Jack has some great news: he's passed his cooking exam, so is right in line to become a chef in about two years' time. As this happens, he is surprised by the return of Janet & Chrissy's former roommate Eleanor (Marianne Black). After receiving assorted bits of information (such as the fact that Eleanor has divorced her husband, and has brought all of her worldly possessions with her), Jack feels threatened because he is now convinced that Janet & Chrissy plan on taking Eleanor back and kicking him out. (An idea reinforced by Larry.) So Jack & Larry plan on ruining the party.
The series was really beginning to cook by this point (with director Dave Powers playing no small part in its success), and 'Eleanor's Return" can be simply hysterical at times. We get episodes like both John Ritter & Norman Fell indulging in some slapstick as they try to figure out how to set up a cot, Mr. Roper discovering Jack & Larry in a "compromising position" (you have to see the episode to understand), and the climactic party and its derailment. Suffice it to say, the partygoers see more of Larry than they possibly could have expected.
Guest star Black is endearing, and has the kind of good chemistry you would hope that she would have with Joyce & Suzanne; she completely sells the idea that these girls were good friends as well as roommates.
The coda is also brilliant, as Jack, Janet & Chrissy have fun with a clearly mortified Larry.
10 out of 10.
The series was really beginning to cook by this point (with director Dave Powers playing no small part in its success), and 'Eleanor's Return" can be simply hysterical at times. We get episodes like both John Ritter & Norman Fell indulging in some slapstick as they try to figure out how to set up a cot, Mr. Roper discovering Jack & Larry in a "compromising position" (you have to see the episode to understand), and the climactic party and its derailment. Suffice it to say, the partygoers see more of Larry than they possibly could have expected.
Guest star Black is endearing, and has the kind of good chemistry you would hope that she would have with Joyce & Suzanne; she completely sells the idea that these girls were good friends as well as roommates.
The coda is also brilliant, as Jack, Janet & Chrissy have fun with a clearly mortified Larry.
10 out of 10.
