by Michael Lyons
Mothers bring such love into our lives, and sometimes, it's provided in the guise of a laugh. Several classic sitcom episodes have shown this, some poignant, some touching, all funny.
Here is just a brief list of some to binge, just in time for Mother's Day Weekend:
"Hello Mom," The Honeymooners, December 3, 1955
Ralph (Jackie Gleason) receives a telegram that his mother-in-law is coming to visit. As he has a contentious relationship with his mother-in-law, he drives Alice (Andrey Meadows) crazy as he awaits her arrival.
*SPOILER ALERT!*
The only issue is Ralph finds out that the telegram is from his mother. After seeing how he behaves, Alice is very welcoming of Mrs. Kramden.
A typically classic and funny Honeymooners - including when Ralph looks to move in with Ed and Trixie (Art Carney and Joyce Randolph) - but also a heartfelt one that speaks to the forgiveness and closeness of family.
"The Odd Couples," The Odd Couple, October 27, 1972
Oscar (Jack Klugman) has never told his mother (Jane Dulo) that he's divorced. So, rather than upset her, he asks his ex-wife, Blanche (Brett Somers), to move back in and pretend they're still married. Also, Felix (Tony Randall) has to move back in with his ex-wife, Gloria (Janis Hansen).
This leads to comedic confusion, as both couples try to cover up, mainly when their friend, Murray, the cop (Al Molinaro), shows up and is unaware that none of the cover-up has transpired.
This is a well-crafted episode that speaks to, in its funny way, the fragility of relationships and how we never cease being parents or children throughout our lives.
"Rebecca Gains, Rebecca Loses," Cheers May 6, 1993
The central part of this episode may revolve around Rebecca (Kirstie Alley), but there is a hysterical subplot involving Cliff (John Ratzenberger) and his mom, Esther (Frances Sternhagen). It seems that the gang at Cheers gets suspicious of Cliff. After several things he has said, they think Cliff may have murdered his mother.
Turns out, he has moved his mother into a retirement home. Cliff and his mom always had a different, funny relationship on the show, as neither seemed to grow out of their roles since “Clifford’s” childhood and Esther’s adjustment to the retirement home is perfect Cheers humor.
"The Doll," Seinfeld, February 22, 1996
Of all the amazing supporting players on Seinfeld, one of the best is, without a doubt, George Costanza's (Jason Alexander) mother, Estelle (Estelle Harris). In this hilarious episode, the character's shrill star shines when George discovers that his fiancé, Susan (Heidi Svedberg), has a doll collection that includes one bearing a striking resemblance to George's mom (he even imagines the doll talking to him!).
"Mother's Day," Modern Family, May 4, 2011
Here is an episode centering on Mother's Day, and in typical, hysterical, Modern Family style, it balances multiple stories. Claire (Julie Bowen) and Gloria (Sofia Vergara) decide to spend Mother's Day hiking, while Jay (Ed O'Neill) and Phil (Ty Burrell) stay at home to cook a lovely Mother's Day dinner for everyone and wind-up bonding. Meanwhile, Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) gets angry when he realizes that Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) thinks he is the "mom."
The episode also contains the standard Modern Family brilliant writing, such as when Claire confides to Gloria that she sometimes wants to punch her kids:
Claire: The last time they were horrible the way they were today, they happened to be all lined up, and I couldn't help but think if I hit just one of 'em, the rest would go down like dominoes.
Gloria: Geez!
Claire: I know. That would rob me of the pleasure of hitting each one individually, but...
Laughs like that, and like all of them in these episodes, also come with love, something Moms bring into all of our lives.
Happy Mother's Day!
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