Occasional Wife

The World, The United States and New York City were very different places in 1966 than they are as you're reading this. And Prime Time TV back then was determined to try to distract its viewers with elements that were either nostalgic or completely unrealistic.

But sometimes, there were shows that at least bordered on the facts of the day, even as they played it for laughs. One of those was "Occasional Wife."

At the time, there was a belief that if a man couldn't find a woman to marry him by a certain age, there was something bothersome, untrustworthy, "wrong" about him. So, if a bachelor was trying to climb the corporate ladder in a company, they likely would be passed over by a married guy, especially one with a family.

Such was the case for executive Peter Christopher (Michael Callan) who worked for a Baby Food company (hence, the "family image" issue), as Peter was looking to get promoted by his persnickety boss, Mr. Brahms (Jack Collins). So, Peter did the only thing he thought to do, get his platonic woman friend Greta (Patricia Harty) who was already pretending to be married to "slow down" the male patrons of the cocktail bar she worked at, to be a stand in as his spouse!

Peter moved Greta into an apartment two flights above his own, and the charade began, as Greta was working to become a fashion designer at a local art school (which Peter paid for as recompense for her having to be Peter's "wife").

Scenarios involved Greta playing house for Peter, even as Peter's actual girlfriends were around and about, unexpected visits from his corporate bosses for dinners, and all of the machinations and manipulations that those things created, including the requisite racing up and down the NYC building's fire escape so Peter could escape getting fired.

Plus there were the disapproving glances from the neighbor in-between those floors (great character actor, Bryan O'Byrne) who wordlessly watched the traffic flying past his window.

The most notable thing about the series was that it was narrated by long time Dodgers play-by-play announcer, Vin Scully, in an uncredited role, where he would describe the action and even make commentary about the circumstances (Ron Howard would carry this concept to its zenith with his similar narration of the sitcom "Arrested Development," nearly 40 years later).

The show attempted to be a little bit spicy for its day, sometimes bordering on the same territory that "Three's Company," with its "two ladies and one gentleman in the same apartment" concept perfected just a decade later. But, in the end, despite the charm of Callan and Harty in their roles and the descriptions and accounts offered by Scully, "Occasional Wife" was out at home in just one at bat, er, season.

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.

Peter Christopher was the lead man . He played a bachelor (Michael) who was determined to never marry in spite of his bosses family values Peters boss baby food mogul Max Brahms was controlling and Michael had to ask a beautiful hat check clerk (Greta Patterson) to pose as his wife and the charade became out of control and the antics off the wall. Yet they continued to fool Michaels boss.

What Michael did not realize is that his neighbor (Bryan Obyrne) was a peeping Tom because he watched the comings and goings from the Sixth floor where Michael lived to the eighth floor where Greta lived.

There may have been a few sparks of love but cupids arrow did not hit its target in the first season and cupid had no other seasons to score . So the possibility of them marrying was left hanging

This was my favorite show when I was in the sixth grade, and I was heartbroken when it was canceled.

Michael Callan and Patricia Harty had terrific chemistry (they would later marry, although not for long). Jack Collins was also perfect as Callan's boss, and the reaction shots of the Man In The Middle (i.e. the guy who had the apartment in between those of Callan and Harty) were priceless.

Back in the 60s, we accepted absurd premises on TV shows without giving it a second thought -- the beauty of Occasional Wife was that the actors performed as if there was nothing at all absurd in their situations.

Sure would love to see it again!

I was 11 when O.W. premiered in 1966 and I really enjoyed this very amusing sitcom. I too was sad to see this series end only after one year. I remember reading that NBC was on the fence about canceling O.W., but they decided to go ahead and cancel this charming show. In 1992 Comedy central aired the reruns of O.W. and I was thrilled. I taped a handful of them and I still watch them occasional:) I hope that this show is released on DVD someday. Many short-lived shows have been released on DVD recently...The Monkees; Good Morning World; Ned & Stacy; Lotsa Luck; Gidget; well the list goes on and on...Please release O.W. and include interviews with Michael Callan, Patricia Harty and Bryon O'Byne. There is an audience out there who would love to get their hands on this series!