"The Love Boat" typically has three distinct but occasionally interlocking stories, glued together by the crew, two humorous and one serious. Often, for one reason or another, one of the stories is unwatchable and is good for fast-forwarding through, or for giving one a chance to slip into the kitchen to heat up nachos. Not this time.
In one, James MacArthur is cruising with his new fiance; when his ex- shows up with papers finalizing their divorce--and makes a nuisance of herself. The ex- is played by Joanna Pettit, whom I've always found annoying. Perfect casting.
Secondly, two old pros: Milton Berle, who went through Vaudeville, radio and TV; and Alan Hale, Jr., whose father went back to silent movies and who is best known himself as the Skipper on "Gilligan's Island," play aging boxers with an old grudge to settle. And they plan to duke it out.
The best episode, only serio-comic, concerns Gopher's romance with Jill St. John. Did I type that? Gopher and the ravishing James Bond gal Jill St. John? Yep. And they have a lovely time . . . Until her estranged husband pops up out of nowhere to reclaim her. Will there be a second fight on the bill?
Three well-done episodes with only minimal involvement from Vickie. Who could ask for anything more?
In one, James MacArthur is cruising with his new fiance; when his ex- shows up with papers finalizing their divorce--and makes a nuisance of herself. The ex- is played by Joanna Pettit, whom I've always found annoying. Perfect casting.
Secondly, two old pros: Milton Berle, who went through Vaudeville, radio and TV; and Alan Hale, Jr., whose father went back to silent movies and who is best known himself as the Skipper on "Gilligan's Island," play aging boxers with an old grudge to settle. And they plan to duke it out.
The best episode, only serio-comic, concerns Gopher's romance with Jill St. John. Did I type that? Gopher and the ravishing James Bond gal Jill St. John? Yep. And they have a lovely time . . . Until her estranged husband pops up out of nowhere to reclaim her. Will there be a second fight on the bill?
Three well-done episodes with only minimal involvement from Vickie. Who could ask for anything more?
