"Not With My Mother You Don't"


Yes, the title resembles the one about Joanie and Spike's date, but here Chachi has issues about his mother dating a mystery man, especially after Chachi tries to fix her up with Al.  I actually enjoyed this for a post-Richie episode, since there's some good character stuff with the Arcolas, and Fonzie's jealousy of Potsie being invited to a Cunningham dinner is funny.  However, I'm not crazy about the double standard that Fonzie can have four "birthday party dates" back to back, but Louisa has to explain why she wants to date after years of widowhood.  So B-.

Notes:
  • Ironically, the weakest of all Laverne & Shirley season-openers aired that night.  Three's Company had kicked off the new season the previous week, with its own hour-long special, introducing roommate Terri.
  • Al immediately imagines marrying Louisa, which he would in fact do, although I don't think his brother the priest performs the ceremony.
  • In a more bitter moment, he calls Chachi "the son I never wanted," LOL.
  • Potsie does an immediate psychoanalysis of the Arcola family dynamic, but he's still otherwise a moron.
  • Bobby is name-checked but thankfully unseen.  (And honestly, the birthday chart seems more like a Eugene thing.)
  • I have to say it, this is the worst Joanie hairdo so far, although the opening credits have her, and everyone else, unchanged from Season Eight.
  • Patricia Lentz, who was Emily Sitts before, is the Doctor's Receptionist here.
  • Nancy Churnin plays Mrs. Giles and would later write a couple episodes, so I'm tagging her.

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