A common misconception about the classic family sitcoms is that they reflected a "white bread" view of American life. In fact, most of the old shows had a "multicultural" episode of some sort. Here we have "Fair Exchange," a 5th-season episode of FATHER KNOWS BEST. Rita Moreno plays an exchange student from India named Chanthini whom Betty has befriended at college. Chanthini is staying as a guest for a few days at the Anderson home. Kathy at first thinks that Chanthini is an American tribal Indian, and shows up wearing a feathered headdress. The children all get a cultural lesson about Chanthini's native land. So much for "white bread" sitcoms!
Although the Andersons do everything they can to make Chanthini feel at home, a series of mutual misunderstandings and faux pas conspire to make her feel like an outsider. But all the conflicts are resolved by the end, and the episode drives home a message of tolerance and respect. Puerto-Rican-born Rita Moreno does an amazingly good job of playing an Indian. Definitely one of the more surprising episodes of FKB, and one to show to the classic sitcom naysayers in your life.
Although the Andersons do everything they can to make Chanthini feel at home, a series of mutual misunderstandings and faux pas conspire to make her feel like an outsider. But all the conflicts are resolved by the end, and the episode drives home a message of tolerance and respect. Puerto-Rican-born Rita Moreno does an amazingly good job of playing an Indian. Definitely one of the more surprising episodes of FKB, and one to show to the classic sitcom naysayers in your life.
