This seems to be the only episode out there of this Janis Paige sitcom that ran one season between 1955 and 1956 after her success on Broadway and "The Pajama Game", and right before she sang and danced with Fred Astaire in the movie version of "Silk Stockings". Produced by Desilu and Paige's own production company, this is not even close to "I Love Lucy" as certain references have suggested. Paige is a widow living in New York City (with young daughter Jeri Lou James) hoping for a successful singing career, but only able to got jobs at small nightclubs, like the type you'd see in Greenwich Village in the 1940's and 50's. This episode focuses on her on her debating of whether or not she should get a new agent as her current one series regular (Sid Melton) hasn't moved her out of her longtime gig in Tony's Basement. Of course, deep down she's very loyal, and ends up feeling guilty even about thinking of leaving Shelton. That's Arte Johnson as her dllical grocery delivery guy and Patricia Bright as her best friend. Paige gets to sing and dance a few times, in one scene disguising herself as an old lady. She's very sultry in a fantasy sequence, sort of similar to "Born in the Trunk" from "A Star is Born".
Packed with talent, Paige has had a very lengthy career, only stepping away in recent years (in her mid 90's!), but having been a Warner Brothers contract player (1944 to 1950), star of several Broadway musicals and touring productions, a guest star on more than several dozen TV shows, and even a regular on three daytime soap operas. Her always down to earth demeanor has been more than obvious in her busy career, and it's always a delight to see her in any of them. This sitcom definitely is one of those missed opportunities that deserved a longer life, but like Elaine Stritch in the TV version of "My Sister Eileen" which also only lasted a season, their loss as a sitcom star was Broadway's gain. I'm hoping to come back here in a few years and change my review to indicate the discovery of more episodes. This single episode is top-notch! Fans of "Golden Girls" will recognize Melton has Sophia's ghostly husband from flashbacks.
Packed with talent, Paige has had a very lengthy career, only stepping away in recent years (in her mid 90's!), but having been a Warner Brothers contract player (1944 to 1950), star of several Broadway musicals and touring productions, a guest star on more than several dozen TV shows, and even a regular on three daytime soap operas. Her always down to earth demeanor has been more than obvious in her busy career, and it's always a delight to see her in any of them. This sitcom definitely is one of those missed opportunities that deserved a longer life, but like Elaine Stritch in the TV version of "My Sister Eileen" which also only lasted a season, their loss as a sitcom star was Broadway's gain. I'm hoping to come back here in a few years and change my review to indicate the discovery of more episodes. This single episode is top-notch! Fans of "Golden Girls" will recognize Melton has Sophia's ghostly husband from flashbacks.