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26 Episodes 1969 - 1970
Episode 1
Mon, Sep 15, 196930 mins
In the pilot episode: We meet a cartoonist with a vivid imagination (deftly illustrated by James Thurber), who lives a fairly standard life in American suburbia with a wife, a child, and a house with the proverbial picket fence. After daughter Lydia complains her history lesson is dull and boring, John tells her his own take on the story of Generals Grant and Lee at Appomattox. Of course, Lydia shares her father's less-than-factual version with her class in school, her teacher schedules a home visit.
Episode 2
Mon, Sep 22, 196930 mins
Lydia runs away from home feeling she is being treated unfairly. Her father allows it to teach her a lesson, but becomes concerned to see her seriousness.
Episode 3
Mon, Sep 29, 1969
John desperately tries to not be beaten by his daughter in a game of chess.
Episode 4
Mon, Oct 6, 196930 mins
When Lydia's raspberry and asparagus-loving pooch dies, she thinks her father doesn't care how distraught she is, but soon finds out otherwise.
Episode 5
Mon, Oct 13, 1969
Lydia is sick in bed so Dad entertains her with stories. The first tale about a unicorn is a dud so Dad reminisces about his childhood and a memorable visit from his eccentric grandfather reliving the Civil War.
Episode 6
Mon, Oct 20, 196930 mins
John quits when one his cartoons is rejected. Announcing he's going to write a book John instead fantasizes that he is in the world of high finance but finds out he is cut out for creating humorous drawings.
Episode 7
Mon, Oct 27, 1969
John feels his life has become humdrum after conversations with his wife and editor Hamilton. He daydreams himself into a world of secret agents, femme fatales and exotic locales until reality intercedes.
Episode 8
Mon, Nov 3, 1969
John is frustrated by Hamilton rejecting his latest cartoon. He meets with his writer friend Phil to commiserate. Together they employ psychiatry to elicit the elusive humor in the scenario of a seal in a couple's bedroom.
Episode 9
Mon, Nov 10, 1969
John is fearful of his daughter Lydia's cat Dimity Ann and plots to get rid of the feline.
Episode 10
Mon, Nov 17, 1969
Cartoonist John Monroe is bugged by his chief rival Zeph Leggin, a local homespun humorist who charms everyone including Ellen and Lydia. John imagines a Chautauqua-style Battle of the Wits to determine who is the best.
Episode 11
Mon, Nov 24, 1969
Ellen has to be away so she hires a housekeeper to take care of John and Lydia. She doesn't know that Mrs. Simkins is afraid of appliances which complicates matters for those at home.
Episode 12
Mon, Dec 1, 1969
John one ups Zeph, the local sage and humorous storyteller. Zeph decides to leave town and John feels responsible so he tries to disuade the man from moving.
Episode 13
Mon, Dec 8, 1969
John has a very low opinion of children's authors and is unhappy when assigned to work with a famous writer who has written a series of kid's books. Unfortunately, things don't go well.
Episode 14
Mon, Dec 15, 1969
John comes up short of his daughter's desired Christmas gift and returns home with a huge American flag. She proudly flies it, leading the neighborhood to gossip that the family is masking something.
Episode 15
Mon, Dec 22, 196930 mins
A wife's incessant interruptions of her husband's humorous story at a cocktail party is the spark that ignites blazing combat between the sexes.
Episode 16
Mon, Dec 29, 1969
Lydia's escort Leonard is an uncouth young bully who gave a black eye to Elbert, a smart, sensitive boy in love with Lydia. John teaches Elbert lessons on standing up to bullies learned from his scrappy great grandfather.
Episode 17
Mon, Jan 5, 1970
When his young daughter has nightmares, John Monroe eases her fears with a soothing story about their unusual ghostly relatives who filled their house with the creaks and odd noises that have been feeding her imagination. This program was inspired by James Thurber's famous short story, "The Night The Bed Fell".
Episode 18
Mon, Jan 12, 1970
Lydia has a disagreement with a neighborhood boy and lands a solid punch on the lad. Her father John tries to explain how humans have evolved from setting things with violence despite being provoked by the boy's bellicose father.
Episode 19
Mon, Jan 19, 197030 mins
John is taken to task by his wife Ellen as she believes he has a communication problem with daughter Lydia. This is reinforced when John is called to school to talk to the principal.
Episode 20
Mon, Jan 26, 197030 mins
Monroe is having a time of being stressed and overworked. When a beautiful neighbor Mrs. Bessinger moves in Monroe relaxes by indulging in mid-life fantasies.
Episode 21
Mon, Feb 2, 1970
John Monroe becomes busy discussing the shortcomings of wives with some other men. In doing so he forgets a luncheon date he had with his wife and tries to make things right with her.
Episode 22
Mon, Feb 9, 1970
When John starts a collaboration with the attractive Dorothy Carter, Ellen tries to quell her suspicions. But when she learns they are suddenly working in Dorothy's apartment Ellen's jealousy get the better of her.
Episode 23
Mon, Feb 16, 1970
When John is working Lydia's frequent interruptions slow him down so he chases her from his study. But when she accidentally breaks her arm he feels responsible. But so does everyone else.
Episode 24
Mon, Feb 23, 1970
John is upset when his editor Hamilton rejects one of his cartoons. To add to the insult, one of his submissions is turned down at his daughter Lydia's school by Patrick who runs the school paper.
Episode 25
Mon, Mar 2, 1970
Monroe is accused by his wife and editor Hamilton of being a woman hater with his cartoons as evidence. That disturbs him, causing him to reexamine his approach to his work.
Episode 26
Fri, Mar 6, 1970
Monroe breaks a picnic date with daughter Lydia and is bothered by her disappointment. He imagines 3 different older versions of Lydia and how their relationship evolved.