User Reviews

Yet another charming episode with heart and humor. The Johnsons (who are neighbors of the Baxters) are without their regular cook to prepare their Thanksgiving dinner.

The highlight of this episode is when Mr. And Mrs. Johnson try to prepare it themselves. They enlist the aid of a dictionary to define the word "baste" which Hazel has instructed them to do while the turkey bakes. Unfortunately, Mrs. Johnson misunderstands Hazel's instructions and thinks she is supposed to baste the turkey with a teaspoon, which takes her 20 minutes every time she does so!! So of course it is no surprise when Hazel comes to check on their turkey and sees that it could almost fly itself out the door!

There are other poignant moments involving Mr. Baxter's mother, and his sister and her husband. Watch and enjoy!

There are no broad ridiculous situations in this one. It's mainly just Hazel doing what she does best - taking care of people and cooking a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner that winds up having more guests than was first anticipated.

The problems include George's sister, Phyllis, who is upset with her husband over a number of things and considering divorce. But hubby is no prize himself as he calls her a bad cook in front of the entire family! George's mother makes an appearance and she is feeling old, lonely, and a bit useless these days.

Then there are the humorous Johnsons whose maid is taking her day off on Thanksgiving to be with her family and leaving the Johnsons in the lurch facing a Thanksgiving of TV dinners if not for Hazel. Hazel sets them up with instructions as how to cook the turkey - the maid at least left the turkey stuffed and ready to cook, but the Johnsons have trouble with the word "basting", having no idea what it means.

I do have to mention George's siblings again - Here's another one that turns up for this one episode- Phyllis - never to be mentioned again. What happened to Dierdre who moved from Boston last week? Where is she on this family holiday? Then there is George's brother Steve who owns a thriving real estate business within driving distance and he doesn't make any kind of appearance until season 5, when he becomes a regular. This kind of lack of togetherness is something that not even Hazel can fix!

It is interesting to look at the rich in 1961 versus today. The Baxters are well off - George obviously comes from a patrician family yet they don't live in a mansion and he treats Hazel like family who - unlike the rest of the family - bothers to show up! George's mother speaks of doing her own cooking. The rich have become much more distant from the ways of normal people over the last 60 years.

Finally note William Bakewell in a very small role here. He got prominent supporting roles at Warner Brothers when sound first came in, but within a few years he only got parts in which he had few but any lines, and that is the case here at age 53.