Showing posts with label The Honeymooners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Honeymooners. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A WOMAN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE (revised version). But each student should do their own revised version. This is just one example.
A Woman's Work Is Never Done
(Revised version)
ONE OF THE earliest classic American TV sitcoms was The Honeymooners (1955), a weekly half-hour series that featured Jackie Gleason as a bus driver, Ralph Kramden, with Audrey Meadows as his patient wife, Alice. The show co-starred Art Carney as Ralph's simple-minded neighbor, Ed Norton, with Joyce Randolph as Ed's wife, Trixie. (Revised version)
I brainstormed for ideas. I selected ideas I could use coherently, dropping them if they didn't fit in my draft, or else changing my draft (rough organization) if I thought the ideas were important enough to keep in. I found an introductory point of view in which to situate my discussion of a single episode in the series, then I found a concluding paragraph based on higher levels of generality.
In the main body of my brief review, I had to get to lower levels of generality, referring to dialogue and specific incidents of the show, "A Woman's Work Is Never Done." Note how I refer to the show on subsequent occasions in shortened form as "A Woman's Work."
My second paragraph summarized the salient (main, important) parts of the story. But notice that I left out other parts for the sake of coherence, so I could refer to them later in the review (Ralph's apology and admission that housework is hard).
Note too my variety of diction (choice of words). My choice of simple strong words like "hard" was deliberate, so I could mix up simple and more complex words (that is, words derived from Anglo-Saxon sources like "hard" and words derived from Latin roots, such as "riposte"). One always has to consider one's readers. Too many Latin-derived words clutter one's diction; too many Anglo-Saxon derived words limits one's expressive ability.
I started out with higher levels of generality in my first paragraph, used lower levels in my second, then returned to higher levels of generality in my third paragraph, talking about general traits of character. Then in my fourth and fifth paragraphs I became specific again, referring to dialogue and incidents in the single show under discussion.
I used comparison (with classical tragedy) in my sixth paragraph to sum up the effect of the series in the next paragraph, returning to a specific reference to "A Woman's Work" at the end of the paragraph, so the reader doesn't lose focus. Notice that now I can return to the summary of the plot given previously, mentioning Ralph's apology. Otherwise, I would have had to repeat this detail twice in this brief review, which would have seemed awkward. So I removed this reference to Ralph's apology in the earlier paragraph and coherently included it in the later paragraph, precisely when I referred to the general idea of Ralph's weekly apologies.
In my final paragraph I went to higher levels of generality again, and summed up the entire series with a general evalution. This is called "contextualization," or putting a smaller matter into the context of a larger scheme (in this case, a single show in the context of the annual series of shows). This neatly rounds off my review.
Notice that I dropped reference to the incident about the bureau and replaced it with the incident of Ed ringing for the maid after she quits. That's because, first, I felt it was too difficult to rehearse (retell) the story in just a few words; I would need too many words and so telling it would be disproportionate to the size of the review, losing the focus of the whole just to tell one incident. So I replaced it with the incident of Ed ringing for the maid, which I could tell in one sentence and link it coherently in my review. In fact, as often happens in writing, once I chose to include that reference to Ed ringing for the maid, I needed a transition to it, which forced me to change my draft in a new direction. That's how genuine revision works, which is not the same as merely "doing it again." Real revision, as the word implies, means to be in a continuous dialogue with what one has already written and "seeing it again," more clearly, thus able to make the best changes in it.
In the main body of my brief review, I had to get to lower levels of generality, referring to dialogue and specific incidents of the show, "A Woman's Work Is Never Done." Note how I refer to the show on subsequent occasions in shortened form as "A Woman's Work."
My second paragraph summarized the salient (main, important) parts of the story. But notice that I left out other parts for the sake of coherence, so I could refer to them later in the review (Ralph's apology and admission that housework is hard).
Note too my variety of diction (choice of words). My choice of simple strong words like "hard" was deliberate, so I could mix up simple and more complex words (that is, words derived from Anglo-Saxon sources like "hard" and words derived from Latin roots, such as "riposte"). One always has to consider one's readers. Too many Latin-derived words clutter one's diction; too many Anglo-Saxon derived words limits one's expressive ability.
I started out with higher levels of generality in my first paragraph, used lower levels in my second, then returned to higher levels of generality in my third paragraph, talking about general traits of character. Then in my fourth and fifth paragraphs I became specific again, referring to dialogue and incidents in the single show under discussion.
I used comparison (with classical tragedy) in my sixth paragraph to sum up the effect of the series in the next paragraph, returning to a specific reference to "A Woman's Work" at the end of the paragraph, so the reader doesn't lose focus. Notice that now I can return to the summary of the plot given previously, mentioning Ralph's apology. Otherwise, I would have had to repeat this detail twice in this brief review, which would have seemed awkward. So I removed this reference to Ralph's apology in the earlier paragraph and coherently included it in the later paragraph, precisely when I referred to the general idea of Ralph's weekly apologies.
In my final paragraph I went to higher levels of generality again, and summed up the entire series with a general evalution. This is called "contextualization," or putting a smaller matter into the context of a larger scheme (in this case, a single show in the context of the annual series of shows). This neatly rounds off my review.
Notice that I dropped reference to the incident about the bureau and replaced it with the incident of Ed ringing for the maid after she quits. That's because, first, I felt it was too difficult to rehearse (retell) the story in just a few words; I would need too many words and so telling it would be disproportionate to the size of the review, losing the focus of the whole just to tell one incident. So I replaced it with the incident of Ed ringing for the maid, which I could tell in one sentence and link it coherently in my review. In fact, as often happens in writing, once I chose to include that reference to Ed ringing for the maid, I needed a transition to it, which forced me to change my draft in a new direction. That's how genuine revision works, which is not the same as merely "doing it again." Real revision, as the word implies, means to be in a continuous dialogue with what one has already written and "seeing it again," more clearly, thus able to make the best changes in it.
<> "A Woman's Work Is Never Done" was a typical episode. Ralph hires a maid when, following an argument, Alice refuses to do the housework. When the maid quits over Ralph's demanding behavior, Ralph has to do the housework himself.
As in the best comedy, the plot was only a peg on which to hang the characters' reactions. In a good series, viewers enjoy rounded characters behaving in expected ways in new situations.
Predictably, Ralph bellowed while Alice responded with sarcastic ripostes. In "A Woman's Work," for example, he asks Alice to get his bowling shirt with his team's name, Hurricanes, on it. "How are they going to know I am a Hurricane?" he bellows. Alice responds, "Just open your mouth."
The relationship between Ralph and Ed was similarly predictable, with Ralph hatching harebrained schemes that Ed went along with. But it was Ed's naive actions that got the bigger laughs, as when, in "A Woman's Work," he jingles a bell to call the maid back after she has already quit and walked out the door.
As in classical tragedy, the plots revolved around the deflation of Ralph's unrealistic schemes, followed by his heartfelt apology to Alice. In "A Woman's Work," for example, he is forced to admit how hard housework is before Alice can forgive him.
Apart from its lower-class characters (a novelty at the time and still rare in sitcoms today), it is this blend of comic and dramatic moments that made The Honeymooners unique and still popular in syndicated reruns across America.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Home Listening Due Sunday 29 March 2009
THE HONEYMOONERS
"Two Tickets to the Fight"
Due Sunday 29 March 2009
1. What is Alice cooking at the beginning of the program?"Two Tickets to the Fight"
Due Sunday 29 March 2009
The Honeymooners began as short (ten-minute) segments of host, Jackie Gleason's variety show, Cavalcade of Stars (renamed the Jackie Gleason Show). Those sketches became popular and a series was named after them.
The Honeymooners, as an independent series, lasted one year (1955-56), airing 39 episodes, now called "the classic 39." But in the TV ratings war, even good shows get canceled. The Honeymooners could not compete against the even more popular Perry Como show, which aired in the same time slot.
Despite its short life on television, The Honeymooners, is now considered one of the finest situation comedies television has ever produced. Since its initial run it has been in constant syndication (shown on local television stations) and has become a part of American culture, like Superman or (another classic TV program) The Twilight Zone.
The Honeymooners revolved around a married couple, Ralph and Alice Kramden ("the Kramdens"), played by the show's creator, Jackie Gleason, with Audrey Meadows as his wife. Their neighbors were Ed and Trixie Norton ("the Nortons").
Norton was played by Art Carney, who later won an Oscar, though he is most famous for his role in The Honeymooners. To his credit, Gleason gave Norton some of the show's funniest lines and Carney won several Emmy awards for his role as Ed Norton during the run of the show.
The Honeymooners became one of the most parodied and referenced shows in television history (the cartoon, The Flintstones was modeled on it) and produced some of the most famous lines in television history, including "You're going to the moon, Alice," "Gee, what a grouch," "Pow, zoom, up to the moon," "I've got a big mouth," and others.
Unlike today's sitcoms, taped in a studio with a laugh track added to make it sound funnier than it is, The Honeymooners was filmed live. The laughter is real.
The Honeymooners was the first TV program to show ordinary middle-class folk. They lived in Brooklyn, New York. Ralph was a bus driver, Ed worked in the New York sewers. The wives were typical housewives living in low-rent apartments.
The characters were well-defined. Ralph was a bully and a loud mouth, always hatching silly business schemes that his wife disapproved of. Despite their quarrels and his frequent threats to "send her to the moon," he never laid a hand on her. At the end of each show, they realized how much they loved each other, hugging at the end, usually to Ralph's famous line, "Baby, you're the greatest!"
Ed Norton was the fastidious neighbor, usually bullied by Ralph but willingly collaborating in his schemes. A running gag was Ed's start-up ritual whenever he performed any important task, measuring his hands carefully, shaking them in preparation, etc. until Ralph lost his patience and shouted, "Come on!"
Alice was silent but firm and balanced Ralph's erratic temper with her dignity and patience until Ralph realized he was wrong. Trixie (Ed's wife) was less defined as a character.
"Two Tickets to the Fight" is not one of the "classic 39" episodes, but one of the ten-minute segments of the larger variety hour in which The Honeymooners first aired. Besides the ESL practice, the show will also introduce ESL students to one of the classic American television programs, showing what life was like for an average middle-class family in 1950s America.
For interested students, "the classic 39" are available on youtube (usually in three parts). One of my favorites is "The Bensonhurst Bomber," which we studied in last year's ESL class to the delight of students.
Because of the length of the show (about ten minutes), I cannot send the video this week. It may be too large for your server to handle and it'll be returned, in which case you may not even get the email. So you should view it on youtube here.
The Honeymooners, as an independent series, lasted one year (1955-56), airing 39 episodes, now called "the classic 39." But in the TV ratings war, even good shows get canceled. The Honeymooners could not compete against the even more popular Perry Como show, which aired in the same time slot.
Despite its short life on television, The Honeymooners, is now considered one of the finest situation comedies television has ever produced. Since its initial run it has been in constant syndication (shown on local television stations) and has become a part of American culture, like Superman or (another classic TV program) The Twilight Zone.
The Honeymooners revolved around a married couple, Ralph and Alice Kramden ("the Kramdens"), played by the show's creator, Jackie Gleason, with Audrey Meadows as his wife. Their neighbors were Ed and Trixie Norton ("the Nortons").
Norton was played by Art Carney, who later won an Oscar, though he is most famous for his role in The Honeymooners. To his credit, Gleason gave Norton some of the show's funniest lines and Carney won several Emmy awards for his role as Ed Norton during the run of the show.
The Honeymooners became one of the most parodied and referenced shows in television history (the cartoon, The Flintstones was modeled on it) and produced some of the most famous lines in television history, including "You're going to the moon, Alice," "Gee, what a grouch," "Pow, zoom, up to the moon," "I've got a big mouth," and others.
Unlike today's sitcoms, taped in a studio with a laugh track added to make it sound funnier than it is, The Honeymooners was filmed live. The laughter is real.
The Honeymooners was the first TV program to show ordinary middle-class folk. They lived in Brooklyn, New York. Ralph was a bus driver, Ed worked in the New York sewers. The wives were typical housewives living in low-rent apartments.
The characters were well-defined. Ralph was a bully and a loud mouth, always hatching silly business schemes that his wife disapproved of. Despite their quarrels and his frequent threats to "send her to the moon," he never laid a hand on her. At the end of each show, they realized how much they loved each other, hugging at the end, usually to Ralph's famous line, "Baby, you're the greatest!"
Ed Norton was the fastidious neighbor, usually bullied by Ralph but willingly collaborating in his schemes. A running gag was Ed's start-up ritual whenever he performed any important task, measuring his hands carefully, shaking them in preparation, etc. until Ralph lost his patience and shouted, "Come on!"
Alice was silent but firm and balanced Ralph's erratic temper with her dignity and patience until Ralph realized he was wrong. Trixie (Ed's wife) was less defined as a character.
"Two Tickets to the Fight" is not one of the "classic 39" episodes, but one of the ten-minute segments of the larger variety hour in which The Honeymooners first aired. Besides the ESL practice, the show will also introduce ESL students to one of the classic American television programs, showing what life was like for an average middle-class family in 1950s America.
For interested students, "the classic 39" are available on youtube (usually in three parts). One of my favorites is "The Bensonhurst Bomber," which we studied in last year's ESL class to the delight of students.
Because of the length of the show (about ten minutes), I cannot send the video this week. It may be too large for your server to handle and it'll be returned, in which case you may not even get the email. So you should view it on youtube here.
2. Who is Alice expecting for dinner?
3. What does Trixie borrow for her husband, Ed?
4. When does the first bout on the fight program start?
5. In which row will Ralph and Ed be sitting?
6. What hour in the morning did Ed say he got up while training in the Golden Gloves?
7. Why does Ed want to bring binoculars to the fight?
8. How long does Ralph say he'll have to wait to see another fight like the one he has tickets for?
9. How many quarts of beer did Ralph say he drank that caused him to like Uncle George?
10. Where does George come from?
11. How many times a week does Alice say Ralph's family members come to the house?
12. Name 3 gifts Uncle George gave the Kramdens (Ralph and Alice)?
13. What does Alice say will happen if Ralph walks out the door?
14. Where does Alice say George should go to wash up?
15. What does Ralph tell George is acting up again?
16. What does Ed notice in Ralph's eye?
17. What does Alice offer Ralph to eat at the end of the show?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
For Week of 3 June 2008
YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN
1. What did Ralph promise Alice he would do?2. What is Alice going to do with the junk she found in the house?
3. What was Ed supposed to do in the afternoon?
4. Why did Ed have to be at City Hall?
5. What proverb does Ed quote about gold?
6. What Civil Service position does Ed feel would fit Ralph to a T?
7. What does Alice want to throw out that has tender memories for Ralph?
8. How long hasn't he touched it according to Alice?
9. According to Ed what else hasns't he touched?
10. What does Ralph tell Alice she's liable to be in five seconds?
11. What kind of cornet does Ed say the horn is?
12. According to Alice when did the cornet sound better?
13. What's the story of Ralph's life according to him?
14. What did Ralph's uncle want him to become?
15. What building does Ralph think he might have built if he had stuck to his dreams?
16. What anniversary year is it for the elderly couple?
17. What is the old man's name?
18. What business is he in?
19. What does Ralph tell the visitors he can see from his window?
20. What did the old man make a list of?
21. What kind of business is the old man's brother in?
22. What does Alice ask Ralph when she sees him pacing back and forth?
23. What does Ralph say he's going to go after?
24. Where does she say she's going to wear Ralph's cornet?
25. What does Alice say are Ralph's two weak points?
26. What has no place in the new Ralph Kramden's nature?
27. What does Ed do to the cornet?
28. What did Ed's grandfather used to say?
29. What points does Ralph say he will list?
30. What points does Ed say he will list?
31. What are the 5 bad points?
32. How much does Ralph owe Ed?
33. What does Ed say is Ralph's good point?
34. What does Ralph tell Ed he will be be proud to say about him?
35. What does Trixie bring Alice?
36. What did Trixie just chew up because she's waiting for the results of Ed's exam?
37. Who is shopping for dinner?
38. What is Ralph's fault #18?
39. What did Ralph insist on doing before he went to work?
40. What does Alice tell Ralph sarcastically that Trixie is not used to?
41. What does Ralph think Trixie did with her hair?
42. What is Ralph's fault #22?
43. What did Joe Cassidy say the population of New York City is?
44. How many people does Ralph say live there?
45. What does Alice tell Ralph after kissing him?
46. According to Ralph, how does Ed answer a complicated mathematical question on his Civil Service exam?
47. What does Ed call Ralph and himself?
48. What does Alice tell Ralph he can't expect to do the first time?
49. What does Alice say she will do if the old Ralph Kramden comes back?
50. When did Ralph say he hit the high note once?
Friday, February 22, 2008
CUPID: For week of 26 February 2008
CUPID
(The Honeymooners)
Go to the following links (1, 2, 3, 4), view program, and answer the following questions (you can also access each segment nearby the previous segment);(The Honeymooners)
2. What does Ralph order (no need to mention the sauce)?
3. Since he's on a diet, what does he order instead of his first choice?
4. What does Ed order?
5. Which school did Ralph and Herman go to as children?
6. Why does Herman think Ralph has changed?
7. Which row was Ralph in in the class picture?
8. How many years has Ralph been married?
9. What is Alice's (Ralph's wife) maiden name?
10. What color hair does she have?
11. When is it wonderful to be married, according to Ralph?
12. Why doesn't Herman get married?
13. How many people does Ralph handle on the bus every day?
14. How old does Ralph estimate the female diner is?
15. What occupation does he think she has?
16. How old does Ed think she is?
17. What occupation does he think she has?
18. What grade does she teach according to Ed?
19. If Ralph doubts Ed's veracity, what is Ed willing to submit to?
20. What does Ed want Herman to talk to the girl about?
21. What approach does Ed recommend to talk with the girl?
22. What approach does Ralph recommend?
23. What does Ralph ask to borrow from the girl?
24. What did Ralph accomplish, according to Ed?
25. What does the counter person tell the girl he has in the kitchen after Ralph spills coffee on her?
26. How many cousins does Alice have?
27. What are their names?
28. How long has the family tried to get them married off?
29. Who looks like Abraham Lincoln, according to Ed?
30. What is Evelyn's phone number?
31. How does Ralph describe his weight to Evelyn over the phone?
32. Why does Ralph think Evelyn hung up the phone?
33. What recently happened between Charlotte and her boyfriend?
34. What time does Ralph make the date for between Charlotte and Herman?
35. What does Herman plan to do with his blue suit for the date?
36. What does Ralph plan to buy Alice when he goes home?
37. What does Ralph call Ed's sandwich?
38. What color hair does Evelyn have?
39. What does Trixie say men do when they feel guilty over a love affair?
40. How long has it been since Ralph bought Alice flowers?
41. Where did Trixie hear the rumor of Ralph having an affair?
42. Why are beauty parlors a menace to society according to Ed?
43. What tournament does Ralph have next week?
44. When Alice asks Ralph to tell her the truth, what does he confess to?
45. How much money was involved?
46. What does Ralph say he charges pretty women instead of a fare?
47. What does he same women have to do if they want a transfer?
48. What does the bus advertise instead of "Madison Avenue"?
49. Why doesn't Ralph want Ed to explain what the confusion to Alice?
50. Where is Alice taking the clothes in her suitcase?
51. Why does Alice say she wants to get away from the house?
52. Why does Alice wish Ralph comes back?
53. Why does Trixie think that Ed is considerate?
54. What is Charlotte's friend, Ethel, wary of?
55. What are Mike's (Charlotte's ex-boyfriend) two faults?
56. What is embroidered on Ethel's handkerchief?
57. What does Ethel bet Charlotte her date will look like?
58. What is Mike liable to think about Ralph when he enters?
59. How does Ethel solve the problem?
60. How long does Ethel know Ralph according to Ethel?
61. How long does Ralph know Ethel according to Ralph?
62. What phrase does Ralph use to call Ethel?
63. How does Ralph discover Ethel's name?
64. After Evelyn calls Ralph sweet, what does Ethel call him?
65. What does Ralph call himself when Ed enters Ralph's apartment?
66. Why doesn't Ed do anything when he sees Alice walking with her suitcase?
67. What seven things in the house remind Ralph of Alice?
68. Why does Ed want to charge Ralph ten dollars for his possessions?
69. Who does Ed say may come back some day?
70. Why does Herman say he can't take Charlotte out that night?
71. What are Ralph's final words to Alice?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Prepare a summary and evaluation of the assigned show.
For Week of 20 November 2007
Besides Friday, November 16, 2007
In-Class Assignment for Week of 20 November 2007
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
In-Class Assignment for Week of 20 November 2007
In-Class Assignment for Week of 20 November 2007
1. At the beginning of the show why does Alice look for a hiding place?
2. According to Alice, when do she and Ralph usually exchange their Christmas gifts?
3. What did Ed buy Trixie for Christmas?
4. What famous man is represented on Ed's gift?
5. Which part of his body does juice squirt out of?
6. What toy would you use to squirt someone with water?
7. Why does Alice tell Ralph that he can't be trusted?
8. What does Alice hide in the bedroom closet on the shelf behind her hat box?
9. Why does Ralph call Alice a "wisenheimer"? (Look up the word!).
10. Where does Ed say he bought Ralph's spats?
11. Ralph explains that Alice has a "fetish" about exchanging Christmas gifts on what day?
12. What are some of your fetishes, as in the phrase, "I've got a fetish for fried oysters," etc. (Avoid the sexual meaning of the word.)
13. Ralph says when Alice sees his gifts, she'll "flip." What do you think he means?
14. If the "gig's up" what does that mean?
15. When are you likely to say, "That's a beauty" (variant form: "That's a beaut").
16. Discuss a clever ruse you played on a friend, classmate, or family member?
17. If someone is a dope, does that mean he takes drugs? Does it mean she's intelligent? Explain.
18. What is box for that Ralph buys Alice?
19. What goes into the secret door?
20. How many matchsticks were used to make the box?
21. Where does Ralph think the box came from?
22. What are some objects that might e smuggled into a country?
23. Ralph says he can't wait to see the look on Alice's kisser when she sees his gift. What might "kisser" mean?
24. Why does Ed think that Christmas morning might be too late to give Alice her gift?
25. What gift does Alice give her woman visitor?
26. Where does her guest say the novelty store is located?
27. What might be purchased at a novelty store?
28. Discuss a novelty you bought or received as a gift.
29. When the woman says her gift is "just a trifle," what does she mean? It's expensive? Cheap? Special?
31. What does Ed mean when he says that "everyone's busted"?
32. What does it mean to break bread? Break a toy? What does it mean to be broke?
33. How much did Ralph say he saved up?
34. What did he buy with his savings?
35. What do you think Ralph means when he calls Ed a "riot" (a phrase often used by Ralph in the Honeymooners series)?
36. Ed wishes Uncle Leo a "Happy Yuletide." What's another way to say "Happy Yuletide"?
37. Explain Ed's plan to attach a label, "DO NOT OPEN TILL AFTER CHRISTMAS"?
38. Usually men only call women "sweetheart." Why does Ralph call Uncle Leo "sweetheart"?
39. If you say that something "slipped my mind," what do you mean?
40. How much is Uncle Leo's gift certificate worth?
41. At one point Ed tells Ralph to "Hold the phone!" What's a near translation of this idiom?
42. Why might you hock an object you own?
43. When one says about someone else that, "They threw away the mold" in making him or her, what is the intended meaning? Explain.
44. What does Alice buy Ralph?
45. What's another meaning for "Pardon me"?
46. If you stash away money, what does that mean?
47. Ralph says that around Christmas time, "everyone's hustling." What does he mean?
48. If you're nuts about someone, does that mean you hate them, love them? What does it mean?
49. When does Jackie Gleason "step out of character"?
50. What does Gleason and the other cast members step out of character at the end of the show?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Home Listening and Class Assignment Week of 16 October 2007
THE HONEYMOONERS LISTENING QUIZ
Plus Classroom Assignment for
Week of 16 October 2007
Click on the picture below, view part 1 of the Honeymooners episode, "TV or Not TV" and answer the following questions. Then view the other two episodes and discuss the entire episode in terms of acting, character, plot, style, humor, theme, or comparison and contrast with current shows you've seen on television.
1. What does Alice want Ralph to buy her?Plus Classroom Assignment for
Week of 16 October 2007
Click on the picture below, view part 1 of the Honeymooners episode, "TV or Not TV" and answer the following questions. Then view the other two episodes and discuss the entire episode in terms of acting, character, plot, style, humor, theme, or comparison and contrast with current shows you've seen on television.
2. What
3. What does Ralph call Alice when she calls him "sweetums" (a term of endearment, or honey talk, built on the word "sweet," but now out of style)?
4. Who does Ralph think is hiding in the house?
5. What drink does Alice call her husband's favorite?
6. Why does Alice think Ralph is not buyng a TV set?
7. What does Ralph say is the reason?
8. What does Ralph say he has instead of headaches?
9. How much does Ralph say he has in his bank account?
10. What does Ralph say Alice has instead of owning things?
11. What was their electric bill the month before?
Friday, October 5, 2007
For the Week of 9 October 2007 (Listening Assignment Due 8 October 2007)
THE HONEYMOONERS:
MANAGER OF A BASEBALL TEAM
MANAGER OF A BASEBALL TEAM
In addition, for class discussion the week of 9 October 2007, you'll exchange views about the show,
a) giving your evaluation,
b) explaining why you think it was funny or wasn't funny,
c) how it differs from television shows today,
d) who your favorite character was,
e) whether you were involved in the story,
f) what the plot was.
1. What reason does Trixie give to explain why Ralph Kramden might be late?
2. According to the bus company, when did Ralph leave?
3. Why doesn't Ed want to stand on the corner to see if Ralph is coming?
4. According to Ed, what reason would Ralph have to run away?
5. Why couldn't Ed's brother remember his name?
6. What does Ed suggest to take their minds off Ralph's absence?
7. Who does Ralph say is "the lucky person" while drinking champagne?
8. What gift does Ralph give to Ed?
9. Why does Ralph hold a toast?
10. What kind of woman does the fortune teller predict Ed will meet?
11. What job does Ed believe he'll have for as long as he lives?
12. How much money will Ralph get on his new job?
13. What does Ralph promise Alice she can do once he gets his new job?
14. Why doesn't Ed like going to the mountains?
15. Why doesn't Trixie like Ed going to the beach?
16. Name four changes Ralph plans on each bus if he becomes president?
17. Why does Ralph go to the store?
18. Why did they name a seat for Ed in public school?
19. What does the telegram say?
20. Why doesn't Ralph want to move out of his apartment?
21. What does he plan to do to his apartment?
22. What does he plan to buy for the bedroom?
23. Why did Ralph want to be important?
VOCABULARY
extra shiftbus depot
crazy
corner
amnesia
cops
talk sense
take our minds off (something)
champagne
a toast
cheese spread
sweetie
tough to open
a wise guy
stunned
qualifications
read one's palm
executive ability
brunette
change (concrete noun)
chlorophyl
say so
fortune
bunion
honeymoon
ears pop
eyes pop
boy oh boy
superintendant
stewardess
outlet
straps
starve
cold cuts
a good head on one's shoulders
volley ball
pretty smart
telegram
loud mouth
delicatessen (deli)
robe
fraulein
cigar
in the money
"blew it again"
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