A mysterious letter from Italy leads Eve (Eve Arden) to question Kaye (Kaye Ballard) about her grandmother. It turns out Kaye has led Italian grandmother Jeanette Nolan (as Gabriela Balotta) to believe Jerry is marrying tomorrow, into a nice Italian family. Elopements are unheard of in Italian families, and long engagements are valued. So, when the older woman arrives unexpectedly, everyone has to pretend Jerry (Jerry Fogel) and Suzie (Deborah Walley) are not yet married. Moreover, Herb (Herbert Rudley) has to pay for a big traditional wedding. Complicating matters, whenever Grandma Nolan becomes upset or excited, she faints dead away...
This episode opened season two of "The Mothers-In-Law". Like many of the series stories, ideas from previous Desi-Lucy shows were recycled. This was natural because former Desilu productions chief Arnaz directed from a script by "Lucy" writers Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Davis. They were able to borrow from the best, themselves. We are reminded of Ricky Ricardo's mother visiting from Cuba, and a long storyline originating in "I Love Lucy" begins herein. With this episode, Richard Deacon replaces Roger C. Carmel (as Roger Buell). The first appearance of Mr. Deacon is in the opening credits, his first scene is inconspicuous and the transition is smooth.
****** Here Comes the Bride, Again (9/15/68) Desi Arnaz ~ Eve Arden, Kaye Ballard, Jeanette Nolan, Richard Deacon
