Occasional Wife (1966–1967)

A junior executive convinces his female friend to pretend to be his wife so he can move ahead in his company.

Creators:

Lawrence J. Cohen, Fred Freeman

Stars:

Michael Callan, Patricia Harty, Jack Collins

Cast

Series cast summary:
Michael Callan	...	Peter Christopher (30 episodes, 1966-1967)
Patricia Harty	...	Greta Patterson (30 episodes, 1966-1967)
Jack Collins	...	Max Brahms (18 episodes, 1966-1967)

Storyline

Peter, a junior executive at a New York business, figures out that single men at his company are generally passed over in favor of married men, who the top execs think are more stable. So Peter asks his friend and upstairs neighbor, Greta, if she'd be willing to pose as his wife for company functions. She agrees, not knowing how it'd affect her personal life. And whenever someone from his company unexpectantly dropped by "their" apartment, Peter would run up the fire escape two floors to fetch Greta, much to the bemusement of their neighbor in-between.

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Taglines:

Married? Certainly! (When His Boss is Around)

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1966 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (30 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: Jungle Goddess (1990)

User Reviews

A neglected gem...TV Land where are you?

This series is a complete, total and utter non-sequitur. Visually it's bright colors and stark scenery (this is a 1960's TV budget) are firmly planted in 1959. The story line superficially is pure Doris Day/Rock Hudson. The execution is more Larry David/Monty Python. This situation comedy is so surreal that it could never last more than a season in a world where HBO/Showtime would not exist for 20 years. From the bongos in the opening title music to the avant-garde narration you know you are in a parallel universe. The plots are totally stupid...hello, Jerry Sienfeld! The resolutions make no sense and the stories turn on a dime...Why?...Why not! As the playboy who hires a hat check girl (this is a time when men wore hats) to pose as his wife so he can get a job promotion (the president of a baby food company does not give promotions to unmarried men), Michael Callan makes an excellent self-centered playboy...and he sleeps with women he is not married to. Is this 1966 TV? Patricia Harty proves herself to be an incredible comedian. Cute, perky, smart and thoroughly self-absorbed; she is an utter gem (Coutney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Debra Messing can't hold a candle to her talent). To add to the sideshow, the third billed character who appears in the opening manages to not say a word in the entire series. The guest stars are a "Who's Who" of 60's TV including Sally Field and John Astin. If you are a devoted fan of "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "The Andy Griffith Show", please move on. For the rest of us, sit back and enjoy.