When promoter Harlan Flanders (Ed Flanders) comes to town searching for a fight for his boy Gentleman George, Nichols sees a chance to make a quick score by convincing strapping farm boy Ernest Hagersted (Ray Young) to get in the ring and fight him in order to save the man's Christian soul. The boy is against gambling so Nichols has to convince everyone betting on the fight to keep it quiet lest the boy back out.
In the end of course Hagersted is unable to fight so Nichols has to step in the ring to fight the champ or else suffer a heavy financial forfeit.
Fairly predictable episode (is there anyone who didn't see that Nichols would end up having to fight the champ coming?)but it does have a nice scene or two for Ruthi (Margot Kidder) as she catches Gentleman Jim's eye.
I wondered where Young had come from and it turns out he starred in a TV remake of "Li'l Abner" and a few years later had the thankless job of trying to replace Max Baer Jr. as Jethroe Bodine in a "Beverly Hilbillies" reunion movie.
In the end of course Hagersted is unable to fight so Nichols has to step in the ring to fight the champ or else suffer a heavy financial forfeit.
Fairly predictable episode (is there anyone who didn't see that Nichols would end up having to fight the champ coming?)but it does have a nice scene or two for Ruthi (Margot Kidder) as she catches Gentleman Jim's eye.
I wondered where Young had come from and it turns out he starred in a TV remake of "Li'l Abner" and a few years later had the thankless job of trying to replace Max Baer Jr. as Jethroe Bodine in a "Beverly Hilbillies" reunion movie.