That's Life (1968)
That's Life
1968 / NRThat's Life is a musical comedy series that appeared on the ABC television network in 1968–69, starring Robert Morse and E. J. Peaker as Bobby and Gloria Dickson. The series focused on the lives of Bobby and Gloria, from their first meeting through their marriage, as their lives progressed, through Gloria's pregnancy and childbirth, as well as Bobby's work experiences at the Miller Chalk Company. Characters often broke into song, in the manner of musical plays and movies. Songs included well-known numbers and original tunes written for the program itself. Well-known stars often guest-starred in one-time roles. Kay Medford had a recurring role as Gloria's mother, Mrs. Quigley, who was often antagonistic to Bobby.
Seasons & Episode
This episode recounts how Bobby decided to pop the question-and how a friend of Gloria's schemed to help things along. Songs included: Marriage Blues - Nancy Wilson / It Must Be Him - E.J. Peaker / Embarrassment of Riches - Robert Morse / Our Love Is Here To Stay - Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker / The Two Of Us - Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker / To Get A Man - Nancy Wilson & E.J. Peaker.
""Bringing Baby Home"" gives Robert two new mouths to feed - Robert, Jr. and Gloria's mother, who moves in bent on baby raising. Sid Caesar is featured as Robert, Jr. who presents the infant view of life, and as a daydreaming milkman. Also appearing are The Muppets. Songs include: It Better Be a Boy - Robert Morse & Chorus / We've Got a Long Way to Go - Robert Morse / Daddy Day - Chorus / The Greatest Show on Earth - Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker.
Automation takes over as Bobby's fired by his boss, Paul Ford. Searching for work he runs into another job seeker, Jackie Vernon, interviewer Vikki Carr and aptitude tester Phil Silvers. Songs included: Anything You Can Do - Robert Morse & computer / Pick Yourself Up - Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker / I Like People - Vikki Carr / Adjust - Robert Morse & Phil Silvers.
Bobby and Gloria are besieged by a host of Christmas problems...the annual gift list, myriad Christmas wrappings, a disgusted store clerk, Paul Lynde, an office party where secretary Liza Minnelli defends herself by singing, and the cajolery of their neighbor, Guy Marks. Songs included: Bah Humbug - Paul Lynde / A Secretary is Not a Toy - Liza Minnelli.
Christmas Eve at the Dicksons' is highlighted by a stream of visitors...a neigbor, Leslie Uggams; delivery man, Rodney Dangerfield; and a host of carolers, The Doodletown Pipers. Also appearing are the Bil Baird Puppets and vaudeville comedian Joe Jackson, Jr. Songs included: What the World Needs Now - Leslie Uggams / All You Need for Christmas is People and Love - The Doodletown Pipers / Reach Out of the Darkness - The Doodletown Pipers.
Tonight's guest stars join Bobby at the country club's New Year's Eve party. Songs included: Dear World - Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker / Yesterday's Rain - Spanky and Our Gang / Ridin' High - Mel Torme / Look at That Face - Mel Torme / King of the Road - Mel Torme / That's Entertainment - Tony Mordente Dancers.
When one of Gloria's former beaus, played by Doug McClure, visits, a slow burning Robert sits by as the two reminisce. But a sympathetic friend, Norm Crosby, has a plan for revenge-a ""chance"" meeting between Gloria and Robert's sexy old flame, Totie Fields. Songs included: What Did She Ever See in Him? - Robert Morse & Doug McClure / Girls of Yesterday - Robert Morse / Sexy Me - Totie Fields / 'S Wonderful - Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker / I'm Your Pussycat - Tony Mordente Dancers.
This episode finds Robert and Gloria painting the town red. En route they bump into Sid Caesar, playing a gypsy violinist and a money hungry maitre d'; Leslie Uggams and Milt Kamen, playing a New York theatre vendor. Songs included: The Trolley Song – Leslie Uggams / If My Friends Could See Me Now – Leslie Uggams / The Very Thought of You – Leslie Uggams / We're Old – Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker / A Vicious Cycle – Tony Mordente Dancers / Noises at an Intermission – Tony Mordente Dancers.
This episode finds Private Bobby at an Army Reserve camp. Menaced by two non-coms (Wally Cox & Louis Nye) Bobby's only relief comes from the USO entertainment by singer-dancer Linda Bennett. Songs included: Little Green Apples - Robert Morse / Bye Bye Baby - Robert Morse & E.J. Peaker / It's Great to Be in the Army - Robert Morse & Dancers / Pass the Buck - Robert Morse, Wally Cox & Louis Nye / The More I See You - Linda Bennett / Do It Again - Linda Bennett / Wait Till You See Him - E.J. Peaker.
Baby's first birthday is bound to be memorable...party entertainment is being supplied by a magician, Carl Ballantine; friend Charley has rounded up all the neighborhood kids; and Bobby and Gloria have purchased a gift from a zany pet store owner, Paul Lynde. Songs included: Our Son is 1 - Robert Morse, E.J. Peaker & Dancers / Young at Heart - Robert Morse / Everybody Should Have a Bird - Paul Lynde / Got Any Jobs for Me? - Tony Mordente Dancers.
Repeat of an episode that originally aired October 08, 1968.
Repeat of an episode that originally aired October 15, 1968.
Repeat of an episode that originally aired October 22, 1968.
Repeat of an episode that originally aired November 26, 1968.
Repeat of an episode that originally aired January 7, 1969.
The final telecast of ""That's Life"" was a repeat of an episode that originally aired February 11, 1969. The time slot was filled with the thrice weekly ""The Dick Cavett Show"" for the remainder of the summer.
That's Life is a musical comedy series that appeared on the ABC television network in 1968–69, starring Robert Morse and E. J. Peaker as Bobby and Gloria Dickson. The series focused on the lives of Bobby and Gloria, from their first meeting through their marriage, as their lives progressed, through Gloria's pregnancy and childbirth, as well as Bobby's work experiences at the Miller Chalk Company. Characters often broke into song, in the manner of musical plays and movies. Songs included well-known numbers and original tunes written for the program itself. Well-known stars often guest-starred in one-time roles. Kay Medford had a recurring role as Gloria's mother, Mrs. Quigley, who was often antagonistic to Bobby.