My Critique of "The Mothers-in-Law"

[lucyandethel]

I got the series on DVD and have watched about 11 episodes and here is my review:

1. This is material that seems to have been written for Lucy and Viv, and while Eve Arden was a good actress, Eve Arden & Kaye Ballard were no Lucy & Viv.

2. I can take Eve Arden & Kaye Ballard, but the biggest problem with this show was the casting. The husbands were just wrong. Rudley & Carmel just seem to be a bit over the top in their acting. Often times it is forced. The kids aren't that great either.

This show proves that you may have great writers in Pugh & Carroll and a good director like Desi Arnaz, but this show falls short in the casting which makes it hard to watch.

[retroTVfan4ever]

I pretty much agree, Arden and Ballard carried the show. The supporting actors were lacking. From what I recall, when the series originally aired the first half of the 1st season was pretty zany and funny, but after that things started slowing down a bit with fewer laughs. And in the 2nd season when Richard Deacon replaced Carmel, it only got worse. Richard Deacon, while a fine actor, was miscast on a show like Mothers In Law. It wasn't the right type of series for him.

Still, this is a great opportunity to own on DVD one of those rare TV series that hasn't been regularly seen in years. It's definitely a time capsule from the late 60's, that fact alone makes this DVD set worth having. Despite the shows flaws, I do plan to order the DVD's and will enjoy the episodes for what they are. Arden and Ballard work well together and provide a number of laughs along the way.

[Jude The Obscure]

What if this format had been used for Lucy and Viv, say after the third season of The Lucy Show? Would it had been a success to see Lucy and Viv with new spouses sparring over the fact their kids married one another?

[LittleRickyII]

I got the series on DVD and have watched about 11 episodes and here is my review:

1. This is material that seems to have been written for Lucy and Viv, and while Eve Arden was a good actress, Eve Arden & Kaye Ballard were no Lucy & Viv.

2. I can take Eve Arden & Kaye Ballard, but the biggest problem with this show was the casting. The husbands were just wrong. Rudley & Carmel just seem to be a bit over the top in their acting. Often times it is forced. The kids aren't that great either.

This show proves that you may have great writers in Pugh & Carroll and a good director like Desi Arnaz, but this show falls short in the casting which makes it hard to watch.

Did you write that or did I??? Those are my thoughts EXACTLY. I would add that I think Eve Arden was a great comedic actress, but this Lucyesque material was just not suited for her AT ALL. This show did not take advantage of her strengths. She was great on Our Miss Brooks, but this show did not work for her. As for Kaye Ballard, I have seen her do some funny bits elsewhere, but on this show I find her grating. There's way too much screaming. And what's with Eve Arden talking in that baby voice in so many episodes? She seems to do that for no reason. And yes, the acting is way over the top, from all the cast, but especially the supporting players. I remember watching reruns of this show several years ago and I kept imagining Lucy and Viv in those parts and, in my mind, it played out funnier. But that being said, there is an awful lot of lame writing on this show that wouldn't be that good regardless of who was playing those roles. I can remember as a kid watching an episode with my dad. He turned to me and said, "this is really bad writing." I couldn't agree more. It's hard to believe that some of these scripts are from the same writing team (Bob and Madelyn) that turned out such wonderful material for Lucille Ball several years earlier. The plots are all so predictable, and the jokes are terribly lame. Boy did they wear our that Mother Hubbard joke!

I pretty much agree, Arden and Ballard carried the show. The supporting actors were lacking. From what I recall, when the series originally aired the first half of the 1st season was pretty zany and funny,

In my opinion, this series was bad from the start. I've watched those early first season episodes and I just don't find any of it funny; it's mostly unwatchable. And it's unwatchable from the very start of the opening credits. Is that not THE worst theme music you've ever heard? Boy that music gets on my nerves! Desi was drinking a lot in those days, and I have to wonder if that had any impact on the quality of this show.

At the time this series was on the air, Lucille Ball was doing her last season of The Lucy Show and her first season of Here's Lucy. That certainly wasn't a high point in her television career, and those episodes could often be quite mediocre. But at least they make me laugh some of the time, while The Mothers-in-Law never makes me laugh. So given the choice, I'd rather be watching one of those later Lucy shows.

[retroTVfan4ever]

Well, Eve and Kay were no Lucy and Viv but they did have fairly good chemistry in this show. Definitely not in the same league as I Love Lucy, but if you go into this with expectations not too high then maybe you'll enjoy it a little better. Have to mostly agree with the original poster on the comments, supporting actors were lacking and the 2nd season had a further setback when Deacon replaced Carmel. Not the greatest show but it does provide a few laughs here and there, and it's a time capsule from the late 60's. MPI should be commended for releasing this, if not for them this series would probably not have seen daylight on DVD.

[treky]

well, I can't give my opinion because Netflix doesn't have it for some reason:( :( and they say the avalability is "unknown".

And I've been looking forward to this release for a year, now as I haven't seen this show in oh, 35 years ir so!!!

[comedyfreak]

I enjoyed the show when it dubuted and I still enjoy the show now. I also like the theme it is something Lucy and Viv could've done as well. By this time though Viv wanted to retire with her hubby on the east coast.

[McGillicuddy]

Well, Eve and Kay were no Lucy and Viv but they did have fairly good chemistry in this show. Definitely not in the same league as I Love Lucy, but if you go into this with expectations not too high then maybe you'll enjoy it a little better. Have to mostly agree with the original poster on the comments, supporting actors were lacking and the 2nd season had a further setback when Deacon replaced Carmel. Not the greatest show but it does provide a few laughs here and there, and it's a time capsule from the late 60's. MPI should be commended for releasing this, if not for them this series would probably not have seen daylight on DVD.
I too am enjoying this release. I know its not Lucy, but its still a fun show. And some great guest-stars. I liked the performance with Jimmy Durante. Paul Lynde, Alice Ghostley, and Don Rickles were fun to see, as well as the appearances of Desi Arnaz.

[rcbrad]

Did you write that or did I??? Those are my thoughts EXACTLY. I would add that I think Eve Arden was a great comedic actress, but this Lucyesque material was just not suited for her AT ALL. This show did not take advantage of her strengths. She was great on Our Miss Brooks, but this show did not work for her. As for Kaye Ballard, I have seen her do some funny bits elsewhere, but on this show I find her grating. There's way too much screaming. And what's with Eve Arden talking in that baby voice in so many episodes? She seems to do that for no reason. And yes, the acting is way over the top, from all the cast, but especially the supporting players. I remember watching reruns of this show several years ago and I kept imagining Lucy and Viv in those parts and, in my mind, it played out funnier. But that being said, there is an awful lot of lame writing on this show that wouldn't be that good regardless of who was playing those roles. I can remember as a kid watching an episode with my dad. He turned to me and said, "this is really bad writing." I couldn't agree more. It's hard to believe that some of these scripts are from the same writing team (Bob and Madelyn) that turned out such wonderful material for Lucille Ball several years earlier. The plots are all so predictable, and the jokes are terribly lame. Boy did they wear our that Mother Hubbard joke!



In my opinion, this series was bad from the start. I've watched those early first season episodes and I just don't find any of it funny; it's mostly unwatchable. And it's unwatchable from the very start of the opening credits. Is that not THE worst theme music you've ever heard? Boy that music gets on my nerves! Desi was drinking a lot in those days, and I have to wonder if that had any impact on the quality of this show.

At the time this series was on the air, Lucille Ball was doing her last season of The Lucy Show and her first season of Here's Lucy. That certainly wasn't a high point in her television career, and those episodes could often be quite mediocre. But at least they make me laugh some of the time, while The Mothers-in-Law never makes me laugh. So given the choice, I'd rather be watching one of those later Lucy shows.

It's interesting to read the various opinions and takes about this show! :)
I thought that I would comment on a few points. Yes there was some raucous and loud exchanges in some of the initial episodes, but it did not continue through most of the series. I have read comments where screaming is not funny, but it really was just a small part of whole picture of the entire series. Many times sitcoms start out broad and severe, but the characters and situations can and do become softer and more rounded as time goes on.

Lucy and Ethel and I love Lucy are the gold standard of which other sitcoms and characters are compared to. I do not think that any sitcoms or characters can quite compare to Lucy and Ethel. I think the stars of the show were good choices.

Eve Hubbard talked in the baby voice, just to tease Kaye.

You mention that over the top acting is from especially the supporting players. For the most part, I do not see where the acting is over the top. Perhaps I missed some instances. The supporting players needed to elevate their performances somewhat to match the stars of the show. It seems to me that the supporting players acting was less over the top when compared to the female leads. I do not think Richard Deacon has ever played anything over the top? The kids were a bit bland also, nothing that I would consider over the top?

Most sitcoms have their share of mediocre episodes and lame writing. Yes, some of the scrips were not in the best of shape, but many episodes were wonderful.

The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy were ratings winners and Lucille Ball was doing quite well at the time. If you enjoy these series, certainly you will laugh and enjoy The Mothers in Law. (at least I did) The humor and the story lines are very similar.

The Mothers in law series has all of the same qualities that people have enjoyed with all of the Lucille Ball type comedy series that she starred in. It has a fair amount of the talent behind the success of these shows. I highly recommend it. It's just such a fun and cute show full of laughs and slapstick humor.

[bliss]

Eve and Suzie always change their hairdos.

[retroTVfan4ever]

I bought the DVD's and have watched the first two episodes. The show is pretty much as I remember it from 40 plus years ago. Funny stuff, but there sure is a lot of shouting and yelling going on. One thing I did observe, from the shows theme song to the way the show is presented, it does look like it was intended to air on the weekends. It has that weekend vibe to it. If memory serves me correct, the series started out on the wild and crazy side, but things began to tone down a little as the series progressed. I'll see if that was the case as I watch more episodes.

[LittleRickyII]

It's interesting to read the various opinions and takes about this show! :)
I thought that I would comment on a few points. Yes there was some raucous and loud exchanges in some of the initial episodes, but it did not continue through most of the series.

Even so, it's too much for me.


Lucy and Ethel and I love Lucy are the gold standard of which other sitcoms and characters are compared to. I do not think that any sitcoms or characters can quite compare to Lucy and Ethel. I think the stars of the show were good choices.

The stars were good choices, but where they went wrong was giving them Lucy and Ethel material, instead of material that played to their actual strengths. But I suppose that's all Bob and Madelyn knew how to write. Perhaps the problem is Desi had the wrong writing team for this show, but I guess he went with what was familiar to him and made him comfortable, to the detriment of the show.


Eve Hubbard talked in the baby voice, just to tease Kaye.

She doesn't only do it when talking to Kaye, and it often seems completely unmotivated. It's as if they someone decided just having Eve talk in that voice (even if for no reason), it will get a laugh. But without apparent motivation for her character to do that, it just comes across as strange to me.


You mention that over the top acting is from especially the supporting players. For the most part, I do not see where the acting is over the top. Perhaps I missed some instances. The supporting players needed to elevate their performances somewhat to match the stars of the show. It seems to me that the supporting players acting was less over the top when compared to the female leads. I do not think Richard Deacon has ever played anything over the top? The kids were a bit bland also, nothing that I would consider over the top?

Perhaps over the top was the wrong choice of words. I'll just call it bad acting.


Most sitcoms have their share of mediocre episodes and lame writing. Yes, some of the scrips were not in the best of shape, but many episodes were wonderful.

I guess it's a matter of personal opinion and taste. I wouldn't call any episodes of this series wonderful. I do like the one with Scoey Mitchell, but that's all.

The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy were ratings winners and Lucille Ball was doing quite well at the time. If you enjoy these series, certainly you will laugh and enjoy The Mothers in Law. (at least I did) The humor and the story lines are very similar.

Like I said before, The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy, even at their low points, make me laugh at least some of the time. But The Mothers in Law, never.

The Mothers in law series has all of the same qualities that people have enjoyed with all of the Lucille Ball type comedy series that she starred in. It has a fair amount of the talent behind the success of these shows. I highly recommend it. It's just such a fun and cute show full of laughs and slapstick humor.

For the same reasons you're recommending it, I'm not. This show attempts to have the same qualities of a Lucille Ball sitcom, but what's so obviously missing is Lucille Ball. I can't watch this show without thinking how much better it would be if Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance were playing those parts, or if the writing were completely changed to suit the talents of Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard. They were just wrong for that material. And they deserved a better supporting cast.

[retroTVfan4ever]

The series episodes revolved mostly around Eve and Kay, but I would have liked to see the newlyweds involved more in the episodes. They had twins in the second season which gave them some involvement but overall it's an Eve and Kay show. It's nice to revisit the series on DVD, I hadn't seen it since the original run. Brings back memories from a happier time.

[Jude The Obscure]

I'm finally watching my DVD set...some episodes have been very enjoyable while others are so-so. I enjoy Eve and Kaye, although I still think this format may have been better suited for Lucy and Viv. Some scenes are outright lifts from earlier Lucy episodes. I agree with the casting discussions...I haven't seen season 2 yet so I can't comment on Carmel v Deacon. The kids are underdeveloped characters, much like the kids on The Lucy Show.

[Leslie Eckhardt]

I'm finally watching my DVD set...some episodes have been very enjoyable while others are so-so. I enjoy Eve and Kaye, although I still think this format may have been better suited for Lucy and Viv. Some scenes are outright lifts from earlier Lucy episodes. I agree with the casting discussions...I haven't seen season 2 yet so I can't comment on Carmel v Deacon. The kids are underdeveloped characters, much like the kids on The Lucy Show.
The Mothers-In-Law was occasionally funny but it was no Lucy Show. I found Herbert Rudley to be more abrasive and annoying than funny. After classic themes like The Lucy Show and Pete and Gladys, The Mothers-In-Law theme song was, like Rudley, annoying. Eve Arden, whom I loved, was much funnier in Our Miss Brooks. By the way, she occasionally spoke in that "baby voice" on Our Miss Brooks, usually after something she blundered was brought to light by Mr. Conklin. It seemed funnier on that show and it wasn't done all that often. I thought the "Mother Hubbard" joke was overdone when I first saw the show in 1967 at age 15. If I had a favorite episode of "Mothers" it would be the one that showcased the great character actresses Doris Packer and Barbara Morrison as the Mothers-In-Law own Mothers-In-Law. (From season 2). A great character actor can always elevate a mediocre show.

[Jude The Obscure]

I enjoyed the two part "The Hombre Who Came to Dinner", esp the second part where Desi performs "The Straw Hat Song" with Desi Jr on the drums--really enjoyable. Too bad Desi didn't see himself as a regular character--maybe every 3-4th episode.

[Jude The Obscure]

I gotta agree that season 2 was the weaker season. The writing here is less sharp and there is just too much reliance on gags we already have seen done on I Love Lucy AND The Lucy Show. I do like the change in the Hubbard house (although it was never explained). Richard Deacon didn't bother me as a change for Kaye's husband, although he was older than Roger Carmel and had a different style, so the character does come across differently. And yes, the theme song is probably one of the most ANNOYING for a sitcom--I tend to skip it when the DVD plays. What I find less credible is that Roger is supposedly a TV script writer, but money was always an issue? I can see why this did not make a third season--it wasn't just the ratings, the whole premise was running out of gas and one gets tired of seeing Eve and Kaye scheme to meddle in their kids' lives episode after episode.

[retroTVfan4ever]

The series started off fairly good, but it didn't take too long for the wheels to start coming off the cart. The Bicycle Race episode was wasted, this had potential to be a funny episode but the writers tanked it. Roger Carmel is missed in the 2nd season, Richard Deacon was the wrong actor for that role. Still, the DVD's are nice to have as long as your expectations for the show aren't too high. Not the best show, but it's a fun, nostalgic ride back to the late 1960's. The series was definitely a product of it's time, that's for certain.

[Jude The Obscure]

I won't be watching this one again in marathon sessions :lol:

[retroTVfan4ever]

When I'm in the mood to watch this show, 2 or 3 episodes at a time is about the most I can sit thru. Then the DVD's go back on the shelf and when the mood strikes me again, I'll watch 2 or 3 more. So I agree the show plays best a few episodes at a time, it has funny moments but not recommended for marathon viewing.

[Jude The Obscure]

Exactly my plan and then I will seek out the episodes I know were funny to me.

[retroTVfan4ever]

The main reason to watch The Mothers In Law today is for the nostalgic value. It's a nice throwback to the late 1960's and represents that era well.

When watching the DVD episodes, I notice that end of scenes tend to fade out rather quick. I was thinking back to when the series first aired, and I seem to recall there were bumpers at the end of scenes that led into the commercials. The scene would fade out, then a still frame with The Mothers In Law title would appear, and the announcer would say "The Mothers In Law will return in a moment" or something to that effect. It looks like the bumpers were edited out on the DVD's, that would explain the reason for the quick fade outs.

I am scheduled to move this weekend, so this will probably be my last post until I'm settled into my new place and have internet connection. If all goes well, I plan to be in business again in the not too distant future and resume discussion of classic TV shows with the good folks here at sitcoms online.

[Jude The Obscure]

This was a blind buy for me as I didn't grow up seeing the reruns anywhere and it wasn't until the 90s, I caught 1 or 2 episode reran on WHT (what may be called FamilyNet today??). BTW, Jerry Fogel reminds me of a blander version of Robert Reed.