The Mothers-In-Law

The opening credits sequence of THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW was one of the best ever. The theme song was quite manic, and was accompanied by clips of the actors getting hit with flying objects, splashed with water, and crashing into walls and through floors and ceilings. What's more, the appropriate sound effects for each mishap were dubbed in. The result was one of the most wild opening credits sequences I have ever seen, which emphasized the madcap events in the episodes themselves. All of this is made even more hilariously bizarre (or bizarrely hilarious) by the almost complete absence of memorable opening credits sequences, and memorable theme songs, on television today.

In the very early '70's, my local station WNEW-TV in New York ran this series over and over again. Since then, "The Mothers-in-Law" disappeared into oblivion. Probably nobody has seen it on TV since the mid '80s when Desi Arnaz died. Well, it ever comes back, you have to see the great chemistry between Arden and Ballard. The show was written by the same writers as "I Love Lucy", Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. That being said, the scripts, although considered "old-hat", were very funny. Kaye and Eve get into some very funny situations and are real pros! Too bad it only lasted two seasons. This is also one of the rare TV shows where everybody (except Deborah Walley) used their real first name!

This has to be one of the most underrated shows in the history of television. I remember watching reruns of it when I was younger and I thought it was pretty funny. I especially loved the dynamic of Kaye Ballard's and Eve Arden's characters. They both would always give advice to their children and usually with hilarious results. Also, this was one of the few shows on television at the time in which the in-laws didn't have an antagonistic relationship with each other. I hope that one day they will bring back this funny show in reruns.

Mostly funny sitcom because of the comedic talents of Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard as the mothers-in-law. The show was produced and often directed by Desi Arnaz so if there's a "Lucy & Ethel" vibe, it's not a coincidence.

Basic plot revolves around neighbors, the Hubbards and the Buells, whose kids marry, making the neighbors in-laws. The mothers are clinging, nosy, and very funny. While Ballard does a lot of her explosive Italian schtick, Arden gets to cut loose from her famous "Our Miss Brooks" persona and display her talent for slapstick. For example: in one episode while the mothers are standing on the garage door handles and peering through the windows (it's been converted into the newlyweds' apartment), the door goes up with Arden and Ballard going up with it.

Being a late '60s show, the women wear wild colors and the houses are decorated with lots of bright orange and yellow. Set against this garish backdrop, the relatively normal husbands are played by Herbert Rudley and Roger C. Carmel (replaced in season 2 by Richard Deacon). The newlyweds are played by Deborah Walley and Jerry Fogel.

Desi Arnaz makes a few guest appearances and both Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Lucie Arnaz show up in a few episodes. Lots of familiar faces show up in guest spots. TV fans will easily spot Paul Lynde, Rob Reiner, Ozzie Nelson, Doris Packer, Beverly Garland, Percy Helton, Jeanette Nolan, Herb Edelman, Joi Lansing, Don Rickles, Alice Ghostley, Mary Jane Croft, Teri Garr, and even Jimmy Durante in various episodes.

But it's really all about Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard.

I'm only 40, but I loved the Mothers In Law, as well. Kaye Ballard was a standout to me because of how vocal and hilarious she was. Of course Eve Arden was amazing too. If you live in Southern California and head out to Palm Springs, Ballard will be emceeing the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, a vaudeville-type show which showcases a cast of older comedians, actors, dancers, vaudevillians who prove they are nowhere near past their prime. A great show that Ballard will be emceeing for part of this season. (They change up their emcees each year, having had some of the more famous old Hollywood names of the past host in recent years). The Follies has received coverage in newspapers from all over the world, the Today show did a segment on it, and it continues to grow in popularity. Check it out.