Clip show. As clip shows go, this one is okay. The new material–a surprise party for Balki–is amusing and the flashbacks are all very funny. Clips: First meeting, singles bar, baby due, first day at work, plumbing. Bronson Pinchot appears briefly at the end. _Oct-Nov 1988: ABC aired Perfect Strangers in the first hour of Friday prime time before Full House. Against it were This Is America, Charlie Brown on CBS and Sonny Spoon on NBC._ 6/10
Larry prepares a surprise party for Balki who is taking his college entrance exams. While they are waiting for him to return, they talk about some things they've been through together such as when they first met, the first day at the Chronicle, when they tried to fix Jennifer and Mary Anne's shower, etc. Larry thinks that he has helped Balki come along way but it seems that Balki has been helping him more.
Delightful Christmas episode which makes more use of the full cast than usual, particularly Sam Anderson as Mr. Gorpley. The story is driven by Balki–when he invites universally-disliked Gorpley to Larry’s Christmas party–and is another example of how genuinely nice he is. There are some terrific gags in the script, some sublime moments of physical comedy, and Bronson Pinchot nails all the emotional stuff, too. He really gives it his all. _Oct-Nov 1988: ABC aired Perfect Strangers in the first hour of Friday prime time before Full House. Against it were This Is America, Charlie Brown on CBS and Sonny Spoon on NBC._ 9/10
On Christmas Eve, Larry and Balki throw a Christmas party at their apartment for all their friends. But when Balki realizes that Mr. Gorpley is lonely, he invites him who causes a lot of trouble with snide attitude and everyone wants to throw him out. But Balki insists on spreading a little Christmas cheer his way too.
Camping. Funny 2-parter where Larry puts everyone’s lives in danger. Again. Highlights: (part 1) Larry & Balki trapped in a sleeping bag, and (part 2) Larry & Balki trapped in quicksand. Melanie Wilson gets more funny lines than usual. Very funny when Jennifer tries to strangle Larry. In part 2 an actual bear shows up!! _Oct-Nov 1988: ABC aired Perfect Strangers in the first hour of Friday prime time before Full House. Against it were This Is America, Charlie Brown on CBS and Sonny Spoon on NBC._ 8/10
After the river takes them on a wild ride, The four end up lost in the woods. Hoping that Larry can regain Jennifer's respect, he talks Balki into letting him lead them back to the camp site but they end up walking for five hours in a circle. Later, Larry and Balki almost drown in quicksand and in the evening, they get attacked by a bear.
The Chicago Chronicle is having a camping trip. Larry hates camping but knows that Jennifer loves it, so he arranges a trip. Jennifer insists she won't go alone with Larry (remembering the skiing incident), so Larry elects Balki as the camping leader thinking that Jennifer would feel safe and Mary Anne decides to go along.
**Carol Bruce.** Hilarious episode where Balki is mistaken for a prince and Larry encourages him to lean into it, to further his own ends. Several great set pieces, and the dialogue is sharp and funny throughout. _Oct-Nov 1988: ABC aired Perfect Strangers in the first hour of Friday prime time before Full House. Against it were This Is America, Charlie Brown on CBS and Sonny Spoon on NBC._ 10/10
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