PHYLLIS: LEAVING HOME (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about smug ex-Minneapolis resident Phyllis Lindstrom, who lives in San Francisco with her daughter, Bess; her mother-in-law, Audrey Dexter; and Judge Jonathan Dexter.
In this episode, Jonathan’s mother comes to visit, making Audrey nervous. When the elderly lady arrives, she is baffled by how Phyllis is related to her and less than pleased that Phyllis and Bess have taken over her old room; Jonathan urges her to make do. At work, Leo frets that his “creative juices” have abandoned him, and Julie attempts to help him. Phyllis arrives and consults Julie about her complicated living arrangements and decides to stay put for the time being. However, at home, Mother Dexter makes it clear that she wants her room back and isn’t happy to have interlopers. Phyllis decides that she and Bess have imposed long enough and need a place of their own. She peruses the classifieds and visits a place within her price range; although it is run down and the current tenant is rather disagreeable, she decides to take it.
Phyllis and Bess attempt to throw a housewarming party, although the faulty heater prevents it from being warm. Julie and Leo arrive, as do the Dexters, and everyone aside from Mother Dexter pretends to love the ramshackle apartment. They struggle to all squeeze in to the dinner table, and Phyllis serves a series of pathetically small squabs, as her tiny oven keeps her from cooking larger items. Leo has a creative breakthrough when he sees Mother Dexter, declaring her face to be “Americana,” but she is firmly uninterested in having her photo taken. When dessert falls through as well, an embarrassed Phyllis retreats to the bathroom, and Julie follows her, managing to deduce that Phyllis hates the apartment and wants to move back in with Jonathan and Audrey. When Julie rejoins the others, Jonathan and Audrey have come to the same conclusion, but note that it is “a matter of pride” and know that Phyllis will not ask to come back. Bess goes to her mother and says that she hates the apartment and feels uncomfortable there. Phyllis announces that they will move back with the Dexters, if they will have them, but only for Bess’ sake. They agree, and Phyllis happily returns to their home. She is surprised to find Leo there, learning that Mother Dexter gave in and is sitting for a picture—although it looks suspiciously similar to another famous “mother” portrait. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: September 23, 1975 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:67055
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1975-1977
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Stan Daniels … Executive Producer, Created by, Theme Music by
- Ed. Weinberger … Executive Producer, Created by
- Michael Leeson … Producer
- Budd Cherry … Associate Producer
- Earl Pomerantz … Writer
- James Burrows … Director
- Richard DeBenedictis … Music by
- James L. Brooks … Based on a character created by
- Allan Burns … Based on a character created by
- Cloris Leachman … Cast, Phyllis Lindstrom
- Liz Torres … Cast, Julie
- Henry Jones … Cast, Jonathan
- Jane Rose … Cast, Audrey
- Lisa Gerritsen … Cast, Bess
- Richard Schaal … Cast, Leo Heatherton
- Judith Lowry … Cast, Mother Dexter
- Iris Adrian … Cast, Mrs. Sadowski
- Louis Guss … Cast, Eddy