Fibber McGee and Molly – Fibber Is Sick. ep484, 461001

A black and white photograph of Fibber McGee and Molly, a couple from a popular radio show of the same name. They are standing in front of a closet that has been opened, with clothes and other items spilling out onto the floor. Fibber is holding a mop and wearing an apron, while Molly looks on with a smile on her face. The overall effect is one of humor and domesticity, with the couple's playful antics and cluttered living space providing a snapshot of life in mid-century America in 1948.

It’s the season opener, and we learn that Fibber is feeling under the weather. Doc Gamble arrives to hear Fibber’s story, and diagnose the problem. He prescribes a new kind of pill for his ailing patient, a placebo. Still, Fibber is determined to follow Doc’s instructions for taking it to the letter. The Kings men sing, Doing What Comes Naturally.

Molly babies her baby, as they both wonder exactly what a placebo is. Fibber plans to invent a new health food regimen, based on eating grass. Elsie Myrtle from the beauty parlor drops off a forgotten item for Molly. She won’t be bothering Fibber, or disturb his timing for taking his pill, will she? Some town gossip is shared before Harlowe Wilcox enters to deliver the commercial. As Molly steps away, the doorbell rings, and teeny pops in to talk about airplane rides.

Billy Mills plays, I Got the Sun in the Morning. But even the musical number isn’t immune from an interruption when it’s time for Fibber’s placebo. The Old Timer learns about Fibber’s health, and talks about his own good health. It reminds Fibber of an incident from his Vaudeville days, and a political joke from Old Timer. After taking his pills on the dot, Fibber begins to notice them doing strange, and wonderful things to him. Mayor Latrivia visits to talk about his lady friend, Fifi Tremain. Will the mayor spill the beans on what a placebo is? What will Fibber think, once the dictionary definition reveals the truth?