"Ted Baxter" was a character you either really laughed at or hated, because he was so stupid. For me, it was the laughter. I thought whoever wrote Ted Knight's dialog for this show was a genius.That includes this episode, which was hilarious.
Here, Ted is the main focus because he going to meet his dad, who abandoned him when our anchor was just two years old. Ted, understandably, has held bitter feelings toward this man since then. He would have liked to have had a father. Who would blame him? So, when he gets messages his dad is in Minneaspolits and wants to see him, Ted freaks out. He does everything he can to avoid meeting him, and some of the things are funny, as are the responses by his co-workers and girlfriend "Georgette" (Georgia Engel). Has there ever been a sweeter woman with a little girl's voice than her on TV? It's great to see her again as this Season Four DVD is my first look at these episodes in many years.
The scenes with Ted and his dad - when they finally meet - are riveting, but strange, which is no surprise - both funny and dramatic. I was disappointed that Ted never asked the man why he left the marriage. You would think that would be one of the first things he'd ask. "Why did you leave us?" Then again, he's Ted Baxter.
Liam Dunn, who played Ted's father, died three years after this episode aired. He did a number of TV shows since this airing and his death, but was only 59 when he expired. Gosh, he looked 20 years old. The thin man, apparently, was suffering from emphysema, but never stopped acting. He was a good actor and was someone who's face you recognize if you saw him. I remember him in a couple of Mel Brooks' great comedic films, "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein."