VERY VERY: Ballet

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. This week's topic is Very Very Ballet!

This Week's Episodes

Cheers #107 "Dance, Diane, Dance" (First Aired: December 18, 1986)

Diane reveals she has been taking ballet lessons and the gang tries to keep her from finding out about a bad review from her ballet teacher.

This episode is a fun showcase for Shelley Long not long before her departure from the series. It's also a funny mix of sweetness and humor because the gang at the bar does really look out for Diane while also relentlessly laughing behind her back. There was a nice choice to not show how bad Diane was on the video but just show the characters' reaction. It made it that much funnier. There's also a really great scene between Long and George Wendt, two characters who didn't have a ton of interaction relatively speaking. 

Family Affair #22 "Ballerina Buffy" (First Aired: February 20, 1967)

Buffy gets the lead role of Little Red Riding Hood in her ballet recital but worries she'll become a famous ballet dancer who has to leave her family so she purposely messes up the performance.

It has been years since I've watched an episode of Family Affair before this episode. It's part of that subgenre of the super tame sitcoms from the era. They inspired smiles much more than laughs. This episode was part of a string of episodes that featured John Williams as the brother of Sebastian Cabot's character, French because Cabot was off the show due to an extended illness. Williams doesn't make much of an impression. Young Anissa Jones does a pretty decent job. The line deliveries from her and Johnny Whitaker are a little rough sometimes but Jones does have some nice moments.

Happy Days #112 "Do You Want to Dance?" (First Aired: May 9, 1978)

Fonzie falls for a ballet teacher and tries to help her keep her ballet studio open by enrolling his friends in ballet classes.

This is a very sweet episode of Happy Days. There's some genuine chemistry between Fonzie and Colleen (guest star Leslie Browne) even though we only meet her in this episode. The show did a nice job of developing the character and relationship so Fonzie's devastation over her leaving doesn't feel super rushed though I think it probably would have been more effective if she had a multi-episode arc. Then I think it would have felt a little more earned. The ballet scenes with the crew have some funny moments but it's all pretty standard physical comedy stuff and not like what Lucy can do (see below).

I Love Lucy #19 "The Ballet" (First Aired: February 18, 1952)

Lucy is determined to get into the act for Ricky's new show, which needs ballet dancers and burlesque performers.

This is an early episode of I Love Lucy so it very much sticks to the early theme of "Lucy trying to get in Ricky's show," a plot that dominated the first season. As a result, the episode is very performative and riddled with "bits" from Lucy, Fred and the burlesque guest star (Frank J. Scannell). It's interesting how different the early episodes of I Love Lucy feel. However, this is an early opportunity for Lucille Ball to showcase her unparalleled physical comedy prowess. The ballet scene is so silly and juvenile yet it works so well because of Ball's complete commitment to the moment.

Best Episode: Cheers

None of these episodes are standout episodes of their respective series. But the Cheers episode is the best developed story with a nice mix of humor and heart.

Best Fit for the Theme: Happy Days

The Happy Days episode had the most actual ballet scenes and was the most built around the topic. I Love Lucy was a two hander with the burlesque stuff even if the ballet scene is the most memorable.

Standout Performer: Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy

Runners-Up: Shelley Long (Cheers), George Wendt (Cheers)

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

Next Thursday: Very Very Little League!