It was another close one, but the favourite episode of Season 5, based on comments from yesterday’s post is the fantastic two-parter, “You Better Shop Around!” (Part 1 and Part 2).
Thanks to everyone for contributing! Season 6 will be posted on Saturday. I’ll be taking a little break tomorrow!
Season 5 was arguably the show’s peak season. It was at the height of its popularity, and the fan base was growing ever larger. It also started developing some of its more “cartoonish” elements that would be heavily featured in later seasons.
With Steve Rhodes gone, the show introduced a new character, Jefferson D’Arcy, played by veteran sitcom actor Ted McGinley, from Happy Days and The Love Boat, among others. Jefferson didn’t appear until halfway through the season, but soon became a beloved character in his own right.
Other landmark moments during this season include the first appearance of Psycho Dad (Al’s favourite show) and the first mention of his “four touchdowns in a single game.”
This season also saw the show’s first attempt at a spinoff, “Top of the Heap,” which ultimately did not go over well.
Notable Guest Stars in Season 5:
-Pamela Anderson (Baywatch) and former wrestler Becky Mullin as fantasy girls in Al’s dream in “Al…with Kelly.”
-Dr. Joyce Brothers as the judge in “Sue Casa, His Casa.”
-Ian Ziering (Steve Sanders in 90210) as “The Kid” in “The Unnatural.”
-Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson) as Pete, a gay man that befriends Al in “The Dance Show.”
-Model and Baywatch actress Tia Carrere as Kelly’s rival in “Kelly Bounces Back.”
-Gilligan’s Island actress Tina Louise (Ginger) as Miss Beck, the casting director in “Kelly Bounces Back.”
-Television host and veteran actress Rhonda Shear as Brenda, a neighbour who has the hots for Al in “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
-Sabrina the Teenage Witch actress Beth Broderick (Aunt Zelda) as lawyer Miss Penza in “And Baby Makes Money.”
-Blues guitarist B.B King as a street performer in “Look Who’s Barking.”
-Comedian Cheech Marin and the late, great Catherine O’Hara as the voices of Buck and his girlfriend in “Look Who’s Barking.”
-Professional football player Bubba Smith as Spare Tire Dixon in “All Night Security Dude.”
-Matt Leblanc (Joey from Friends) as Vinny Verducci, Kelly’s boyfriend in “Oldies but Young ‘Uns” (and “Top of the Heap.”)
-Jerry Mathers (Leave It To Beaver) as himself in “You Better Shop Around, Part Two.”
-Armin Shimerman (Star Trek Ds9 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Mr. Lovejoy, a dog breeder in “Buck the Stud.”
Memorable Episodes and Moments:
We’ll Follow the Sun - The Bundys attempt to go on a road trip, but are thwarted by a traffic jam.
Al….with Kelly - Al tries to enjoy his time away from Peg, but a sick Kelly keeps demanding his attention.
The Unnatural - Al is replaced by a more professional softball player during the championship game.
The Dance Show - Peggy meets a gay man while out dancing with Marcy, and Al befriends the suspicious husband.
Kelly Bounces Back - Kelly invents the “Bundy Bounce” for a TV commercial audition.
Married…with Aliens - Al is visited by sock-stealing aliens.
Wabbit Season - Al attempts to grow a vegetable garden but is tortured by a pesky rabbit.
Married with Who - Marcy discovers she has married a man named Jefferson after a wild banker’s convention.
The Godfather - In one of Ed O’Neill’s favourite episodes, Al discovers Kelly is dating an older man with connections to local government.
All Night Security Dude - Al gets a job as a security guard at Polk High, and the football trophy is stolen under his watch.
You Better Shop Around - In this two-part episode, a heat wave forces the Bundy family to move into the supermarket.
Don’t see your favourite? Check them out the full list here.
Now it’s your turn! What is your favourite episode of Season 5? Share in the comments and the winner will be announced tomorrow!
WARNING: IF YOU JUST TYPE A QUOTE, IT WILL NOT BE COUNTED!
AND IF YOU GIVE ME AN EPISODE FROM A DIFFERENT SEASON, I WILL REVOLT.
MWC has been remade all over the world, with the Russian version having 364 episodes.
Someone posted a couple of other endings to What Goes Around Came/Comes Around
Kelly just calling Buck over and cooly walking away is better than the other endings.
The girl tied up in the last one was married to a politician and has apparently been caught up in some mess recently.