Way Too Close for Comfort

Today I am thankful for closure and maybe even validation, although I think I'm using that word wrong.

A few months ago, Scott and I were sitting on the couch talking about vague childhood memories that give us the "weird feeling" (the good/bad, somewhat nostalgic feeling one gets when one remembers something one hasn't thought of in a lot of years... usually from the 70's or early 80's, strange times for the eyes and the ears).

Do you all remember the show "Too Close for Comfort"? It was an 80's sitcom starring Ted Knight? Also starring in that show, was Jim J. Bullock who played the lovable "Monroe". He was the quirky neighbor who antagonized Ted Knight's character... very flamboyant.

Flash forward: On the couch, a few months ago, I suddenly remembered an episode that disturbed me then and haunts me now. It is known as the "Too Close for Comfort Monroe male rape episode" and for a while I doubted it's existence. Maybe I was hoping it didn't happen, knowing it really did, because watching an "family" sitcom that suddenly wants to raise awareness about male rape is profoundly disturbing and awkward for both children and adults!!! Not to mention the unfortunate assault occurred in the back of a van parked at a shopping mall lot and the female offenders were morbidly obese! So weird.

Anyway, Scott initially doubted as well, so we did a quick google search and came across a blog celebrating all things retro and wacky. In this blog, was a post devoted to the "TCFC Monroe male rape episode" and I was freaking out! This blogger testified to it's existence, and it's mysterious disappearance. Apparently I wasn't the only one disturbed. It was so controversial, that it was even left out of the "TCFC" dvd pack and if you remember it, you know why.

So, this morning, while checking out this hilarious blog, which I'm admittedly addicted to now, I saw a "TCFC Monroe male rape episode" update. Another fan and witness made a short film about the stress and anxiety that has come from witnessing and suppressing such an abomination, and wouldn't you know, Jim J. Bullock himself, aka Monroe, aka star of the "TCFC Monroe male rape episode" saw the video and loved it! He wrote the most hilarious letter thanking the writer/director for the homage and included some of his memories of this most infamous episode. OK, case closed.

So I ask you, 1. Have you seen this episode?.... 2. Is this even physiologically possible? (on second thought, don't answer that).... and 3.Why do I always get mixed up in the weirdest things?