Jack is all set to move in, but the plans of our three main characters hit a snag. Chrissy's mother (guest star Priscilla Morrill) intends to stop by for an unexpected visit. Scared that she won't understand / approve of their living situation (she's married to a minister), Janet and Chrissy try to keep Jack out of the apartment until Mrs. Snow leaves. And then Mrs. Snow decides that she will spend the night. Meanwhile, Jack is getting tired and cranky, although the physical assets of the barmaid at the Regal Beagle provide him with some distraction. (This episode marks the first time we get to see this pub at which the main characters often unwind.)
There's plenty of hilarious farcical situations to be found in this episode, especially when Jack, after dealing with a hiccup problem, tries to avoid being discovered by Mrs. Snow. The best parts are when he puts a lamp shade on his head and stands still, and when he's forced to clamber outside to avoid Mrs. Snow - while a rainstorm is happening. John Ritter is again priceless at playing a character who can be a shameless horn dog; he always becomes agreeable to a proposal when it means he can ogle Chrissy or otherwise possibly get lucky. Naturally, Mrs. Roper is quick to notice his appreciation of the fairer sex, and realizes that he's not gay. But she promises not to rat him out to her husband.
One other good gag occurs when Mr. Roper is attempting to fix the doorbell on the kids' apartment. Because he's got loose wires in his hands, he gets a jolt whenever anyone rings the doorbell.
All in all, good fun with bright, uproarious moments, the kind that helped to cement this sitcoms' status in this viewers' personal opinion.
Eight out of 10.
There's plenty of hilarious farcical situations to be found in this episode, especially when Jack, after dealing with a hiccup problem, tries to avoid being discovered by Mrs. Snow. The best parts are when he puts a lamp shade on his head and stands still, and when he's forced to clamber outside to avoid Mrs. Snow - while a rainstorm is happening. John Ritter is again priceless at playing a character who can be a shameless horn dog; he always becomes agreeable to a proposal when it means he can ogle Chrissy or otherwise possibly get lucky. Naturally, Mrs. Roper is quick to notice his appreciation of the fairer sex, and realizes that he's not gay. But she promises not to rat him out to her husband.
One other good gag occurs when Mr. Roper is attempting to fix the doorbell on the kids' apartment. Because he's got loose wires in his hands, he gets a jolt whenever anyone rings the doorbell.
All in all, good fun with bright, uproarious moments, the kind that helped to cement this sitcoms' status in this viewers' personal opinion.
Eight out of 10.
