The classic show "The Honeymooners" has influenced TV series from "The Flintstones," to "The King Of Queens." Jackie Gleason's larger-than-life size, larger-than-life personality, and loud expressions ("Bang! Zoom!"), carried the show, as lead character Ralph Kramden. Given the nickname "The Great One" by none other than Orson Welles, Jackie certainly deserved that title. His best friend Ed Norton, played by Art Carney, was the perfect best friend to suffer Ralph's temper tantrums, and come back for more. Speaking of suffering, his long-suffering wife Alice was played to perfection by Audrey Meadows. Nicely rounding out the quartet was Trixie Norton, Ed's understanding wife, played by Joyce Randolph. One of my favorite episodes was "Better Living Through TV," originally broadcast on November 12, 1955. That's the episode where Ralph does a live commercial as the Chef of the Future, with Ed as the Chef of the Past. Another favorite episode is "Alice and the Blonde," which was originally broadcast on June 2, 1956. Ralph comes home from work to find no dinner on the table, and Alice all dolled up. Alice: "I'll go fix my lipstick. I won't be gone long, Killer. I call you Killer, 'cause you slay me." Ralph: "And I'm calling Bellevue, 'cause you're nuts!" The timeless humor of all the episodes remain as fresh today, as when they were originally broadcast.
Review of The Honeymooners
