This uproarious episode gets a lot of mileage out of the relationship between Mr. Roper and Jack, and Ropers' whole prejudiced attitude towards "people like Jack". In so doing, it makes fun of both homosexuals and those who are bigoted towards them, but in a playful way that avoids true mean-spiritedness.
It's a mortifying situation for Mr. Roper. Janet & Chrissy go on an overnight trip, and Jack takes the opportunity to throw a wild party. Roper comes up to complain, and is enticed to stay and enjoy himself by a sexy partygoer (a bubbly Karen Berger). Next morning, after an apparent night of heavy drinking, Jack wakes up to find Roper in his bed! This leads to the expected hilarity when Roper tries to sneak out of the bedroom and the apartment - only to be discovered by a VERY amused Janet & Chrissy. Mrs. Roper is of course worried that he was "out" all night, and some of the heartiest laughs occur when a tongue-tied, flustered Roper is trying to explain himself. And Jack takes opportunities to once again have fun with his small-minded landlord.
Norman Fell apparently said on an interview on a talk show in the 1990s that this was his favourite episode, and indeed the priceless story is a good showcase for BOTH him and John Ritter. Roper ends up rather touched when Jack makes a confession in order to make Roper feel better. Fortunately for Jack, Roper doesn't really buy it, but he truly appreciates the gesture.
'Strange Bedfellows' ends on a wonderful, upbeat note as Ritter once again indulges in some of that slapstick humour that made him famous.
Eight out of 10.
It's a mortifying situation for Mr. Roper. Janet & Chrissy go on an overnight trip, and Jack takes the opportunity to throw a wild party. Roper comes up to complain, and is enticed to stay and enjoy himself by a sexy partygoer (a bubbly Karen Berger). Next morning, after an apparent night of heavy drinking, Jack wakes up to find Roper in his bed! This leads to the expected hilarity when Roper tries to sneak out of the bedroom and the apartment - only to be discovered by a VERY amused Janet & Chrissy. Mrs. Roper is of course worried that he was "out" all night, and some of the heartiest laughs occur when a tongue-tied, flustered Roper is trying to explain himself. And Jack takes opportunities to once again have fun with his small-minded landlord.
Norman Fell apparently said on an interview on a talk show in the 1990s that this was his favourite episode, and indeed the priceless story is a good showcase for BOTH him and John Ritter. Roper ends up rather touched when Jack makes a confession in order to make Roper feel better. Fortunately for Jack, Roper doesn't really buy it, but he truly appreciates the gesture.
'Strange Bedfellows' ends on a wonderful, upbeat note as Ritter once again indulges in some of that slapstick humour that made him famous.
Eight out of 10.