TV doesn't get more classic than this! The most celebrated episode of one of the most celebrated comedies of the seventies. I can remember watching this 40 years ago, and laughing out loud. Back then, taking on death as a subject for comedy was groundbreaking for a sitcom, and arguably, "Chuckles Bites The Dust" loses a little of its original punch because we're living in an age of more honest humor, thanks in no small part to pioneers like MTM, but it's still a beautifully crafted episode with one of the greatest casts in television history. Betty White was already a TV veteran by the time she became Sue Ann Niven, "The Happy Homemaker" at station WJM, but her original TV show was standard fifties TV fluff. My impression is that it was on the Mary Tyler Moore Show that Betty White became the wickedly funny mature woman that we all know and adore.
Here's a trivia question: In what 1989 film does Jack Nicholson reference this very episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show, and what does he say? Clck on the "Play" button below for a pretty substantial clue.
BONUS: Here's the only only episode that I can remember that contains an actual appearance by the late Chuckles, from Season 1:
Please leave a comment! I'm lonely!
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