I Watch TeVe

A Man’s pride

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:45:34 +0000

The thirty-ninth and last episode of the Honeymooners was A Man’s Pride and it was funny. It was basically talking about male egos. In this episode Ralph bumped into Bill Davis, one of Alice’s x-boyfriends, and of course Ralph doesn’t want to look bad after Bill told him he owned his own company and so on. Ralph then decides to tell him he runs Gotham Bus Company, when in reality he’s just a bus driver (Lol). So there he has to pretend to be the owner and has his partner in crime, Ed, help him (this part was funny especially since they were about to get busted a couple of times by Ralph’s boss). The episode proceeded with Bill and his wife as well as Ralph and Alice going out to dinner and expecting each other to pay the bill (because of course Ralph couldn’t afford it) and in reality Bill was also lying (male egos along with their pride). So Ralph had to confess and then so did Bill and they all ended up laughing at each other and each chipping in to pay it. It was funny and typical considering how Ralph and men in general are. The season finale didn’t really tie up, which I already knew (because Wikipedia said that “Each episode presented a self-contained story, which never carried over into a subsequent one. The show employed a number of standard sitcom clichés and plots, particularly those of jealousy and comic misunderstanding”). However it did cover each and everyone’s personality like it had been presented throughout the other episodes. For instance Ralph and his pride trying to show off that he made it big when in reality he hasn’t even come close to. Ed being the best sidekick for Ralph and partner in crime as a supportive good and genuine friend that he is. And Alice being so modest and proper by making Ralph say the truth about himself and being so faithful to Ralph after all those years. I did like the over all show of the Honeymooners. However maybe it should have ended with Ralph’s catchy phrase of “Baby you’re the greatest!” to Alice followed by a hug and a kiss because that’s my favorite quote from the season since Ralph always use to say it when he realized he did something he shouldn’t have and what a great wife he had–and I thought that was cute. Furthermore maybe the last episode should have had a little more of Ed since he was also one of the main characters and Trixie who didn’t appear in the last episode at all. But it was a good show, I liked it disregarding the few episodes I didn’t like.

I watched this episode alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 3.5: because although it was funny I thought it would have included more of Ed and Trixie. It was so typical Ralph which was expected and that was fine, maybe even necessary to keep the humor going. However I’ve seen better episodes.

www.wikipedia.com/The Honeymooners

Dial J for Janitor

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:04:53 +0000

The thirty-eight episode of the Honeymooners was Dial J for Janitor and it was real funny. In fact it has been one of the episodes which has made me laugh the most. However it was another typical “get-rich-quick schemes” that doesn’t succeed. Like Wikipedia describes “The show presents Ralph as an everyman and an underdog who struggles to make a better life for himself and his wife, but who ultimately fails due to his shortcomings.” So the show begins with Ed, Alice and Ralph complaining that the janitor has not gone to fix their pipes, window, closet and etc. Minutes later the landlord shows up and tells Ralph and Ed that the janitor has quit on account of their constant complaints and as a result he wants to kick them both out. After Ralph realized that the janitor makes $150 a month without paying rent he comes with the bright idea that he could take the job (So predictable, you could tell that was coming. After all it looks like a quick money scheme in Ralph’s eyes). However Ed tells him that he doesn’t think that was a good idea for a number of reasons. (Ed is so smart, sensitive and caring–that’s exactly why he’s my favorite). First he tells him he’s not going to have time to spend with Alice anymore (Awww), then he tells him that he isn’t going to have time for recreation either, because he’s going to have two jobs now, and ultimately he tells him that money isn’t everything, it means nothing. I think this part was key when it comes to the viewers and them thinking about their priorities–in this case husbands in particular. I think Ed’s advice is very helpful to Ralph and husbands today because above all should be their wife in order for marriage to succeed, then their own personal hobbies or what not and ultimately their jobs (obviously they have bills to pay) but as Ed said money isn’t everything (everything includes happiness as well). The episode proceeds with Ralph taking the job anyway (of course he’s stubborn and thinks he’s always right). So now he has no peace because they are constantly buzzing him with complaints (this part was a little funny because he isn’t able to do absolutely anything–he can’t keep up–Ed had told him, had he only listened to Ed). In addition he had to quit bowling, this really got to Ralph so he says, “Bang, Zoom!” (memorable catchphrase incorporated into American culture–even said in cartoons like Pinky and the Brain, according to Wikipedia). Then the funniest part comes because Ed was complaining to Ralph about the pipes so Ralph goes to the basement to try to fix everything and instead get’s stuck between two pipes (since he is chubby and all). To make matters worst the firemen came and it was all chaotic to try to get Ralph out. Lol that was so funny.

I watched this episode at home alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 4.5: because it was real funny and it was relevant for married couples if they choose to listen to Ed’s advice–which in my opinion is real useful and true.

www.wikipedia.com/The Honeymooners

The Bensonhurst Bomber

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:19:43 +0000

The thirty-seventh episode of the Honeymooners was The Bensonhurst Bomber and I didn’t like it. It was about Ralph at the pool room with Ed and they bump into a Harvey dude who wants to fight them over the pool table. Harvey is big, ugly and scary. He obviously looks like a boxer and that could definitely beat Ralph up. But since Ralph doesn’t want to chicken out he agrees however he is real scared. So Ed comes up with a plan, which is for Ralph to beat up an even bigger guy in front of Harvey so Harvey could be scared of him. Ed tells his friend and agrees. So Ralph beats up the bigger guy and Harvey chickens out and that was it. I thought that this episode was dumb. However so far I do like the over all show. Yeah I know I didn’t like a couple of episodes, this being one of them but many I do like, either because they are funny and mainly because I believe they are relevant to society–married couples in particular–and sure why not, me too when I get married. For instance it teaches wives how to be a patient wife as well as good, loving, caring and supportive like Alice. That was what Gleason pretty much wanted, according to Wikipedia ”a realistic portrayal of life for [a married couple that] would fight constantly, but ultimately show their love for each other.” That was why my favorite episode was Brother Ralph because it showed how Ralph got real jealous when Alice got a job and that was cute because as Alice said at the end she appreciates the fact that after being married for 15 years he still got jealous and that showed how much he still loved her. In fact I liked Brother Ralph so much that I’m planing to convince my boyfriend to watch it so he can see that us women like it when our mans get jealous, obviously not crossing the line, because we think that’s cute and because that proves to us how much they love us. That episode was “the moment” for me that was when I fell in love with the Honeymooners because I realized that their was more to the show than just comedy.

I watched this episode alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 2: because it was lame and if just lacked everything in my opinion. It had no lesson nor comedy. In addition it was repetitive–Ralph getting in trouble but managing to get out of it with the help of Ed.

Alice and the Blonde

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:39:03 +0000

This thirty-sixth episode of the Honeymooners is Alice and the Blonde and it had a little bit of everything it was funny and it had a message behind it. It started of with Ralph and Ed sneaking home late from a Raccoon Lodge meeting and getting busted by Alice when she heard Ed trying to sneak up home through the window. Hence to make it up Ralph tells Ed that they have to take the girls to a friend’s house they were invited to otherwise they won’t be able to go. This friend happens to be an influential person at Ralph’s job hence Ralph wants to go and since he recently got married he figures that the best way to get through him is through his wife and Ed agrees. Mean time Alice and Trixie are trying to look their best to get Ralph and Ed’s attention since it has been a while since they have gone out and would like to do it more often. However Ralph and Ed are only interested in making a good impression to get a recommendation so all they do is complement Rita, their friend’s wife who is this young and attractive blond wearing a tight sexy dress with make up and her hair recently done, so they pay no attention to Alice and Trixie and as a result they feel unappreciated and of course jealous. So Alice goes home the next day and dresses up like the blonde because she wants Ralph to give her the attention he gave to Rita. That part was funny because she’s trying to be seductive and Ralph thinks she’s going crazy. This teaches wives a lesson: to never lose their sexy with their husband that way the husbands can continue to look at them like they did when they were first interested in them. It ended with Ralph telling Alice that he loved her for her (Awww that was sweet) He ended with an “Baby, you’re the greatest,” (memorable catchphrases incorporated into American culture, according to Wikipedia).

I watched this episode at home alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 4.5: because it was funny ,original, creative and in this episode the papers were switched because this time it was Alice the one that was jealous. In addition it reminded me of Mama Loves Mambo, a previous episode, just that it was the opposite instead of Ralph being jealous of Carlos and trying to be like him now it was Alice being jealous of Rita and trying to be like her. I think that this episode like previous episodes is relevant to married couples because it teaches them a lesson by gives them a realistic portrayal of a married couple showing them real life experiences. For instance that a married couple fights, spouses get jealous and so on. However this episode was more for the wives although it also demonstrated how husbands better be careful with how they act to not get their wives jealous and to be comprehensive when they do. I liked this episode.

www.wikipedia.com/The_Honeymooners

Mind Your Own Business

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:29:50 +0000

The thirty-fifth episode of the Honeymooners is Mind Your Own Business and this time things go bad for Norton but in part its Ralph’s fault. Ralph begins advising Ed to ask for a promotion and if it was denied to threaten his boss by telling him he will quit. So Ed does and instead gets fired after seventeen years. Now this was Ralph’s fault for not minding his business and having a big mouth and advising Ed to do that and Ed’s fault for listening to Ralph. So Ed gets a new job selling steam irons. However Alice get’s mad at Ralph for opening his mouth without thinking and Ralph gets mad and says another of his catchy phrases ”Pow! Right in the Kisser!,” which according to Wikipedia it is a memorable phrase integrated into American culture that has even been used in cartoons like Tweety and Sylvester, Pinky and the Brain and even Family Guy(Shows how much influence the Honeymooners have had). So Ralph feels guilty and helps the Norton’s while Ed is unemployed. Nevertheless since Ed is so nice he doesn’t want to be a burden on Ralph and Alice so he lies about his new job not going that great so Ralph and Alice won’t worry so much about them. Now that’s when Ralph wants to quit his job now because Ed told him he did real good selling steam irons, when in reality he had only sold one and that was to his own mother (I hate how Ralph is always competing with Ed about who gets more income just because he is frustrated at his own lack of success and is always looking for quick money schemes to make it big, although in my opinion he’s not doing that bad because at least he has place to live, food to eat and cloths to wear, besides there is nothing wrong with being a bus driver). It ended with Ed getting his job back.

I watched this episode alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 2: because I felt bad for what happened to Norton and I hate Ralph’s competitive behavior with Ed.

www.wikipedia.com/The_Honeymooners

The Safety Award

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:01:07 +0000

The thirty-fourth episode of the Honeymooners is The Safety Award and it was basically about Ralph being nominated to win an award for being the safest bus driver in the city. However since the award was for Ralph of course their had to be some trouble along with the award (that’s predictable once a number of the Honeymooners episodes have been watched) so ironically on his way to the ceremony award he got into a car accident. To make matters worst the guy that was going to present the award to Ralph was the same guy Ralph had gotten into the car accident (I knew that before it happened, it was so predictable). However at the ceremony the guy admitted that the accident was his own fault and gives the award to Ralph. Finally something good happened to poor old Ralph–it was about time. I didn’t like this episode much either. Although I was glad that for a change something good happened to Ralph, although not immediately or without any difficulty, I guess the whole comedy behind the show is watching Ralph fail and laughing at the bad things that happen to him (although it may sound mean its the truth), most of the time because of his own shortcoming but other times because things just go bad for him. In addition I don’t know if I didn’t like this episode because it was one of the last few episodes and as a result they started getting a little boring in my opinion, as if Gleason was slowly running out of ideas for the Honeymooners.

I watched this episode alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 2: I didn’t like it much because it wasn’t that funny. I’ve seen better episodes before. Maybe bad stuff should continue happening to Ralph to make the audience laugh.

Unconventional Behavior

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:27:45 +0000

The thirty-third episode of the Honeymooners was Unconventional Behavior and it started how Wikipedia says many episodes of the Honeymooners begins with a shot of Alice in the apartment awaiting Ralph’s arrival from work. Once Ralph gets home he realizes he needs to get some money out of Alice because he has his annual Raccoon convention coming up. However he knows Alice won’t give it to him that easily so he decides he’s going to tell her he’ll take her and is funny because he didn’t have to since Alice had made up her mind that since he is such a hard worker she would give the money just like that. However things only get worst for him because he ends up taking the train alone with Ed in the wrong direction and he is handcuffed to Ed because Ed bought handcuffs to fool people but end up really working. The show was a little funny considering the things that were going wrong for Ralph, as usual but that was about it. It wasn’t my favorite episode. It just showed me how guys haven’t changed much since the 50′s because they always want to hang out among themselves and leave their wives behind just that today I don’t think they would go to conventions as much instead I see them going more to Atlantic City or something and even Las Vegas if it were possible.

I watched this episode alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 2.5: because it wasn’t that funny and I wasn’t able to get much from it.

www.wikipedia.com/The Honeymooners

Opportunity Knocks But

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:04:17 +0000

The next episode of the Honeymooners is Opportunity Knocks But and it was basically about Ralph trying to earn a promotion however failed at doing so. It basically began with Ralph having the opportunity to spend time with his boss because he invited him over the house to play pool so Ralph agreed because he wanted to see if he could get the promotion then. As Wikipedia put it “Ralph is an everyman and an underdog who struggles to make a better life for himself and his wife, but ultimately fails.” It turns out that Ralph decided to take his best friend Norton, and once there Norton gets offered to work at Ralph’s bus company and be Ralph’s boss just after suggesting a couple of things Ralph’s boss liked. Ralph of course gets mad at Norton. However Norton wouldn’t do such a thing to Ralph and he doesn’t take the job (of course Norton is not like that he’s sweet) because he said he remembered that those suggestions he made were what Ralph had told Norton in the past (He’s so honest). Hence, he believes that Ralph not only deserves the credit but the promotion and promises to go tomorrow to speak to Ralph’s boss. Ralph was so relieved and happy; and so was Alice she even gave Ed a kiss on the cheek (In this scene you could tell Art Carney (actor who plays Ed) got a little embarrassed and even blushed because Audrey Meadows (actress who plays Alice) is pretty and since nothing is fully rehearsed beforehand I guess he didn’t expect it and he even began stuttering a little after the kiss–Awww. Lol that was funny–but I thought that made Ed even cutter as a character).

I watched this episode alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 3.5: because it was funny although a little predictable hence repetitive but that’s how Gleason wanted to portray Ralph throughout the show. I liked how Ed acts as a true friend in every sense, he supports Ralph in everything and teaches viewers a lesson of not being competitive with family and friends and screwing each other over just to get on top.

www.wikipedia.com/The Honeymooners

On Stage

iwatchteve — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:34:20 +0000

The following episode of the Honeymooners was On Stage and it was again a classic comical misunderstanding on Ralph’s part because in this episode he is asked to take a lead role in a play, in order to raise money for their Raccoon Lodge, and all though at first he didn’t want the play to begin with he later lets the acting get to his head (I knew he would end up acting–it was so predictable). So Alice and Ed also end up acting and ironically they practice their scripts and rehearse with each other for the play unlike what they actually do when they perform in the show (Since none of the episodes of the Honeymooners are fully rehearsed as Gleason has decided it, according to Wikipedia). The episode continues with Ralph even thinking they are going to want him in Hollywood and in reality it was Alice who they wanted to take to Hollywood. They didn’t show the actual play, just what they were rehearsing. I would have liked to seen the play because that’s where Alice did such a great job and gets offered the opportunity to make a movie. However Alice turned them down although Ralph had approved for her to make the movie (which I think was sweet of his part by not getting jealous or anything). Alice said the only reason why she acted so good and natural was because that was the scene she had to tell the character Ralph played she loved him and she felt the scene because she was looking at Ralph, her husband who she loves (Awww, that was sweet). Ralph ends with another of his famous “memorable catchphrases incorporated into American culture”, according to Wikipedia, ”Baby you’re the greatest” followed by the typical hug and kiss.

I watched this episode alone at night after school.

I rate this episode a 3: because it was a bit funny and cute and sweet at the end and I like it when they are cute and sweet because that’s how a married couple should treat each other. They should be supportive and kind with each other.

www.wikipedia.com/The Honeymooners

The Loudspeaker

iwatchteve — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:20:46 +0000

The thirtieth episode of the Honeymooners is The Loudspeaker which was basically another classical comic misunderstanding on Ralph’s part. This episode began like many of the typical episodes where like Wikipedia points out it’s a “shot of Alice in the apartment, awaiting Ralph’s arrival from work.” This is obviously common during the 5o’s because the wives didn’t work instead they stayed home cooking and doing chores, which was actually when the show was aired and the intentions of Gleason to portray life as realistic as possible, according to Wikipedia. In this episode Ralph thought he was going to be named Raccoon of the year (which is a big deal because he is part of the Raccoon Lodge–a men’s club) so he gets all excited and even writes a speech. However I already knew he wasn’t gong to be Raccoon of the year but he told everyone he was. Ed got happy for Ralph and everything he just told him not to be a conceited stuck up (that’s why I like Ed he’s nice and a true friend. In addition he doesn’t get all jealous and mad like I’m sure Ralph would had he found out it was Ed). It turns out that if was Ed who was Raccoon of the year. So then Ralph gets mad because all of that preparation and speech for nothing and he say’s his famous line “bang, zoom!” where you know he’s mad and which has also turned into a memorable catchphrase, among many others, in American culture–even used in cartoons like Pinky and the Brain–according to Wikipedia.

I watched this episode at home at night after school.

I rate this episode a 3.5 because it was a little funny yet predictable because after watching so many episodes of the Honeymooners you have a clear idea of what to expect from each character. Furthermore you can also get a better idea if you just place yourself back in the 1950′s when it was aired because it’s a reflection of that time period.