Arnie

Where are the old "Arnie" shows? Surely, Nick at Nite ought to be able to locate some episodes and use as occasional filler, or perhaps as part of a "forgotten" list of programs that are worth remembering.

I can remember a handful of such shows from my youth, including "Then Came Bronson" with Michael Parks, that were quality productions with unfortunately short life spans. "Arnie" was perhaps a better example, because it was a comedy that truly was funny. But it lasted only two seasons, which was a shame, because there really were elements in the cast and plot that suggested a much-longer run.

Like the old "summer replacement" shows, perhaps Nick can bring back some of these old classics like "Arnie" in the summertime.

Indeed, when "Arnie" debuted along with "Mary Tyler Moore" on the Saturday night CBS fall 1970 lineup, it was hard to tell for a while which was the better show. It seemed to be a dynamite 1-2 comedy punch on Saturday nights. I have never been able to figure out why the show lost its steam and then disappeared completely after the next season, never even surfacing in reruns!

Herschel Bernardi was a multi-talented actor, on both screen and stage, and the back-and-forth between his Arnie Nuvo character and Roger Bowen's Hamilton Majors III was absolute magic, belonging somewhere in the sitcom pantheon. Bowen's character was one of the handful of eccentrics that spiced up the series, all playing off Bernardi. Although he was more renowned for serious roles, Bernardi seemed very comfy in this comedic assignment, with a clever wit complementing his straight-man role much as Judd Hirsch would do in future shows such as Taxi and Dear John.

"Arnie" was awfully funny, but I would also like to see reruns to get another look at the early 70's version of Sue Ane Langdon. I was in my early teens during the "Arnie" years, and sometimes I think my recollections are a bit distorted, but her figure absolutely defied description. My memory might not even do her justice, as I recently saw an old "Love American Style" rerun with Sue Ane and Van Johnson that confirmed my long-ago observations. I was definitely not imagining things; Sue Ane Langdon really was beyond hot in those days. Heck, even the Charlie's Angels girls stood no chance in comparison to Sue Ane in a bikini.

So let's find those old "Arnie" shows. Not only for a good laugh, but for another chance to check out vintage Sue Ane Langdon in action...

Elaine Shore was the best surprise of the show. Her comic timing working with Arnie as Felicia, his secretary, made every office scene in that show shine. She put Arnie in his place and added some spunk each time she appeared on screen. The first episode provided a clue about how she would "handle" Arnie by attempting to empty his briefcase while Arnie was embarrassed to show that the contents were simply a brick. From that point on, the show shined in the office and tended to wane in the home scenes. Every time Elaine came on the screen, Tom Pedi, Roger Bowen, Herb Voland, and Herschel Bernardi had a special camaraderie that kept the momentum.

This was a great show about a simple man(Herschel Bernardi) who was once a blue collar worker, but now has moved up to a white collar job. His working dock friends are now wondering if he will now start to look down on them. This show also dealt with his family life as well.

This was more like a Norman Lear show but more polished. The scripts were smart and funny, but also dealt with real serious issues and family problems. This was also one of the first shows with a ethnic lead star/character. Herschel Bernardi, was terrific as Arnie Nuvo. The man who was trying his best to keep it all together. Sue Ann Langdon was great as his loving and supporting wife, who seemed to have all the answers.

I really enjoyed watching it every week and was very disappointed that it was cancelled after one season. Who knows, maybe TV Land will air it again, I hope.....

I have to confess that I haven't see "Arnie" (I somehow remembered the title being "Here's Arnie!") in 32 years. I wish one of the networks would bring it back for a season. As I recall, it was a very solid show.

Herschel Bernardi was around for years, but I will always think of him as Arnie Nuvo, moved from the loading dock to the executive wing, much to the ire of stuffy old Oglivie. Various episodes still pop into my mind: the time they wanted Arnie to shave his mustache; the time they wanted to impress a youthful executive & wanted Arnie to wear a toupe (and Oglivie to die his gray hair); the time Arnie & his wife went on a second honeymoon; etc. (Please note: I was 8 when the show was on the air!)

I finally saw part of the movie MASH about 2001 and was probably the only person on the face of the earth, who saw Roger Bowen as Henry Blake & exclaimed "Oh my gosh! Hamilton Majors, Jr. is playing Henry Blake!" lol

If you get a chance, watch it; I know I will, if I ever do again!

I am not sure what happened to this show. Herschel Bernardi was great as Arnie, the main character. Sue Ann Langdon was excellent as his wife. Roger Bowen (Col Henry Blake of the movie MASH) was excellent as Arnies boss.

The premise was of a blue collar moving up to white collar job based upon his on the job experience & life knowledge. This is the way it used to be done before over priced college degrees, brown nosing & networking replaced this. It is a good premise.

For some reason, CBS pulled the plug on it the second season. I am not sure that they didn't cause it problems by moving the shows time slot too. For some reason, even though it's first season made a big splash, the show did not get what it needed for a long run.

This is too bad, but it might not have kept going long anyways. The real world by then had already gone to the brown nosing method. It is possible that the execs at CBS were afraid they'd bring back fairness to the workplace so they canned it.

The show came on in 1970 which was when CBS was taking extremely popular top 10 rated programs & canceling them to improve their "image".