Perfect Strangers
The Play's the Thing
TV Flash files “The Play's the Thing” as hour 139 of 150 in the TV Flash guide — Perfect Strangers (1986–1993) on ABC, season 7, episode 19, aired 1992-03-21, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S07E19: listed hour 139 of 150 in the Perfect Strangers guide, hour 19 of 24 in season 7. It aired 1992-03-21 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “The Elevator” (S07E18). Next is “Stress Test” (S07E20).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
When Balki takes Larry's ""Wheat"" play-script to Lydia's theater, Larry goes down to see the cast. But when the director tries to change the lines, Larry won't let him, so they all quit. But Larry insists that they keep the show by casting him with Balki, Lydia, Jennifer, and Mary Anne, but they've never acted before and make a mess of it.
Viewer FAQ
Where does The Play's the Thing sit in the Perfect Strangers guide?
S07E19 is listed hour 139 of 150 — hour 19 of 24 in season 7, season 7 episode 19.
When did Perfect Strangers S07E19 air?
The Play's the Thing aired 1992-03-21 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Do I need Family Matters first?
Reverse that. Perfect Strangers is the TGIF engine that spun off Family Matters. Balki and Larry are the cousins; the Winslows are the later building.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Balki Bartokomous arrives from Mypos, does the Dance of Joy, and ABC's TGIF finds its fish-out-of-water engine. Bronson Pinchot's accent is the instrument; Mark Linn-Baker is the straight man who never quite recovers. Chicago cousin-comedy that spun off Family Matters and taught a generation not to be ridiculous.
The Dance of Joy is the silhouette. ABC, 1986–1993: Balki Bartokomous arrives from Mypos, Midwestern Larry shares the apartment, and TGIF finds its fish-out-of-water engine. Perfect Strangers is Dale McRaven's Chicago cousin-comedy — Bronson Pinchot's accent as the instrument, Mark Linn-Baker the straight man who never quite recovers. *Physical trademark as choreography, mimic fodder as a look, a greeting that photographs as religion.* Style is the plot. If you only listen to the cousin premise, you are watching…
Filed against
- Bronson Pinchot as Balki Bartokomous
Bronson Pinchot's Balki Bartokomous arrived from Mypos, did the Dance of Joy, and gave ABC's TGIF its fish-out-of-water engine on Perfect Strangers. The accent was the instrument; Mark Linn-Baker was the straight man who never quite…
- Mark Linn-Baker as Larry Appleton
Mark Linn-Baker never quite recovered as Larry Appleton on Perfect Strangers — Balki Bartokomous from Mypos, the Dance of Joy, ABC’s TGIF fish-out-of-water engine. Bronson Pinchot’s accent is the instrument; Linn-Baker is the Chicago…