VERY VERY: Little League

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 Little League!

This Week's Episodes

Bewitched #6 "Little Pitchers Have Big Fears" (First Aired: October 22, 1964)

Samantha helps a shy young boy try out for his little league team in spite of his overprotective mother.

This episode is very emblematic of the wonderful early years of Bewitched when it was a totally different show from the wacky 60s sitcom it became. Sure, there was a little bit of witchcraft - the show is called Bewitched after all - but it was mostly a sweet and earnest story. There were strong guest appearances by June Lockhart (shortly after her run on Lassie) as well as Jerry Mathers (The Beaver's) younger brother, Jimmy. It had some gentle humor, mostly provided by the always reliable Alice Pearce, but it was much more about heart and it was a solid and well developed plot.

Cheers #30 "Manager Coach" (First Aired: November 24, 1983)

Coach becomes a youth baseball manager but his competitiveness turns him into a tyrant with the young kids.

This episode is a great showcase for Nicholas Colasanto. Even though he was only on the show for less than three seasons, he got a few stories where he could really stand out. Colasanto was so funny in the way he treated the kids throughout - from their nicknames to ripping them to shreds. It showed what a versatile actor Colasanto could be as he was usually a lovable character. There's also a really funny and classic cold open (unrelated to baseball) where the entire bar puts Carla's baby to sleep over the phone.

The Lucy Show #28 "Lucy and the Little League" (First Aired: April 15, 1963)

Lucy and Viv are overzealous fans at their sons' baseball games and both get kicked out, prompting Lucy to try to sneak back in.

This episode is from the good era of The Lucy Show and yet it's still clear that it is not as funny as it would have been with Lucy and Ethel. Much of the episode has to do with baseball (and truthfully, Vivian Vance is stronger and funnier as the overzealous mother than Lucille Ball). But the last part of the episode is really more about Lucy donning silly costumes and doing zany things. The joke gets tired well before its resolution. This episode features a cameo appearance by a young Desi Arnaz Jr.

Modern Family #82 "Diamond in the Rough" (First Aired: December 12, 2012)

Claire and Cameron try to renovate a rundown field for Luke and Manny's baseball team.

Like many contemporary episodes, the baseball plot is only one of several in the episode. There's also a funny plot where Gloria is singing badly to her unborn child and the baseball story ties into what is really the main plot: Phil and Mitchell being skeptical of flipping a house with Claire and Cameron. But the episode, like so many Modern Family episodes in the first half of its run, does tie together nicely and bring all the stories to a themed conclusion without forcing it. I had a bad taste in my mouth from the later seasons of this show and it was fun to see an earlier one again.

Best Episode: Bewitched

I just love the early seasons of Bewitched. As far as I'm concerned, the black and white years of Bewitched are second only to The Dick Van Dyke Show are far as sophisticated and best 60s sitcoms. This episode is a great example of that.

Best Fit for the Theme: The Lucy Show - this was a close call with Bewitched and Cheers but The Lucy Show had the most actual baseball moments.

Standout Performer: Nicholas Colasanto, Cheers

Runners-Up: Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Elizabeth Montgomery (Bewitched)

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

Thursday in 3 Weeks: To Be Determined