MAUDE: THE GAY BAR (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedy programs, a spin-off of "All in the Family," about the outspoken, liberal Maude Findlay and her family.
In this episode, Maude is outraged when Walter invites the Harmons to stay with them while their home is fumigated, feeling that she cannot stand three whole days of Arthur's conservative "ravings." Viv assures her that she has instructed her husband not to make trouble, but Arthur barges in with news about a new gay bar in town, ranting over the "abnormality" and sacrilegious nature of homosexuality. His boss Mark Duncan stops by with some papers, and Arthur, desperate for a promotion to head of surgery, immediately kisses up to him. Hubie arrives next and reveals that he and Arthur have started the "Fathers Against Gays Society" with the goal of having the bar shut down in order to protect the local youth. Maude points out the absurdity of their demands. She adds that Arthur has never actually been inside a gay bar and demands that he accompany her to the new one, sure that he will be forced to admit that gays are simply normal people.
Arthur tries to explain the situation to Phillip, declaring that gays are "sick," though Phillip quickly dismantles his flimsy argument. Walter accompanies Arthur to the bar, which proves to be a casual, ordinary establishment, though Arthur is scandalized by the presence of several "flaming queens." Maude joins them and points out that the place is "very respectable," and she tries to befriend a young patron, explaining that she is trying to change Arthur's bigoted mind through thoughtful conversation. Arthur maintains his intolerant stance, but he is shocked to learn that the bar is just outside the Tuckahoe city limits. He immediately abandons his plans to picket the establishment, declaring that he will not break the law despite his personal disapproval. Arthur is further flustered when Mark arrives and, after agreeing to keep their "mutual" secret, orders his "usual." Later, Maude celebrates the Harmons' departure from their home – but Viv and Arthur soon return, explaining that the fumigation work was left incomplete by the arrest of the undocumented workers. Maude is annoyed anew when Arthur begins ranting about unions and immigrants. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: 197x/xx/xx 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:10
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:54151
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBTQ+ Collection - Comedy; Comedy; Homophobia
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1972-1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Hal Cooper … Executive Producer, Director
- Rod Parker … Executive Producer
- Charlie Hauck … Producer
- Rita Dillon … Associate Producer
- Norman Lear … Created by
- Thad Mumford … Writer
- Arthur Julian … Writer
- Michael Endler … Writer
- William Davenport … Writer
- Alan Bergman … Theme Music by
- Marilyn 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
- Larry Gelman … Cast, Hubie Binder
- Kraig Metzinger … Cast, Phillip Traynor
- Macon McCalman … Cast, Mark Duncan
- Frank Campanella … Cast, Bartender
- Craig Richard Nelson … Cast, 1st Man
- Frank Vohs … Cast, 2nd Man