When Things Were Rotten is an American situation comedy television series created in 1975 by Mel Brooks and aired for half a season by ABC. A parody of the Robin Hood legend, the series starred Richard Gautier as Robin Hood. Also in the regular cast were Dick Van Patten as Friar Tuck, Bernie Kopell as Alan-a-Dale, Henry Polic II as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Ron Rifkin as Prince John, Misty Rowe as Maid Marian, and David Sabin as Little John. Richard Dimitri played a dual role as identical twin brothers; Renaldo was one of the Merry Men, while Bertram was the Sheriff's right-hand man.
When Things Were Rotten (Season 1)
The Capture of Robin Hood (Episode 1)
Writer: Norman Steinberg
Air date: 1975-09-10
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: As rumblings grow among the peasantry when tax collections increase, the royal collector is waylaid and robbed by Robin Hood and his band of men. News of the incident reaches the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John.
The French Dis-connection (Episode 2)
Writer: Pat Proft
Air date: 1975-09-17
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: The French Ambassador visits England to forge an alliance that will make Prince John so powerful that King Richard will never be able to reclaim his throne. Robin and his men infiltrate the palace to prevent this.
The House Band (Episode 3)
Writer: Barry Blitzer
Air date: 1975-09-24
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: The Sheriff recruits a band of evil lookalikes to impersonate Robin Hood and his band in order to discredit them with the peasants while the real Robin and his men are on vacation.
Those Wedding Bell Blues (Episode 4)
Writer: Jim Mulligan
Air date: 1975-10-01
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: Sheik Achmed comes from Arabia to sign an olive oil treaty with Prince John, but demands the hand of Maid Marian in marriage as part of the deal.
A Ransom for Richard (Episode 5)
Writer: William Raynor
Air date: 1975-10-08
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: The peasants' faith in Robin Hood is shaken after he is chosen to guard King Richard's ransom from Prince John and the Sheriff and the treasure comes up missing.
The Ultimate Weapon (Episode 6)
Writer: Steve Zacharias
Air date: 1975-10-15
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: Robin and his men must stop mad German inventor Dr. Otto Bahn from building the ultimate weapon for Prince John and the Sheriff that would destroy Sherwood Forest.
Ding Dong, the Bell Is Dead (Episode 7)
Writer: Les Roberts
Air date: 1975-10-22
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: Robin and crew have to stop the Sheriff and Prince John from selling to an Ethiopian prince the beloved bell they have stolen from Nottingham Abbey.
There Goes the Neighborhood (Episode 8)
Writer: Tony Geiss
Air date: 1975-10-29
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: The Four Guys from Gloucester, master woodsmen, have been hired by the Sheriff to chop down Sherwood Forest, so it can be replaced by a new housing development, Sherwood Meadows. Robin and his men must convince the Guys to abort mission.
Quarantine (Episode 9)
Writer: John Regier
Air date: 1975-11-12
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: The plague has come to Nottingham and both Robin's and the Sheriff's men are stuck in quarantine in the throne room until the disease runs its course. What will kill them first—the plague or each other?
Birthday Blues (Episode 10)
Writer: Harry Lee Scott
Air date: 1975-11-19
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: It's a happy birthday for both Renaldo and Bertram, in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle. When Renaldo goes to visit Bertram, he's captured and sentenced to death. Will Bertram forget old scores and save his brother's life?
The Spy (Part 1) (Episode 11)
Writer: Lawrence H. Siegel
Air date: 1975-11-26
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: King Richard must return home to England soon or lose the throne to Prince John. Meanwhile, Robin's men suspect there is a double agent in their ranks. But which side is he really working for?
The Spy (Part 2) (Episode 12)
Writer: Lawrence H. Siegel
Air date: 1975-11-26
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: The Merry Men put on trial the one they think is the traitor in their ranks. Meanwhile, Robin has to stop the Sheriff from killing King Richard when he returns to England as the law requires or lose his throne.
This Lance for Hire (Episode 13)
Writer: Jack Amob
Air date: 1975-12-03
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: The Sheriff hires the famous mercenary, the Black Knight, to challenge Robin to a fight to the death. Robin accepts, despite being crippled by a recent wound. But the Sheriff has his own plans for the fight, no matter who wins.
Seasons
Episodes 13