User Reviews

"Each Dawn I Diet" was only the second episode without any guest performers (also the last), and the first since "This is My Song." Danny believes that his girlfriend Gloria Hickey disapproves of his weight, and asks his mother's help in providing a proper diet for him to drop the necessary pounds. One week of dieting finds Danny gaining four pounds, so Reuben questions his will power, predicting that he could do a better job than Danny could. When Shirley suggests Reuben put his money where his mouth is and quit smoking (something we rarely saw him doing), a bet is on between the two. The featured song fits the premise like a glove, "It's All in Your Mind," composed by Johnny Cymbal and Peggy Klinger, from fifth LP SHOPPING BAG.

Danny wants to lose weight, Reuben wants to quit smoking, so of course they make a bet with each other about who can hold out temptation longer.

Kind of funny seeing Reuben smoke and being portrayed as a big smoker, as I don't believe he's seen smoking in any other episode. Danny is also portrayed as a huge eater who can't stop eating, but that was never really the case. So a lot of license was definitely needed here.

It is funny though seeing just what constitutes as "fat" half a century ago. The "fat" people then would be just normal people nowadays.

So yeah this episode is ok but nothing too special. The funniest thing about it is Reuben sleeping in Danny's room with him (to keep an eye on each other), and Danny checking out Reuben's "Playboy" magazine (it isn't named Playboy but that's what it's supposed to be). And then after Reuben busts Danny with the magazine, Reuben then proceeds to read it right in front of 10-year old Danny!

Dave Madden of course is great as Reuben, as is Danny Bonaduce as Danny. Even with underwhelming scripts here and there, they always did a hilarious job.