0707 - CHICAGO WINE PARTY


Synopsis:  Al discovers that a rise in beer tax is on the ballot in the upcoming election and he
makes it his vow that it will not pass, therefore he and the family hit the booths to help govern 
America’s future.

Thoughts:  That’s about all there is to this episode really, but in the annals of MWC with it’s 
stories about how the working man’s life is a zero sum game, none of the other stories resonates 
quite like this one does.  It reminds me how years ago people would put "Archie Bunker" as a 
write in for president during an election years ago and I think someone even tried that with Al 
once which goes to show how many people can relate to Al.  The whole beginning with Al strolling 
down Main St and mingling with people is one of the most blue collar things the show has ever 
done and sets the tone for a story of "the little man shall overcome."

	 Something though that this episode does have going against it is that it’s a little slow 
with scenes that feel that they just stay put.  Good long scenes centered on one location can be 
good sometimes but on MWC it just feels like it’s out of place.  MWC is a fast paced show where 
it’s view on issues were in short blurbs capped with dirty jokes.  The exception is Al’s "working 
man" speech at the end of the show, a showstopper and it’s always good to hear.  The scene in the 
Laundromat however is a showstopper of a different kind.

	Marcy and Jefferson share the house scene where the characters are gathered and is the
scene where the politics of the show are discussed along with one of those "I’m rich and your 
poor" Al moments.  The whole family though makes it through here and is a part of the show.

        	The best joke is a recurring one through the show, and that is that the reporter 
indicates that nobody turns out to vote, and twice in the show when it’s about to be read who the 
next president is, nobody could care less.  Al’s final word in the show however does date the 
episode.

Rating:  7.5 shoes out of 10.  If the scenes didn’t lag in spots the way they did, it
would have been perfect.  The episode’s idea is at least, and it’s a timeless one for MWC. 


Quotable Quotes:  (thank you transcript section!)

Activist one:  Hey mister, sign this petition and save the trees?!
Al:  Who cares.
Activist two:  Hey mister, sign this petition to save the world from nuclear holocaust?!
Al:  Who cares.
Doug:  Hey buddy, they’re gonna raise our beer tax two cents!
Al:  Oh my God!  Well this has to be stopped!
Doug:  Let’s us give you a beer and we’ll tell you all about it.
Al:  Why ask why?

Al:  Let’s Pillage!

Jefferson:  I’m gonna be first lady you know?
Al:  Give ‘em hell.