Bob Weiskopf Movies

Blanche Hefner has walked out on husband Barney several times in the past, but this time it's permanent. As usual, Barney tries to drown his sorrows at Archie's bar, thoroughly depressing the other patrons. Hoping to divest himself of Barney, Archie tries fixes his pal up with a wealthy and hefty widow named Martha Birkhorn (Peggy Rea). Written by Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf, Phil Sharp, and Milt Josefsberg, "Barney the Gold Digger" was first telecast on February 5, 1979 (in a Monday-night slot, a brief departure from the series' customary Sunday-evening home). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Archie fully expects that his bar will make a fortune on Super Bowl Sunday. What Archie hadn't counted on was the fact that two holdup men would likewise covet the contents of the bar's cash register. This is the episode in which virtually the entire cast is stripped to their undies. Written by Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf, "Archie and the Super Bowl" originally aired on January 15, 1978, right after CBS' telecast of Super Bowl XII (Broncos vs. Cowboys, in case you need a reminder). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Mike and Gloria are all packed and ready to head to their new home in Santa Barbara, CA. Just before their departure, the couple decides to reaffirm their marriage vows -- and request that Archie and Edith do the same. The concluding scene between Archie and Mike may well be the most touching moment in the series' history -- all the more so for what it tells about Archie. Written by Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf, "The Stivics Go West" originally aired on March 19, 1978, as the final episode of All in the Family's eighth season; indeed, it was intended as the final episode, period, but at the last moment Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton agreed to stay on for at least one more year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Archie discovers that the cash register in his bar contains several counterfeit ten-dollar bills. Alas, he makes this discovery after Edith has been arrested for trying to spend one of those phony bills. Even more embarrassing is the fact that Edith was using the "funny money" to buy him some new underwear. This episode was written by All in the Family fixtures Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf. "Bogus Bills" first aired on December 3, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of the most controversial and compelling episodes of All in the Family, "Edith's 50th Birthday" begins as the rest of the family prepares a surprise party for Edith at Mike and Gloria's house. Left alone in her own house, Edith is attacked and held at knifepoint by a rapist (David Dukes). Though the intruder leaves before inflicting any physical damage, the experience so unnerves Edith that she refuses to go to the police and testify against her attacker; in fact, it appears as if she will be too frightened ever to leave her house again. Offsetting the grimness of the central situation is a surfeit of broad comedy, including Archie and Mike's slapstick efforts to search the Bunker house just in case the rapist is still lurking about. Written by Bob Weiskopf and Bob Schiller, "Edith's 50th Birthday" originally aired as a 60-minute episode on October 16, 1977; it has since been re-edited as two 30-minute episodes for syndication purposes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Lori Shannon returns to the role of Edith's female-impersonator friend, Beverly LaSalle. While heading for a Christmas party at the Bunkers, Beverly and Mike are attacked by a violent street gang -- and Beverly is killed. Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf wrote the script, from an original story by Erik Tarloff. Part one of "Edith's Crisis of Faith" was first telecast on December 18, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Archie has been duped into joining the KKK (which, undoubtedly for legal reasons, has been renamed "The Kweens Kouncil of Krusaders"). Even worse, the group plans to burn a cross on Mike and Gloria's lawn. Aghast, Archie puts his own life on the line to save his loved ones from harassment. Dennis Patrick appears as Gordie, with Roger Bowen as Mitch. Written by Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf, Mort Lachman, and Milt Josefsberg, part two of "Archie and the Ku Klux Klan" originally aired on December 4, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lucy (Lucille Ball) needs to have a check signed on behalf of daughter Chris (Candy Moore). Unfortunately, the only person authorized to sign the check is banker Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon), who is laid up in the hospital with a broken leg. Taking advantage of her "candy striper" status, Lucy tries to visit Mooney at the hospital, but when she is banned from doing so she returns disguised as a doctor--and almost has to perform an operation to keep up the pretense! Look for Bernie Kopell, the future "Doc" on The Love Boat, in a small role as (appropriately!) an intern. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While strolling around an art store, Lucy (Lucille Ball) bumps into handsome John Brooks III (played by Robert Alda, the father of M*A*S*H star Alan Alda). Hoping to impress her new acquaintance, Lucy signs up for an art class that Brooks is taking. Unfortunately, Viv (Vivian Vance) has also set her sights on Mr. Brooks, so she schemes to embarrass Lucy in front of the entire class. The inimitable John Carradine does a hilarious comic turn as bombastic art teacher Guzman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Gary Morton, the real-life husband of Lucille Ball, makes a rare Lucy Show appearance as Gary Stewart, the current boyfriend of Lucy Carmichael (Ball, of course). It seems that Gary loves to play golf, but Lucy doesn't know one club from another. Of course, she intends to learn the game in a hurry--and thus the stage is set for a zany session on the links involving genuine pro golfers Jimmy Demaret and Bo Winninger. This episode is a reworking of the I Love Lucy installment "The Golf Game", which also featured Jimmy Demaret. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The all-female Danville Volunteer Fire Department organizes a softball team, with Lucy (Lucille Ball) appointing herself captain. Unfortunately, Lucy is so inept a ballplayer that team manager Mr. Cressant (William Schallert) is forced to bench her just before a big game. As often happens, however, a bizarre twist of fate finds Lucy on the field in the ninth inning--but (to quote Charlie Brown), will she be the hero, or the goat? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The first episode of The Lucy Show's second season (though technically not the first one filmed) is a gentle spoof of the hubbub surrounding the recent Elizabeth Taylor film version of Cleopatra. As the Danville Volunteer Fire Department prepares to put on a variety show--giving us a delightful glance of the lovely legs of fire chief Lucy Carmichael (Lucille Ball)--pretentious director Dr. Gitterman (Hans Conried) announces that he intends to stage an abridged version of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra). Naturally, every member of the all-female brigade wants to play the leading role, but when the show hits the boards, it is Lucy who is decked out as Cleopatra--with her roommate Viv (Vivian Vance) in drag as Marc Antony! The climax finds the two amateur divas outrageously upstaging one another during Cleo's big death scene. This and all subsequent Lucy Shows were filmed in color (though networkcast in black and white until the series' fourth season). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide