MAUDE: MAUDE'S BIG MOVE {PART 2 OF 3} {SERIES FINALE} (TV)
Summary
The finale in this series of comedy programs, a spin-off of "All in the Family," about the outspoken, liberal Maude Findlay and her family. In the second installment of this three-part episode, Maude prepares a eulogy for Congresswoman Irene, saddened by the loss of her friend – and of the job promised to her before Irene's untimely demise. Maude explains that, given Walter's retirement and the Harmons' and Carol's plans to leave town, the job was "all she had to look forward to." Maude, Walter and Viv head for Irene's boisterous Irish wake, and Irene's obnoxious chief of staff, Sam Dickey, asks to see the eulogy ahead of time, not wanting to compromise his future job with Irene's replacement by allowing Maude to say anything unacceptable. Maude, offended by his disapproval of Irene's "wacko" liberal ideals, refuses to hand it over, and when she gets up to speak, she goes off-book and declares that, as Irene would surely have wanted a like-minded person to take her seat in Congress, she herself intends to run for the spot.
Maude's friends and family are stunned by her sudden decision, but she remains firm as she and Walter prepare to say their goodbyes to their best friends. Walter and Arthur exchange sophomoric banter as the women emotionally reminisce about their time together, and though they tease their wives for being overly sentimental, Walter finds himself growing genuinely saddened at the thought of losing his longtime pal. Maude declares that she is not really running for the Congress spot after all, resolving to simply remain at home and "learn how to be old," though Viv is sure that she will never settle for a boring life. They bid each other a final farewell, and a heartbroken Maude is annoyed by a visit from Sam – but he reveals that the governor has decided to eschew a special election and has appointed Maude directly to the Congress position. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: April 22, 1978 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:06
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:42051
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1972-1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rod Parker … Executive Producer
- Hal Cooper … Executive Producer, Director
- Charlie Hauck … Producer, Writer
- Rita Dillon … Associate Producer
- Norman Lear … Created by
- Marilyn Bergman … Theme Music by
- Alan Bergman … Theme Music by
- Dave Grusin … Theme Music by
- Donny Hathaway … Theme Music by
- Beatrice Arthur … Cast, Maude Findlay
- Bill Macy … Cast, Walter Findlay
- Conrad Bain … Cast, Dr. Arthur Harmon
- Rue McClanahan … Cast, Vivian Cavender Harmon
- Dennis Burkley … Cast, Sam Dickey
- Gene Blakely … Cast, Ned McIlhaney