Dot spies on a couple across the street with binoculars and witnesses a murder; Jan is paranoid about an imminent earthquake; Howard's estranged mother visits.
This is a very well-written episode and the best of Season 6. It is buoyed by the casting of Kathleen Freeman as Howard's abrasive mother May. The show always does well when they bring in a seasoned old TV pro to play one of the guest roles. May's digs at Nancy are some of the best we've heard in a long time. She insults with such names as "Pencil Neck" and "High Hair" and it is satisfying to hear someone actually call Nancy out on her hideous wardrobe. "Toss the clown suit" is especially appropriate here.
Dot makes a reference to the safe sex approach of the late Eighties in the wake of AIDS: "It's bad enough you can't have sex anymore, I don't think God minds if you just watch it." Gail Edwards looks especially pretty in this episode.
This must have been aired out of order because in the last episode, Howard and his mother have opened a key shop, but in this episode Howard states he hasn't spoken to her in six years.
Sonny performs a unique version of "Stayin' Alive" that is actually quite good.
Amy tells one of her better Snyder stories.
Any episode that gives Dot some good, well-motivated comedic material is a success and this one is made better by the Howard's mother storyline.
This is a very well-written episode and the best of Season 6. It is buoyed by the casting of Kathleen Freeman as Howard's abrasive mother May. The show always does well when they bring in a seasoned old TV pro to play one of the guest roles. May's digs at Nancy are some of the best we've heard in a long time. She insults with such names as "Pencil Neck" and "High Hair" and it is satisfying to hear someone actually call Nancy out on her hideous wardrobe. "Toss the clown suit" is especially appropriate here.
Dot makes a reference to the safe sex approach of the late Eighties in the wake of AIDS: "It's bad enough you can't have sex anymore, I don't think God minds if you just watch it." Gail Edwards looks especially pretty in this episode.
This must have been aired out of order because in the last episode, Howard and his mother have opened a key shop, but in this episode Howard states he hasn't spoken to her in six years.
Sonny performs a unique version of "Stayin' Alive" that is actually quite good.
Amy tells one of her better Snyder stories.
Any episode that gives Dot some good, well-motivated comedic material is a success and this one is made better by the Howard's mother storyline.