"Ed Steps Out" featured the only guest star appearance of Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson's recent co-star in the popular 1972 "The Poseidon Adventure," in the role of Shirley Schrift (her real name), recently moved into the neighborhood, boasting of her glazed buns (she works in a bakery). Despite Ed's usual grouchy disposition she becomes intrigued by The Man, asking Chico many questions that he's happy to answer, telling her that his boss has the heart of a 20 year old kid: "really, tell me what about the rest of him?" Ed himself isn't flattered by her attentions: "I don't wanna find out what I've been missing, I might start missing it!" Chico: "come on, I know the fire hasn't gone out yet!" Ed: "what fire, all I got left is a pilot light!" Chico: "why don't you take Shirley out and let her turn up your thermostat!" Shirley offers Ed an upside down cake from the bakery, named after him: "it's got a hard crust on the outside but inside it's all soft and sweet!" (Chico: "you sound delicious Eddie, sweetie pie baby!"). The story of her late husband's demise ends with him a snowman, still holding the cucumbers, after which Ed asks what kind of perfume she's wearing: "powdered sugar!"