JOANIE LOVES CHACHI: "Term Paper"

 
This is probably the best episode of the series, certainly the best so far.  I like that it's not about anyone's love life or music career.  It's just about Joanie standing up for herself against a condescending professor, with Chachi's support, and Mario trying to do the right thing.  OK, there is Al and Louisa learning to communicate better in the subplot about a ridiculously tacky couch, but it's not "romantic" per se.  Plus, Moran does a nice, sexy cover of "He's So Fine."  So B-, well done!

Notes:
  • William Woff, who plays Bill Ziegler, would be The Skier on HD the next year.
  • Scott's brother Steven Baio is Jerry Wood here and would play Joey on HD in '83 and '84.
  • I feel like they've toned down Bingo, and that's a good thing.
  • Barry O'Brien had written a couple HD episodes and one for Laverne & Shirley, but this is his only one for JLC.  
  • It's the first of two JLC scripts for Cheryl Alu, who had written one for L&S and would do another.

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