Tue, Jan 3, 1967
Everyone at the hotel thinks it's a beautiful day, that is until Homer Bedloe shows up unexpectedly. He's come to make an announcement of a new appointment of general manager for the Cannonball, that person who will oversee the train's operations. That person is Uncle Joe. Uncle Joe begins to act like a tyrant in bossing around Charley and Floyd, and making them operate the train against their sensibilities. Not only Charley and Floyd, but also everyone in the valley are mad at Uncle Joe for his new operating rules. As such, Charley and Floyd quit leaving Uncle Joe to operate the train on his own, he who doesn't really know how. That's when Bedloe's reason for appointing Uncle Joe comes to light: Norman Curtis, President of the CF&W is arriving shortly to make an inspection. Kate has to try and convince Charley and Floyd into resuming their jobs so that the train can look to be operating efficiently, as opposed to the inefficient operation by Uncle Joe. They may have a problem in doing so after Uncle Joe's finished doing a job on the train.
Tue, Jan 17, 1967
A crew is filming a commercial at Lost Lake, the commercial starring Prince Hamlet of Kronenberg von Auschwile III, a rather large and imposing but valuable dog. With their own transportation broken down, Mr. Morton, the film crew director, needs Steve to fly him immediately to make a connection to a flight to New York. However, Hamlet can't risk the flight in Steve's plane, so he has to stay at the Shady Rest under the care of Uncle Joe until Mr. Morton can pick him up later. With all the special treatment Uncle Joe and the girls give Hamlet, Dog feels like the forgotten family member. So, Dog runs off. Feeling like Hamlet needs to earn his keep, Uncle Joe makes Hamlet track Dog's scent. In the quest, everyone comes to realization who is really the valuable dog, but it could be a costly realization as Hamlet goes missing just before Mr. Morton is scheduled to return.
Top-rated
Tue, Jan 24, 1967
After he agrees to go to the turnabout dance (where the girls ask the boys) with Bobbie Jo, Tommy Johnson has to back out since he ends up having another commitment. Bobbie Jo, who told all her friends about the date with the most sought after boy in her class, feels that she can't ask anyone else in that social circle to the dance since he would know that he was second choice. But as Billie Jo and Steve recently had a fight where Billie Jo isn't speaking to him anymore, Bobbie Jo feels that Steve is fair game as a potential date to the dance. Bobbie Jo even asks Billie Jo if it's all right, and Billie Jo gives her consent. Steve accepts Bobbie Jo's invitation. Following, Tommy tells Bobbie Jo that he now can make it to the dance since that other commitment is no more. Since she already has a date with Steve, she now refuses Tommy. Feeling Tommy now fair game, Betty Jo wants to ask him to the dance. Betty Jo in turn asks Bobbie Jo if it's all right if she asks Tommy to the dance, to which Bobbie Jo gives her consent. Tommy says yes to Betty Jo's invitation. The problem with these pairings is that Billie Jo feels jealous about Bobbie Jo's date with "her" boyfriend, and Bobbie Jo feels jealous about Betty Jo's date with "her" boyfriend. Add to the mix Jerry Massett, a mechanic friend of Steve's from his air force days, who is visiting Hooterville. Jerry ends up asking a free Billie Jo to the dance, which makes Steve jealous.
Tue, Jan 31, 1967
Jeremiah Priddy, a temperance lecturer, is coming to the valley. Such a lecturer hasn't been seen in the valley for some time since no one in the valley really drinks. Meanwhile, Betty Jo has a new, somewhat unwanted friend. A quiet, little boy who she doesn't know but played catch with is following her around, even back to the hotel. Everyone at the hotel doesn't know what to do with Clint - which they eventually learn is his name - except to make sure he's OK until they find out to who he belongs. They finally learn that his father is Jeremiah Priddy and that Clint ran away as Mr. Priddy is less than a friendly or hospitable man. Mr. Priddy deals with his son much as he deals with anyone who drinks: unyielding. Kate has a change of heart about Mr. Priddy when she learns a little more about him. She uses this information to try and bring him and Clint closer together.
Tue, Feb 7, 1967
Happy Harrison and his National Amateur Hour are screening for new talent, and are holding public voting auditions through several radio stations, including the valley's own Station K. The winning performer of the Station K audition is to receive $200. Once Uncle Joe hears about the prize money, he thinks that Steve and Billie Jo should enter. Billie Jo loves the idea, but Steve, who had never even considered singing for money, is less than enthusiastic. But he agrees to perform with Billie Jo. Sydney Sparks, a talent agent who heard Steve and Billie Jo, wants to represent them if they win the contest. His plans are for them to go on the road as a nightclub act. Most of the family have mixed emotions about the news, they who are happy for the potential new career, but sad to see Steve and Billie Jo possibly leave for good. The two people who don't have mixed emotions are Steve and Billie Jo. Billie Jo wants to do it and sees no down side. On the other hand, Steve doesn't as he doesn't want to be continually on the road living out of a suitcase. Uncle Joe thinks he may have a way so that Steve and Billie Jo don't have to make the decision themselves.
Tue, Feb 14, 1967
As Pixley's Sheriff Crandall is on a fishing vacation, Uncle Joe has made an arrangement with Sam, the valley's justice of the peace, to house kleptomaniac shoplifter, Eustace Pockle, at the hotel for $4 a day for a five day sentence or until the sheriff's return. Despite Eustace's relatively harmless nature, Kate doesn't like the idea, but allows Eustace to stay. Unfortunately for Kate and the hotel guests, Uncle Joe treats the hotel more like a jail than a hotel. Conversely, Kate and the girls treat Eustace more like a hotel guest than a prisoner. Eustace, on the other hand, treats the hotel like any other place: somewhere to snatch trinkets. Just as Sheriff Crandall has announced his early return to pick-up Eustace, Eustace escapes from the Shady Rest, which places Kate and Uncle Joe in some hot water. They hope to be able to find him before Sheriff Crandall actually makes it back.
Tue, Feb 21, 1967
Billie Jo is buoyed by the news that Sydney Sparks, the talent agent that approached her and Steve following their radio talent show win, still wants to represent her with or without Steve. He got her an audition at the Flamingo Room in Springdale. Kate isn't too sure that she wants Billie Jo to pursue this career, but with Billie Jo being twenty-one and of age, there's no way she can stop her. Following the audition, Billie Jo is certain she got the job. Kate, however, isn't so sure her daughter's right as they told her "don't call us, we'll call you". When Kate receives the news for Billie Jo that she didn't get the job - only because she didn't have a big enough name to draw in customers - Kate has a change of heart about Billie Jo and this job. With help from Uncle Joe and Sam, Kate thinks she knows a way for Mr. Austin, the Flamingo Room's manager, to change his mind. Regardless, Billie Jo, based on an off the cuff comment by Uncle Joe, may kibosh her own chances of show business success by her warped sense of what it means to be a star.
Tue, Feb 28, 1967
Steve has been spending a lot of time with Betty Jo, giving her flying lessons and she being his grease monkey in the airplane's repairs and maintenance. Billie Jo becomes jealous of her younger sister, who hasn't really yet figured out that she's no longer a little girl, a fact pointed out to her by her mother. Billie Jo tries to be more like Betty Jo - being a grease monkey however not really in Billie Jo's nature - while Betty Jo tries to act more grown up in an effort for others to see her in a more feminine light. Neither Billie Jo or Betty Jo achieve what they want. Betty Jo in particular feels let down as she wanted to feel like a threat to Billie Jo, while Steve still sees her solely as a grease monkey tomboy. After Steve's attempts to make it up to Betty Jo while letting her down easily fail, Betty Jo decides to take drastic measures to get what she wants.
Tue, Mar 7, 1967
Steve receives a somewhat cryptic telegram from his old flying buddy, Max Donohue. The implication of the message is that Max wants Steve as a business partner up in Cascade Valley. Steve quickly makes the decision not to accept Max's offer, but Steve joking about it irks Billie Jo, who wishes that he would take the future of their relationship more seriously. Kate suggests to Steve that Max join him in Hooterville, which Steve knows wouldn't work but doesn't say why. Regardless, without Steve's knowledge, Uncle Joe sends a reply telegram to Max, asking him to relocate to Hooterville to join the Carson-Elliott Enterprises. Max decides at least to investigate, which doesn't sit well with Max's business and personal partner. Max's arrival in Hooterville shows why Steve wasn't so interested in Max coming for a visit. Not only does Max's visit in and of itself cause some complications, but also the need for Max to get an agricultural flying license from the state capitol, which Billie Jo and the rest of the family misinterpret.
Tue, Mar 14, 1967
Business at the Shady Rest is worse than usual which is bringing Kate down. Instead of looking for a job to raise money which was his original plan, Uncle Joe speaks to Sam about the Shady Rest and Drucker's Store jointly hosting a fishing derby on Lost Lake. Uncle Joe figures that they can advertise expensive prizes, such as a boat, outboard motor and fishing gear, and order the prizes on a 30-day layaway plan. Since Sam and Uncle Joe have collectively caught the biggest fish on Lost Lake year after year, he figures one of the two of them will win the derby and they can return the prizes before the 30 days. In the meantime, the hotel will be filled up and Drucker's Store will be busy with new customers. Sam agrees if only to help Kate, who has no idea of the underlying scam when she agrees to the derby. The derby does bring in business both to the hotel and store, but it also brings in many fishers, one in particular who seems able to out-fish Sam and Uncle Joe and has more than an excellent chance of winning the derby, which would put Kate in even worse financial shape.
Tue, Mar 21, 1967
Without telling anyone in the valley the reason why, the anyone who includes the family, Kate takes a trip into the big city. It isn't until her return that she divulges the reason to everyone: she decided to sell the hotel and she went to the city to finalize the terms of the deal with the buyer, Mr. Holloway, a chain hotelier. The money from the sale will provide any opportunity the girls want. Beyond the valley residents who are sad to see Kate and the girls leave, the girls themselves are initially happy about the news and being able to live out their dreams. But they all come to the realization that part of their dream still does include calling the Shady Rest home, especially after Steve announces that he's staying regardless. Kate comes to understand what life in Hooterville and at the Shady Rest really means to them all, including herself, but she feels that she made a verbal agreement with Mr. Holloway of which she ethically cannot back out. Uncle Joe tries to use a little emotional blackmail to convince Kate not to sign to final papers.
Tue, Mar 28, 1967
Bobbie Jo is ecstatic that the poem she submitted to a magazine has been accepted for publication. Sam ends up devoting the entire front page of the World Guardian to Bobbie Jo and her poem's publication. The notoriety changes Bobbie Jo, who begins to get "inspired" by the most mundane things. She also starts hanging out with a beatnik, pseudo-intellectual coffee house crowd. When Kate learns from Steve that the coffee house she is hanging out in in Springdale isn't quite what Kate had first imagined, Kate needs to see it first hand to see if it is a place suitable for Bobbie Jo. Kate takes extreme measures to show Bobbie Jo that being beatnik does not always equate to true art and intellectualism.
Tue, Apr 4, 1967
After Steve sends him several letters inviting him to Hooterville, his best friend Jeff Maxwell, an air force captain, finally decides to take Steve up on his offer. Steve has told him about many of the great things in Hooterville like the fishing and the food, but Jeff seems more enamored by what Steve didn't write about: the Bradley sisters. After Jeff hits on Billie Jo, Jeff can understand when Steve tells him that Billie Jo is off limits since the two of them are going together. But Jeff can't understand when after he hits on Bobbie Jo then Betty Jo, that Steve tells him that both aren't his type and that he should leave them alone. While Steve doesn't place all of the valley girls off limits and even gets Jeff a date with one, the Bradley sisters specifically decide that they need to take matters into their own hands when it comes to Steve deciding with who they should or should not go out.
Tue, Apr 11, 1967
Late one evening, Uncle Joe and Sam, following a lodge meeting, run across a mysterious fellow looking for lodging. He calls himself Dr. Isaac Newton and claims that he's a geophysicist. Although Kate welcomes him with open arms, she and the rest of the family think that his all-knowing behavior, and the mysterious occurrences that have happened that night - which includes a lot of flickering lights - are not human. They believe he may be an alien from outer space. Despite the secretive nature of the club, the men offer to hold their upcoming lodge meeting, where Uncle Joe is going through an important initiation process, at the hotel if only to ensure that Kate and the girls feel safe from Dr. Newton. Goings-on during and after the initiation ceremony ultimately settle Kate's mind about Dr. Newton.
Tue, Apr 18, 1967
An excited Billie Jo has a one week singing engagement in Omaha. The only problem is that it is one week away from Steve. So that he won't be lonely, Billie Jo asks her sisters to keep Steve company. Bobbie Jo and Betty Jo take Billie Jo's request a little too to heart, and ask him out on what they consider official dates. They each treat Steve like their own boyfriend, at the exclusion of their current beaus. This situation places a potential strain between the younger sisters and Billie Jo - Bobbie Jo who sees that all is fair in love and war - but neither Bobbie Jo or Betty Jo initially see that the other too is interested in him. Kate thinks she has the answer for a confused Steve, but that doesn't solve the problem about what to tell Billie Jo when she returns. Meanwhile, Uncle Joe is trying to install an electronic room service request system, much to Kate's chagrin.
Tue, Apr 25, 1967
Kate's southern belle of a cousin, Mae Belle Jennings, comes to Hooterville for an unexpected visit, she who lives her life by "flitting" from one place to another. Cousin Mae, who is enamored by gallant men, unintentionally causes problems between Floyd and Charley, who recently and happily celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary of working together. The problem is is that both men want to court Cousin Mae. They both will do whatever they can do earn Cousin Mae's favor, even if it means breaking up their professional partnership and their friendship. Seeing what is happening between Charley and Floyd, Kate thinks she has a plan to bring the two friends back together, but Kate's plan worsens the matter. So she turns to Plan B, which entails having a chat with Cousin Mae, who it seems is used to being the cause of bickering between men.
Tue, May 2, 1967
Henry and Wilma Tuttle, who were looking for a happy place to live, have decided to move into Hooterville Valley. They are the valley's two hundred fiftieth and two hundred fifty-first residents, pushing the valley's population over the magic two hundred fifty mark which means Hooterville is now eligible to have a representative on the County Board of Supervisors. Sam scoffs at Kate's suggestion of Elmira Peabody, the local schoolteacher, as a good candidate for Supervisor, Sam's scoffing solely because Elmira's a woman. That act by Sam sets off a battle of the sexes for Hooterville's Board representative, the men who eventually decide to back Sam (with Uncle Joe as his campaign manager) and the women who eventually decide to back Kate (with Selma as her campaign manager). With the valley equally divided based on gender, both sides feel the best way to win is gain the vote of those in the valley who have no previous allegiance, namely the Tuttles. The women try to convince Henry to vote for Kate, while the men try to convince Wilma to vote for Sam. Henry and Wilma make their stand in the situation known in a slightly different way besides the ballot box.
Tue, May 9, 1967
Kate's cousin, Mae Belle Jennings, writes stating that she is coming for a visit with some big plans for the hotel. Along with her letter are some mod clothes for Kate and girls, which are part of the plan. Upon Mae's arrival, she tells them that with some backing from a wealthy banker, she plans on turning the Shady Rest into a health farm using a diet and exercise regimen called the "Mae Method Reducing Course". The only stipulation for the financing is that the banker's daughter, a slightly overweight woman named Agnes Bedford, has to lose fifteen pounds in two weeks while staying at the hotel using the Mae Method. However, Mae herself can't stay as she has to go back and deal with the banker, leaving Kate to administer the Mae Method for Agnes in her place. The clothes are for Kate and the girls to be visual inspirations to show Agnes what she can look like after she loses the weight. Uncle Joe is all for the idea until Kate tells him that he will be the male guinea pig of the Mae Method to show that it works on both men and women. Agnes, who loves her food, isn't the easiest person to convert to this new way of life. They just hope that Agnes, who shows some early weight loss during her stay, will be able to reach her goal by the time Mae returns. Kate, the girls and Uncle Joe's reward system for Agnes doesn't help their cause.
Sat, Sep 9, 1967
The family is awaiting the return of Betty Jo, who has been traveling through Europe for the past three months. The trip was a graduation present from Kate's cousin Mae. Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo believe that the trip probably has changed Betty Jo, who will not want to see all her childhood belongings that Kate has so prominently displayed in Betty Jo's bedroom. Kate, in this act of decorating Betty Jo's room, doesn't think anything, even this exciting trip, will have changed Betty Jo. But Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo are right. Accompanying Betty Jo from New York City are three "friends" - Peter, Brad and Ronnie - who are all stuck up and pretentious, just like Betty Jo is now. Unknown to Betty Jo, who says farewell to them at the city airport, Peter, Brad and Ronnie plan to make their way to Hooterville and the Shady Rest to see first hand Betty Jo's rural life. Upon their arrival, Betty Jo becomes ashamed and embarrassed of her background as she tries to put on airs for her three friends. In the process, Betty Jo comes to know who her real friends and loved ones are, and who she really is.
Sat, Sep 16, 1967
Betty Jo is feeling like she's at that stage of her life where she needs to learn how to cook to snag a husband. Beyond the snagging a husband part, Kate agrees and offers to teach Betty Jo. But Betty Jo may be on her own after Kate, who sees one of Billie Jo's costumes for her nightclub act at the Flamingo Room, demands to go with Billie Jo to provide her first hand motherly critique of Billie Jo's career. Kate can't help but be the typical stage mother in trying to protect Billie Jo. But Kate may have bigger issues with which to deal when she telephones home to see how things are going. When Sam tells her not to worry since "there's nothing you can do about it now" - Sam referring to the fact that Steve became ill after eating Betty Jo's cooking - Kate jumps to a conclusion, a wrong one, but one that makes her rush back home to save her youngest from what she considers a big mistake.
Sat, Sep 23, 1967
Betty Jo has been receiving a large number of very expensive floral bouquets, all the associated cards signed solely "From an Admirer". Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo believe that the sender is probably one of the many boys she met on her travels, especially those in New York. However, Betty Jo's surprising admirer does eventually make himself known to Betty Jo and the rest of the family. He is neither who Betty Jo expected or wanted and she has to try to let him down easy. Against Kate's wishes, Bobbie Jo suggests to Betty Jo that she come up with someone to act as her boyfriend to scare away the admirer. Part of the issue with that plan is that person almost wishes he was the one who sent the flowers. Meanwhile, Uncle Joe is trying to setup a labor saving luggage pulley system between the Shady Rest stop and the hotel's front porch.
Sat, Sep 30, 1967
While flying back from Springdale, Steve and Betty Jo are caught in an unexpected thunderstorm. Although there were some tense moments - for both those up in the air and those on the ground waiting for them - Steve and Betty Jo make it down safely. The emotions from their experience together throw Steve and Betty Jo into each others' arms, which turns into one of the first expressions that they are falling in love with each other. Betty Jo confides her feelings for Steve to her mother, who cautions her to take a wait and see approach and not jump to conclusions about Steve's feelings. But Steve later confirms with Kate that he indeed does have those feelings for her youngest daughter. This news places a possible strain in the Bradley family with the other two girls, especially Billie Jo, who Steve has been going with for quite some time. While Kate tries to figure out a way to smooth the possible rough waters with Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo, Steve may take matters into his own hands, unless another thunderstorm or some other human intervention gets in his way.
Sat, Oct 7, 1967
Uncle Joe tells Kate that he believes that it is inevitable that Steve and Betty Jo will get married sooner than later. Steve implies as much to her that he does intend to marry Betty Jo. Kate doesn't know what to think as she still sees Betty Jo as her little girl. After a chat with Sam, who ends up being her voice of reason, Kate decides to give Steve her blessing to propose. That's just the first hurdle for Steve, who is pretty sure that Betty Jo will say yes, but there still is that small part of him that is scared she'll say no. So Steve and Kate, without telling anyone else what's going on, try to arrange the perfect setting for a romantic proposal and a positive outcome. One thing or another seems to be getting in the way for Steve to ask the question. Steve may have to hurry when Uncle Joe gets wind of what's going on, news which he is happy to spread across the valley.
Sat, Oct 14, 1967
Secluded in the woods near Pixley and literally a stone's throw away from the rail line, Betty Jo has found what she believes is the perfect house for herself and Steve for after their marriage. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder as once Betty Jo is able to locate the house once again to show Steve and Kate, all Steve and Kate can see in the building is an old, dilapidated shack, and one that has no bathroom to boot. Steve wants to be supportive of Betty Jo's dream - which in this case is a difficult thing to do - so he makes an off the cuff comment about the up side of owning that house. That comment places a strain between Steve and Betty Jo, one that could be a deal breaker for their relationship and upcoming marriage. While Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo side with and support their sister in the matter, Kate tries to talk some sense into Steve and particularly Betty Jo to get their future life together back on track.
Sat, Oct 21, 1967
Floyd is in love. Because he's so shy, he doesn't want anyone to know just in case it doesn't work out. He eventually confides in Kate, but doesn't mention who the girl is, not wanting to jinx the situation. Even after it looks like Floyd has proposed and the girl accepted, he doesn't divulge who she is. After he asks Steve for an unusual and huge favor, everyone at the Shady Rest is more curious than ever about who the girl is. Uncle Joe, who once took a private investigator's course, believes he can uncover the identity of the mystery girl. One key piece of evidence is Floyd's request to Steve, which is deemed uncharacteristic of Floyd's nature. But Kate knows a surefire way to find out: Selma, the biggest gossip in town. Kate has to try to get the information from Selma without Selma figuring out that they don't know. Selma does readily divulge the information, which throws everyone into a tailspin and threatens to ruin Steve and Betty Jo's own wedding.
Sat, Oct 28, 1967
Steve and Betty Jo's wedding is fast approaching. They are working hard trying to complete the renovations on their cottage by the time of the wedding, which is a tall order. Thrown into the mix is a letter from Steve's parents, Mr. & Mrs. Donald Elliott, who have decided imminently to stop by Hooterville on their way to a business meeting. Although Steve doesn't see their visit as a big deal and although their letter states that the Bradleys should not make a fuss, Betty Jo is freaked by one other line in the letter: "We just want to meet your Betty Jo, have one of her delicious meals, and see your dream house." Steve stretched the truth about Betty Jo's cooking and the cottage when writing home to his parents. With Kate's coaching, Betty Jo is determined to prepare dinner for her new in-laws. That may not come to pass when Kate is ordered bed-rest by Doc Stuart for what looks to be a 48-hour cold. With Betty Jo stuck in the kitchen alone without Kate, there is little time for her and Steve to complete the renos on the cottage for Mr. & Mrs. Elliott to see a "dream house". Betty Jo's ability to impress the Elliotts may be a total bust both on the food and house fronts unless there is some divine intervention, or at least that of some people who really know what's going on.
Top-rated
Sat, Nov 4, 1967
On a trip into Riverdale, Betty Jo finds what she thinks is the perfect wedding dress, which she takes back to Shady Rest to show Kate for approval. What Betty Jo is unaware of is that Uncle Joe has bought her a wedding dress himself, that in a country style with a big sunflower emblazoned on the front. Also upon her arrival, Kate's cousin Mae comes bearing another wedding dress for Betty Jo, a mini dress off the fashion runways of Paris, complete with white high heeled boots. Neither Uncle Joe or Cousin Mae are aware that Betty Jo has bought her own dress. As much as she loves both Uncle Joe and Cousin Mae, neither of the dresses they got for her are her style, but she doesn't have the heart to tell them that she plans on wearing her own purchased dress for fear of hurting their feelings. Billie Jo thinks she has the solution to all Betty Jo's wedding gown problems, Billie Jo's idea which divulges a secret that Kate herself was keeping from Betty Jo in an effort to make her daughter happy on the most important day in her life.
Sat, Nov 11, 1967
Sam receives a cablegram for Kate from Betty Jo and Steve on the cruise ship as they're sailing to Hawaii for their honeymoon. The cablegram has perhaps the biggest news the valley has ever seen in its communications history: Betty Jo and Steve will be telephoning at 4pm the following day from Hawaii. The previous long distance telephone record into the valley was from Uncle Joe in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kate and the family are excited about the news, with Kate and Sam doing whatever they can to ensure that there are no interruptions or obstacles for the telephone call to make it through. As 4pm approaches and Kate, the girls and Uncle Joe are in their Sunday best in Sam's store waiting for the call, they face unforeseen obstacles in having the telephone call be a smooth one. Meanwhile, Betty Jo and Steve, while on their honeymoon, are getting used to the idea of being Mr. & Mrs. Steve Elliott.
Sat, Nov 18, 1967
It's Kate's birthday. Even though she is grateful for all the presents and the birthday sentiments - even the less than friendly one from Selma - she feels like one is missing, specifically from Betty Jo and Steve who are still on their honeymoon in Hawaii. Kate would have thought that they would have sent a present or a greeting of some sort on this day. But as the mail comes and goes with no gift from the honeymooners and as the day goes on with no word, Kate is empty handed but still can't believe the two would have forgotten her birthday. Neither can Uncle Joe and Sam, who go to extreme lengths to find that present, which they feel must be lost somewhere in the postal system. What everyone in Hooterville is unaware of is that Betty Jo and Steve have a special surprise for Kate for her birthday, but getting that surprise to her by the end of her actual birthday may be a bit of an issue.
Sat, Nov 25, 1967
Steve and Betty Jo are back from their honeymoon and have settled into their cottage. Betty Jo is still in honeymoon phase in her mind, she who feels that she and Steve will always be in love and never have a fight. She doesn't want Steve to go to work, but since he has to, she wants to spend every other moment of his free time with him. Steve is equally still in honeymoon phase, he who wants to buy Betty Jo a three week anniversary present. So when Billie Jo announces that she got a gig for the Bradley sisters to sing at a show on Saturday night, Betty Jo has to decide what to do - sing at the show or stay at home with Steve. And when Joe and Sam invite Steve to a boys' night out for Saturday - he who really wants to go just to prove that he doesn't need Betty Jo's approval - he too has to decide what to do. Betty Jo and Steve's respective decisions test the power within the new Elliott household and whether they truly still are mentally in honeymoon phase. In the process, they learn that power may not always be the most important issue in the matter.
Sat, Dec 2, 1967
Kate receives a sickeningly sweet letter from Homer Bedloe stating that he will be imminently arriving at the Shady Rest for a few days stay. Kate knows that the sweeter the letter, the more sour the reason for Bedloe's visit. Upon his arrival, Bedloe is as sweet as his letter. He does tell Kate that the reason for his visit is that a valuable race horse is being transported from Hooterville to Pixley on the Cannonball and he wants to be on hand to make sure all goes smoothly with the job. Upon his arrival at the Shady Rest, Ray Rogers, the race horse owner, further tells Kate that the horse is ultimately being transported to Riverdale for the county fair. But when Kate sees the broken down nag that is passing for the race horse, Kate knows that Bedloe and Rogers are in cahoots to shut down the Cannonball. She just has to figure out how they plan on doing so. When she does figure out Bedloe and Rogers' scheme, Kate knows the only person who can solve their problem is Betty Jo. But Betty Jo's assistance may jeopardize her and Steve's marriage if Steve found out what's she doing. In case Steve finds out, does Kate have a plan B?
Sat, Dec 9, 1967
Kate is livid. She received a traffic ticket for jaywalking against the new traffic light in Pixley. She refuses to pay the $2 fine as her assertion is that the traffic light, which is supposed to be in operation only peak hours, was in operation during a non-peak time when she crossed against the light. So she decides to take the case to court. Besides her family, Kate, in the court of public opinion, finds that most of the people in the valley, even her friends like Sam, Floyd and even Steve, believe she's in the wrong. With the case, Kate goes back to Pixley to try and find anyone who can attest to her whereabouts on the date of the incident, showing that she was at the traffic light during an off peak time. If she can't find any witnesses, it may end up being her word against that of the ticket issuing deputy. Uncle Joe vows to help Kate prove that she's in the right, which could potentially get her into more trouble.
Sat, Dec 16, 1967
Billie Jo and Uncle Joe, who accompanied his niece, have just arrived back from Omaha, where Billie Jo had a singing engagement. Beyond Billie Jo's singing success, Uncle Joe can't help but tell of his exciting news from their stay at the fancy Omaha hotel. He applied for the Shady Rest to be listed in the Master Plan hotel directory, membership in which costs $50 just for the application. Uncle Joe figures they can get more than that money back back from the throngs of guests who learned about them from the directory. Although this scheme seems like just another of Uncle Joe's hair-brained ideas, Billie Jo, who saw the respect Uncle Joe got in Omaha as being a fellow hotelier, thinks that they should show that same respect to him instead of always laughing at him and laughing about him. As such, Kate goes along with Uncle Joe's idea behind the Master Plan. Meanwhile, they receive an unexpected hotel guest in the form of well appointed Gaylord Martindale. Although Martindale states that he's an artist by trade, Uncle Joe is certain he is the inspector from the Master Plan. As such, Uncle Joe will do anything to please him, which is a tall order as he is perhaps the most demanding guest they have ever had. This service may be at the expense of their only other guest, the very accommodating Mrs. Pruit. Kate has to decide if waiting on Martindale hand and foot at the expense of all others is worth providing Uncle Joe that respect and getting the hotel listed in the Master Plan.
Sat, Dec 23, 1967
Uncle Joe's latest scheme has him keeping bees, which he figures will be his most lucrative business ever. Needing some initial capital, he turns to his "business partner" Steve, who lends him $25 that he and Betty Jo set aside as mad money. This action leads to problems between Steve and Betty Jo, who made a pact never to lie to each other and always tell each other everything in an effort never to argue. With a little help from Kate, Steve and Betty Jo are able to weather this minor storm. But that storm reignites itself after some insect misidentification by Uncle Joe - he who thought the hornets he collected were actually bees - which leads to another argument between Steve and Betty Jo. As Steve tries to help Uncle Joe fix the problem of getting rid of the hornets, Uncle Joe may indirectly solve Steve and Betty Jo's problem by his act to get rid of the hornets on his own.
Sat, Dec 30, 1967
Having a joint checking account is causing problems for Steve and Betty Jo. Betty Jo is writing checks faster than Steve is putting money into the account, which leads to the account being overdrawn. They make a deal: Betty Jo will not spend any more money for a month. What Betty Jo doesn't tell Steve when she accepts the agreement is that she has already purchased an extremely long sofa for $100 from Agnew's Furniture Store. She's certain he'll love it once he sees it. The problem ends up being that the extremely long sofa doesn't fit in their tiny living room unless a wall gets knocked down, and the sofa was a no return sale. Betty Jo and Steve run into further problems when Steve has an idea of his own for the living room, which Betty Jo misinterprets for her own wants. An exasperated Kate gets caught in the middle, she who Betty Jo co-opts to deal with a less than flexible but more than profit hungry Mr. Agnew.