by Michael Lyons
"The Hottest Day on Earth." You couldn't turn on the news last week without hearing about this startling record set on the Fourth of July, which had the hottest global temperature ever recorded.
All you had to do was step outside to the sauna that's now your backyard or the sand on the beach that slowly seared the skin off your feet to realize how true this was, before quickly heading back into your air-conditioned comfort or the plunge of a welcoming pool, for relief.
As we continue through these blistering days, it's not just the ACs and chlorinated waters that can provide relief. Try to go back in time to enjoy these episodes of classic sitcoms. All of them center on the freezing months of winter and may provide a cool distraction:
"Please Leave the Premises," The Honeymooners, originally aired March 10, 1956
Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) refuses to pay his rent, which results in the landlord turning off the heat and electricity (in the middle of winter!)
Ralph and Alice (Audrey Meadows) are evicted, and sit at their iconic kitchen table on the sidewalk outside their apartment building. When it starts to snow, Ralph finally relents and goes back inside to pay the increase, stating to Alice, "I know how easy you get virus!"
It's never fun to watch any characters suffer through a cold winter, but it is when it's this funny and outlandish. That, along with Norton's (Art Carney) winter layers, which include multiple water bottles hanging from his neck, should provide comically cool relief.
"The Rent Strike," The Odd Couple, originally aired January 31, 1975
Another episode that revolves around the refusal to pay rent, electricity, and heat being turned off in the middle of a New York winter.
To the chagrin of Oscar (Jack Klugman), Felix (Tony Randall) goes to war with a new building manager (guest star Victor Buono) and leads the tenants against him. This results in a lack of heat and the removal of everyone's front door!
Watching Klugman as Oscar hilariously tries to stay warm by not only wrapping himself in a blanket but also holding boxing gloves to his ears could help melt any heatwave in this episode of the consistently funny sitcom.
"Let It Snow," Night Court, originally aired December 17, 1987
Technically, this is a Christmas episode, but it also revolves around a blizzard that strands all in night court. Then, the boiler in the building breaks, and everyone struggles to stay warm.
The episode contains trademark cartoon-like humor, especially a gag involving Bull (Richard Moll) being frozen stiff. He's placed in a makeshift hot tub, and his reaction when he comes to in front of everyone in the courtroom is priceless.
"The One Without the Ski Trip," Friends, originally aired March 6, 1997
The gang heads off on a ski trip but has to leave Ross (David Schwimmer) behind, as he and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) have split up and are estranged.
When the cab that Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) has borrowed from her grandmother breaks down at a rest area, they all have no choice but to call Ross to help.
While they wait, they are stranded in the snowy cold roadside stop, hilariously getting on each other's nerves. Matthew Perry's Chandler has some typically clever asides, especially as he tries to sneak smoking cigarettes without his friends knowing.
Just a few 30-minute respites to help you find some relief from the unrelenting heat, and maybe as you watch these chilly, winter-centered shows, you'll also realize that summer, even with its heat, isn't all that bad.
Stay cool, everyone!
Check out more of my articles, podcasts and information on my book, Drawn to Greatness: Disney's Animation Renaissance at Words From Lyons
