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Tabitha Episodes (Some Favorites and a Not so Favorite)

posted 4 years ago by [email protected] (5497)
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The show does deserve some credit for incorporating Tabitha into a number of episodes and not always having her "napping".

Some of my favorites are the two season three eps which introduce the Murphy twins, "Nobody's Perfect" and "The Moment of Truth". She was just adorable. She obviously didn't know what was going on, but Tabitha was so cute when she messed up Diego Fenman's photography studio.
"That is one NUTTY baby!"

I like the later "Playmates" episode when she and Sam visit a woman and her young son Michael. The kid was acting bratty, but it was clearly the fault of his child psychology-babbling
mixed up mom!
Tabitha turned Michael into a doggie because that's what he wanted.
I wished there had been a follow up episode. The mother kept saying how she and her husband believed in--- insert silly, pop psychology, child raisng technique here. I would've liked to see what her husband was like and what he thought when his wife ditched the child psychology, swatted Michael on the behind and told him to clean up his junk. I wonder what type of milquetoast man would allow a five year old boy to run roughshod over him and his wife.
The one Tabitha episode which I could never warm up to was the much later "Sisters Under the Skin". I've read that it was Elizabeth Montgomery's favorite and it was written by school children who had visited the set as a thankyou.

The problem I had was with the acting. To me it seemed that instead of improving, Erin Murphy's acting got worse as she got older. And the little girl who played her friend Lisa could not act at all. The girls had to carry most of the episode and it sounded like they were reading their lines off of cue cards. The episode was very emotional and I don't think either girl had the acting chops to carry it off.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 4 years ago

I agree with your favorites. Two of my biggest Tabitha faves are, "It's Wishcraft" and "Toys in Babeland." I feel the
former is a perfect episode, with terrific energy, writing and a major plot device added (wishcraft).

Yes, it's obvious that Erin and Diane were not talented actors, and the older they got, the more obvious it became. Still,
I feel "Sisters at Heart" is very well done by both Murphy and the young girl. Nothing to rave about, no, but I've seen
Murphy far worse than this (like in most of the eighth season (she's fairly terrible in "TV or Not TV.").

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

I could add "It's Wishcraft" to my list of favorites. The whole wishcraft idea is a clever one. It would seem to be the first step in using her powers. Tabitha didn't know how to channel them yet or how to use them, but she did have them. And they worked when she wished for something.

I suppose I shouldn't give the Murphy twins too much criticism for their lack of acting ability. After all, it's not like they auditioned for the job based on acting ability! The show needed cute blonde twins who were able to appear in scenes with a bunch of strangers without bursting into tears. Not all babies will do that. The baby twins didn't have a speaking role yet. But as they got older, it became more apparent when dialogue was necessary that Erin wasn't much of an actress. I suppose they could have recast her, but the show already recast Gladys Kravitz, Louise Tate and Darrin. So maybe they thought they'd be pushing their luck.

There's an episode during the fifth season, "Samantha Fights City Hall", where Diane plays Tabitha. I'm sure you're familiar with it. I read that Erin was sick that week. It's Diane who "slides up a slide" because a boy in the park dared her. They really could have rewritten that scene or eliminated it altogether. They could have shown Sam and Tabitha entering the park from a distance without any close ups. But I think Diane's performance was fine since she hadn't ever had speaking lines before (that I can recall).

Diane did fine with her little scene. "He dared me!" But at that point she really looked nothing like her twin. I read that they got mail asking who that little girl was supposed to be! I guess the show thought it could get away with it.

I'm blown away by the true acting talent of kids like a very young Ronnie Howard. His performances are amazing and so real on The Andy Griffith Show.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 4 years ago

TV shows cater to the "casual viewer" rather than fans who "notice everything." The casual viewers outnumber
true-blue fans, and producers don't have the time to pay attention to every detail, as they are working hard to
get a show on the air.

I don't think Diane looked THAT different, although her body language was very different that Erin's. I'm glad she
got a chance to do the role (I believe her only one with dialogue). It's kind of historic and different.

Most child actors are NOT talented. Very rare. I mean, how many Jodie Fosters, Ronny Howards and Margaret
O'Briens ARE there?? The Murphy twins were acceptable, so I think recasting would've been silly (and cruel).

Speaking of child actors, I will say THIS for "The Lucy Show." All three actors, especially "Jerry" were terrific.
That kid played off of Lucille brilliantly, and he possessed terrific timing and delivery.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

Oh yes, Jerry was hilarious. I read somewher that hewas given the "Fred Mertz" lines. He was so cynical and smart-alecky. Terrific comedy timing, I agree.

From that era, I would also include Jerry Mathers, the "Beaver", as one of the better child actors His look-alike brother (forgot his name) played Marshall with the overprotective mother in the first season of Bewitched. He was also talented.

I thought the kids on Roseanne were good especially Sara Gilbert. She was funny right from the start. Of course the talent runs in her family. Little "half pint", her sister Melissa, was great on LHOTP.

The actress who played Mary Ingalls was pretty bad at first. But she grew into the role. But the Green Bush twins...yikes! The show started to add new kids to the Ingalls family when Laura and Mary grew up. I used to wonder why they didn't just incorporate Carrie into some of the stories. But then I realized that neither twin could act.
The most interesting episode to feature Carrie was the one where she fell down an old well. I saw it a few years ago and thought, "Oh leave her there. She's so dull you won't even miss her." LOL

[–] [email protected] (1732) 4 years ago

I never cared for Jerry Mathers. I guess he was sort of "natural", but he was too whiny for me. Actually, I
never cared for "Leave it to Beaver." I thought the parents were extremely cold (I far preferred Henry and
Alice Mitchell on "Dennis the Menace." And Joseph Kearns was a HOOT as Mr. Wilson).

I never watched "Roseanne" as I found her then (and now) an obnoxious nut. And not much of an actor either.

And don't send a lynch mob to my home, But "Little House on the Prairie" turned me off big time. It was such
a self-important syrup-fest, which ran WAY too long. To me, it came nowhere near the superior (and
much more genuine) "The Waltons."

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

I won't send a lynch mob, lol. It was a "syrup-fest" on many occasions which is why my favorite episodes featured the bratty Nellie Oleson and/or her snobby mom Harriet. At least they acted like real people. I'm surprised that the Ingalls didn't all have haloes over their heads! ha ha
In many ways I think Michael Landon was trying to create his idea of a loving, happy family. He had a terrible home life as a child with his parents always fighting.

Speaking of "The Waltons", I always thought the youngsters on that show were pretty good actors. But when I watch the early episodes, I notice how bad an actress Mary Ellen was in the first season or two.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 4 years ago

All the actors were fabulous on "The Waltons" (and how HOT was Richard Thomas?? With that mole on his
sweet face, he looked like a chocolate chip cookie!).

You are right about the popularity of "Little House." And so MANY gay men LOVE (D) Nellie! I should
turn in my card!!

I have noticed that you have a much wider taste in TV than I do. And while I never took to "Roseanne",
it WAS refreshing to have plus-sized, average people represented on TV. And I agree that the whole
cast - even the kids - was terrific, especially John Goodman. I just couldn't deal with the star.

Michael Landon (rest his soul - like Liz Montgomery, a TV icon, then bam - gone too early from cancer)
had an ENORMOUS ego, and was known to be overly proud of that show, and very difficult to work with.
He was gorgeous (and gifted), but I never really got into him, as I never watched "Bonanza" either.

Boy, I'm a real piss-ant today, aren't I???

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

The question is, will Richard Thomas EVER age? Honestly, He still looks like John Boy. He looks a few years older, but not that much.

I never knew that Nellie was a gay icon. Streisand, Garland and Cher, yes. But who knew that was the case with Nellie?

Michael Landon was a talented man. I think he was much admired by his co-stars. He and Dan Blocker were good friends. But he did have a fairly healthy ego. The first script that he wrote for Bonanza pretty much made Little Joe the hero. He saved his Pa and his brothers from hanging. The whole episode is "Joe the hero". It's funny to look back on it now. Many people who write fanfic are accused of writing the "Mary Sue" story. They place themselves in the story as the heroine. Michael Landon did that with his OWN show!

A "piss-ant"? LOL There are days that I could out pissant you!

[–] [email protected] (1732) 4 years ago

Apparently, "Piss-ant" is spelled "pissant." Oh, dear.

I think you demonstrate far more humility on these boards than I do ( you're much more open-
minded to other opinions).

There are many gay icons. Nellie is one, and is similar to Patty McCormick's campy (but deeply
effective) Rhoda in "The Bad Seed." If you haven't seen THAT bizarre film, I highly recommend
it. Maxwell Anderson's script (based on his highly effective play) argues that sociopaths can be
BORN, and not just the result of bad parenting (and I agree). And they can be murderers while
STILL children!!! McCormick and Nancy Kelly (as her bewildered and distraught mother) are
astonishing in a film that is truly unique.

I don't know whether I've ever mentioned it, PJ, but I'm a freelance/short story writer (I don't
sell enough to quit my "day job"). Many, many years ago, when I was interviewing actors,
directors and writers for my article on '60's actor Lee Kinsolving, I ALMOST got to interview
McCormick (she co-starred with Lee in 1961's "The Explosive Generation"). I sat next to a
friend of hers, who spoke to her on the phone about my interview request, and she gave her my
phone number. She told her friend she'd call me that night. She never did.

McCormick was one of the very few NOT class-acts in my quest for interviews. I was very
offended by her icy mind-f@$k.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

Sorry, I didn't mean to correct you. I thought you were just having fun with "pissant"!

And f.y.i, I am NOT humble or openminded. I just live in fear that people will think that I am a total a**, so I try to be nice and tone down my remarks! LOL

I did see "The Bad Seed".What a rotten kid! I agree with you that some people are BORN with something missing, like a conscience. I've watched a lot of documentaries about serial killers and they have NO empathy for anyone else. There is just something missing from their psychological make-up.
Sorry that Patty McCormick dissed you for an interview. Some actors and their big egos...

[–] [email protected] (1732) 4 years ago

Oh, no, I didn't think you were correcting me - I'm just really not sure how the word (is it
a "real" word?) is spelled.

Quite frankly, your self-remarks surprise me. I've been called on my sometimes nasty
remarks (I HATE colorization, but does THAT mean younger people who watch ILL
colorized are jerks? No, but I can't seem to control myself when I get heated up).

One tonality I've noticed over the years (wow, years now, if you include IMDB) between
us is THIS formula:

A poster says how much he can't wait for the "next" (oh, boy) colorized ILL. I reply in a
harsh tone. Then you post after, agreeing that you don't like Lucy colorized, but in a
much more balanced manner. Curious.

Yes, I now tell fellow movie fans how much I enjoyed Rhoda playing PATTY! I now know
that little Rhoda didn't die, and is alive and well, living in L.A. Lol!

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

I probably hate colorization as much as you do. But I've come to realize that i can't change people's minds if they want to be stoo-pid!

Once when I was channel surfing I came across an episode of Bewitched in color. I was confused at first because it was in color and I remembered it as an early "pre Tabitha" episode. Then I realized that it was colorized. It looked like some crazed kindergartener took a box of crayons to the episode.

I just try to adopt a zen attitude towards things like that. Like in the ugly houndstooth jacket episode, Dr. Freud said that sometimes it's just bad taste.

Younger people especially just don't "get" that black and white is a legitimate art form. They just gotta see colors. And considering that the Kardashians have had a TV show for years, it is almost impossible to fight BAD taste! lol

[–] [email protected] (1732) 4 years ago

"It looked like some crazed kindergartener took a box of crayons to the episode."

Couldn't have said it better, PJ!!

[–] NorthernLad (472) 4 years ago

You mention Melissa Gilbert...I think she was a great child actress...but as she got older...I think she lost the talent. I don't think she's all that great of an actress as an adult....especially as that show went on....and it went on too long.

Melissa Sue Anderson got better in time...she'd probably never win an Oscar, but she was good.

The twins who played Carrie were awful. And it was clear once Mary and Laura were grown that Michael Landon wanted child talent on the show and he wrote in all those excess kids into the show. And don't even get me going on the two boys in the last season...the ones who moved into the Little House.

As for Erin Murphy, she was okay...for what they needed her to do...but not great by any means. I think her parents could have helped her at that point if they had invested in some training for her at that age...it can be done.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

I could see where Michael Landon was coiming from, sort of, when he wrote in new kids. On Bonanza, they introduced young Jamie as an adopted son for Ben. Michael Landon said that his character of Little Joe was getting too old for Pa to be dispensing fatherly wisdom to, so they needed a teen-ager.

Jamie was a fine addition to the cast, but I could not STAND Albert on LHOTP! Pa Ingalls fawned all over that little twerp. The last straw for me was when he burned down the school for the blind (accidentally of course) and Mary's baby died. Charles was more worried about "poor Albert's" feelings than his own daughter. Albert ran away out of guilt. He should've felt guilty. The only decent thing he actually did.

But Pa found him and cried and carried on over poor Albert's plight.

[–] NorthernLad (472) 4 years ago

Pj...had laugh at your feelings about Albert...you're not alone in those feelings. I personally could take him or leave him, but it was clear Michael Landon wanted more of a male presence on the show....and they did let the character get by with murder...literally. Today if a kid was responsible for burning down a school...a blind school at that...especially one that lead to deaths...that kid would be off to juvie jail.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 4 years ago

I had to laugh at YOUR remark that Albert was a "male presence" on the show. THAT pathetic little weenie? LOL He was a whiny brat. He caused death and destruction everywhere he went.
Jonathan Garvey was a great male presence. Even his son would've been a greater example of a strong male. But of course, Charles could not have adopted HIM! Maybe he should have had both GARVEYS die in the fire that his boneheaded adopted kid started. That way he could have adopted Jonathan's son.

Interesting that Charles had Carrie and Grace, but he kept trolling for new kids and neglecting his own biological children.

[–] NorthernLad (472) 4 years ago

Well if you want to be technical about it...Charles had the two younger kids in real life I sincerely hope he didn't ignore them...but Michael Landon had two younger girls who couldn't act...so hence the adding of new kids who possibly could act. And I use that word very lightly.