With Swoozie Curtz
Caught this show in the late 90s when wpix in NY reran it.
I loved this show!
When TV sitcoms were still on the side of innocent fun
First time I even hear about this series. I come here because I know Randall from The Odd Couple, one of my favorites, thinking that this was a mediocre attempt to squeeze rating out of Randall's talent, and I run into a very funny and well written comedy. I wish I could see more of it.
I remember this show. 'Must have been around ten.
The only reason I can figure out why it's virtually forgotten is because he was so famous as Felix.
They should've given it more of a chance.
Such great acting, writing, direction and talent.
Jack Klugman went on to become even more famous as Quincy MD; the forerunner of all forensic detective series now.
Wow! Thanks for posting. Brings back memories!
I met him once. He's very much like the character Felix.
Thank you for sharing this! I remember this show on its original airing and became a fan.Unfortunately,it didn't last long.So if you have anymore episodes PLEASE share.again thank you.
Michael Keaton will be on The Mary Tyler Moore Variety Show on CBS in two runs in one season in the 1978-79 season
Yeah this is hilarious alright. I can't stop laughing. It's such an amazingly well written script. It should have won so many awards. Just hilarious. It's a felony crime it wasn't on longer than just one or two painstaking years. I still can't stop laughing.
Even before Mr Mom, and I'm guessing, at the same time, as he worked for Mr Rogers' show.
Michael Keaton really got to enjoy the 70s!
Jay Tarses wrote and produced some great TV. The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd and The Slap Maxwell Story, co-created Buffalo Bill, and was an executive producer for The Bob Newhart Show.
OMG! He is so good! I literally cried when Nancy got up and walked out. The devastation on his face for what he had just done to her was so deep and palpable.
Reminds me of the show Dear John starring Judge Hirsch. One man reacting to everything and everyone around him. Since Dear John came years later in 1983, maybe they stole a lot from this show.
I remember this show!
I was 20 when this episode aired. I do not remember it, nor the series--probably drunk or something But I see I missed a gem. The scary thing is that I am now a professor at a community college...and the students are not that much different than the ones in this skit. Scary...
I’m here bc of Michael Keaton on Smartless
Loved this show!
This is Felix Unger teaches school. Jack Klugman dropped the Oscar act to successfully jump into Quincy. The female secretary is funny.
I never knew this show existed
It was so great to see you where Batman went to college.
LOL. :)
And Birdman.
Barney Martin from Seinfeld...awesome!!!
dang, I never even heard of this show, was this before or after the odd couple
Long after. It was produced by MTM, makers of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bob Newhart’s show as a psychologist, etc.
@@michaelmoricz8422 Well, not long after. This show premiered a year after "The Odd Couple" was canceled.
Has a Bob Newhart Show kind of vibe...
Same production company.
Tony Randall was Kelsey Grammer before Kelsey Grammer was.
On this show Randall also had an English woman as a housekeeper similar to Frasier.
Late in the second season, they were still tinkering with this show, tying to make it work. This was a for proposed revamp of the show which would have pretty much eliminated Walter’s home life from the show and focused on his day job and night job.
I thought the actress who played the blind student look familiar from other shows of the era, but this was her only credited TV role.
All right. I'll be the bad guy. I was 14 when this show was on. I didn't care for it. I wasn't impressed with Tony Randall at the time. As I grew older I respected him more. This show seemed contrived and formulaic. The jokes were aimed at an older audience but they didn't watch it either as Tony Randall; as funny and cool as he was, didn't have the star heft needed to lure an audience onto a couch in front of the television. They wanted to hear his whining from the Odd Couple. Which was a cool show that everyone watched and everyone liked. I did too.
I remember this. This was supposed to take place in Philadelphia I think. Hence the opening credit scenes in Philadelphia: Independence Hall, John Wanamaker's Dept. store Center City, City Hall. Mr. Randall just mentioned top students from Penn and Temple Universities. A Barney Martin, a younger Seinfeld's dad as a court reporter. I didn't know that was his name. Huh, interesting
Yes, I did notice Michael Keaton.
Was. Surprisingly good
I love it 😂🥰
Made in Hollywood, parts filmed in Philadelphia. Sweet!!!
- David Washington
"It's rather brutal here...we're advising our clients to put everything they've got into canned food and shotguns!"
Shoots kid looking gremlin. "Now was that civilized? No clearly not. Fun, but in no sense civilized."
that’s a young Micheal Keaton !
When I was in the 5th grade two of the boys, Jim and Jerry both had a crush on me and wanted to be my boyfriend. Lots of valentine cards,etc. Anyway, the teacher was going to have the class have a mock trial and Jim and Jerry were supposed to be lawyers. Now that I’m older,78years older, I realize how hilarious 🤣 it was. Of all the objections and submitting and restated’s and even some unheard of terms used. Also, we had a music 🎶 teacher we called Miss Nancy. She had frizzy, short red hair 👩🏻🦰 and when she would get upset with us she would grab her hair with both hands and pull it. Ahhh, those were the good o’l days. When my mother would talk about her first or second grade teacher, it was clear that she worshiped her. Back in those days the teachers had to be unmarried women. It was a one roomed school house and I think only went up to the 7th grade. Mother said that they always started the day by singing Good morning to you, Good morning to you, We’re all in our places with sunshiny faces, Oh this is the way, to start a new day, and then they would say The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Mother only went up through the 7th grade. However, at the age of 40 she studied and got her LVN license.
What year did she go to school to be a nurse?
How did they deal with her schooling only going to the 7th grade?
I never even knew this show existed.
I met him in person once. He's very much like the character Felix.
Great!!!
I saw this live as I was too young to be out that late.
I wasn't expecting Jerry Seinfeld's TV dad.
The second TV dad. Seinfeld's first TV dad was Mary Hartman's dad.
Back when he worked for Harry Fleming
Too bad this didn't work. Randall was really successful in theater. That's where he really exelled.
Loved Tony's role as Brain in Gremlins 2, his voice suited the eloquent (but not really sophisticated) SpokesGremlin when he gets to be on the television.
*Shoots one of his kin*
"Now, was that dignified? No, fun, but hardly dignified"
I liked Tony Randall in the movie 🎥 The Mating Game. 😊
Michael Keaton-Must have paid a few bills!
a young Michael Keaton
I loved it. Thank you for sharing. Is there a high quality version available for purchase?
I don’t believe this show has ever been commercially available - if it was I would buy it!
There are definitely bootlegs out there though, all looking as crappy as this one. :)
The bootlegs all appear to be from people’s home VHS tapes.
This was produced by MTM, who also produced the Mary Tyler Moore and Bob Newhart shows - they certainly COULD release this show if they wanted to.
wow i was in 5th grade . i was watching reruns on WPIX Channel 11 New York City
Sounds like you were a Pittsburgher. :)
BRIDGEPORT, CT.
Pittsburgh is WPXI.
I just love Felix Unger.
Morty Seinfeld was the court reporter
He certainly was, not that there's anything wrong with that
@@joeambrose3260 Is his wallet gone?
Worlds number one dad.
According to Gary David Goldberg in his memoir "Sit, Ubu, Sit", Creators Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses did not get along with Tony Randall, nor did they get along with each other, and also refused to take calls from ABC President Fred Silverman. Despite good ratings, Silverman cancelled the series, due to his unhappiness with their behavior. When the series was picked up by CBS for a second season, Randall returned under the condition that he would not have to work directly with Patchett and Tarses.
That’s sad to hear. I thought the show really worked well - I wish it would have run longer.
Jay Tarses was hysterical.
To have my choice of any actor for any role, I would have to pick Tony Randall to play Sheldon's grandfather on The Big Bang Theory
Oh, this was after the Odd couple series I forgot but Quincy has better luck
The opening looks like it was borrowed from the opening of Rumpole of the Bailey .
i think young Michael Keaton looked like Lars Ulrich..
Yes!!
wow Michael Keaton 5:50
Bruce Wayne (Batman 89) the early years lol.
I liked Tony Randall, but I really don't remember this show--I would have been 12 when it came out.
Oh wow! Is there a chance you have the episode "The Ego Affair" (S01, E04)? I'm trying to collect the filmography of Victor Buono and it's basically impossible to get this episode since this series is so rare. Please let me know! :)
Alvadee I have a few other episodes, but not the one with Victor Buono...I wish I did!
@@michaelmoricz8422 Hey! Thank you for replying after all. :) In the meantime I actually got the episode. Victor's appearance is only five minutes long. Do you want it?
@@EriksDesdemona I'm trying to get all the episodes of this series. I would really like to have that episode. Can I have it ? =)
He was Felix
jerry Seinfeld's dad on Seinfeld.
Tried to do a ' Bob Newhart'
keaton as horshack
I miss his comic genius.
40 episodes of this? I don't remember it.
Jonathan, you can make your point without insulting the Big Bang Theory. Totally unnecessary.
This was ok but the odd couple was really funny
Don't remember this show. What was it on against
This was actually pretty good, theme music was terrible tho
Why didn't this last longer?
Decent enough ratings, not great, but decent. Read the comment above by rah62-tn. It's a good summary of the egos involved.
look like 1960s
Mid-70s I’m pretty sure.
I remember that there was a militant black man in the class.
juan monge; If this show were made today, that's mostly what would be in the class.
After the odd couple...??
garbage shows today last indefinitely, such good quality shows didn't last long at all in the 60s ans 70s
Beats the crap out of "Love Sydney" which was nightmarishly bad.
that was horrible.
Keaton is the nosey student in the first row?
I'm Batman.
Honestly don't remember this show.
I l
Tony Randall always played homosexual characters never was married on a show
That's not true. He was married on 'Mister Peepers', which was Tony Randall's big break in acting. On The Tony Randall Show, he is a widower, so he was married at some point. And in other shows, just not in The Odd Couple.
He was married in the Odd Couple, but separated from his wife. Near the end of the series, I believe they got back together.