Episode: “Superstar/Salem” (1978)
REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
Gazing up in the sky – it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … Actually, it IS a plane …
“De plane, de plane.”
That could only be the timeless cry of actor Herve Villachaize as Tattoo.
Followed a short while later by actor Ricardo Montalban saying: “Hello, I am Mr. Rourke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island.”
On this episode, Gary Burghoff (Radar on M*A*S*H) plays short-statured, mild-mannered Richard Delaney whose fantasy is to be a baseball superstar. Tattoo quips, “He doesn’t look strong enough to be a batboy.”
Richard’s fantasy begins when he meets Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda at an introductory brunch. (Mr. Rourke explains that baseball All-Stars are on the island getting ready for a goodwill tour.) Lasorda invites Richard to participate in the next game. Although he begins to get cold feet, Richard eventually suits up and heads to the field.
Lasorda explains his exhibition game strategy. Catfish Hunter is going to start the game on the mound, followed by Ken Brett in relief and then, if necessary, Richard. Sure enough, Brett begins to tire in the top of the ninth and loads the bases with no outs. Lasorda signals a pitching change. Richard is called in to take over for the struggling Brett with his team ahead 5-4. Still anxious, he somewhat reluctantly heads to the mound. Richard will be facing the heart of the opposite team’s order: George Brett, Steve Garvey and Fred Lynn.
Brett steps up to the plate. Richard winds up and throws. It’s the weirdest pitch ever. It zigs. It zags. It does flips and somersaults. It even sounds weird and crazy. And at the last second, fools these All-Stars. Brett asks the ump to take a look at the ball, but it seems OK. He strikes out on three pitches.
Garvey is next and after a swinging strike says, “I don’t believe this guy.” And also fans on three pitches. Then Lynn gives it a try, also whiffing on three pitches. He says, “And I thought Nolan Ryan was tough.” Richard’s fantasy of being a major league superstar comes true as he struck out the side on nine pitches – an immaculate inning – and saves the game. Lasorda offers him a tryout for the Dodgers to be held the next day.
That evening at dinner, Richard’s rotten, demanding boss shows up and says he must attend an important meeting with him the following day. Knowing this will interfere with the Dodgers tryout, with newfound confidence, Richard uncharacteristically stands up for himself and tells off his boss.
The next day is a baseball disaster. Richard can’t pitch worth a darn. His fantasy is over. However, there’s a twist. By not giving in the night before, he has actually earned the respect of his boss who now wants to discuss Richard’s future with company. As was usually the case with Fantasy Island, wasn’t quite the outcome expected, but a nice surprise for Richard.
George and Ken Brett were brothers and played together for the Royals at the tail-end of Ken’s career in 1980-81. Expos outfielder Ellis Valentine also appears in this episode. While Catfish Hunter is mentioned, he is never shown.
Fantasy Island’s format included at least two usually unrelated plotlines. The other story on this show was called “Salem” and involved a couple who wanted to visit a time when morals were higher. They were transported to 17th century Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials. They learned the hard way that modern society might not be so bad after all.
The original show lasted seven seasons and followed the “The Love Boat” on ABC’s Saturday night lineup in the late 1970s and early ’80s.
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NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch FANTASY ISLAND” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.
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