MAUDE: WALTER'S PROBLEM {PART 2 OF 2} {SEASON PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
Continued from B:14747. One in this series of comedy programs, a spin-off of "All in the Family," about the outspoken, liberal Maude Findlay and her family. In the second half of this two-part episode, Carol is shocked when she sees Maude's black eye, and though she lies about it at first, Maude explains what happened with Walter. She plays down the incident, saying that it "brought him to his senses" and inspired him to quit drinking for good, but Carol is skeptical. Florida notes her injury as well, saying that there is "trouble in paradise." Carol gives Walter the cold shoulder, but he professes his regret and greets Phillip happily, telling his grandson that he loves him. When he talks to Maude, Walter berates himself for being a "monster" and hurts her, but she orders him to dispense with the "self-pity." Arthur invites himself in and sees her eye, but Maude assures him that Walter promised to quit and that she will help him. He expresses his doubts, suggesting that Walter will need professional help and saying he knows someone useful. When Maude objects to his use of the word "alcoholic," Arthur points out that he has all the symptoms and is truly an addict.
Walter then receives a phone call from work, where an employee's resignation has sent everything into chaos, and he has another drink to calm himself before leaving for the store, ignoring Maude's objections. Several hours later, he has still not arrived at work, and Maude begins to panic. She is interrupted by the arrival of Reverend Shelton, who explains that he was sent by Arthur and is a recovering alcoholic himself and offers to help. He educates Maude on the nature of alcoholism and urges her to face the truth, and Walter soon comes home inebriated again. When he goes for another drink, she tells him that she has gotten rid of all the booze in the house, and ends up locking him in the coat closet when he goes on a wild search. He finds another bottle, however, and assures them that he is just "tapering off," but the Reverend tells him that he must quit for good. He objects to Maude's "nagging," but she repeats that she loves him and will stand by him, though their romance may suffer. Walter rants that they are "all against him" and that he is not addicted, but when Carol says that she is leaving with Phillip and the boy hugs Walter goodbye, he seems to realize his mistakes. He hurls the bottle through the window and asks the Reverend for help, and Maude has one last sip before pouring the last drink down the drain. Later, Walter begins to recover, though Maude is somewhat alarmed at the martial habits of the amorous "new" Walter. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: September 18, 1973 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:14749
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1972-1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Norman Lear … Executive Producer, Created by
- Rod Parker … Producer
- Gene Marcione … Associate Producer
- Hal Cooper … Director
- Bob Weiskopf … Writer
- Bob Schiller … Writer
- Marilyn Bergman … Theme Music by
- Alan Bergman … Theme Music by
- Dave Grusin … Theme Music by
- Donny Hathaway … Theme Music by
- Beatrice Arthur … Cast, Maude Findlay
- Bill Macy … Cast, Walter Findlay
- Adrienne Barbeau … Cast, Carol Traynor
- Conrad Bain … Cast, Dr. Arthur Harmon
- Esther Rolle … Cast, Florida Evans
- Frank Campanella … Cast, Reverend George Shelton
- Brian Morrison … Cast, Phillip