Willie Clark -- How Sad

When I saw this as a boy in 1975, I laughed heartily at this character that reminded me so much of my dad. Seeing it now 40 years later, I still chuckled a bit but mostly felt sad.

Why are we so unable to grow up and accept the changes life deals us? It didn't have to be this way for Willie. His comedy career was long over, true enough. Just an old man living in one-fifth of his former lush suite, forgotten to all but his fellow aging comedians. But he does have a nephew who loves him, risking chest pains to get him jobs he doesn't deserve as he throws rocks at anyone who tries to help him. He doesn't have to make up with Lewis, but can't he be civil and hold it together for a few hours so he can make some money and tape a show that his nephew's kids can appreciate one day?

I know it's hard to accept you're not the star you once were, and have to now brave cattle-calls for potato chips ads. But does fighting reality every step of the way really help anything?

In an alternate universe, there's a happier Willie Clark who calls Al Lewis once in a while, is nice to and spends time with his nephew, goes to auditions and actually lands a few gigs. He retains his caustic humor but not his anger at the too-changed world and everyone in it. And doesn't work himself into a heart attack.

I truly wish I understood why that alternate world almost never happens.