Big John, Little John
During his Florida vacation, junior-high-school science teacher John Martin drinks from the legendary Fountain of Youth allegedly discovered by Ponce de Leon. A few weeks later, he transforms into a 12-year-old version of himself. The change is temporary, but from then on, John proceeds to randomly switch from "Big John" to "Little John" and back again at unexpected moments. John's wife and son were in on the secret, explaining "Little John" away as their nephew, but the struggle to keep John's secret made up most of the show's humor. Miss Bottomly was the matronly school principal who harbored Dr. Bellows-esque suspicions about John.
- 1976-1977
- 1 season
- VCI Entertainment
- Comedy, Fantasy, Drama
During his Florida vacation, junior-high-school science teacher John Martin drinks from the legendary Fountain of Youth allegedly discovered by Ponce de Leon. A few weeks later, he transforms into a 12-year-old version of himself. The change is temporary, but from then on, John proceeds to randomly switch from "Big John" to "Little John" and back again at unexpected moments. John's wife and son were in on the secret, explaining "Little John" away as their nephew, but the struggle to keep John's secret made up most of the show's humor. Miss Bottomly was the matronly school principal who harbored Dr. Bellows-esque suspicions about John.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 1976
Episode 1
A Sizeable Problem
Sat, Sep 11, 1976
As he readies for an important interview, middle school science teacher John Martin realizes after drinking from the Fountain of Youth he randomly changes into his 12-year-old self.
Episode 2
Peter Panic
Sat, Sep 18, 1976
Miss Bottomly casts John as Captain Hook in the school production of "Peter Pan". Trouble arises when she also casts Little John in the same play.
Episode 3
Very Little John
Sat, Sep 25, 1976
When a neighbor asks John to babysit her grandchild, Marjorie and Ricky think John's diluting experiment backfired and he reverted to being an infant.
Episode 4
The Great Escape
Sat, Oct 2, 1976
While mistakenly in police custody, John morphs into Little John- leading to a cat and mouse game with the police sergeant.
Episode 5
Big Scare, Little Scare
Sat, Oct 9, 1976
While trying to cure Stanley's fear of a haunted house, John morphs into Little John. Now, he must not only figure out the mansion's mystery, but a way to make everyone think his other self isn't missing.
Episode 6
Big Shot, Little Shot
Sat, Oct 16, 1976
Everyone braces for flu shots in the midst of a flu epidemic.
Episode 7
Time for Change
Sat, Oct 23, 1976
John prepares to tell everyone his secret after believing he has the formula to predict when he will change.
Episode 8
The Principal Who Came to Dinner
Sat, Oct 30, 1976
John's voice suddenly changes to Little John's, and vice versa,- a fact he struggles to hide from Miss Bottomly who is staying with them after injuring her ankle.
Episode 9
Bully for You
Sat, Nov 6, 1976
John faces challenges when dealing with a bully
Episode 10
Off the Wall
Sat, Nov 13, 1976
Little John is mistakenly blamed for a crude caricature of Miss Bottomly painted on a school wall.
Episode 11
The Missing John
Sat, Nov 20, 1976
John's secret is threatened to be discovered when Miss Bottomly hires a private detective to find Little John.
Episode 12
Speak for Yourself, John
Sat, Nov 27, 1976
The school prepares for their annual Thanksgiving dance, "Plymouth Rock".
Episode 13
Abracadabra
Sat, Dec 4, 1976
Homer wants to quit school and become a magician after believing he made Little John change into Big John.