"Bridget Loves Bernie" was a short-lived CBS sitcom that ran during the 1972-73 season between mega hit shows "All in the Family" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". Based loosely upon the play/radio hit "Abie's Irish Rose", the series centers on the romance, and subsequent comical tribulations between a wealthy Catholic schoolteacher and a Jewish cabbie. The show came under fire from Jewish religious leaders who considered the arrangement as insulting. The studio suffered bomb threats and death threats at their hands. Blessed by the time slot, it is notable for being the highest-rated TV series ever canceled, coming in at #5 and the highest-rated new show that season. The chemistry between series stars Meredith Baxter and David Birney was real and they married after the series ended and had three children.
This episode opens with some nice shots of early 70s New York City set to the light jazz piece "Love is Crazy" by composer Jerry Fielding ("Hogan's Heroes", scores of notable 70s films). In the action we see schoolteacher Bridget Teresa Mary Coleen Fitzgerald (Meredith Baxter, "Family Ties") trying to flag a cab. Bernie Steinberg (David Birney, "St. Elsewhere") is off duty but is entranced by her and picks her up. He's waiting for her when she's finished at school and an instant romance forms. When they reveal their full names they realize "they may have a problem" with their apparent religious backgrounds. When Bernie asks Bridget, "how Catholic are you?" she introduces him to her brother Father Mike Fitzgerald (Robert Sampson) who appears sympathetic after seeing they are genuine about their feelings. He insists their parents will object to their daughter's choice, however. Bridget first meets Bernie's parents Sam (character actor Harold J. Stone) and Sophie Steinberg (Bibi Osterwald) and Bernie's Uncle 'Moe' Plotnick (character actor Ned Glass). Bridget becomes sick from the pressure and Bernie's parents are upset that she isn't Jewish. Next, Bridget takes Bernie to meet her wealthy parents Walter (David Doyle, "Charlie's Angels", voice of Grandpa Lou Pickles in "Rugrats") and Amy Fitzgerald (Audra Lindley, "Three's Company"). They are more welcoming of the difference but still allow their reservations to slip out. Bridget and Bernie go missing and both families gather to agree the romance should be ended. How will things go when they discover where they've been?
Some nice laughs here, especially with the hilarious interactions with Walt and Amy Fitzgerald.
This episode opens with some nice shots of early 70s New York City set to the light jazz piece "Love is Crazy" by composer Jerry Fielding ("Hogan's Heroes", scores of notable 70s films). In the action we see schoolteacher Bridget Teresa Mary Coleen Fitzgerald (Meredith Baxter, "Family Ties") trying to flag a cab. Bernie Steinberg (David Birney, "St. Elsewhere") is off duty but is entranced by her and picks her up. He's waiting for her when she's finished at school and an instant romance forms. When they reveal their full names they realize "they may have a problem" with their apparent religious backgrounds. When Bernie asks Bridget, "how Catholic are you?" she introduces him to her brother Father Mike Fitzgerald (Robert Sampson) who appears sympathetic after seeing they are genuine about their feelings. He insists their parents will object to their daughter's choice, however. Bridget first meets Bernie's parents Sam (character actor Harold J. Stone) and Sophie Steinberg (Bibi Osterwald) and Bernie's Uncle 'Moe' Plotnick (character actor Ned Glass). Bridget becomes sick from the pressure and Bernie's parents are upset that she isn't Jewish. Next, Bridget takes Bernie to meet her wealthy parents Walter (David Doyle, "Charlie's Angels", voice of Grandpa Lou Pickles in "Rugrats") and Amy Fitzgerald (Audra Lindley, "Three's Company"). They are more welcoming of the difference but still allow their reservations to slip out. Bridget and Bernie go missing and both families gather to agree the romance should be ended. How will things go when they discover where they've been?
Some nice laughs here, especially with the hilarious interactions with Walt and Amy Fitzgerald.
