- Rob runs into Happy Spangler, the fellow who gave him his first break to get into show business. Learning that writing jobs have been a little lean of late for Spangler, Rob decides to repay the debt to his old mentor by agreeing to take him on temporarily as a writer for the Alan Brady Show. Rob soon comes to regret his act of kindness, however, as he realizes that Spangler is much more interested in telling stories that distract his writing staff, preventing them from getting their work done.—aldanoli
- While browsing through a menswear store, Laura, through general chit chat with the store's elderly clerk owner, learns that he was the person who gave Rob his first professional writing job. Upon investigation, Rob does find out that the man is indeed Happy Spangler, his boss at the first radio station where Rob worked. Rob credits Hap for much of his current success. Hap, who went to live in Switzerland to recover from a health condition, found that when he returned to the States and was ready to resume working, there was little market demand for radio comedy writers of his vintage. Rob, as a show of gratitude, wants to offer Hap a job on staff at the show. He figures even if Hap contributes one good idea, his employment will be worth it. Rob manages to convince a less than enthusiastic Mel, Buddy and Sally about the idea. Will the role reversal work where Rob's the boss and Hap the employee? Regardless, Rob is determined to find whatever comedy is left in Hap for the show's benefit.—Huggo
- Rob (Dick Van Dyke) runs into his old boss Happy Spangler (Jay C. Flippen) while shopping for clothing.
When Rob finds out Hap has been out of the business for fifteen years and is now selling ties, he offers him a job writing comedy with his crew at the Allen Brady show.
Hap deals with the insecurity of trying to write comedy again by telling endless old stories of the days gone by instead of tackling the work.
When the deadline for a new script arrives and the crew is short four minutes Rob can't bring himself to ask his old boss to get to work and quit the reminiscing.
Rob ponders firing his old friend for being more of a distraction than help.
Hap agrees he hasn't been much help says that comedy has changed since the days he wrote. He said that todays audience doesn't buy the old slapstick sketches he liked to write.
As he packs up and is heading out Rob has a change of heart and decides to write that one sketch about the very subject Hap spoke of and that would fill the four minute hole in the show.
Rob demonstrates how Allen Brady would give a lecture at his desk on how comedy has changed and modern audiences are to sophisticated for slapstick while incorporating all the shtick like closing his finger in the desk drawer, impaling himself with scissors and falling out of his chair while giving his talk.
The whole crew agree the sketch is a great idea and they all (including Hap) polish it up for the show.
After the sketch plays well on the show, Hap has to decide to stay on the show or return to retirement.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content