VERY VERY: Snowbound

This is a new feature on the blog that will run on Thursdays. Back in the mid-1990s, Nick at Nite ran a programming block on the weekends called "Very Very Nick at Nite," which looked at four episodes with a similar theme. Now I will look at four sitcom episodes from across the decades that have a similar plot or theme. We are starting, fittingly enough for early January, with Very Very Snowbound!

This Week's Episodes

227 #57 "Snowbound" (First Aired: January 9, 1988)

The residents gather in Mary's apartment during a blizzard.

I believe this is the first full episode of 227 I've seen in my life. I felt like this was actually a really good episode to watch to get a sense of the characters and how they interact with each other since they were all in the same room for much of the episode. It had some funny moments and I always enjoy when characters play a board game together even if Monopoly predictably devolved into arguments.

I Love Lucy #148 "Lucy in the Swiss Alps" (First Aired: March 26, 1956)

The Ricardos and Mertzes get trapped in a cabin while hiking in Switzerland.

This isn't an episode that is often talked about when discussing the best or even "second tier" episodes of I Love Lucy but it is not without its moments. The episode takes awhile to get going (and the mountain scenes are very cheap looking even for a 1950s show) but it gets very funny once they get trapped in the cabin. Lucy trying to secretly eat the cheese sandwich is a highlight.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show #8 "The Snow Must Go On" (First Aired: November 7, 1970)

With Mary in charge of WJM election coverage, a power outage during a blizzard prevents election results from coming in. 

This is a very early episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show so it's interesting to see the dynamics at play. Ted Baxter, although harried, is not the buffoon he would become. I think his part would have been quite different with this plot in a later season of the show. Mary (the character) is also much less sure of herself and that creates some good comedy.

Spin City #18 "Snowbound" (First Aired: February 25, 1997)

During a New York City blizzard, the mayor's office deals with a nudist, on air gaffes during a radio broadcast and Carter and Stuart getting locked in the boiler room.

This episode had some really funny moments but it felt a little bit too frenetic. I know the show often tried to depict the craziness of a very busy mayor's office but it felt like the episode barely gave any chance for a joke to develop or land before moving on to the next thing. I found myself wishing it would have just settled down a bit.

Best Episode: The Mary Tyler Moore Show

It was a close call between Mary and I Love Lucy but I think Mary has more consistency throughout the episode whereas Lucy takes awhile to get going.

Best Fit for the Theme: I Love Lucy - they are literally trapped after all.

Standout Performer: Mary Tyler Moore, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Runners-Up: Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy), Michael J. Fox (Spin City)

Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV news stories of the week!

Next Thursday: Very Very Pool Hustler!