Bosom Buddies - "Only the Lonely"

Bosom Buddies Season One DVD

Original Air Date: March 12, 1981
Starring: Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari, Holland Taylor
Directed by: Tom Trbovich

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Kip (Tom Hanks) and Henry (Peter Scolari) suffer through a night at their boss Ruth’s (Holland Taylor) home then realize that perhaps her invitation meant more to her than they first realized.

Cat Burglars (Scene Stealers): The subplot of the episode involves Sonny (Donna Dixon) finding some kittens in the alley. She brings them into the women’s residence in a box and at first Isabelle (Telma Hopkins) and Amy (Wendie Jo Sperber) are against it in but once they see the silver long-haired cuties they can’t resist.

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - box of long-haired silver kittens

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Sonny Donna Dixon, Isabelle Telma Hopkins and Amy Wendie Jo Sperber with box of long-haired silver kittens

Amy is holding one of the kittens when Kip and Henry (dressed as Buffy and Hildegard) come in after a long night of work. The girls tease them, thinking they have caught the girls in a walk of shame. Lilly (Lucille Benson) the landlady appears and Amy tries to hide the kitten she is holding in her robe. “I taut I saw a puddy tat!” Lilly exclaims. Amy explains that they are just furry donuts.

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Sonny Donna Dixon, Isabelle Telma Hopkins and Amy Wendie Jo Sperber with long-haired silver kitten in her robe

Later Amy and Sonny are playing with the two kittens who are left from the litter. One of the kittens hooks Amy’s robe and has to be coaxed to let go (Wendie Jo actually has to pretend the kitten has hooked her).

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Sonny Donna Dixon and Amy Wendie Jo Sperber with long-haired silver kittens on couch

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Amy Wendie Jo Sperber with long-haired silver kitten

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Amy Wendie Jo Sperber with long-haired silver kitten clinging to her

Kip and Henry come in after being entertained by Ruth and they laugh about the strange evening. Sonny points out that maybe Ruth is lonely and went to a lot of trouble for them. Amy agrees that Sonny may be right.

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Sonny Donna Dixon and Amy Wendie Jo Sperber with long-haired silver kittens talking to Kip Tom Hanks and Henry Peter Scolari

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Amy Wendie Jo Sperber on couch with long-haired silver kitten

Feeling bad, the boys pay a surprise visit to Ruth later bringing her beer and a pizza. She is angry at first but slowly warms up, especially when they say they’re brought her a present. Kip opens his coat to reveal one of the kittens.

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - long-haired silver kitten in coat

Ruth is thrilled with the kitten. When asked what she will name it, she does a quick (and very cute) sex check and then says she will name the kitten “Ruth.”

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Ruth Holland Taylor holding up long-haired silver kitten

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Ruth Holland Taylor checking sex of long-haired silver kitten

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Ruth Holland Taylor holding long-haired silver kitten

Ruth holds the kitten through much of the scene until finally she stands up and holds the kitten up. “Oh Ruth, my darling,” she cooes as she sets the kitten down on the floor, “Here’s a seven thousand dollar playground. Have a wonderful time.” The kitten Ruth is not seen again.

Bosom Buddies - Only the Lonely - Ruth Holland Taylor with long-haired silver kitten on lap