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"The Exidor Affair"
Season 2, Episode #14
(#39) in series (95 episodes)
TEA 21
Mindy is thoroughly annoyed when Exidor invites himself and his fiancée Ambrosia (Georgia Engel) to dinner in "The Exidor Affair" in Season 2 (ep.#14).
"Mork & Mindy" episode
Guest Star(s): Georgia Engel
Network: ABC-TV
Production code: 214 (2x14)
Writer(s) Dale McRaven & Bruce Johnson
Director Howard Storm
Original airdate December 2, 1979
IMDB IMDb logo The Exidor Affair
Episode chronology
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"Hold That Mork" "The Mork Syndrome"
List of Mork & Mindy seasons/episodes

The Exidor Affair was the 14th episode of season 2 of Mork and Mindy, and also the 38th overall episode from the series. Co-written by Dale McRaven and Bruce Johnson, the episode, which was directed by Howard Storm, was shot on September 21, 1979 and premiered on December 2, 1979.

Synopsis[]

Mindy is thoroughly annoyed when Exidor invites himself and his imagined imaginary fiancée to dinner. Flabbergasted when a real, sane, woman arrives as Exidor's date. And beyond frustrated when, after it rapidly falls apart, she ends up with heartbroken Exidor as a house guest.

Plot[]

In her apartment Mindy's seated at her typewriter is on the phone to Frank the editor of the College newspaper, telling him she does not want to do the story he's assigned her. Why? Because it's stupid. 'Feminism, myth or mythus?!' As she hangs up on that bizarreness, a nervous Mork enters, approaches her and greets her with 'It was a simple misunderstanding." Shooting straight up, Mindy eyes him with a wary "What?". They told him not to talk about it, he explains, but he just wants to say that, 'That goat was already dead'. More than enough for her already, Mindy tells him she doesn't want to hear about it and sits right back down again. Smart girl, he tells her, it'll probably blow over in a year or two. As her head shoots back to him again, there's a knock on the door and getting up she pleads to the heavens that if there is anyone up there listening, please save her from this insanity.

'No one was listening!' she accuses the heavens, when she opens the door and Exidor shoves his head around it to greet her with a 'Hey there curly lips!'. As she takes stock of her life, Mork greets Exidor, and when Exidor answers with his usual 'Mork?! Is that you?!" Mork covers his eyes and asks who wants to know. "Mrs Exidor's future husband!" Exidor replies cheerfully. As Mindy walks away muttering I don't believe this, Mork leads Exidor to the couch asking him what's this about a Mrs Exidor? As Exidor goes to sit he jumps up, berating a member of his entourage, Pepe warning him if he sits under him again he will have 'sucked his last Margarita'. Getting back on track, Exidor tells them his future wife is named Ambrosia Malspar. Of the Hogsbreath Gulch, Malspars! He has dropped by to invite them both to dinner if they can make it. Before she can stop him, Mork accepts, and Mindy murmurs quietly to him that she has no desire to meet an invisible fiancée. It gets worse a moment later when Exidor suggests he'll meet them in the apartment around 8pm.Tensing Mindy asks if he intends to pick them up? No, they'll eat there, Exidor chirrups. While Mork thinks that's real convenient for not making reservations, Mindy is up on her feet at the idea that Exidor invites them to dinner and expects her to cook it?!?! But Exidor is up and moving, heading for the door telling her not to worry about cooking for Pepe, tonight is his Jai alai tournament!. Standing up in trepidation, Mork turns to Mindy and tries to tell her he's real proud of her. As she turns on her heel and heads for the kitchen he follows her, telling her he knows that sometimes she thinks that Exidor is a twit, and yet she overcame her hang-ups and invited him and his fiancée over to the apartment for dinner. She is a credit to Shiksa-dom. Taking a chicken out of the refrigerator, a tight smile on her face, she unwraps it 'Mork?" she asks, "Stuff it!' thrusts the chicken at him and walks away.

Later, Mork dressed for dinner, tries to address the sense of hostility he's getting from Mindy, and wants to know what's tickling her little innards. Mindy is happy to give forth, in three parts, him, Exidor and Ambrosia. Sensing a minor explosion Mork pretends that's it and tries to change the subject heading into the kitchen, but Mindy tells him she's not finished. She resents Exidor inviting himself to dinner almost as much as having to cook dinner for an invisible fiancée! They're into the foothills of kinky here! Mork asks her has she ever considered that Exidor's fiancée might be a real person. No, she answers immediately. 'Me neither' he sags. But feels they should let him have his moment 'people in robes have so few!'. Exidor's knock follows, and telling him he'll be there in a moment, Mork leans on the counter and tells Mindy he wants her to be nice to Exidor and not to stare at Ambrosia. Letting Exidor, alone, in. Mork announces to Mindy that's it Exidor and 'guess whose with him!?' nudging her so hard she's shoved sideways. Steeling herself, she smiles and addresses the air 'You must be Ambrosia', only for Exidor to look around, frown and ask Mork who she's talking to. The lovely Ambrosia, Mindy replies through gritted teeth. But there's no one there, Exidor points out...at which point Mork throws her to the wolves pretending he knew that. Just about holding it together, Mindy queries Exidor as to whether he did or did not say he was going to bring his fiancée with him tonight? At which Exidor puts a hand to his ear, saying he thinks he hears her dainty step upon the stair, and opens the door wide singing 'And this is my beloved..." . Both Mork and Mindy lean to look. And there's no one. 'That's it!' Mindy gives up stepping away finally losing patience, and announces that the party is over, and which a pretty woman enters saying she's sorry she missed it, shocking both Mindy and Mork. Mindy is so stunned Ambrosia is real that she doesn't react to Exidor's introduction, and Mork points out that Ambrosia's over there. "I know!" she hisses, but as she brings them in to sit, Exidor warns Ambrosia that Mindy needs a little 'hamburger helper'. Ambrosia kindly approaches Mindy to tell her she shouldn't worry her problem doesn't carry the stigma it used to. Stigma, Mindy repeats looking pointedly at Mork. However once Ambrosia asks Mork, as Exidor's best friend, about himself, she pauses after his description of himself to ask Exidor if he's sure that it's Mindy that has the problem? Much to Mindy's pleasure.

When Mork asks how they met, Ambrosia explains she's a meter maid who was out on her scooter when she came across Exidor lying in the street 'under his burro', and accidentally chalked his boots. Mindy gets up to fetch the hors d'oeuvres, indicating for Mork to come with her, the pair of them watching and talking as Exidor and Ambrosia 'make fishy faces' at each other. Mindy can't get over that Ambrosia is both real and seems perfectly normal, unless she's a hologram Mork considers. She's nice, she's charming and most importantly she's sane, Mindy points out, and smiling thinks Ambrosia will be good for Exidor, and already he seems to be acting relatively normal. Almost as soon as that's out of her mouth, Exidor yells 'Stop that Pounding! We're not deaf!'. Laying his hands over Mindy's, Mork pats it, telling her softly to hold her last thought, before watching as Exidor sweeps away from Ambrosia to open the door, demanding to know 'what are you doing here?!' from the air. Ambrosia placidly asks Exidor who is it? Pepe, he declares angrily. Can't be Pepe Mindy thinks, he's playing Jai alai tonight, before realizing what she's saying. Exidor looks anxiously at Ambrosia, and trying to smooth the waters, Mindy suggests to Exidor it can't be him as she and Mindy walk back to the couch, but Ambrosia says she knows they are just trying to be nice, but it's clear what's going on with Pepe standing right there. 'He?' is, they chorus looking at the empty spot. Irritated Ambrosia berates Exidor who had promised her Pepe wouldn't be there. As Mork and Mindy watch in stunned silence, Ambrosia rises up angrily wanting to know why they can't ever be alone, and storming towards the door, saying he promised he would light her fire, but three on a match is too much! As she walks out, Exidor gives chase stopping only to yell at Pepe to stay there and don't dare follow them, slamming the door behind him as he leaves. Gaping at the door, Mork and Mindy stand there...before Mork slowly, smiling nervously, turns his head towards Mindy, whose eyes narrow, her jaw tightening as she prowls behind him, before telling him she doesn't want to talk about it. She's going to bed. For a week.

Unfortunately for her, she doesn't even get a few hours, as in the middle of the night, in their night clothes, they open the door to Exidor, his luggage, and a long necked bottle of Chianti, he's obviously been sampling liberally from. 'What's wrong?!' Exidor responds when Mork invites him in to sit down. Ambrosia dumped him he tells them, wouldn't marry him if he was the last prophet on Earth. Which he is! He's come to tell them he's shuffling off this mortal coil, and to give Mork all his worldly possessions, handing Mork his alligator suitcase. It's empty, Mork notes. Of course, Exidor agrees, that case *is* all his worldly possessions. Bar a rock he's saving for transportation, to his vacation, in Atlantis. As he moves to go, Mork stops him, and guides Exidor back towards the couch, telling him that by the morning things will look a lot better. And if not he'll just have to stay with them till they do, which immediately gets Mindy on edge. Exidor thanks them both, saying its very kind of them. The wind taken out of her sails, Mindy has to go with the flow, Exidor promising they won't even know he's here. As they make their way to their bedrooms however, Exidor, on all fours on the couch, lifts his head and howls. Smiling dangerously, Mindy approaches Mork, to point out he's baying. Of course, he suggests, it's a full moon. Exidor howling again. The next morning Mork is trying to cheer up a depressed Exidor, telling him bizarre jokes, but to no avail. Exidor feels his life is over. Mork asks him where his spirit is? Locked in Ambrosia's cold cold heart he tells him. Exasperated by Exidor's presence, Mindy tells him to get his boots off her couch, only for Mork to tell her he's 'on the ragged edge'. Exidor slips off the couch moving towards the attic, saying he wants to head up to 'Mork's Lake' to watch the leaves change. As soon as he's gone Mindy pulls Mork aside saying 'that's it', he's got to go before she goes as looney tunes as he is. Mork appeals to her saying she can't just discard him, and after a moment she agrees, but, she adds, she can try and get Ambrosia to take him back. Gathering up her jacket, she heads out to Ambrosia's Apartment, at the Singles Apartment Complex.

Sitting with her, as Ambrosia's pours them tea, Mindy prevails upon to tell her why she really broke up with Exidor. But she doesn't' really want to discuss it. Trying to talk Exidor up to her, as a method of encouraging Ambrosia not to let him go. The best Mindy can come up with is 'Unique' suggesting they really broke the mold when he was 'dropped'. To her bewilderment, Ambrosia agrees with her describing Exidor as kind, considerate, a snappy dresser, and a swell sense of humor. But it allows her to ask again why she broke up with him? Ambrosia suggests that it's Pepe. He won't leave them alone. Everywhere they go, there's Pepe! She wishes he'd disappear. Nonplussed, Mindy tries a way to address the invisible pest, finally asking Ambrosia what Pepe looks like. Ambrosia admits she doesn't know, you'd have to ask Exidor. When Mindy suggests Ambrosia knows he doesn't exist then, Ambrosia wrong foots her by saying she wouldn't say that, after all she's never seen a man from outer space but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Good point, Mindy has to accede. Exidor sees Pepe, Ambrosia asserts, and he's never lied to her, besides you have to believe in the man you love. Impressed, Mindy tells her she's a very special person, but Ambrosia disagrees, saying she's not been totally honest. Pepe isn't the whole problem. She's old fashioned and believes before they get married, the man should ask the woman to marry him. Exidor hasn't done that, nor has he told her he loves her.

Up in Mork's room in the attic, Mork discovers Exidor trying to drown himself in Mork's 'lake', until he discovers that Ambrosia wants him back, and he begs Mork to 'save him'. 'Pulling him out of the lake' Mork takes him to 'safety', then tells him Ambrosia's coming tonight, and all he has to do is one thing to get her back. Exidor tells him name it! But when Mork tells him all he has to do is tell her he loves her and ask her to marry him, Exidor goes to head back into the lake. When Mork stops him asking why he can't do it, Exidor confesses that he *is* a bit eccentric, but in the orphanage where he was raised, no one ever told them they loved him. He can't seem to get the words out, it's a psychological issue he claims. Everyone's allowed one hang up, right?! The downstairs doorbell goes, and Mork tells that's her, but Exidor says he can't do it. He has to, Mork encourages, or he's going to lose her. Downstairs, Mindy lets Ambrosia in, to the sound of Exidor arguing and wrestling with Mork up in the attic. Both women pretend what's happening isn't happening, as they move to the couch, until Mork pushes Exidor down on the rope. Faced with her, Exidor greets his 'Dimple Hips', and Mindy tries to prompt him asking if there's something Exidor would like to say to Ambrosia? Mork echoing her. 'Can't think of anything!' Exidor exclaims. Think again, Mindy advises, before Mork picks Exidor up and carries him closer to Ambrosia. As Mindy & Mork stand in anticipation of Exidor's proclamation and proposal, they can only watch as he chokes, staring at them in horror,. "My life is over!" Mork and Mindy cringe, before Mork suddenly exclaims they should play charades, Mindy staring at him before he explains Exidor has trouble communicating with h.e.r., getting Mindy right on board. Assigning Exidor to be the giver, and Ambrosia the receiver he tells them to 'go'.

After a second, Exidor holds up a finger, 'First word!' Mork & Mindy chorus, before Exidor points to his eye. "I" they chorus. Jumping up, Ambrosia yells she has it "I love you and will you marry me?!" Mork says saying he thought she'd never get it. Embracing Exidor, she tells him she loves him too and the answer is yes. Ecstatic, Exidor goes to kiss her but pulls his robe up so they have privacy. Mork and Mindy looking around awkward and sheepish. Ambrosia asks Exidor if he'll walk her home alone. Banishing Pepe, telling him wedding bells have broken up that old gang of mine, he returns to her telling her he'd do anything for her, because...'I love you, and I want to marry you.' Twice in one night, Ambrosia exclaims happily, Exidor telling her there's more where that came from, whisking her out. Turning to Mork, pleased, she tells him it took the both of them but they pulled it off, and offers to buy him a soda at the the Deli. Mork tells her he still feels kinda strange about one thing, though. What, she asks? He feels kinda sorry for, Pepe, he confesses, where's he going to get work with an invisible green card?

Mork gives his report to Orson, telling him he's so excited, his best friend is getting married next week. How long do marriages on Earth normally last, Orson asks. Till death do they part, or a quick trip to Reno, Mork replies. But he thinks Exidor's wedding is going to last forever. Exidor? Orson queries, asking is he not the one that Mork said was strange even by Earth standards? In love, Mork says, there are no standards. No matter how strange or bizarre you are, there's always a certain someone who will love you for it. Love gives everyone a chance to be happy. Chance?! Orson suggests Mork makes it sound like a lottery. Mork replies that in a way love is a lottery, and the only losers are the ones who won't gamble. Exidor's marriage promises to be one of the most unusual in the history of mankind! Don't be late, don't come empty handed!

Trivia[]

General[]

McCalls - June 1979 - Pam Dawber Cover

Magazine on Ambrosia's Coffee Table

  • This is the first appearance of Ambrosia., played by Georgia Engel, the much loved Georgette on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, who gets a rousing audience reception, the perfect casting choice opposite Exidor, who earlier in the season had been living in the apartment of an invisible girlfriend.
  • Mindy gets another Shiksa reference, when Mork tells Mindy she's "A credit to Shiksa-dom."
  • When Mindy is visiting Ambrosia, and they're having tea, someone has placed a copy of the June, 1979 issue of the long running McCall's magazine on Ambrosia's coffee table, the cover done by Pam Dawber.
  • Exidor admits he is just that bit 'eccentric' to Mork, and reveals that he was raised in an orphanage, where no one ever said they loved him, to him.
  • Mork tells Orson in his report that Exidor is getting married 'next week' which indicates that this episode was supposed to be followed directly by the episode 'Exidor's Wedding' as written. However ABC scheduled 'The Mork Syndrome' in between the two episodes for some reason.

Pop Culture[]

  • 'Pepe' is supposed to be at his Jai alai (Hi-Li) tournament the Spanish/Basque court game in which players use a long hand-shaped basket strapped to the wrist to propel a ball against a wall.
  • As Exidor opens the door for Ambrosia's arrival he sings a snatch of 'And This Is My Beloved', from the musical Kismet (1953)
  • Exidor arrives back at Mindy's door with his case and a bagged (at the bottom) long necked bottle of Chianti (often Bardi). These long necked gallon bottles were very popular from the late 60s through the 70s, often being retained as decorative items later.
  • Mork tells Mindy she has to help Exidor, she can't discard him like an old Carter Cabinet Member, referring to President Jimmy Carter's cabinet reshuffles. This also appears to be one of Robin William's ad libs moments, from his expression and Pam Dawber taking a moment not to laugh.


Quotes[]

  • Mindy: *walks away from Mork to answer the door appealing to the heavens* If anybody up there is listening please save me from this insanity! *opens the door*
  • Exidor: *shoots around door making her jump* Hey there curly lips!!!
  • Mindy: *looks to the heavens again accusingly* No one was listening.

___________________________________

  • Exidor: Her name is Ambrosia Malspar. Of the Hogsbreath Gulch Malspars!
  • Mindy: Ohhhh, I've heard of them. *beat* I thought they were all caught.

___________________________________

  • Exidor: I dropped by so I could invited you two to dinner tonight, so you can meet Ambrosia! Are you free?
  • Mindy: *gets up quickly to stop Mork* Oh I don' think that we could poss..
  • Mork: *over her* Of course we are!!
  • Mindy: *quietly to Mork* Mork I don't care to meet an invisible fiancée
  • Mork: *quietly back* Mind, how long could it take?

___________________________________

  • Mork: I'm sensing a lot of hostility, Mind, what's bothering and tickling your little innards? What's up?
  • Mindy: Okay! *puts down bread basket* You, Exidor and Ambrosia!
  • Mork: Oh that's good, I'm glad you got that off your chest! *moves away rapidly* Now! Did you make that clam dip like I asked. Now I...
  • Mindy: I'm not finished yet!!
  • Mork: Esta Mas?
  • Mindy: Mas Mas More!

___________________________________

  • Mindy: I resent Exidor inviting himself to dinner, almost as much as I resent having to cook dinner for an invisible fiancée! I mean we're into the foothills of kinky here!
  • Mork: . Have you ever considered that Exidor's fiancée maybe a real flesh and blood woman?
  • Mindy: *ponders for half a second* No.
  • Mork: Me neither.

___________________________________

  • Ambrosia: Exidor you promised me Pepe wouldn't be here tonight!
  • Exidor: But, Guppy lips!
  • Ambrosia: *heads to door* Why can't we ever be alone?! Why does he always have to tag along! You said you wanted to light my fire, but three on a match is too much! *storms out*
  • Exidor: But Flamingo toes! *looks back at empty air, angrily* Pepe! You stay right here! Don't you dare follow us!!

___________________________________

*Exidor slams the door. Mindy & Mork left gaping. Mork slowly, smiling nervously, turns his head towards Mindy, whose eyes narrow slowly at him, her jaw tightening as she prowls behind him, glowering at him.*

  • Mindy: *I* don't want to talk about it! *walks a few steps away, stops and looks back* I'm going to bed. *walks almost to the bedroom door and looks back* For a week. *leaves*

___________________________________

  • Mork: One day you'll meet a girl that's right for you in every way!
  • Exidor: Do you really think so?
  • Mork: No. But at least you had hope for a moment!

___________________________________

  • Mindy: What....what exactly does Pepe look like?
  • Ambrosia: I don't know. You'd have to ask Exidor.
  • Mindy: Then you know that Pepe doesn't exist?
  • Ambrosia: Well I wouldn't say that. I mean a lot of people believe in men from outer space, I've never seen one, that doesn't mean they don't exist.
  • Mindy: *inhales* Good point.

___________________________________

  • Exidor: I...have...something...I...want...to....say. I....I.....*panics* It's impossible! I can't!! My life is over!! *Mork & Mindy grimace*
  • Mork: Oh I've got a good idea! Let's play Charades!
  • Mindy: *stares at him* Charades?!!?!
  • Mork: Well you see, Exidor has trouble communicating with H.E.R.
  • Mindy: *gets it* I'd love to play Charades!!

Promo[]

Mork_&_Mindy_-_The_Exidor_Affair_-_Episode_Promo

Mork & Mindy - The Exidor Affair - Episode Promo

Promo for The Exidor Affair - Which was shot on September 21, 1979 and premiered on ABC-TV on December 2, 1979.


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