TV series

When Things Were Rotten

Name: When Things Were Rotten
Released: 1975
Cast: Richard Gautier, Dick Van Patten, Henry Polic II, Bernie Kopell, Misty Rowe

1975· 1 season· 30 min episodesTV-PG★ 7.0Ended

On ABC — From Paramount Television · Crossbow Productions

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Where to watch

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Synopsis

When Things Were Rotten is an American situation comedy television series created in 1975 by Mel Brooks and aired for half a season by ABC. A parody of the Robin Hood legend, the series starred Richard Gautier as Robin Hood. Also in the regular cast were Dick Van Patten as Friar Tuck, Bernie Kopell as Alan-a-Dale, Henry Polic II as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Ron Rifkin as Prince John, Misty Rowe as Maid Marian, and David Sabin as Little John. Richard Dimitri played a dual role as identical twin brothers; Renaldo was one of the Merry Men, while Bertram was the Sheriff's right-hand man.

Themes

robin hood satire middle ages (476-1453)based on myths, legends or folklore sitcom 12th century

Episodes

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E1 The Capture of Robin HoodNext upSep 10, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
As rumblings grow among the peasantry when tax collections increase, the royal collector is waylaid and robbed by Robin Hood and his band of men. News of the incident reaches the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John.
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Jimmy Martinez (Sylvester), Jane A. Johnston (Princess Isabelle), Ira Miller (Peasant), Barry Hamilton (Peasant), Tom Dever (Henchman), Marty Zagon (Merwin), Mel Brooks (Guard (uncredited))
E2 The French Dis-connectionSep 17, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
The French Ambassador visits England to forge an alliance that will make Prince John so powerful that King Richard will never be able to reclaim his throne. Robin and his men infiltrate the palace to prevent this.
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Jane A. Johnston (Princess Isabelle), Sid Caesar (Marquis de la Salle), Elizabeth Barrington (Lady of the Court (uncredited)), Steve Landesberg (Narrator (voice) (uncredited))
E3 The House BandSep 24, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
The Sheriff recruits a band of evil lookalikes to impersonate Robin Hood and his band in order to discredit them with the peasants while the real Robin and his men are on vacation.
Guest stars: Jimmy Martinez (Sylvester / Gaspard the Tree (uncredited))
E4 Those Wedding Bell BluesOct 1, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
Sheik Achmed comes from Arabia to sign an olive oil treaty with Prince John, but demands the hand of Maid Marian in marriage as part of the deal.
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Jimmy Martinez (Sylvester), Steve Landesberg (The Wizard), Dudley Moore (Sheik Achmed), Danny Wells (Sir Clyde)
E5 A Ransom for RichardOct 8, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
The peasants' faith in Robin Hood is shaken after he is chosen to guard King Richard's ransom from Prince John and the Sheriff and the treasure comes up missing.
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Jimmy Martinez (Sylvester), Joseph Maher (The Emissary), George Sawaya (The Courier), Frank Delfino (Archer (uncredited)), Jerry Maren (Archer (uncredited))
E6 The Ultimate WeaponOct 15, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
Robin and his men must stop mad German inventor Dr. Otto Bahn from building the ultimate weapon for Prince John and the Sheriff that would destroy Sherwood Forest.
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), John Byner (Dr. Otto Bahn), Carole Androsky (Wagnerian Singer), Norman J. Andrews (Man from Gibraltar)
E7 Ding Dong, the Bell Is DeadOct 22, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
Robin and crew have to stop the Sheriff and Prince John from selling to an Ethiopian prince the beloved bell they have stolen from Nottingham Abbey.
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Thalmus Rasulala (Prince Enjomo), Bill Quinn (The Abbot), Carl Ballantine (The Waiter)
E8 There Goes the NeighborhoodOct 29, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
The Four Guys from Gloucester, master woodsmen, have been hired by the Sheriff to chop down Sherwood Forest, so it can be replaced by a new housing development, Sherwood Meadows. Robin and his men must convince the Guys to abort mission.
Guest stars: Paul Williams (Guy de Maupassant), Bo Kaprall (Guy Butler), Michael McManus (Guy Tinker), Rod Gist (Guy Cooper), Pat Proft (Peasant)
E9 QuarantineNov 12, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
The plague has come to Nottingham and both Robin's and the Sheriff's men are stuck in quarantine in the throne room until the disease runs its course. What will kill them first—the plague or each other?
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Jane A. Johnston (Princess Isabelle), Joe E. Ross (Cook (uncredited))
E10 Birthday BluesNov 19, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
It's a happy birthday for both Renaldo and Bertram, in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle. When Renaldo goes to visit Bertram, he's captured and sentenced to death. Will Bertram forget old scores and save his brother's life?
Guest stars: Robert Ridgely (Hollingsworth), Mel Carter (Musician (uncredited))
E11 The Spy (Part 1)Nov 26, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
King Richard must return home to England soon or lose the throne to Prince John. Meanwhile, Robin's men suspect there is a double agent in their ranks. But which side is he really working for?
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Carl Ballantine (Innkeeper), Joseph Maher (Eavesdropper), Bobby Herbeck (Mailman), Michael Valente (Foreign Agent), Frank Delfino (Duke (uncredited))
E12 The Spy (Part 2)Nov 26, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
The Merry Men put on trial the one they think is the traitor in their ranks. Meanwhile, Robin has to stop the Sheriff from killing King Richard when he returns to England as the law requires or lose his throne.
Guest stars: Ron Rifkin (Prince John), Lainie Kazan (Tania), John Boni (Myklos), Artie Butler (Violinist), Marty Barris (Jury Foreman), Gabriel Walsh (Umpire), Bobby Herbeck (Mailman (uncredited))
E13 This Lance for HireDec 3, 1975 · 26 min
Synopsis
The Sheriff hires the famous mercenary, the Black Knight, to challenge Robin to a fight to the death. Robin accepts, despite being crippled by a recent wound. But the Sheriff has his own plans for the fight, no matter who wins.
Guest stars: Ron Glass (The Black Knight), Jimmy Martinez (Sylvester (uncredited))