Season 9 Episode 20: Something Larry This Way Comes

March 12, 1995

Published 03/12/95

Kelly has been studying at the Larry Storch School of Acting, and Larry Storch himself turns up at the house, which turns Al into a fan. Storch played Corporal Agarn on F Troop, a show Al has referenced throughout the series, and the moment Al hears the name he comes out of the shower. Kelly and Storch are to appear in a play together, and the episode builds toward that. Meanwhile Al has asked Gary for a raise and been moved onto a worse arrangement instead, so his plan to make up the shortfall is a midnight madness sale, conducted in costume. Bud’s prediction of exactly this plan, delivered before Al can announce it, is the funniest moment of the episode, and Al’s refusal to share the idea afterwards is the right response. So Al and Griff spend the episode dressed as wolves. The scene where Al, in costume and unaware that his boss is standing behind him, explains to Griff why there is nothing to fear from Gary, is a near-exact rerun of his grovel from “Business Still Sucks,” and it is just as good the second time. When Storch is incapacitated before the performance, Al goes on in his place.

Al’s half of the episode is a midnight madness sale he and Griff are made to work in wolf costumes, a humiliation the series had visited on him before in season five’s “Wabbit Season.” The two plots converge when Storch comes by the shoe store to meet his new fan and Gary, who has her own history with him, takes him out. Bud supplies the background detail that Storch also ran a karate school and a heating and air conditioning trade school, the latter jointly owned with Gary.

Episode Facts

Original air date: March 12, 1995
Season and episode: Season 9, Episode 20
Overall episode number: 204
Written by: Alison Taylor
Directed by: Amanda Bearse
Taped: January 13, 1995
Production note: The shot of Kelly in the red dress declaring she can soar with the beagles was used to introduce Christina Applegate in the opening credits for the show’s final two seasons.
Title note: An allusion to Something Wicked This Way Comes.