Happy Birthday, Baby

It was a close race between this episode and Baby, You Can Drive My Car, which received a close number of votes.  Only the episode Picture This received any other votes.

Check This

This has always been my favorite season one episode, with a lot of really good laughs packed into a half hour.  Larry being unable to move his arms at the end is the ultimate capper!

Happy Birthday, Baby
After the party

The touching moment at the end of this episode when Larry quotes Balki's card and thanks him for helping him keep his dream alive was the clear winner.  Also mentioned were the moments when Larry said he'd let Balki stay with him until he could find a place of his own from Knock Knock . . . Who's There?, Balki's surprise birthday party from Happy Birthday, Baby, and Balki sulking in the chair with Dimitri in Baby, You Can Drive My Car.

Happy Birthday, Baby
After the party

The emotions in this scene really exemplify the overall theme of the series and its focus on friendship.

Baby, You Can Drive My Car
America the Beautiful

It was Balki and Larry's first duet, which is a valid reason for it to be the top musical number from the first six episodes.  Also mentioned were "What's Love Got to Do With It?" from Knock Knock . . . Who's There?, "Young Girl" from Picture This, and "Touch Me in the Morning" from Check This. 

Baby, You Can Drive My Car
America the Beautiful

Hey, it was so good they did performed it again in the fourth season episode Prose and Cons!

Knock, Knock . . . Who's There?
"Well, of course I have, don't be ridiculous!"

It was the birth of the show's most popular catch phrase, so it's understandable Balki's very first utterance of this now-classic line would receive top votes!  The line "I have a dark side" from Check This looked like an early favorite and received the second most votes.

Check This
"Okay, don't get crazy!"

Balki's reaction after Larry said he was neurotic and Balki mistakenly used the word "erotic", causing Larry to scream "Neurotic!  Neurotic!  Neurotic!" always gives me one of the biggest laughs of any line in the first season.

(Tie)

Check This
"Watch . . . and Learn!"

Happy Birthday, Baby
"Ok, ok, fine. You didn't lock me in the closet, there was no one at the door, we're not having this conversation.  This whole day has been part of some cosmic cruelty joke.  Ha ha, fine!  Oh, if Tony Perkins shows up at the door, wearing a housedress and carrying a very large kitchen knife... tell him I’m in the shower."

Fans love the birth of a great running joke, so Larry's very first "Watch . . . and Learn" was an understandable favorite.  Fans also love a great Larry rant, and there was none better in the first season than his blow up over what was the worst birthday of his life.  These tying choices were far in front of all other nominee quotes.

Check This
"You wrote a check for three thousand dollars more than you have.  You don't want to go to prison for this furniture!" 

This is the other line which makes me laugh more than any other in season one!

(Tie)

First Date
"So, this is one of your American mating places."

Baby, You Can Drive My Car
"You can fool some of the sheep all of the time but you can’t fool some of the sheep all of the time."

With so many wonderful Balki-isms to choose from, these two came out on the top of the voting list, with "To get an official document like that must make you so aroused" from Baby, You Can Drive My Car close behind.

Picture This
"You know someday I'm going to look at you and say 'That's my cousin, Larry Appleton, the best photographer in the world.  And do you know why?  Because you're cracked."

There's something particularly funny about Balki trying to sincerely pay someone a compliment and having it come out as a rather astute insult.

Happy Birthday, Baby
Larry asks to borrow Dimitri

Dimitri flexed his dramatic mutton, showing great compassion in allowing Larry to cuddle him in comfort in this adorable scene.  The runner-up was Dimitri comforting Balki after the hurtling shopping cart hit Larry's fender in the episode Baby, You Can Drive My Car.

Happy Birthday, Baby
Larry asks to borrow Dimitri

No question, Dimitri's best acting job in season one by far!

(tie)

Knock, Knock . . . Who's There?
"Gentleman . . . and turnip."

Picture This
"It's obvious in his country . . . cousins can marry."

Another running joke was born when Twinkacetti first referred to Balki as "Turnip."  And the "cousins can marry" line gave it a run for its money, ending in a tie.  All other nominees were somewhat behind but running neck and neck amongst themselves.

Happy Birthday, Baby
"Well, look here!  If it isn't Tweedledum . . . and Tweedledumber." 

In the world of biting Twinkacetti insults, this one stands out to me as being a quintessential put down.

Knock, Knock . . . Who's There?
Susan meets Balki

It's a shame Susan didn't remain in the show longer, as she was quite a promising character.  By far the fans favorite Susan appearance was her first when she meets Balki and Balki is instantly smitten with her.  The only other nominee was her reaction to Balki shining his shoes with his heart in the episode First Date.

Check This
Susan blows Mr. Twinkacetti a raspberry

Pretty and spunky, it was great to see Susan tell Twinkacetti exactly what she thinks of him!

Baby, You Can Drive My Car
Frank, the "grumpy guy from the driver's license store"

The runaway winner was Eddie Barth as Frank, the DMV employee who gives Balki his driver's license test.  He was the perfect grump and gave this appearance his best.  The only other nominees were Steve Vinovich as the customer in the first episode Knock Knock . . . Who's There? and Gorbachev, the Great Dane from Picture This.

Check This
Harrison Harper

It was just such a treat to get a sneak peek at what was in store for the series with Sam Anderson playing the irritated bank clerk in this episode.

First Date
Red shirt, Black Vest and Striped Pants worn on date with Diane

It was a close race between this outfit and Balki's pink shirt and black pants from Happy Birthday, Baby.

Happy Birthday, Baby
Pink Shirt, Black Pants and Black Suspenders

Pink is just such a striking color on Balki . . . even Larry said he liked this shirt!

Check This
Blue and Black patterned sweater and gray pants

This ensemble was the overwhelming pick among fans for Larry's best outfit from season one!  Gotta love sweater Larry!

Check This
Red Sweater Vest, Plaid Shirt and Tan Pants

There's something about these colors on Larry I just love!