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Maude is a television series created as the first spin-off of All in the Family featuring Maude Findlay ( Bea Arthur), Edith Bunker's cousin, who appeared in two episodes of the latter series' second season.

The first season of Maude was previously released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. In 2015, the complete series was made available in a large boxed set from Shout Factory.

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRankRating
First airedLast aired
122September 12, 1972 (1972-09-12)March 20, 1973 (1973-03-20)424.7
224September 11, 1973 (1973-09-11)March 5, 1974 (1974-03-05)623.5
323September 9, 1974 (1974-09-09)March 31, 1975 (1975-03-31)924.9
424September 8, 1975 (1975-09-08)March 15, 1976 (1976-03-15)425.0
524September 20, 1976 (1976-09-20)April 4, 1977 (1977-04-04)31 [1]19.9 [1]
624September 12, 1977 (1977-09-12)April 22, 1978 (1978-04-22)75 [2]15.2 [2]

Episodes

Season 1 (1972–73)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Prod.
code
11"Maude's Problem"
"Maude and the Psychiatrist"
Robert H. LivingstonSusan SilverSeptember 12, 1972 (1972-09-12)0102
Maude ( Beatrice Arthur) is suspicious when she notices changes to her daughter Carol's ( Adrienne Barbeau) mood. Initially thinking Carol is having an affair, Maude is surprised to learn she is actually seeing a psychiatrist (William Redfield), and that he has a few questions for Maude.
22"Doctor, Doctor"Bill Hobin Budd GrossmanSeptember 19, 1972 (1972-09-19)0103
Carol's eight-year-old son Phillip (Brian Morrison) is caught playing doctor with next-door neighbor Arthur's ( Conrad Bain) visiting granddaughter, Angela. Arthur insists that Phillip be punished for the act, while Carol and Maude believe it to be just simple young expression. This sparks an argument between Arthur and Maude on "the moral decay in our society".
33"Maude Meets Florida"Robert H. LivingstonRod Parker, Walter StoneSeptember 26, 1972 (1972-09-26)0101
Forward-thinking Maude tries to prove her worth as a liberal by hiring a black maid, Florida Evans ( Esther Rolle). In doing so, Maude overcompensates by going out of her way to treat her as an "equal," which Florida cannot stand. Maude's husband Walter is troubled to find Phillip swearing into a tape recorder and then playing it back.
44"Like Mother, Like Daughter"Bill Hobin Susan HarrisOctober 3, 1972 (1972-10-03)0104
Carol starts dating a man named Russell Asher (Cesare Danova) who once dumped her mother. While Maude does her best to warn Carol of his ways, Carol believes Maude is interfering too much in her life. However, a late night that went a bit too far, in which Russell calls Carol "Maude", proves that Maude was right.
55"Maude and the Radical" Bud Yorkin T : Budd Grossman;
S/T : Eugene Pratt
October 10, 1972 (1972-10-10)0105
Maude organizes a fund-raising party for a black militant politician and invites all her rich white friends under false pretenses. She also tries to get black people to attend the party, but the best she can do is make Florida go to the event, calling her Florida DuBonnet. Then, during the party, Maude mixes Arthur's prescribed tranquilizers with alcohol, which causes her to reveal the fundraising part of the party, and causing her guests to leave.
66"The Ticket"Bill HobinErik TarloffOctober 17, 1972 (1972-10-17)0109
Maude receives a speeding ticket that could result in the suspension of her driver's license. Despite having a connection to someone who can "fix" the ticket, she insists on protesting the citation even after the judge immediately dismisses her "fixed" ticket.
77"Love and Marriage"Bill Hobin S : Ralph Goodman;
T : Budd Grossman
October 24, 1972 (1972-10-24)0108
Tired of being 27 years old and raising her son while living with her mother, Carol believes her ticket out of the house is to marry a man ( Frank Aletter) she does not truly love. Meanwhile, Walter gets tired of Maude neglecting him, which leads to a dish-breaking fight in the kitchen.
88"Flashback"Bill HobinAlan J. LevittOctober 31, 1972 (1972-10-31)0109
While Maude and Walter wait to see who won the presidential election, they reminisce about the same night four years before. Carol is going through a divorce and moving in with Maude, and Walter and Maude must make a decision either to marry or just cohabit.
99" Maude's Dilemma: Part 1"Bill Hobin S : Austin, Irma Kalish;
T : Susan Harris
November 14, 1972 (1972-11-14)0106
At 47 years old, Maude discovers she is pregnant and must figure out how to tell the news to Walter as she plays cards with neighbors Arthur and Vivian Cavender ( Rue McClanahan).
1010" Maude's Dilemma: Part 2"Bill Hobin S : Austin, Irma Kalish;
T : Susan Harris
November 21, 1972 (1972-11-21)0113
Carol suggests that Maude should terminate the pregnancy now that the practice is legal in the state of New York. Maude cannot gauge Walter's reaction, as he is publicly indifferent to the idea. After soul-searching and taking advice from Carol, Walter, Arthur and Vivian, Maude decides to terminate the pregnancy.
1111"Maude's Reunion"Bill Hobin T : Alan J. Levitt, Budd Grossman;
S/T : Leo Rifkin
November 28, 1972 (1972-11-28)0111
Maude reunites with an old high school friend, Phyllis "Bunny" Nash ( Barbara Rush), who was not a beauty when Maude knew her. She is horrified to learn that Ms. Nash is now a very attractive, single career woman, and it makes Maude resentful of her own position in life, especially when she bonds with Carol.
1212"The Grass Story"Bill HobinArnold Kane, Gordon FarrDecember 5, 1972 (1972-12-05)0112
Maude stands up for her principles when she hears of a teenager arrested for possession of marijuana. Maude convinces her rich liberal girlfriends to picket with her at the police station, and to get arrested themselves as a symbolic move when the police sees that they are also in possession of the drug. It proves to be a challenge for Maude to "score" some, but when she does, she and Walter fight over it.
1313"The Slumlord"Bill Hobin S : Marvin Kaplan;
T : Woody Kling
December 19, 1972 (1972-12-19)0110
Maude and Walter are labeled slumlords after they learn that they own a rundown apartment building and someone pickets the conditions on their front lawn. It leads to problems for Phillip and aggravation for Florida, who temporarily quits her job.
1414"The Convention" Hal Cooper Bob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfJanuary 2, 1973 (1973-01-02)0114
Maude accompanies Walter to an appliance convention in Massachusetts. They must share a room in a cheap motel after their reservations are mixed up at their first choice of hotel. At this inopportune time, Maude shares her feelings with Walter about the lack of meaning in her life and the difficulties she is facing in her quest for employment due to her gender. This leads to another fight between them.
1515"Walter's 50th Birthday"Hal Cooper S : Maurice Richlin;
T : Pamela Herbert Chais
January 23, 1973 (1973-01-23)0116
Maude prepares a surprise birthday party for Walter, who is depressed about turning 50. Always the optimist, however, Maude brings over an old friend to cheer Walter up, but it leads to even more ruin when the friend shows up to the party and dies. Maude and Walter argue, with them throwing their respective suitcases through the bedroom windows.
1616"Maude and the Medical Profession"Hal Cooper T : Alan J. Levitt;
S/T : Lou Shaw
January 30, 1973 (1973-01-30)0117
Maude and Walter are all ready to take their second honeymoon to Rome. A tetanus shot Maude received as a prerequisite for travel gives her a rash, and when she encounters a busy doctor ( Tom Bosley) who gives her medication without telling her correct dosage, her equilibrium becomes completely off balance, forcing both of them to cancel their trip. Out $800 for their deposit, they are enraged enough to sue the doctor for malpractice.
1717"Arthur Moves In"Hal Cooper S : Norman, Harriet Belkin;
T : Pamela Herbert Chais
February 6, 1973 (1973-02-06)0118
Arthur quickly wears out his welcome with Maude and Florida after he must move in due to fire damage at his house. After one demand too many, Maude insists that Walter tell Arthur to get out.
1818"Florida's Problem"Hal Cooper S : Alan J. Levitt;
T : Budd Grossman
February 13, 1973 (1973-02-13)0119
Florida's husband Henry ( John Amos) insists that she does not need to work, and after he starts a second job, he gives her an ultimatum to quit. When Maude hears of the news, Maude stands up for Florida's rights while Walter sides with Henry.
1919"Walter's Secret"Hal CooperBob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfFebruary 27, 1973 (1973-02-27)0120
Carol catches Walter having a cozy drink with a much younger woman who used to work for him at his appliance business, Gladys Horton. Carol tells Maude, and fearing the worst, demands that Walter take his things and move out.
2020"Maude's Good Deed"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisMarch 6, 1973 (1973-03-06)0121
Maude's old friend Jane comes to visit, but the things turn sour when Maude tries to reconcile Jane with her daughter Linda (Lee Lawson), who sued her mother over her inheritance and later snags away Arthur, whom Jane dated! The next day, Maude's final plan for peace goes completely awry.
2121"The Perfect Marriage"Hal CooperBob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfMarch 13, 1973 (1973-03-13)0122
Maude's best friend Vivian Cavender unexpectedly announces that she is getting a divorce, which shakes Maude as she believed Vivian's marriage to be completely perfect. It leads Maude to her own neuroses and second thoughts about her own marriage and how perfect it is.
2222"Maude's Night Out"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisMarch 20, 1973 (1973-03-20)0123
While getting ready for Cliff Naylor's party, Maude makes Walter jealous with the revelation that Cliff always checks Maude out. Walter responds by dropping a bomb on Maude: Cliff is cheating on his wife. Maude feels foolish that Cliff went after another woman and perhaps she is not as sexually attractive as she thought she was.

Season 2 (1973–74)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Prod.
code
231"Walter's Problem: Part 1"Hal CooperBob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfSeptember 11, 1973 (1973-09-11)0203
A night of partying ends with many questions for Maude. How did Maude and Arthur end up in bed together? Why is her living room decimated? Who made a crank call to Maude's mother? The answer to the last question is Walter, and Carol's comment that Walter may have a drinking problem upsets him. Walter, who insists that he can drink with Maude anytime he wants, gets so drunk that he ruins Phillip's birthday cake, and after an argument, Walter slaps Maude across the face.
242"Walter's Problem: Part 2"Hal CooperBob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfSeptember 18, 1973 (1973-09-18)0205
Maude receives a black eye from the force of Walter's slap. Arthur sends over a reverend who is a recovering alcoholic to talk to Walter. A drunk Walter rebuffs everyone's pleas for help and finds the last bottle of alcohol in the house; Maude was nearly successful in clearing out the house earlier. When Maude and Walter have an argument, Carol announces that she is leaving with Phillip. Phillip telling Walter that he loves him breaks Walter; he throws the bottle of liquor through the kitchen window and asks for the reverend's help.
253"Walter's Holiday"Hal CooperBudd GrossmanSeptember 25, 1973 (1973-09-25)0202
Walter makes up a holiday called "National I Love You Day," hoping to have a romantic day alone with Maude. However, Vivian Cavender, recently divorced, comes over crying and Maude has to tend to her friend. With Walter's plans ruined, he takes out his frustrations at the gym with Arthur. Guest starring Johnny Brown as a salesman.
264"Maude's Facelift: Part 1"Hal CooperSusan HarrisOctober 2, 1973 (1973-10-02)0207
Recently divorced, Maude's friend Vivian decides to get a facelift. Carol and Walter love the "new Vivian" but Maude has nothing but contempt for Vivian's decision. Vivian rightly deems Maude jealous; Maude then makes an appointment to get the procedure done, keeping it secret from Walter.
275"Maude's Facelift: Part 2"Hal CooperRod ParkerOctober 9, 1973 (1973-10-09)0208
Maude returns from Boston after a three-week "holiday," where she got her face lifted. Maude loves her facelift, but she quickly becomes angry when Walter, who didn't know she was going for a procedure, doesn't notice anything different about her face.
286"Florida's Affair"Hal CooperAlan J. LevittOctober 16, 1973 (1973-10-16)0206
Florida doesn't know how to turn down the furnace repairman ( Ron Glass) who has his eye on her. It causes problems between Florida and her husband Henry ( John Amos) after Henry spies the repairman dancing with Florida. Maude and Walter would rather he finish work on their furnace.
297"Maude Takes a Job"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisOctober 23, 1973 (1973-10-23)0201
Maude finally lands a job as a real estate agent. Walter quickly becomes resentful of Maude's new position because he misses her being home in the evenings and it interrupts his routine. He orders her to quit her new job.
308"The Double Standard"Hal CooperBudd GrossmanOctober 30, 1973 (1973-10-30)0204

Carol and her boyfriend Chris ( Fred Grandy) return from a camping trip and Maude has a dilemma which flies in the face of her purported liberal leanings; should her daughter sleep in the same room as her boyfriend or should he sleep out in the guest room? To make matters more complicated, Carol and Chris announce their engagement.

Note: An early version of this episode, titled "Maude's Double Standard", was taped during the first season, and featured a different actor portraying Carol's boyfriend. The episode was shelved for unknown reasons, and slightly retooled and re-taped for season two. The original version was eventually released on Shout! Factory's complete series set. Its production code was #0115. [3]
319"Vivian's Problem"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisNovember 6, 1973 (1973-11-06)0209
Maude is not hitting the right notes with Vivian when she fails in her matchmaking attempts for the divorcée. Vivian decides to date a 70-year-old retired sailor, and Maude is so convinced that she can do better that she fixes Vivian up with Arthur, whom Maude doesn't even like.
3210"Maude's Musical"Hal CooperWoody KlingNovember 13, 1973 (1973-11-13)0210
Maude is in charge of choreographing a charity musical to raise funds for a library. Arthur voices his objections to the skits as he feels Maude's burlesque theme is too daring. Maude has to decide whether she will do the musical Arthur's way or not at all.
3311"The Will"Hal Cooper S : Leonard B. Kaufman, Jim Simmons;
T : Albert E. Lewin
November 27, 1973 (1973-11-27)0211
Maude and Walter are about to accept a "husband and wife of the year" award until a drag-out fight occurs between the two, regarding Walter naming Arthur trustee in his will. Walter is forced to reconcile with obstinate Maude as she announces her intent not to go to the awards banquet.
3412"Carol's Problem"Hal CooperBudd GrossmanDecember 4, 1973 (1973-12-04)0215
As Chris and Carol's wedding day approaches, Maude gives them their gift early; Maude has paid a down payment on a house. Everyone has a bone to pick with Maude when it is revealed that the house is a bit too close to home... just across the street!
3513"Music Hath Charms"Hal Cooper T : Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf;
S/T : Gordon Mitchell, Lloyd Turner
December 11, 1973 (1973-12-11)0212
Maude's gift-giving backfires again when she presents Walter with an electric organ as a present for their fifth wedding anniversary. Walter loves the gift, but he plays long and loud, annoying everyone. An argument leads Walter to drive off and crash his car into a tree; when he is unhurt, the house finds peace... temporarily. Later on, an argument over a past done steak, leads Maude and Walter to have a public fight in a restaurant.
3614"The Office Party"Hal CooperWoody KlingDecember 18, 1973 (1973-12-18)0214
Walter hosts his workers at his house for a holiday party. They give him some startling news: they plan on forming a union. Walter is furious and plans on firing everyone in on the plan, but he has someone in else to answer to: Maude.
3715"The Love Birds"Hal CooperDick WessonJanuary 1, 1974 (1974-01-01)0217
Vivian and Walter are fed up with Arthur and Maude constantly mentioning their late spouses. Arguments erupt between the two couples, but are eventually quelled. Vivian and Arthur announce to Maude and Walter that they are going to be married.
3816"Maude's Guest"Hal CooperAlan J. LevittJanuary 8, 1974 (1974-01-08)0218
Maude houses a black teenage girl from the ghetto, Francie Potter (Tamu Blackwell). The teen shows her true colors, absolutely hating Maude's "liberal guilt complex" towards black people, and she makes life difficult for everyone in the house until Maude finally puts her foot down.
3917"The Wallet"Hal Cooper T : Budd Grossman, Alan J. Levitt;
S/T : Max Hodge
January 15, 1974 (1974-01-15)0213
Maude finds a wallet belonging to a man who is known for his marital indiscretions. Walter and Maude get into an argument after Walter lets it known that he believes a wallet to be private, which leads to Maude snooping around behind everyone's backs. A case of misunderstandings lead Maude to a woman she is convinced Walter is seeing on the side.
4018"Maude's Revolt"Hal Cooper S : Lloyd Garver, Ken Hecht;
T : Lila Garrett
January 22, 1974 (1974-01-22)0220
Walter organizes a surprise birthday party for Maude, who is not handling aging well. Maude wants her birthday to go according to her plans, so she tells Walter to stay by her side and not to "go off with the men" to the other side of the room. When he strays from his promise, Maude leaves the party and locks herself in their bedroom. While Maude is sulking, Arthur yells, "FIRE!" which earns him a drenching from her.
4119"The Commuter Station"Hal CooperWoody KlingJanuary 29, 1974 (1974-01-29)0219
Maude convinces Arthur and Vivian to have a winter wedding in Vermont. As Maude, Walter, Carol, Chris and the soon-to-be marrieds take a train up from Tuckahoe, a blizzard strands them in a train station. Arthur is having cold feet about committing to Vivian, and Maude lets him know exactly how she feels. John Hillerman guest stars as a drunk.
4220"Florida's Goodbye"Hal Cooper John RappaportFebruary 5, 1974 (1974-02-05)0216
Florida's husband Henry receives a job promotion and Florida has decided to stay at home to be a housewife. Maude takes the news very hard, turning down every possible applicant for the position, and eventually has to come to terms with Florida's departure. Last appearance by Esther Rolle in the role of Florida Evans, as she was spun off into her own show, Good Times, that same week.
4321"The Tax Audit"Hal Cooper Bernie KahnFebruary 12, 1974 (1974-02-12)0221
Maude is in for a rude awakening as the man ( Larry Haines) who conducts Walter's tax audit is the same man who attempted to rape her three decades before. Walter doesn't want to address the subject, forcing Maude to take matters into her own hands, giving the auditor a history lesson he won't forget. With this episode, Rue McClanahan becomes a regular and is listed in opening credits.
4422"The Investment"Hal CooperElliot ShoenmanFebruary 19, 1974 (1974-02-19)0223
Bad feelings abound when Arthur gives Walter a bad stock tip, causing him to lose $3,700. An inquiry into why Arthur didn't invest money in the stock himself causes bad blood not only between the two men but also between Maude and Vivian.
4523"Phillip's Problem"Hal CooperBudd GrossmanFebruary 26, 1974 (1974-02-26)0222
Phillip is going through behavioral problems, and Walter suggests the boy get a spanking. Maude is completely against the idea until Carol and Chris leave for a weekend vacation and she's stuck dealing with Phillip and his insolence.
4624"The Runaway"Hal CooperAlan J. Levitt, Budd GrossmanMarch 5, 1974 (1974-03-05)0224
Francie Potter (Tamu Blackwell), the teenage girl who stayed with Maude months before, returns with a fabrication about her father mistreating and abusing her, in the hopes that Maude will give her money to "escape him." In reality, she and her boyfriend simply want to run away together.

Season 3 (1974–75)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Prod.
code
471"Maude Meets the Duke"Hal CooperRobert Hilliard, Bob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfSeptember 9, 1974 (1974-09-09)0306
John Wayne is making a new movie, and he is visiting Arthur in Tuckahoe as part of publicity; Arthur believes he is John Wayne's number one fan. The day looks like it's going to be ruined when Arthur and Vivian's roof caves in, but Arthur talks Maude into hosting the event, on the condition that Maude say a few choice words to the Duke about his views on feminism. When he does turn up, Maude is so starstruck that she forgets everything she wanted to say.
482"The Kiss"Hal CooperElliot ShoenmanSeptember 16, 1974 (1974-09-16)0301
Maude believes Walter is going through a midlife crisis after Walter takes up smoking a pipe and wearing platform shoes. Vivian runs to Maude's crying over an argument she had with Arthur about her dog. What causes the most drama, however, is a kiss Walter shares with Vivian, angering Maude and Arthur.
493"Walter's Heart Attack"Hal CooperBudd GrossmanSeptember 23, 1974 (1974-09-23)0305
Walter misses a special dinner with Maude because he is trying to stop his bookkeeper ( Jill Clayburgh) from killing herself due to her husband leaving her. Maude believes he is having an affair and bites her tongue while Walter recovers.
504"The New Housekeeper"Hal CooperBob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfSeptember 30, 1974 (1974-09-30)0302

Maude hires a new housekeeper from England, Nell Naugatuck. Maude and Mrs. Naugatuck get along well initially but clash when Mrs. Naugatuck insists on catering to Walter's every need since he is "master of the house," to Maude's disdain.

Note: First appearance of Hermione Baddeley as Mrs. Naugatuck.
515"Speed Trap"Hal CooperElliot ShoenmanOctober 7, 1974 (1974-10-07)0308
Arthur and Walter go on a camping trip. Maude is upset with Walter's decision but quickly drowns her sorrows in food with Vivian. The men get in trouble as they are arrested for speeding in a well-known "speed trap" zone and they need the women to get them out of jail. Guest starring Héctor Elizondo as a cop.
526"Lovers in Common"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisOctober 14, 1974 (1974-10-14)0307
While Arthur and Walter are out of town golfing, Maude and Vivian go out to a restaurant for drinks. They both have a secret to share: old flames sent them postcards announcing their imminent arrival in town. Upon seeing each other's postcards, they realize their "old flames" are in fact the same man, and they quickly get drunk while arguing over which woman he "really wants."
537"Walter's Dream"Hal Cooper S : Ben Starr;
T : Dick Clair, Jenna McMahon
October 21, 1974 (1974-10-21)0304
Walter returns from a fishing trip in Canada with the news that he wants to move him and Maude up to Canada to live in the woods. Maude doesn't like the idea one bit and plays a trick of reverse psychology on Walter, which backfires when he tries to sell his appliance store.
548"A Night to Remember"Hal CooperBob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfNovember 4, 1974 (1974-11-04)0309
Walter has business troubles on the mind late at night, and Maude makes it no easier with her own dilemma. Despite the stress Walter is feeling, Maude tells Walter that the doctor believes it be best for her to have a hysterectomy.
559"Last Tango in Tuckahoe"Hal CooperBob Schiller, Bob WeiskopfNovember 11, 1974 (1974-11-11)0311
Mrs. Naugatuck is caught sneaking men into the house when Walter and Maude discover a man in her closet. Mrs. Naugatuck is highly offended and demands her right to privacy as part of her wages include room and board.
5610"Vivian's Party"Hal Cooper S : Barbara Avedon, Barbara Corday;
T : Elliot Shoenman
November 18, 1974 (1974-11-18)0303
Arthur tells Vivian on short notice that she has to prepare a dinner party for twelve guests. Vivian's maid quits on the spot, forcing Maude and Mrs. Naugatuck to help Vivian with her dinner. Hell hath no fury like Maude scorned when she finds out that she and Walter are not invited to Vivian's party! Helen Martin guest stars as Stella, Arthur's housekeeper.
5711"Maude the Boss"Hal Cooper S : Lloyd Garver, Ken Hecht;
T : Rod Parker, Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf
November 25, 1974 (1974-11-25)0310
Maude is promoted at her real estate agency. She is now working as office manager with three men who report to her. Two of the men don't have a problem with a female boss, but one does and tries to sabotage Maude at every turn. Guest starring Herb Edelman, over a decade before he'd regularly appear with Arthur and McClanahan on The Golden Girls as Dorothy's ex-husband Stan.
5812"Maude's New Friend"Hal CooperRod ParkerDecember 2, 1974 (1974-12-02)0312
Maude makes friends with a well-known writer ( Robert Mandan), who happens to be gay. Walter does not approve of Maude's friendship, and not because he's a man or because he's gay, but because Walter feels Maude's friend is very condescending to him. At the same time, Maude has to deal with the fact that she isn't as liberal as she thought when it comes to her preconceived notions of gay people.
5913"Walter's Ex"Hal Cooper S : Sybil Adelman, Barbara Gallagher;
T : Elliot Shoenman
December 9, 1974 (1974-12-09)0313
Maude and Walter may finally be able to take their dream trip to Japan, as Walter's ex-wife Marta ( Carole Cook) has informed him that she will be remarrying, allowing Walter to stop with alimony payments. Maude's rich Uncle Henry has also announced that he will be remarrying. Walter and Maude realize Marta is going to be marrying Henry and, knowing Marta's history via Walter, immediately become concerned that she is only marrying him because she's a gold-digger.
6014"Nostalgia Party"Hal Cooper T : Budd Grossman, Elliot Shoenman;
S/T : Michael Morris
December 30, 1974 (1974-12-30)0315
Maude thinks up a great idea for a New Year's party when she suggests that the guests dress up as "the best year of their lives." The party leads to an argument between the guests as to why their year is the best.
6115"All Psyched Out"Hal CooperBarbara Gallagher, Sybil AdelmanJanuary 6, 1975 (1975-01-06)0314
A psychic tells Maude her fortune. Among other things, she tells Maude that she will remarry for the fifth time. When the other events in her fortune start coming true, she convinces herself the only way to stay married to Walter is to marry him again. Walter is not so thrilled with the idea. Guest starring Paul Benedict as a minister.
6216"The Telethon"Hal CooperNorm LiebmannJanuary 20, 1975 (1975-01-20)0317
Maude organizes a telethon which is raising money for no cause at all, as the charity Maude endorsed backed out at the last minute. It is up to Maude to think up a cause or charity while on the air, or else the station pulls the plug.
6317"And Then There Were None"Hal CooperCharlie HauckJanuary 27, 1975 (1975-01-27)0318
Carol announces her engagement to a man ( Don Chastain) who will be divorcing his wife ( Audra Lindley) "soon." Maude makes sure everyone knows she disapproves, which cause both Mrs. Naugatuck and Carol to protest Maude's overbearing ways, and they both move out.
6418"The Emergence of Vivian"Hal CooperDick Bensfield, Perry GrantFebruary 3, 1975 (1975-02-03)0319
Maude has gotten Vivian involved in the Congress of Women, and it is causing her to neglect dinner and the laundry, which Arthur hates. Arthur and Vivian get into a fight about her new hobby, and it's up to Vivian to balance her duties as wife and feminist and up to Arthur to stop expecting outdated notions of what a wife should be.
6519"Mrs. Naugatuck in Love"Hal CooperCharlie HauckFebruary 10, 1975 (1975-02-10)0320
Mrs. Naugatuck's behavior has changed, which makes everyone suspicious. They find out that she is in love, and they throw Mrs. Naugatuck a bridal shower when her special man asks her to marry him. At the shower, Mrs. Naugatuck receives news that the wedding is off, which humiliates and depresses her.
6620"Walter's Pride"Hal CooperElliot ShoenmanFebruary 24, 1975 (1975-02-24)0321
Walter has been stressed out about expenses, and is gaining weight. It turns out, he needs $12,000 to bail the business out of the red; if he does not get the money within a week, he will have to file for bankruptcy. Despite Walter's insistence not to, Maude mortgages the house behind his back and then gives him the money to pay off his debt, which Walter does not want to do.
6721"Walter Gets Religion"Hal CooperCharlie HauckMarch 3, 1975 (1975-03-03)0322
Walter has found a new interest in church and makes Maude attend services with him. Maude is terribly bored at the prospect and falls asleep during the sermon. She finds out that Walter may really only be going to church because the people there want to buy appliances from him. Guest starring Graham Jarvis as Reverend Williamson.
6822"The Cabin"Hal CooperBudd GrossmanMarch 10, 1975 (1975-03-10)0323
Arthur and Vivian decide to go on a romantic retreat to a mountain cabin. Maude senses the chance to put some fire back into her own marriage and organizes her own vacation to the mountains with Walter. The weekend is less than what Maude hoped for, discouraging her.
6923"Maude's Mother"Hal Cooper S : Michael Morris;
T : Budd Grossman, Elliot Shoenman
March 31, 1975 (1975-03-31)0324
Maude's mother ( Audrey Christie) comes to visit for the first time since Maude married Walter. However, this is inconveniently timed as Walter's television ads for Findlay's Friendly Appliances start running, with Walter only wearing underclothes and a barrel, calling himself "Wow-ee Wally," which amuses Maude's mother and mortifies Maude.

Season 4 (1975–76)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Prod.
code
701"The Split"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisSeptember 8, 1975 (1975-09-08)TBA
Maude has to choose whether or not to run for a seat in the New York state senate. Walter becomes jealous when he feels Maude isn't supporting him, and finally puts his foot down; he demands Maude either choose him or her new political career.
712"Consenting Adults"Hal Cooper Karyl Geld Miller, Pamela Herbert ChaisSeptember 15, 1975 (1975-09-15)TBA
Maude feels bad about her argument with Walter, and she goes to his new apartment, where he took refuge after refusing to return to the house. Seeing his very mod bachelor pad insults Maude, as she hoped for a reconciliation. Maude and Walter ultimately decide to divorce.
723"Rumpus in the Rumpus Room"Hal Cooper Marilyn Suzanne MillerSeptember 22, 1975 (1975-09-22)TBA
At Vivian and Arthur's 2nd anniversary party, Maude and Walter show up with separate dates; Maude arrives with a Senator ( James Olson) while Walter arrives with a young woman ( Bernadette Peters), which infuriates Maude. A vicious argument causes Walter to turn to the bottle once more. When Maude checks to see if Walter has arrived home safely, she finds him in bed with someone else.
734"Maude's Big Decision"Hal CooperCharlie HauckSeptember 29, 1975 (1975-09-29)0405
Maude is more than relieved to find out that Walter was in bed with Arthur; they both passed out together after their night of partying. Maude finally decides to step down from the election if it means Walter will become sober again, but it is Walter who has the true change of heart and reconciles with Maude, giving her his full blessing about her role in politics.
745"The Election"Hal CooperCharlie HauckOctober 6, 1975 (1975-10-06)TBA
Maude comes to the realization that she may lose the election for state senate, especially after a television interview in which she voices her liberal views about premarital sex is poorly received. She feels better knowing her marriage with Walter is intact again.
756"Viv's Dog"Hal Cooper S : Mike Milligan, Jay Moriarty;
T : Charlie Hauck
October 20, 1975 (1975-10-20)0401
Vivian and Arthur go on holiday and leave Vivian's dog in the care of Maude. The dog passes away leaving Maude feeling guilty and unsure how to break the news to a distraught Vivian. Guest starring Teri Garr as Mrs. Carlson.
767"For the Love of Bert"Hal Cooper George TibblesOctober 27, 1975 (1975-10-27)0408
Mrs. Naugutuck has been making up various stories to persuade Maude and Bert to give her extra money.
778"The Fling"Hal Cooper Phil SharpNovember 3, 1975 (1975-11-03)TBA
Vivian's ex-husband Chuck ( William Redfield) comes back to town, wealthier and more charming than ever. Vivian falls under his spell, and Maude decides she must take action to prevent an affair between the two.
789"The Analyst"Hal CooperJay FolbNovember 10, 1975 (1975-11-10)TBA
A revealing psychoanalysis session helps Maude gather the missing pieces of her past so she can begin to understand the present. This episode is largely a solo piece for Beatrice Arthur.
7910"Arthur's Medical Convention"Hal CooperPhil SharpNovember 17, 1975 (1975-11-17)TBA
Walter joins in on the practical joking fun at Arthur's medical convention, but it backfires on him when he's left tending to a heart attack victim.
8011"Arthur Gets a Partner"Hal CooperPhil SharpNovember 24, 1975 (1975-11-24)TBA
Arthur desperately needs money to protect an investment, but, out of pride, he refuses to take an offer from Vivian.
8112"Walter's Ethics"Hal Cooper Arthur Marx, Bob FisherDecember 1, 1975 (1975-12-01)TBA
Walter has a chance to sell his store for a huge profit. Maude is pleased until she finds out that Walter has arranged a date between one of his employees and the married buyer ( Robert Mandan).
8213"Poor Albert"Hal CooperFred S. Fox, Seaman JacobsDecember 8, 1975 (1975-12-08)TBA
Maude receives the ashes of her long-suffering ex-husband, "Poor Albert," just as Walter's blowout Founder's Day sale approaches. As a result, she must debate whether to stay in Tuckahoe to support Walter during his sale, or drive to the mountains to fulfill Poor Albert's final request.
8314"The Christmas Party"Hal CooperWoody KlingDecember 22, 1975 (1975-12-22)TBA
With Christmas on the way, Walter has his annual office Christmas party at the house, however, he's worried that Maude's feminist friend, Stephanie, who goes out of her way to preach to everyone on women's rights, will put a damper on the festivities.
8415"The Case of the Broken Punch Bowl"Hal CooperElliot ShoenmanJanuary 5, 1976 (1976-01-05)TBA
Maude's priceless crystal punch bowl is shattered at a party given by the Harmons, at which Carol and Mrs. Naugatuck were both present — but separating the truth from Arthur's, Vivian's, and Mrs. Naugatuck's perception of the truth proves a challenge. Until Carol arrives and reveals what really happened. Guest starring Lyle Waggoner as a party guest who (in various versions) Carol and Vivian flirt with.
8516"Walter's Stigma"Hal CooperJay FolbJanuary 12, 1976 (1976-01-12)0418
When Walter is falsely arrested for indecent exposure, Maude seeks to protect his reputation from a petty gossip columnist ( Alice Ghostley).
8617"Maude's Mood: Part 1"Hal CooperJay FolbJanuary 26, 1976 (1976-01-26)0413
Maude initiates a campaign to elect Henry Fonda the President of the United States, without even knowing whether Fonda is interested in the office. Walter speaks to a psychiatrist about the matter and learns Maude may be manic-depressive.
8718"Maude's Mood: Part 2"Hal CooperCharlie Hauck, Jay FolbFebruary 2, 1976 (1976-02-02)0417
Even though Henry Fonda categorically refuses to run for President, Maude persists in campaigning for his election, draining the family's energy and bank account in the process.
8819"Tuckahoe Bicentennial"Hal CooperSeaman Jacobs, Milton PascalFebruary 9, 1976 (1976-02-09)TBA
Maude stages a tribute to American women for the Tuckahoe Bicentennial celebration and all the men are convinced it is a money losing proposition. After seeing some of the practice performances, the man who owns the studio pulls out. However, it seems that all the men were wrong, soon the show is sold out.
8920"Mrs. Naugatuck's Citizenship"Hal CooperJay FolbFebruary 16, 1976 (1976-02-16)0420
Mrs. Naugatuck has been studying to take her final exam to become a United States citizen. However, the day before the examination, she falls ill after suffering a minor stroke and is hospitalized, putting her chances of becoming a citizen in jeopardy.
9021"Maude's Nephew"Hal Cooper S : Budd Grossman;
S/T : Charlie Hauck
February 23, 1976 (1976-02-23)0421
Walter has become fed up with Maude's nephew, Steve ( Jerry Houser), who has been staying with the Findlays. Steve's laid back lifestyle quickly begins to appear as a cover for his lack of responsibility, when his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend shows up at the front door with an announcement... she's pregnant.
9122"Maude's Rejection"Hal CooperJay FolbMarch 1, 1976 (1976-03-01)TBA
Maude tries to ingratiate herself with an acerbic English writer ( Clive Revill), but she fails to appreciate his honesty when he tells her he can't stand her.
9223"Carol's Promotion"Hal CooperPhil SharpMarch 8, 1976 (1976-03-08)0422
Carol is passed over for a promotion which she feels she could have gotten if she'd responded to her boss's advances. Maude goes to pieces when Carol sets up a date between the boss and herself.
9324"Maude's Ex-Convict"Anthony ChickeyCharlie HauckMarch 15, 1976 (1976-03-15)TBA
Maude hires an ex-convict ( Bob Balaban) to fill in for a vacationing Mrs. Naugutuck, confident she can integrate him back into society. However, her idealism fails her when she finds out he was convicted for murdering his old bosses.

Season 5 (1976–77)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Prod.
code
941"Vivian's First Funeral"Hal CooperSam GreenbaumSeptember 20, 1976 (1976-09-20)0501
Vivian's phobia of funerals makes her a nervous wreck when she must attend the funeral of a friend with Maude. To complicate matters, Vivian is also nervous when she discovers Maude lost the antique brooch that Arthur had given her, which she lent to Maude who in turn lent it to someone else, whom Maude cannot remember. Maude and Vivian soon discover just whom it was Maude had lent the brooch to.
952"Maude and Chester"Hal Cooper S : Howard Albrecht, Sol Weinstein;
T : Pamela Herbert Chais
September 27, 1976 (1976-09-27)TBA
Maude meets her ex-husband Chester ( Martin Balsam) to clear up some legal issues, but they end up locked in the lawyer's office.
963"Bert Moves In"Hal CooperArthur JulianOctober 4, 1976 (1976-10-04)0503
Bert proposes to Mrs. Naugatuck, then withdraws his proposal when he loses his job and must move in with her to save money.
974"Walter's Crisis: Part 1"Hal CooperCharlie HauckOctober 11, 1976 (1976-10-11)TBA
Maude and Walter are set to go on vacation, but their plans are put on hold when Walter doesn't get a loan.
985"Walter's Crisis: Part 2"Hal Cooper S : Donald King;
T : Arthur Julian
October 18, 1976 (1976-10-18)TBA
Walter goes into a deep depression when he finds himself out of a job.
996"Walter's Crisis: Part 3"Hal Cooper S : Donald King;
T : William Davenport
October 25, 1976 (1976-10-25)TBA
Walter takes a sleeping pill to help with his depression, but he ends up swallowing more than he should.
1007"The Election"Hal CooperThad MumfordNovember 1, 1976 (1976-11-01)0507
With election day just around the corner, Carol goes to the precinct to help out and Maude gets the chance to meet her daughter's new boyfriend ( Michael O'Keefe) - a man who's ten years younger than Carol.
1018"The Game Show"Hal CooperJay FolbNovember 8, 1976 (1976-11-08)0509
The Findlays and the Harmons go to New York, where Maude and Vivian are chosen to be contestants on a game show. Guest starring Conrad Janis and Johnny Olson as the host and announcer of "Beat The Devil".
1029"Arthur's Worry"Hal Cooper S : Kathy Gori, Michael Smollins;
T : Arthur Julian
November 15, 1976 (1976-11-15)0508
Walter fears an upcoming camping trip with Arthur because he's dreamt that he kissed him.
10310"Mrs. Naugatuck's Wedding"Hal CooperArthur Julian, William DavenportNovember 22, 1976 (1976-11-22)0512

Mrs. Naugatuck refuses to change her last name at her wedding, leading the men and women to take sides on the matter.

Note: Brian Morrison's final episode as Phillip Traynor.
10411"Maude's New Friends"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisNovember 29, 1976 (1976-11-29)0513

The Harmons introduce the Findlays to a couple ( James Coco and Helen Page Camp) who are interested in wife-swapping.

Note: An early version of this episode, with the same title, was taped during the third season. The episode was shelved for unknown reasons, and slightly retooled and re-taped for season five. The original version was eventually released on Shout! Factory's complete series set. Its production code was #0316. [4]
10512"The Rip-Off"Hal CooperCharles Tannen, Tom AdairDecember 13, 1976 (1976-12-13)TBA
Walter goes to extremes to find security when he and the Harmons come home from the movies to find Maude tied up and the place burglarized.
10613"Walter's Christmas Gift"Hal CooperThad MumfordDecember 20, 1976 (1976-12-20)0514
Since the Findlays' finances are so low, they decide to give homemade gifts for Christmas, while Arthur offers Walter a partnership in a new business.
10714"Captain Hero"Hal CooperHarry CauleyJanuary 3, 1977 (1977-01-03)0515
Maude's visiting cousin ( John Byner) insults one of potential contributors to her mental health clinic.
10815"Maude's Adult Relationship"Hal CooperCharlie HauckJanuary 17, 1977 (1977-01-17)TBA
At Arthur's insistence, Walter starts to worry that Maude is having lunch with her handsome work associate.
10916"Arthur's Crisis"Hal CooperCharlie HauckFebruary 7, 1977 (1977-02-07)TBA
Walter's fun-loving prankster friend ( Eugene Roche) dies during an operation, leading Arthur to question his abilities as a doctor. Guest starring Michael Keaton, Charles Lane and Mary Jo Catlett.
11017"Maude's Desperate Hours"Hal CooperArthur JulianFebruary 14, 1977 (1977-02-14)0517
With Walter out of town, Maude keeps getting threatening phone calls - and the caller may be a painter recently hired to work on the house.
11118"Maude's Reunion"Hal Cooper S : Bruce Kane, Sandy Veith;
T : Charlie Hauck
February 21, 1977 (1977-02-21)TBA
Maude attends her 30th high school reunion and discovers that one of her oldest friends ( Nanette Fabray) just had a stroke.
11219"Feminine Fulfillment"Hal Cooper S : Jennie Blackton, Joanne Greenberg;
T : Charlie Hauck, Thad Mumford
February 28, 1977 (1977-02-28)0520
Maude is shocked that Vivian joined a woman's group that encourages women to be subject to their husband's whims.
11320"Maude's Aunt"Hal CooperWilliam DavenportMarch 7, 1977 (1977-03-07)TBA
Maude's aunt Lola ( Eve Arden) visits and proves to be just as caustic as she is.
11421"Arthur's New Best Friend"Hal CooperElliot ShoenmanMarch 14, 1977 (1977-03-14)TBA
Walter and Arthur each have new best friends.
11522"Vivian's Surprise"Hal CooperArthur Julian, William DavenportMarch 21, 1977 (1977-03-21)0521
Vivian is surprised that Arthur's had a change of heart when he returns from a trip.
11623"The Household Feud"Hal CooperArthur Julian, William DavenportMarch 28, 1977 (1977-03-28)0523

Maude and Mrs. Naugatuck get into a feud that starts with the Findlays not being invited to the party and Maude accidentally breaking Mrs. Naugatuck's urn.

Note: Final appearances of Hermione Baddeley and J. Pat O'Malley as Mrs. Naugatuck and Bert Beasley.
11724"The New Maid"Hal CooperCharlie HauckApril 4, 1977 (1977-04-04)TBA

Maude's new maid is a young West Indian woman whom she initially suspects of stealing her wallet.

Note: First appearance of Marlene Warfield as Victoria Butterfield.

Season 6 (1977–78)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Prod.
code
1181"Maude's Guilt Trip"Hal CooperCharlie HauckSeptember 12, 1977 (1977-09-12)TBA
Maude weighs her options — to vacation in Rome, or not to vacation in Rome — when a plane purportedly carrying her mother's friend, Aunt Tinkie ( Bella Bruck), crashes en route to Tuckahoe days after Tinkie makes Maude a beneficiary on her life insurance policy.
1192"Phillip and Sam"Hal CooperPamela Herbert ChaisSeptember 19, 1977 (1977-09-19)TBA

Maude's new-fashioned ideas are put to the test when Phillip invites a female friend to spend the night.

Note: Kraig Metzinger takes over the role of Phillip Trayner from Brian Morrison.
1203"The Flying Saucer"Hal Cooper S : S.J. Levine;
T : Arthur Julian
September 26, 1977 (1977-09-26)0604
Maude believes she saw a flying saucer.
1214"Victoria's Boyfriend"Hal CooperThad MumfordOctober 3, 1977 (1977-10-03)TBA
Victoria's Jamaican father ( Roscoe Lee Browne) is not happy she's dating an American black man.
1225"Walter's Temptation"Hal CooperArthur Julian, Willian DavenportOctober 17, 1977 (1977-10-17)TBA
Walter is tempted by his assistant ( Marcia Rodd) when she's grateful to him for giving her a raise — on Maude's advice.
1236"Phillip's Birthday Party"Hal Cooper S : Bob Balaban, Lynn Grossman;
T : William Davenport
October 31, 1977 (1977-10-31)TBA
A group of teenagers crash Phillip's birthday party.
1247"The Doctor's Strike"Hal CooperWilliam DavenportNovember 7, 1977 (1977-11-07)TBA
Arthur organizes a doctor's strike just as Walter gets sick.
1258"The Ecologist"Hal CooperArthur JulianNovember 14, 1977 (1977-11-14)TBA

Maude has sexual fantasies about an ecologist ( Edward Winter) with whom she's working to clean up the Hudson River.

Note: This is the only time we see Mrs. Naugatuck's former apartment above the garage used in Season 6; Nell and Bert Beasley moved out near the end of Season 5.
1269"The Gay Bar"Hal Cooper T : William Davenport, Arthur Julian;
S/T : Michael Endler, Thad Mumford
December 3, 1977 (1977-12-03)0611
Arthur is not happy about a gay bar in town.
12710"Businessperson of the Year"Hal CooperArthur JulianDecember 12, 1977 (1977-12-12)0612
Maude and Walter compete to be Businessperson of the Year.
12811"Maude's Christmas Surprise"Hal CooperArthur Julian, William DavenportDecember 19, 1977 (1977-12-19)TBA
Maude finds a baby on her doorstep at Christmastime.
12912"Maude's New Client"Hal CooperWilliam DavenportJanuary 2, 1978 (1978-01-02)TBA
Maude's new real estate client has a connection to the mob.
13013"The Obscene Phone Call"Anthoney ChickeyElliot BernsteinJanuary 16, 1978 (1978-01-16)TBA
Maude changes her phone number to put a stop to the obscene phone calls she's been receiving, but when the calls continue, Maude suspects that the culprit is someone she knows.
13114"Musical '78"Hal CooperArthur Julian, William DavenportJanuary 28, 1978 (1978-01-28)0617
Maude holds a TV musical fund raiser to raise money for a disabled former child tap dancer, but learns before the telethon goes on the air that the child is faking her condition.
13215"My Husband, the Hero"Hal CooperSy RosenFebruary 4, 1978 (1978-02-04)0607
Maude is not happy when Walter is declared a hero for saving another person while a restaurant where they were dining goes on fire.
13316"Maude's Foster Child"Hal CooperJohnny BonaduceFebruary 11, 1978 (1978-02-11)TBA
Maude's Ethiopian foster child comes to visit for the first time, thanks to the sponsorship of a local African-American congregation — but when he arrives, Maude discovers he's not quite what any of them expected.
13417"Vivian's Decision"Hal CooperRichard HerlanFebruary 18, 1978 (1978-02-18)0619
Vivian considers leaving Arthur when she attends a college reunion and discovers that many of her former classmates and current students are really making a difference in the world. This episode is largely a "two-hander" for Beatrice Arthur and Rue McClanahan.
13518"Carol's Dilemma"Hal Cooper S : Bob Baublitz, Kevin Hopps;
S/T : Melodie Hollander, Michael Walker
February 25, 1978 (1978-02-25)TBA
Carol learns that her ex-husband ( Charles Siebert) is about to re-marry and wants custody of Phillip.
13619"Arthur's Grandson"Hal CooperRichard HerlanMarch 4, 1978 (1978-03-04)TBA
Arthur's grandson ( Sparky Marcus) is coming to visit, so Arthur is hoping to patch things up with his son.
13720"Mr. Butterfield's Return"Hal CooperArthur Julian and William DavenportMarch 11, 1978 (1978-03-11)0623
Mr. Butterfield ( Roscoe Lee Browne) returns with the intention of taking Victoria back to the West Indies.
13821"Phillip's Mature Romance"Hal CooperArthur Julian, William DavenportMarch 25, 1978 (1978-03-25)TBA
Maude discovers that Phillip's girlfriend is four years older than he.
13922"Maude's Big Move: Part 1"Hal CooperDick HerlanApril 8, 1978 (1978-04-08)0624

At a Chinese dinner party given for her Congresswoman friend, Irene Mackleaney ( Mary Louise Wilson), Maude discovers that Carol and Phillip are moving to Colorado; Vivian and Arthur are moving to Idaho; and Irene collapses dead on the floor from a heart attack.

Note: Final series appearance of Adrienne Barbeau as Carol Traynor.
14023"Maude's Big Move: Part 2"Hal CooperCharlie HauckApril 15, 1978 (1978-04-15)TBA

Faced with the departure of nearly everyone she loves from her life, Maude sinks into depression only to be lifted by some excellent news — she's been named to succeed her friend, the late Irene Mackleany as Congresswoman.

Note: Final series appearances of Conrad Bain and Rue McClanahan as Arthur and Vivian Harmon.
14124"Maude's Big Move: Part 3"Hal CooperWilliam Davenport, Charlie Hauck, Arthur Julian, Rod ParkerApril 22, 1978 (1978-04-22)TBA
Maude and Walter leave New York for Washington, D.C. to begin a new chapter in their lives.

References

External links