“In the beginning, God created the Earth. Then, God created man and woman. So far, so good. Then, man got into the act, and he created trouble. He created houses and cars and TV sets and waffle irons, washing machines, etc. etc. etc. And the Lord said unto man, ‘Dummy, you better create a loan company because you can’t pay for all this stuff.’ But one man found a better way.”
The man was Albert “Al” Miller (played by Larry Hagman fresh from his six-year hit I Dream Of Jeannie), a disillusioned stockbroker plagued by life’s endless problems – from a house in need of repair to numerous unpaid bills.
He gets an idea to improve his life and his wife Jane’s (Donna Mills) when their car breaks down and they are befriended by a butler.
After seeing the mansion and the style in which the butler lives, Al thinks, “Maybe there is a better way.”
Al places a newspaper ad that reads “Couple for hire. Experienced husband and wife seek position with a pleasant family in country setting. PO Box 444.”
Jane is reluctant, saying, “Honey, I don’t even like to do my own housework. Now I’m going to do someone else’s?” But Al assures Jane that they can fake it – he will pose as a butler, while Jane pretends to be a cook.
Al and Jane find employment at 332 Ridgeway Drive, with Charles Dutton, the wealthy head of Dutton Industries.
Charles, who is “totally committed to a life of decadence,” is impressed by Jane’s legs (she is wearing a miniskirt) and hires them.
Al quits his job and sells their house, and they now struggle to maintain their cover, attend household duties, and live the good life. “I love it,” Al says, “because we don’t own it. This good life is going to take some getting used to.”
The truth is, they don’t have a clue what they are doing . . .
Dutton’s son with his third wife, Nick (Danny Goldman) happens to hear the couple discussing their lack of experience on the intercom system, but he never exposes their secret.
Mr Dutton’s sister, Grace Dutton (Hermione Baddeley), has little patience for the couple’s mistakes and wants nothing more than to get them fired.
Sacha Distel performed the theme song, The Good Life.
Not to be confused with the British comedy series of the same name (1975 – 1977) about self-sufficiency in the suburb of Surbiton (and starring Penelope Keith). That series was known in the USA as Good Neighbors.
Albert “Al” Miller
Larry Hagman
Jane Miller
Donna Mills
Charles Dutton
David Wayne
Grace Dutton
Hermoine Baddeley
Nick Dutton
Danny Goldman
Episodes
One of Our Rolls is Missing | Jane’s Double Life | The Chess Game | The Wrecked Butler | The Vacation | The Commodore Cometh | The Burglar Alarm | Dutton’s Retirement | Speedometer Strain | Mansion for Sale | A Tremendous Sense of Loyalty | Butterfield Ate | Albert Gets Rich | The Gardeners | Dial M for Merger
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After seeing the mansion and the style in which the butler lives, Al thinks, “Maybe there is a better way.”
