Oliver is frustrated at being unable to reach Sarah to place a long distance phone call. Hank Kimball is manning the switchboard, only to play record albums with recordings of Sarah's voice telling people to call back in an hour because of various reasons, including that she "is basting her rump roast."
The townspeople don't seem to mind their poor service. They even liked the free album they received with all of Sarah's "out-of-office" recordings. When Oliver hears they get the album free for not complaining about the service for one year, he proclaims that he'll never get the album because he's going to complain every day.
He gets up a petition to take to the Public Utilities Commission, where the chairman is played by Hal Smith, famous for his role as Mayberry's town drunk, Otis, on Andy Griffith. This made it extra fun when Oliver, as usual, gets his tongue all tied up when addressing the commission and Smith asks if Oliver would like to "come back when you're sober."
It turns out Roy Trendell acquired the phone company when he complained to the previous owner about lousy service. He happily turns it over to Oliver, tossing him the keys. The situation isn't resolved until this four-episode story arc concludes. I thought they did a great job in these stories, giving Oliver a whole new set of problems to tangle with, getting him away from his other troubles.
Haney, Hank, and Fred all have fine contributions to the zaniness in this one.
The townspeople don't seem to mind their poor service. They even liked the free album they received with all of Sarah's "out-of-office" recordings. When Oliver hears they get the album free for not complaining about the service for one year, he proclaims that he'll never get the album because he's going to complain every day.
He gets up a petition to take to the Public Utilities Commission, where the chairman is played by Hal Smith, famous for his role as Mayberry's town drunk, Otis, on Andy Griffith. This made it extra fun when Oliver, as usual, gets his tongue all tied up when addressing the commission and Smith asks if Oliver would like to "come back when you're sober."
It turns out Roy Trendell acquired the phone company when he complained to the previous owner about lousy service. He happily turns it over to Oliver, tossing him the keys. The situation isn't resolved until this four-episode story arc concludes. I thought they did a great job in these stories, giving Oliver a whole new set of problems to tangle with, getting him away from his other troubles.
Haney, Hank, and Fred all have fine contributions to the zaniness in this one.
