My World and Welcome to It
John Monroe observes and comments on life, to the bemusement of his sensible wife Ellen (Joan Hotchkis) and intelligent, questioning daughter Lydia (Lisa Gerritsen). Monroe's frequent daydreams and fantasies are usually based on material from New Yorker cartoonist James Thurber. It took several tries before the life and work of James Thurber was successfully adapted into a weekly television series. Two failed pilots, broadcast in 1959 and 1961, eventually led to NBC scheduling My World and Welcome to It on Mondays for the 1969-1970 season. The sitcom starred William Windom as John Monroe [the character based on James Thurber] and featured a combination of live action and animation. Despite many positive reviews, moderate Nielsen ratings led NBC to cancel the series after one season. It then won Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Comedy Series" and for "Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series" (William Windom).
- 1969-1970
- 1 season
- NBC
- Comedy
John Monroe observes and comments on life, to the bemusement of his sensible wife Ellen (Joan Hotchkis) and intelligent, questioning daughter Lydia (Lisa Gerritsen). Monroe's frequent daydreams and fantasies are usually based on material from New Yorker cartoonist James Thurber. It took several tries before the life and work of James Thurber was successfully adapted into a weekly television series. Two failed pilots, broadcast in 1959 and 1961, eventually led to NBC scheduling My World and Welcome to It on Mondays for the 1969-1970 season. The sitcom starred William Windom as John Monroe [the character based on James Thurber] and featured a combination of live action and animation. Despite many positive reviews, moderate Nielsen ratings led NBC to cancel the series after one season. It then won Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Comedy Series" and for "Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series" (William Windom).
Season 1 Episode Guide
26 Episodes 1969 - 1970
Episode 1
Man Against the World
Mon, Sep 15, 1969 30 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
The Disenchanted
Mon, Sep 22, 1969 30 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
Little Girls Are Sugar & Spice, and Not Always Nice!
Mon, Sep 29, 1969
John desperately tries to not be beaten by his daughter in a game of chess.
Episode 4
Cristabel
Mon, Oct 6, 1969 30 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
The Night the House Caught Fire
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
The Ghost and Mr. Monroe
Mon, Oct 20, 1969 30 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
Nobody Ever Kills Dragons Anymore
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
Seal in the Bedroom
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
The Saga of Dimity Ann
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
A Friend of the Earth
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
Maid in Connecticut
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
Native Wit
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
The Shrike and the Chipmunks
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
Rally Round the Flag
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
The War Between Men and Women
Mon, Dec 22, 1969 30 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
The Mating Dance
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
Darn That Dream
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
The Human Being and the Dinosaur
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
Dear Is a Four Letter Word
Mon, Jan 19, 1970 30 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
The Middle Years
Mon, Jan 26, 1970 30 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
Rules for a Happy Marriage
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
The Wooing of Mr. Monroe
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
The Mea Culpa Bit
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
The Fourth Estate
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
Monroe the Misogynist
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
Child's Play
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.