The ultra talented Janet Carroll goes down Phyliss Stone from the musical "Follies" fame as sophisticated socialite wife, getting on stage and strutting her stuff. Reminding me of Broadway's Beth Leavel ("Drowsy Chaperone", "The Prom"), Carroll was always amusing as Jim's wife, Doris, but here, she is truly stunning, surprising everybody and shocking her husband who is horrified by the desires his wife has been keeping inside. The episode has many funny moments but it's also really touching as Doris reveals her own dreams and Jim realizes that he's basically taking her for granted and in some ways didn't even know her. It's an examination of marriage that many long married couples have to face at one point or another, and for the staid Jim, an eye opener about what a close leash he keeps her on. While Carroll had musical comedy experience, she only appeared in one Broadway musical, and it makes me wish that she had done more so at least we would have recordings of her glorious brassy voice.
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