Lou wants to rekindle his relationship with Charlene, but they had a fight and she is mad at him. He talks Mary into throwing a party, so they can meet casually. The problem is that Ted and Georgette are having a fight, Murray has the flu, and Charlene brings a guy half her age to the party. Lou get ugly that things aren't going his way and wrecks any semblance of a party that existed. There are some funny lines, especially when Mary starts calling Lou, Louis (Loo-iss). Penny Marshall makes an appearance as Lou uses her to make Charlene jealous.
6 Reviews
Penny Marshall
Rrrobert12 February 2020
Lou's former girlfriend, singer Charlene, is back in town. Like most 'dating' story arcs in the series the romantic partner stopped appearing without explanation - we learn here Lou and Charlene had argued when she left town on a tour with a young ice skater.
Lou has Mary host a party and invite Charlene so he can accidentally bump into her. Too bad the party is a flop when Ted and Georgette argue the entire time, and Murray shows up sick. Charlene, now played by Janis Paige, makes Lou jealous by bringing the skater Kenny (Jeff Conaway) as her date. Despite Lou's bad reaction to Kenny they arrange to double date. Lou brings Mary's very eager neighbour Paula (Penny Marshall) as his date and hopes to make Charlene jealous.
This is a minor but funny episode. Penny Marshall is the comedy highlight here. Her scenes are the funniest part.
Lou has Mary host a party and invite Charlene so he can accidentally bump into her. Too bad the party is a flop when Ted and Georgette argue the entire time, and Murray shows up sick. Charlene, now played by Janis Paige, makes Lou jealous by bringing the skater Kenny (Jeff Conaway) as her date. Despite Lou's bad reaction to Kenny they arrange to double date. Lou brings Mary's very eager neighbour Paula (Penny Marshall) as his date and hopes to make Charlene jealous.
This is a minor but funny episode. Penny Marshall is the comedy highlight here. Her scenes are the funniest part.
Casanova Lou
rgxdzrybr17 April 2023
Interesting that Lou Grant would go on to be the most successful spinoff of the Mary Tyler Moore Show. In part because he remained true to character but also grew beyond that. I only bring this up because if there was anyone I thought matched Lou Grant as a romantic partner it was Charlene but only with Sheree North playing her nothing against her replacement. This episode though is an interesting plot for Lou Grant he's slowly moving forward and trying different ways. Penny Marshall is good here before moving on to focus on Laverne and Shirley . I do agree though this show isn't good at keeping up romantic relationships for Mary or Lou .
I love 'Mr Grant' and this whole episode from start to finish!
ronnybee21121 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Rough,rude,hard-drinking,grizzly-bear Lou Grant shows that he can also be jealous,and behave childishly when it comes to seeing his ex-wife with a much-younger man at a social event. ( The boyfriend played the hilarious 'Bobby Wheeler' on 'Taxi' a few years later). This was a solid episode that added depth to the Lou Grant character while managing to be pretty dog-gone funny to boot.
Worthwhile and fun.
Worthwhile and fun.
Charlene replaced
robert375019 January 2022
Original Actress Inexplicably Replaced
libbyross-745578 July 2021
The actress who originally played Charlene for the previous seasons was inexplicably replaced by a new woman. I didn't like her. Charlene was original and interesting. Smoky look and voice, and the music was a highlight. The new actress is like a round sugar cookie with extra sweet frosting. Disappointing.
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