VERY VERY: Home Stakeout

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 Home Stakeout!

This Week's Episodes

Coach #197 "The Neighbor Hood" (First Aired: April 23, 1997)

Christine signs for a package for their Florida neighbors, who they don't really know, and then find out that they have the attention of the secret service.

This is the last regular episode of Coach before the three part series finale. This episode is set up well because it plays into Hayden's reluctance to interact with anyone but when he finally does interact with the neighbors, after two years, they get embroiled in a stakeout. Unlike the rest of the episodes on this list, the agents actually want active participation from the sitcom characters we know and love. That creates a really funny scene with Hayden and Christine (and eventually Luther and Dauber).

The Dick Van Dyke Show #154 "The Man From My Uncle" (First Aired: April 20, 1966)

Rob and Laura agree to let government agents set up a stakeout in Ritchie's bedroom to keep an eye on a neighbor and Rob excitedly wants to get involve.

The only series regulars who appear in this episode are Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. While the other regulars are missed, Dick Van Dyke more than makes up for it with a tour de force comedic performance. Rob is so ridiculous and insufferable in this episode yet Van Dyke plays it with great earnestness. He's helped by a strong dynamic with guest star Godfrey Cambridge, a well-known stand-up comedian at the time who died at the age of 43 in 1976. They were so funny together that it made me want to watch more episodes with the two of them.

Laverne & Shirley #47 "The Stakeout" (First Aired: November 29, 1977)

Two FBI agents use Laverne & Shirley's apartment for a stakeout but the girls are shocked when Carmine seems to be involved with the criminal.

This plot is ripe for Laverne & Shirley because of its escalating craziness and potential for physical comedy. What I like about this episode is just how much the story escalates. At first, I thought it was taking a little while to get to the meat of the plot but then it was apparent that the episode was about the journey and not the destination. That's why the resolution with Carmine is just whatever. But the comedy along the way, which involves all the characters and two guest stars, all works quite well.

Rhoda #45 "A Federal Case" (First Aired: February 2, 1976)

An FBI agent posts up in Brenda's apartment for surveillance of someone across the street but she falls in love with the agent.

A young Tim Matheson guest stars in this episode as the FBI agent staying in Brenda's apartment. This is a great episode for Julie Kavner, who got the bulk of the best stories in Rhoda's second season when the writers didn't really know what to do with a happily married Joe and Rhoda. Kavner really shines here with a great performance that has humor and heart. She also has great chemistry with Matheson. Meanwhile, Valerie Harper (playing the title character) is saddled with a pretty banal story about being sick through much of the episode.

Best Episode: The Dick Van Dyke Show

These are all enjoyable episodes, but I think The Dick Van Dyke Show provides the most bang for the buck with the funniest script.

Best Fit for the Theme: Laverne & Shirley

Again, all four of these episodes were pretty spot-on for the theme but I went with Laverne & Shirley because it had the most escalating action and different things happen.

Standout Performer: Dick Van Dyke, The Dick Van Dyke Show

Runners-Up: Julie Kavner (Rhoda), Godfrey Cambridge (The Dick Van Dyke Show)

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

Next Thursday: Very Very Séance!