Charlene's wedding is fast approaching so Mary Jo, Suzanne and Julia throw Charlene a bachelorette party, inviting Charlene's sisters, sisters-in-law and long-time friend Monette -- who is a hooker. The women perform skits as an homage to the bride-to-be. Julia sing the song "My Buddy" to express the friendship of all the women present.
The following day after the wedding rehearsal, Bill prepares to leave for his bachelor party. Suzanne is concerned about the men having an all-night bash, but Charlene assures her that Bill is merely getting together for a quiet time with old friends. Juanita, a Latin dancer, performs at the bachelor party. During the dance, Juanita handcuffs herself to Bill with "menage a trois" cuffs. Everyone is horrified to discover that Juanita's boyfriend has the key and he is out of the state. A welder and a locksmith are called in to free Bill, but neither can help.
Later, Charlene and Julia show up. Charlene sees the handcuffs and gets terribly upset. To comfort her, Juanita puts the third cuff on Charlene's wrist. Now the three of them are stuck together. Early the next morning while the group waits for Juanita's boyfriend to arrive with the key, Charlene, still handcuffed to Bill and Juanita, gets ready for the wedding. Monette comes over to do Charlene's makeup. Seeing the handcuffs, Monette says that she has a pair just like them in her purse. Monette tries her key and it works -- Charlene and Bill are free and without any further distractions, walk down the aisle to become husband and wife.
Additional Comments:
In the actual episode, the name of the dancer was changed from Juanita to Little Latin Loupie.
This episode was the 50th written by Linda-Bloodworth Thomason, and the landmark occasion was commemorated with a cake.
Howard Bloodworth, who plays Charlene's Uncle Howard, is actually Linda Bloodworth's uncle. The toast he makes in honor of Bill and Charlene is this website's most requested quote.
Delta Burke's mother, Jean, also appears in this episode seated next to Howard Bloodworth in the church.
The cast has stated that this episode set the record for the longest taping -- running until 4 or 5 in the morning.
Jean Smart found out that she was pregnant on the day this episode taped.
Classic Scenes:
Charlene shows up for work with big news -- so excited that she can barely speak.....
JULIA: Good morning, Charlene. Mary Jo says you have some news for us.
Charlene screams with elation under her breath.
JULIA: Must be good news!
SUZANNE: Charlene, if this is something stupid like Pam Ewing's coming back to Dallas, I don't want to hear it.
CHARLENE: I'm getting married!!
JULIA: You're getting married?!!
MARY JO: I didn't tell them! It just about killed me, but I didn't.
JULIA: When did this happen?
CHARLENE: Friday night. I told Mary Jo already, but I couldn't get ahold of you, and I wanted to tell you all in one big swoop....I'm getting married!!
JULIA: I'm so happy for you!
(Meanwhile, Suzanne has been inspecting Charlene's engagement ring with her jewelers loupe....)
SUZANNE: Oh, nice job, Charlene! Now....who're you marrying?
CHARLENE: (annoyed) Bill!!
MARY JO: Suzanne....
SUZANNE: Well, I thought so, but y'know it never hurts to ask.
Mary Jo drags Julia to a keg party for moral support as she breaks off with her younger boyfriend, Kenny. As Julia returns from the powder room she runs into Kenny, who has boxer shorts on his head.
KENNY: Mrs. Sugarbaker! How 'bout you and I going out sometime? I bet I could pick up a thing or two from you.
JULIA: Well, I doubt that, Kenny. But I might be able to offer you one piece of wisdom.
KENNY: Oh yeah? What's that?
JULIA: I believe that you will find as years go by, and you get older and wiser, traversing life's little ups and downs, that underwear probably really doesn't make all that good of a hat. (turning to Mary Jo and speaking loudly to be heard over the music) The powder room isn't really functional now. The keg is in the bathtub and it seems the tap is slow. This is a source of some concern for all the young men in there because they are trying to fill Craig's funnel. Craig, it seems, drinks his beer out of a funnel.
Charlene tracks Julia down by phone for advice on handling her fiance's snooty family, who thinks she has no class............Julia continues in her loud voice in order to hear herself.
CHARLENE: Where the heck are you?
JULIA: If you must know, Charlene, I'm at a keg party.
CHARLENE: Julia! I can't imagine you at a keg party! I mean.....y'know, you have so much class.
JULIA: That's just the point, Charlene. If you have class, you have it. It doesn't matter where you are or who you're with..........and I have to go now because Craig is getting ready to drink out of the funnel.
Charlene has a heart-to-heart with Bill's mother.
CHARLENE: I love your son with all my heart, and I'll do anything to make him happy. But as much as I want to fit into his family, I'm just as proud of the one I come from.
Designing Women Online, Designing Women Tribute, Women of the House Magazine
and Belled Online ©1998-Present. All Rights Reserved.
