EPISODE: The Flapjack Contest

Reviewed By Lynne Coulson

First aired: January 3, 1965   Episode 183, Season 6

Guest stars: Johnny Seven, Joan Huntington, Mel Bergen, Howard Wendall, Bern Hoffman, Olan Soule

Written by: Frank Cleaver

Directed by: William Claxton

SUMMARY:

The Flapjack Contest centers on Joe's efforts to try and win enough money to repay Adam for the ruby Joe lost whilst it was in his care. It involves Joe in gambling behind Pa's back, getting Hoss to be his accomplice, as big brother fears for Joe's hide, and several windowpanes being broken. It highlights the comic talents of both ML and DB and leaves Ben often angry, confused and bemused, by his sons' antics.

It's my favorite episode and I never get tired of watching it.

Opening scene: We see Hoss and Ben at the breakfast table and Ben is grumbling about the non-appearance of Hoss' younger brother (note: he is always Hoss or Adam's brother, not Ben's son, when he is in trouble). Ben continues by asking Hoss what is the matter with Joe -- always staying out late, getting into trouble etc. Hoss replies that Joe is young and he's sowing his oats. Ben is not pleased with that comment and says he wishes Joe would confine his oat sowing activities to the ranch and instructs Hoss to get the boy out of bed, or else Joe will stay there all day.

Hoss goes upstairs and slams Joe's door shut as he enters the room. Joe is fast asleep and the noise does not disturb him. Hoss pulls the covers off him, shakes him and taps him on his lovely butt; Joe remains asleep. Hoss then pulls up the blind, letting brilliant sunshine stream into the room, but still Joe doesn't stir. Hoss then goes to the washstand and pours out a glass of water. He approaches the bed, saying "Oh Joseph" and throws the water over Joe's face. Joe jumps up, banging his head on the headboard; as he does so, he picks up his boot, and flings it at Hoss. Big brother ducks and the boot sails through the closed bedroom window.

Hoss goes over to Joe, when he realizes Joe is hurting, and inspects the boy's head, asking if he got the lump, as he woke up. Joe tells him that he didn't and it's a long story, to which Hoss replies that they haven't got time for long stories, Pa's waiting and he's in a bad mood. Joe fingers the lump, commenting on the size and then groans, muttering to himself "Why does everybody gotta be in a bad mood?" with the most gorgeous pout on his face.

Downstairs, we see Ben react to the sound of the breaking glass, but he doesn't go up to see what happened and then we have the opening credits. (There was a post circulating, at one time, in which someone said she remembered a scene, at this point, where Ben did go up to see what happened and he tanned Joe's hide, for being out late and for breaking the window, but no one else could recall that; would have been fun, though LOL)

We are next treated to the sight of Little Joe making his way slowly across the yard and easing himself up on to the buckboard, where he slouches down in the seat, looking rather pale and interesting (he's always interesting). Hoss is with him and when he finds out that Joe didn't get home until around four in the morning, he tells Joe that he would have had more than just the one lump if Pa had caught him coming home that late. Joe explains that he got into a poker game with a new tinhorn gambler in town named Trager. Joe says he beat the guy and left the game around $100 richer, but on the way home he was bushwhacked, hit on the head and all his money was stolen. Joe speculates that it was very likely Trager, who robbed him, as the man was a bad loser. Hoss marvels on how a simple errand into town, to pick up the mail, can result in Joe getting into so much trouble, but changes the subject when Ben joins them.

Ben gives Hoss a list of supplies and tells them that in the mail, which Joe finally collected, he's had a letter from Adam, telling them that he will be back in about a week. Adam has also said that he purchased a very valuable, uncut ruby off a seafaring friend and to keep it safe, has mailed it home. Ben tells Hoss to check at the post office for it. As his father is speaking to Hoss, Joe is looking decidedly pained, especially when he hears that the ruby is worth at least $1,000.

Ben asks Joe if he is all right and Joe says he didn't get much sleep, to which Ben replies that he knows Joe didn't, indicating that he knows more than he is saying. He tells Hoss to look out for his brother in town and make sure he comes home at a reasonable hour, to make up for his late night the night before. He also reminds Joe to get a new windowpane for his room.

Hoss and Joe go into town and we see a sign being erected, advertising Founder's Day. Joe tells Hoss to go and order the supplies and he will join him to help haul them. Hoss wants to know where Joe is going, and when little brother says he is off to the saloon, Hoss says he's in enough trouble without getting into another poker game. Joe assures Hoss that this is not his intention; he just wants to see if Trager is in there, with money to spend. If he is, then it proves he was the one who bushwhacked Joe. Hoss says there is no way of proving that the money is Joe's, but Joe goes anyway.

When Joe gets into the saloon, he chats with Sam, the bartender, and asks if Trager is in there. Sam asks if Joe is getting in on the Flapjack Contest, which is being held on Saturday, Founder's Day, and is being sponsored by the Merchant's Association. Joe laughs and Sam explains that Trager is taking bets on Big Ed Simpson winning the contest, at five to one, and that was why Sam thought Joe wanted to see him.

Joe goes to see Trager in the back room and wants to know how Trager can be throwing money around when he said he was broke after the poker game. Trager says it's none of Joe's business what he does. He tells Joe he is taking bets of five to one and so Joe tells him to put him in for ten dollars. Trager laughs and says the deal is too big for Joe, calling him Little Joe in a derisory tone. Joe immediately rises to the bait and says to put him down for a hundred dollars, not wishing to look like a kid. He then goes back to the bar and we see him writing on a piece of paper, signing up for the contest.

Now comes my favorite scene. Joe goes outside just as Hoss comes by with the buckboard loaded and ready to go home. He rather sarcastically tells Joe that he's been a big help and that he has had to load all the supplies himself. Joe does not seem to be bothered; in fact he's looking rather pleased with himself and proceeds to tell Hoss what he's been doing. He says he's been signing up for the flapjack-eating contest. Hoss is surprised, as he says that Joe's not that keen on flapjacks. Joe agrees and says that Hoss is, though. Hoss pulls up the wagon and wants to know more.

Joe explains that the winner gets $500 and that, once he wins his bet, he will have $1,000 altogether. He tells Hoss that he can easily beat Big Ed and so he had to bet against him. Hoss says that all Joe is doing is setting himself up for a mess of trouble. Once Pa finds out he's been gambling, he's going to clobber Joe. Joe says that he's going to get more than clobbered if he doesn't have a $1,000 by the time Adam gets home. Hoss wants to know what Adam has to do with it and Joe confesses that when he was bushwhacked, he also lost Adam's $1,000 ruby.

Hoss turns a funny color at this news and Joe can see he's wavering, as Hoss hates the thought of Joe being in trouble. However, Hoss still thinks that Joe should tell the whole story to Pa, but Joe gets Hoss to picture the scene if he does, and they both know that it doesn't bode well for Little Joe's hide. Therefore, Hoss reluctantly agrees to enter the contest to try and win the money for Joe to give to Adam.

We next see Joe, arriving in the yard in the buckboard, on his own. Ben comes out to greet him and wants to know where Hoss is. Joe tells him that Hoss is walking the rest of the way home, to build up his appetite. Ben wants to know why, considering that Hoss already eats more than the rest of them put together, he needs to build up his appetite. Joe explains it's for the flapjack contest and says that he's entered Hoss in it. Ben is rather put out that Joe has been wasting his time doing things like that, especially when he tells Joe to put the new pane of glass in his bedroom window, and Joe has to confess that he forgot to get it. (He says "Holy Toledo, the windowpane" and sounds so cute, even though it's doubtful that the expression was around then).  Joe offers to go back into town to get the glass, but Ben tells him not to, and says he's to unload the supplies. Joe says he will, and then, for reasons best known to himself, he jumps into the back of the buckboard, breaking the glass, which is hidden under a tarp. Joe lifts up part of the broken glass and says that Hoss must have thought of it for him. Ben does not look very pleased with his number three son.

We next see the family at the dinner table and Hoss is anticipating eating the pork chops that he can smell cooking. However, when the food is served, all that Hoss gets is a small plate, containing an apple, a carrot and a piece of celery. He says he doesn't want it and only wants the chops, but Hop Sing explains that Mistah Joe says that's all he can have. (This is the only ep in which Hop Sing calls Joe mister; in all the others he calls him Little Joe and it really annoys me, as in this ep it is so obvious that Joe is a lot younger, not older. Love to know why Hop Sing did that.)

Joe tells Hoss it's a diet to help him be in the best possible shape for the contest on Saturday. Hoss looks really upsets and says he will fall down in a dead faint if he only has salad to eat for the rest of the week, and Joe cheerfully assures him that he will be there to support him, until the contest.

Ben watches this exchange, with an amused look on his face and asks Joe if he's ever considered going into politics, as Joe does manage to convince Hoss to stick to the diet. He makes Hoss feel guilty, saying he will be letting Joe down, and breaking his promise if he doesn't do his best to win the contest. Hoss noisily crunches his way through a carrot, as Joe tucks into his pork chops (Why did Hop Sing cook so many, for only two people? There were loads on the serving dish).

The family have gone to bed, and we see Little Joe, fully clothed (dang it, why no lovely shot of him in a nightshirt?) sleeping on the settee. Hoss comes sneaking down the stairs and trips over a trap, which Joe has set for him. It's a piece of string, with pots and pans hanging off it, tied across the bottom of the stairs and the noise wakens Joe, who falls off the settee, and Ben, who yells out from upstairs wanting to know what is going on. Joe says it's nothing and tells Pa to go back to sleep. Joe squats down by Hoss, who is lying on the floor with a tin pot on his head, and demands to know why Hoss has come down. Hoss wants to know why Joe is there and Joe says it's too cold to sleep in his room, with the broken window. (So why doesn't he sleep in one of the many other bedrooms upstairs, or even the bedroom off the dining room, if he wants to listen out for Hoss, rather than on that uncomfortable settee? Oh well, on with the plot). Hoss says he's come down for a drink of water, but Joe doesn't believe him and says that Hoss is out to steal food from the kitchen. Hoss nods, and Joe asks him if he's sorry, but Hoss says he's not; he's just hungry. Joe says he will stay hungry until the contest and makes Hoss go back to bed. Ben shouts down, telling them both to go to bed and Joe says he will, once he's straightened up, and he fixes the string back across the stairs.

Next morning, at the breakfast table, Joe is asleep over his plate, and Ben has to wake him up. He tells Joe to either eat his breakfast, or go back to bed. Joe says he didn't get much sleep the night before and Ben says that none of them did, owing to the fact that Joe was spying on his brother.

Hoss joins them and asks Hop Sing for his breakfast. All he gets is celery and carrots. Hop Sing tells him that he only gets an apple for supper. Joe has gone to sleep again, and Hoss tries to remove Joe's plate from in front of him, but Joe wakes up and stops him. Hoss then begins crunching on his carrots and the noise annoys Ben, who is cranky after missing out on his sleep. He tells the boys that he is going to the upper pasture and that they need to go into town to pick up some fencing. Ben is reluctant to send them and tells Hoss to keep an eye on his young brother (another reference to Joe's youth) and see that he stays out of trouble. Hoss says that isn't an easy task, but Ben insists it is his responsibility. He tells Joe not to come home without the windowpane. Joe says that Pa can count on him, as he pours cream on his breakfast, missing his coffee cup.

They arrive in town, and Joe jumps off the buckboard and heads for the saloon again. Hoss tries to stop him, saying that Pa wants Joe to stay out of trouble. Joe utters the immortal lines "Trouble? Who's getting into trouble? I just got an idea to get us out of trouble, more trouble than we got out of yesterday." He goes into the saloon, after reminding Hoss not to forget the windowpane.

Sam is pleased to see Joe and laughs when Joe says he's passing the time while waiting for Hoss to get the fencing. He takes up Sam's offer of a beer and is joined at the bar by Trager and Big Ed. Trager does all he can to goad Joe into making a further bet and Joe falls for it. Trager writes it down and then he and Big Ed go and find a table.

Hoss arrives just as their conversation is ending and wants to know what Joe has been doing. Joe explains that he is the one who tricked Trager into another bet, and looks really pleased with himself, but then Hoss starts quizzing him further and he has to admit to Hoss that he could lose as much as $2,500. Hoss is stunned and starts yelling, but Joe tries to shush him up, as he doesn't want Trager to know he is worried. However, Big Ed and Trager are finding it all very amusing and then Trager whispers in Big Ed's ear, sending him out of the saloon on an errand.

Joe asks for another beer, as he is feeling rather worried now that Hoss has spelt it out to him how much he stands to lose. Hoss asks for one, too, but Joe won't let him have it, as he says it is fattening and filling. He asks for a glass of water from Sam.

Joe then remembers the windowpane and gets another blow when Hoss explains that Jake doesn't have anymore. Joe groans and says Pa will have his hide if he goes home without one. Sam hears what they are talking about and explains that he bought up all the panes of glass, as he'd let out the rooms above the saloon and some cowhands had got drunk and smashed the windows.

Joe is so scared about going home without the windowpane that he offers to buy one from Sam. The bartender is reluctant to let him, as it means he won't be able to let the room if Joe removes the windowpane. So Joe promises to pay the rent on the room, as well as the cost of the glass, until Jake gets some more.

Sam is amused by Joe's idea, but agrees and so Joe goes upstairs, taking his beer with him, to prevent Hoss from being tempted. Hoss is left in the bar with his water and he asks Sam if it is the strongest water he has LOL.

Big Ed returns, followed by Lily, one of the saloon girls, who is carrying a box. Sam says she is early for work and asks what's in the box. She explains that it is a lemon cream meringue pie, which she has bought for Sam's birthday, as she forgot it. She sets the box down on the bar and shows the contents to Sam and to Hoss, who is drooling at the thought of tasting it. Lily scoops up a spoonful and feeds it to Sam, who says it's delicious and he goes to get some plates on which to serve it up. Lily offers some to Hoss and he refuses, trying to explain that he's promised Little Joe he won't. Lily acts like she doesn't understand and says that Hoss has refused the prettiest girl in the place, but never turned down food. She keeps trying to get him to eat some and Trager and Big Ed look on, laughing. Just as it looks like Hoss might waver, a hand comes up between him and the pie. Little Joe is back with the windowpane. He starts yelling at Lily for trying to tempt Hoss. She acts all innocent, but Joe says she's been going with Trager since the man arrived in town and knows that Trager has put her up to this. He calls her a Jezebel and she loses her temper and throws the pie at Joe, who ducks, so the pie hits Hoss instead. Unfortunately, Joe breaks the windowpane as well and has to ask Sam if he can buy another one and rent another room. He leads off Hoss, covered in pie, and we see Trager and Big Ed laughing their socks off.

Finally, Joe and Hoss return home, with Joe holding the windowpane (number 4) on his lap. Hoss goes looking for Pa and when he finds no one in the house tries to sneak into the kitchen; he's still hungry. However, Hop Sing is there and shoos him out, saying that Ben is waiting for the boys to join him at the upper pasture.

Joe comes into the main room, carrying the glass, and Hoss tells him to hurry, as Pa wants the fencing and it's getting late. Joe looks for a place to leave the glass, but we don't see where, and then they go.

By the time they return with Ben, they are all tired and Ben asks Joe to see to Buck. Ben heads off to the house and Hoss says he is looking forward to stretching out on the sofa. (Don't know why; it's hard and unyielding and far too short for Hoss to lie on it comfortably).

Joe shouts 'The sofa. Holy Toledo' and runs after Ben, but is too late to prevent his father from lying on the settee and thereby breaking the pane of glass, which Joe had placed there. Ben appears over the back of the settee, after shouting 'JOSEPH', well aware that it must be his youngest who put the glass there. His face is pure thunder and Joe peers around the front door, wearing a sick expression as we hear what sounds suspiciously like the 'Death March' LOL. He then closes the door and presumably goes to ground until Pa calms down.

It is nighttime on the Ponderosa and, once again, Hoss is trying to get to the kitchen. He negotiates the trap on the stairs and gets past Joe, who is still sleeping on the settee. However, when Hoss goes into the kitchen, he gets his toe caught in a mouse trap and cries out, waking up Joe as well as Ben, who shouts down the stairs, asking what's going on. Joe replies that they've caught a hog in a trap and Ben comes down the stairs. Hoss and Joe start yelling at each other and Ben says they are to get to bed, or else they can sleep in the barn. He nearly breaks a few more windowpanes with the force of his shouting.

Finally, it's the day of the contest and Joe places a mattress in the back of the buckboard, on which to transport the windowpane home from town. Hoss lies down on it, conserving his strength, and Ben is just glad that today is Founder's Day, as he's had enough of sleepless nights.

We then see the contestants sitting at a table set up in the main street of the town. Hoss is surprised to see Ira, a rather thin, frail looking man, taking part, but Ira explains that he's not been eating too well, as his wife is away, and he thought this was his chance to make up for it.

Joe wants to stay and cheer Hoss on, but Ben insists that they do some errands, including going to Jake for another windowpane. Joe tells Ben that Jake hasn't got any and so Ben wants to know why Joe has brought the mattress. He explains he is getting them from Sam and so Ben tells him to go and get one.

While Joe is doing that, Trager goes into the bank and holds up the banker, telling the man to put the money in a small valise, which he is carrying. He leaves the bank, with the money, but only gets as far as to the other side of the street, before the banker raises the alarm. (Not a very good bank robber, is he? Leaving someone untied and able to call for help) Shooting breaks out and some of the contestants leave the table, fearing for their lives. Hoss tries to leave, too, but Joe comes over, with the windowpane under his arm, and says it's just another of Trager's tricks. Hoss carries on eating, but Big Ed runs away.

Trager runs past and shoots the pane of glass (ML was injured when this happened, he cut his finger - bless him) Joe sees red and runs after Trager, bringing him down in a flying tackle. They have a great fight, which takes place in the street and continues in a building. Finally, the two of them leap through a window and land back in the street. Hoss arrives and catches hold of Trager, after Joe has knocked him backwards.

Joe is cross to see that Hoss has left the table and Ben joins them, saying that Joe will go to any lengths to break a window (we are now up to seven broken)

The banker congratulates our boy on apprehending the thief and Joe is puzzled, as he didn't know about the robbery. Ben explains, and the banker says Joe has saved the town a lot of money, but Joe is still upset because he can't collect his bet, and says so in front of Pa (uh oh). The banker tells him he has earned a reward of $500, but Joe is still unhappy, as it is not enough, to pay Adam for the ruby. Ben interrogates 'Trager', saying that he did a pretty slick job when he robbed the bank. (Sorry Ben; hate to disagree, but he didn't, he was a lousy robber) Trager says his real name is Cunningham (he's escaped from Happy Days?) and that he has a further price of $500 on his head. Now Joe looks happier and says that with Hoss' $500, for winning the contest, he will have enough. However, Ira is still at the table and there is ten more minutes of the contest to go. If Ira eats anymore flapjacks, then he will have won. Joe wants to go and get his reward, but Ben insists he goes for another windowpane. He does and Ben tells Hoss that Adam will be home on the noon stage. Hoss comments that Joe has made it just in time, but Ben doesn't know what he's talking about, knowing nothing about the fact that the ruby has been stolen.

Joe meets up with Lily, outside the saloon, and he tells her that Trager robbed the bank. She realizes that he was no good and takes a piece of red glass out of the cleavage of her dress (how do they get things to stay in there? I can't - LOL) She holds it up and says that it is probably a fake. Joe asks to see it (I think he means the ruby, not where she got it from) and fails to catch it, when she throws it to him. It shatters into several pieces, as it hits the ground, and Ben comes to see what Joe has managed to break now. When Joe says it's a ruby and that 'they stole it' from him, Ben says that he doesn't envy Joe having to tell Adam that they stole his valuable ruby. Joe argues that it's a fake, but Ben insists that Adam will still expect the $1,000 and propels Joe, with a hand in the small of his back, to go over and meet Adam off the stage.

Hoss goes to offer Ira some advice, as he's not bothered about winning now that Joe has enough money for Adam. Ira reckons he can't eat anymore and Hoss suggests he uses his secret weapon, vinegar, to cut through all the sugary tastes in his mouth. Ira goes a funny shade of green and runs off, so Hoss is declared the winner.

Ben and Joe greet Adam and he asks about his ruby. Joe says it arrived and that he will give Adam $1,000 for it. Adam doesn't know why his little brother would want it, but Ben says that Joe has become a collector, of windowpanes and rubies. Poor Adam is totally confused, but then says that a man on the stage offered him $1,500 for the ruby and so Joe has to give him the ruby or $1,500.

Hoss comes over and Adam reaches out to shake hands, says 'Hey' (love the way he says that) and looks relieved to see his brother. Maybe he hopes that Hoss will make more sense than Ben and Joe are.

Hoss tells them that Ira took sick and so he has won the contest. Joe is pleased, as he wants Hoss to let him have the prize money in order to pay Adam. Hoss says it will probably take Joe about a year to pay him back and hopes Joe will have learnt a lesson from the whole episode.

Ben is not that sure that he will and says he'd be willing to make a wager that Joe takes longer than a year. Joe asks at what odds and then tries to backpedal when Ben gets cross, saying he doesn't bet. Ben wants to know what Joe meant when he said his bet was ruined because Trager was going to jail. He then goes on to ask about Joe's poker playing activities and Joe interrupts, saying they can talk about it later. (Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when that 'discussion' took place). He then rushes off across the street, bumping into a horse as he does so, saying he is going for the windowpane, as he knows how important it is to Ben that he replaces it.

Joe disappears into the saloon, leaving Adam totally perplexed, Hoss looking bemused, at how Joe tries to twist the truth, and Ben unable to suppress a grin at the antics of his youngest son.

REVIEWS:

“This episode, whilst aired in season 6, obviously portrays a much younger Little Joe, in his teens, as he is very much the baby brother throughout. Ben always refers to him as 'younger brother' and Hoss says he is 'only young' when trying to excuse Joe's actions to Pa. This makes my son's theory -- that the eps were not shown in chronological order -- sound very feasible, as we did often see an older LJ one week, followed by him being younger, the next (as in eps such as Joe Cartwright Detective and Ponderosa Explosion)” Little Joe forever Lynne

“It always amazes me how even after all these years, knowing the plot...knowing the script...knowing all the punch lines...this show still makes me giggle...grin and guffaw.  I love the part where Hoss keeps bringing the buggy to a halt as Joe innocently outlines his money making scheme...you gotta love  these guys...you just gotta!” Lillian

“There are so many funny scenes during this episode that it's hard to say which my favorite is. If I was forced to pick one, though, I guess I'd have to say it's the part when Joe convinces Hoss to eat his apple, celery and carrots while he's chowing down on pork chops. It's a classic "Joe-Hoss" moment, when Joe lays the guilt on thick and Hoss caves in because of his natural instinct to please. And all the while Pa is just sitting and observing, letting Joe and Hoss be Joe and Hoss. Ben's wry comment at the end of the scene, asking Joe if he ever considered a career in politics, is the perfect ending to the scene.” Susan Grote

“Michael was so funny and impish as LJ.  I could just imagine the little boy he must have been!  Adam looked genuinely happy to see Hoss and I loved his low, slow, drawn out heeey (like that "whoa boy, whoa" in "The Spitfire").  Along with "Abigail Jones", I rate "The Flapjack Contest" as one of Bonanza's best!” Gail (bunny bonanza)

“They sure were getting good at the comedies by this time.  This episode was thoroughly amusing from beginning to end, sometimes subtle about it, sometimes not, and it all worked.  I love the little things that might get lost in the overall comedy if you're not paying attention, and the funny almost throwaway lines like Hoss remarking that Ira "ain't no bigger than my leg."  This episode is a classic.” Sue W.

“One of my many favorite episodes.” Layne

“We talk a lot about ML and DB comedic talents, but LG with them is really hysterical.  The add PR, a true stage actor at heart and the facial expressions are priceless.  My three favorite scenes, with this episode there can't be just one; Joe's attempt at getting the window pane, being so careful bringing it home, putting it on the couch and Ben sitting on it and "Joseph!"; Hoss' facial expression, lying flat on his back at the bottom of the stairs after attempting to sneak food from the kitchen; the crazy Founders Day antics, from the contest, to the pursuit by LJ of Trager, to Adam's arrival home.  Just too funny.  What would I rate this episode, my scale, definitely 4 star!!!!” Nancy

“I have watched it numerous times......and not just for those view glimpses of Adam.  The broken panes of glass, poor Hoss going hungry and that fake ruby bit all had me wanting to watch it over and over.” Miss Maggie

“One tiny piece of action that I love is at the end where LJ is being ushered by Ben to meet Adam off the stage. LJ stops and turns slightly but Ben has his hand on LJ's shoulder to urge him on. It's so natural, love that boy!!” Pat

“Have not got this ep, but remembered parts of it. LJ brilliant as usual.” Ann

“One of my favorite shows, although I always thought the ending was way off because oft hat Ruby ordeal. No way Joe would have paid Adam any money for that broken piece of glass. The rest of the show is priceless though. Landon and Blocker worked so well off each other and Lorne did such a super job as the stand up guy that it every time I watch it is like seeing it for the first time all over again. I see new things that I surely missed before. There are so many wonderful parts that I really like that I couldn’t begin to add them all. The facial expressions of those three were just outstanding.” Deb

“While he isn't my favorite (Joe is! LOL), I sure gave Adam credit for more brains than to buy a ruby for that much money without having it looked at first by an expert. And Joe is the impulsive one???  Not this time. Adam should have eaten the loss!” Leesa

“I especially love the running gag with the broken windows.  Joe's and Ben's reactions when Ben lies on the couch with the window pane are a hoot. One thing has always bothered me though, even though I am an Adam fan.  If Adam was dumb enough to buy a worthless piece of glass for $1000 thinking it was a ruby, and if someone offered him $1500 for it, if Joe broke it he should only owe Adam its actual value, which was presumably nil.  The fact that this might be hard to explain to Adam is no reason for Joe to be saddled with this outlandish debt! ” Meira Bracha

“I agree; it seems to me that Adam wouldn't be so greedy as to expect Little Joe to pay the full price. Oh well lol...the rest of it was a hoot!” Nicki

 “You all know that I am "Adam's Lady" completely and totally.  HOWEVER, in the case of "The Flapjack Contest", I have to agree completely with Deb and Leesa (did I say that?!).  Adam did NOT deserve any money in this entire ridiculous scenario!  My gorgeous fur-chested darling must have had too many "kool-aids" (or he was smokin' something) in one of those San Francisco saloons the night that he forked over $1000 for that "alleged" ruby.  If it was a friend that sold him that thing, Adam sure didn't need enemies!  Then what does "furchesthottie" do?  He MAILS the "valuable" ruby home to the wilderness that was Nevada.  How the heck did he send it via FEDERAL EXPRESS?!  UPS?!  No, in a classic instance of "education interfering with his thinking", our beloved Adam entrusts this "precious ruby" on a stagecoach with one of those idiot drivers that gets killed every five minutes (or at least knocked cold)!  All poor Joe did was "sign for" the package (if he even did that!) and, in his roundabout way, prove that the ruby was nothing more than glass.  Adam was the one that was swindled.  All Joe did was discover the fact.  Hence, when Adam returned home, Joe should not have owed Adam anything at all and Ben should have called a halt to the entire "ruby" discussion. As for who won the "Flapjack Contest", I get nauseous just thinking about it.....” Eileen "Fluffy" ;o)