Low-Cal Munster

Infobox Television episode
Title =Rock-a-bye Munster
Series =The Munsters


Caption =
Season =1
Episode =6
Airdate =October 29, 1964
Writer =Norm Liebmann, Ed Haas
Director = Norman Abbott
Guests = Paul Lynde
Episode list =List of "The Munsters" episodes
Prev = Pike's Pique
Next =Tin Can Man"Low-Cal Munster" is an episode of "The Munsters" from the show's first season. It guest-stars Paul Lynde as Dr. Edward Howard Dudley.

Plot

The story begins with Herman breaking free from Grandpa's dungeon in a manner very reminiscent of Frankenstein's monster and barging into the Farbers' house, stealing their turkey. Then, in a flashback, Herman tells of how he was invited to a 20th Army Reunion.

He cannot fit into his old uniform, and Lily doesn't want him to leave (apparently they have not been without each other for 100 years), so they make a deal that if Herman can lose enough weight to fit into his uniform before the reunion, he can go.

Herman goes to Dr. Dudley to ask what an appropriate diet would be. During the check up, Dr. Dudley is surprised by Herman's room temperature, lack of blood pressure, pulse, or heartbeat, and extreme weight. After the examination, Dr. Dudley concludes that if Herman does not lose 100 pounds in a week, he will die.

Herman begins consuming nothing but vitamins and water, and after six days Lily begins to get sick of his sarcasm as he pretends to enjoy his diet. At the same time Grandpa continually expresses doubt that Herman can make it. That night Herman tries to sneak food out of the refrigerator, but is caught in the act by Grandpa.

The next morning is Thanksgiving, and Herman faints at the prospect of not eating Thanksgiving dinner. When Dr. Dudley arrives to check on Herman, he pronounces him dead and begins to fill out a receipt of death. However, Herman comes to and Grandpa offers to tie him to the table in the dungeon till the reunion.

While trapped in Grandpa's dungeon, Herman sees a commercial on TV advertising turkey. Unable to stand it any longer, he breaks free and barges into the Farbers' home, eating their entire Thanksgiving meal. The Farbers, however, are understanding and do not press charges.

In the end, Herman can only fit into his uniform using his deceased mother-in-law's corset.

Characters

*Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne)
*Lily Munster (Yvonne De Carlo)
*Grandpa (Al Lewis)
*Marilyn Munster (Beverley Owen)
*Eddie Munster (Butch Patrick)
*Dr. Edward Howard Dudley (Paul Lynde), Herman's doctor.
*Miss Fairchild (Caryl Rowe), Dr. Dudley's receptionist.
*Mr. Seymour Farber (Dick Winslow), the Munsters' neighbor.
*Mrs. Anna Farber (Monty Margetts)"', Mr. Farber's wife.
*Arlene Farber (Diane Courtney), the Farber's daughter.
*Lester Farber (Scott McCartor), the Farber's son.
*Grandma Farber (Elsie Baker), Mr. Farber's mother.
*The Raven (Mel Blanc), the Munsters' pet raven.
*others, including Ronny R. Rondell and Michael Jackson.

References

*"Low-Cal Munster"
*"A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane"