The Mothers-In-Law Revisited

[mrcleanjeans]

Hi Gang,
How many of you out there loved this great classic TV show that ran from 1967 to 1969 with Kaye Ballard and Eve Arden. I show some clips on YouTube and I was wondering if you have any episodes for sale?

 

[danemodsandy]

I Loved It!

Eve Arden is one of my favourites anyway. I tried never to miss an episode. I especially remember daughter-in-law Deborah Walley's frequent references to Arden's character as "Mother Hubbard"- to which Arden always replied, "We have got to find something else for you to call me."

It doesn't sound like much of a punch line in print, but in Eve Arden's hands, it was funny as hell.

 

[launderess]

Didn't see the original run, but MIL came on during the day and would sometimes catch it if was home from school (as in ill or school was closed). Always loved how Eve Arden's supposedly WASP surburban housewife played off against Kaye Ballard's Italian "mama".

Remember one great episode where the gust star was the great Alice Ghostly (from Bewitched and Designing Women), played a nurse on the maternity ward where the daughter was having her baby. Nurse informed BOTH mothers that no one was allowed into labour and delivery (this was the 1960's folks), but that didn't stop Eve and Kaye, who tried every disguise in the book to sneak past that nurse. At one point Miss. Ghostly quipped back ( in response to one of the in-laws saying they were sorry for pacing back and forth), "oh it is ok, I took a Dramamine"!

Eve Arden was a national treasure, catch her in "Mildred Pierce" or "Our Mrs. Brooks", better yet her numerous televison appearances, such as playing the head nurse on the maternity ward slowly being driven crazy by Samantha and her witch family on "Bewitched"

As for Kaye Ballard, rent the film "The Ritz" and you'll understand. Just make sure you have a spare pair around, because you WILL embarass yourself from laughing.

L.

 

[toggleswitch]

Te he he he. I remember one eposide where their kids lived in a garage turned into an apartment. The mothers-in-law were so busy nosing around and peeking in through what was the window of the overhead garage door. Well, the air got warm inside during a party and lo-and-behold the kids opened the door--with one (or both) of the mothers-in-law riding it up and getting stuck! *LOL*

In another episede "ye-olde-sugar-in-the-gaoline tank" trick took place to seize-up an engine. Perhaps to prevent the kids from going on a trip or some such thing. Guess whose sugar bowl was missing and found at the scene? HYSTERICAL.

It was great fun!

 

[MikeS]

"The Mothers-In Law" was in many ways an updated "I Love Lucy" and little wonder: Desi Arnaz produced the series (and occasionally played the role of a Spanish bullfighter); script writers Madelyn Davis and the late Bob Carroll Junior were the main writers on "Lucy;" and Eve Arden starred in the Desilu-produced "Our Miss Brooks." Originally, Arden's co-star was to be Ann Southern but their styles were too similar; Kaye Ballard--a friend of Desi and Lucy's--won the role.
It wasn't a bad show (although strongly reminiscent of "Lucy"), but it couldn't hold the audience it inherited from "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" on Sunday nights. NBC renewed the show for a second season, but would not give the stars raises. That angered Roger C. Carmel, who played Kaye's husband; he left the series and was replaced with sitcom veteran Richard Deacon. But Season Two did worse in the ratings, and NBC pulled the plug--for good.
If it had a better time slot--and aired on CBS--maybe "The Mothers In Law" would have had a longer and more successful run. It turned out to be the last series Desi Arnaz ever produced. Pity.

 

[washabear]

Also check out the movie "Stage Door" for some good early Eve Arden. Lucille Ball is in it, too! Great picture.

 

[launderess]

Yes, "Stage Door"! Great film with a female star cast that wouldn't be repeated in scope again until "The Women".

Eve Arden's role as the wise cracking, straight talking, comedy sort was one she would repeat over and over, indeed one could say SD started it all. Miss. Arden wasn't a conventional beauty, nor was she a "bombshell", so like Roz Russell, she used her wits.

L.

 

[launderess]

Bringing This Back On Topic

What laundry product commercials/advertisements featured Miss. Kaye Ballard?

 

[MikeS]

Ballard On Biz

Biz. Yes, the old presoak,not the Biz Bleach.
Kaye--if I recall--would interview housewives with tough stain problems and make a few jokes. Bless her.
I think around the same time, Eve Arden was doing magazine ads for Sears Kenmore appliances.
Once a Mother-In-Law....!