TRYING TIMES: A GOOD LIFE {SERIES FINALE} (TV)

Summary

The final episode in this comedy anthology series that offers a humorous look at life's "trying times." This comedy, written by Terrence McNally, stars Robert Klein as Buddy Amber, a man for whom smoking is a friend and a passion, a habit inextricably bound to the important moments and people in his life. After seven years of not smoking -- having quit to please everyone but himself -- middle-aged Buddy has decided to start smoking again. As he moves his reading chair into the garage, where he has been relegated by his wife, who keeps a smoke-free home, Buddy reflects on his lifelong relationship with cigarettes, and various periods of his life are seen is flashback: Buddy learns how to smoke in the boys' room of his grade school in the 1950s; his own small children, little anti-smoking terrorists, withhold respect and affection until he gives up his beloved vice; deciding to quit, he suffers acupuncture treatment, a support group, and analysis; his sexual interest in his wife diminishes because of hidden anger; he is reawakened to the joys of smoking by a woman with whom he's having an affair; he is driven (due to an unfortunate suggestion while under hypnosis treatment) to run naked through the streets of his neighborhood in search of a smoke; and he has a moving visit with his father, who is dying of emphysema.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

---