This is one of my FAVORITE episodes of According to Jim. The Lemonade Stand episode takes place in the 3rd season, episode 5.
In this episode, lovable goof-ball parents Jim and Cheryl decide that rather than give their two daughters (Ruby and Gracie) the new scooters that they've been asking for; they should take the opportunity to teach them the value of a dollar.
---woah, woah, woah - let's slow this down! This is a half hour of comedy gold, not a 5 second story.
I'll start again.
Jim and Cheryl return from grocery store, to find their 3 kids watching television. The two girls ask if their parents just returned from the Scooter store with Scooters. Jim assures them that they did not, and that they went grocery shopping. He also tells them, that they need to wait until Christmas for Scooters.
They don't want to wait that long! (Who can blame them? We're talking about Scooters!)
Jim doesn't appreciate the girls' impatient attitude, and asks them if they know where money comes from. Ruby responds,
"The machine at the bank. You put your card in, and push 4720."
Zing! Betcha didn't expect that answer, Jim!
Thankfully, Cheryl's brother Andy, (who happens to be Jim's best friend) has a solution, and suggests that the girls open a lemonade stand. The girls are immediately excited, and Jim and Cheryl are supportive, but initially uninterested in the idea.
Cut to commercial, and return with a shot of the new lemonade stand.
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| "Lemonade! 50 cents!" |
The lemonade stand is up for less than a minute, before the trouble-making neighbors, the Driscolls come by. (Mrs. Driscoll is none other than Jane Lynch!)
The Dricolls compliment the girls on the delicious lemonade, and wish them luck. (What trouble makers indeed!)
Later, Andy walks into the kitchen holding a glass of lemonade. It turns out, that he did not buy this lemonade from his nieces, but from the newer lemonade stand in the DRISCOLLS yard. (Uh-oh!) Jim doesn't take this well.
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| Notice all the customers in line - Jim isn't going to like this! |
Jim talks to Mr. Driscoll angrily, but surprisingly, the neighbor doesn't see the problem with the immediate rivalry.
Jim returns to his daughters, and promises them that they will have the BEST lemonade stand. "It's gonna be bigger, it's gonna be better, it's gonna be... more lemony!" The girls ask how they can improve, and Jim asks them to leave, so he can do it for them. They are sad, but Jim insists, and the girls go play and leave Jim with the lemonade stand.
Cut to commercial, and return with a shot of the NEW lemonade stand.
Not only Jim, but also Andy is getting serious with this! Andy puts up signs around the neighborhood advertising the new Lemonade stand. Jim starts getting carried away. Not only is he now selling lemonade, coffee, cotton candy, and chocolate covered bananas, but he has a clown scheduled to make appearances AND a look alike of Arnold Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter" coming later.
This is really getting crazy.
Cheryl invites Mrs. Driscoll over to talk about the recent events, as it's really getting out of hand. It doesn't take long for their sisterly friendship to turn sour...
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| You can tell they are acting, because Jane Lynch wouldn't get caught in a choke hold. |
Now we are told that the Driscoll's lemonade stand is offering Pony rides! Andy walks into scene proclaiming his love of "Little Applesauce", presumably one of said ponies. This guy sure knows how to annoy Jim! Somebody should have warned him, "Think first, that might hurt Jim's feelings if you rub that in about the ponies."
Now Jim, Cheryl, and Andy brainstorm about how they can compete with ponies, when the girls come back, and suggest a new sign for the booth. The mom dismisses them, and suggests they go read a long, long book. Then Andy comes up with a bold plan - a provocative car wash!
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| I don't think this was what the audience had in mind! |
Now the Dricoll's have added a bounce house of a large castle, and they still have a line of eager customers.
Jim has added a celebrity appearance by Lassie! (I'm sure the tots would love to meet the classic tv star!) But that's ok, it isn't really Lassie, it's a silly looking dog (perhaps named Lassie?) Oh Jim!
The Dricoll's add a surfing display, and offer photos of yourself on a surfboard. There are still many people eager to participate, so it's a success!
Now Jim has a Full Service spa offered at his lemonade stand. This is quite hilarious now!
While all this is going on, I wonder, where are the girls? Aren't they supposed to be learning about the value of money? I really think Jim and Cheryl have gotten carried away. (But they are enjoying themselves, and giving the audience plenty of laughs!)
Guess how Jim follows up a full service spa? You'd never guess, free internet in the yard. (Now I'm interested in some lemonade!)
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| Somebody remind Jim to watch out for E-Worms! |
After the Internet addition, and renaming it a "Cyber Lemonade Stand", the Driscolls stop by and admit defeat. When what should happen, but the police arrive.
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| Now you've done it, Jim |
A neighbor called the cops on them. Apparently, they failed to get a permit before starting business. Jim asks incredulously, if a permit is needed to run a child's lemonade stand. The officer comments that she sees no Lemonade, and no kids. So she proceeds to write the ticket. Jim immediately throws the Driscolls under the bus, and asks that they be fined $200 also. Alas, the Driscolls have the upper hand, as they DO have permits already.
The rub their victory in Jim's face, and proceed to kiss.
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| Something tells me this scene wasn't Jane Lynch's idea... |
Afterwards, a food fight occurs (off screen) between Jim, Cheryl, and the neighbors. Later, Jim and Cheryl discuss how they let things go too far, and how this was supposed to be for the girls. They regret their behavior, and hope for a more responsible influence for their children in the future. (Don't worry; it doesn't get to heavy or sad.)
The girls return, and ask Jim, "How much money did we make?" An interesting question indeed! Jim hmms and haws over it, and says, "Of course there was parts and labor, and there was the tickets, dah-dah-dah, carry the two, uh, $46."
The girls get big eyes, and ask, "Is that enough to buy Scooters?" Jim tells them, "No. That isn't even close to enough money for Scooters. Scooters are very expensive." Begrudgingly, Jim offers to pay the rest so the girls can get their Scooters. The girls decline the offer, as they *have* learned the value of hard work, and they want to open a new lemonade stand next weekend.
As the credits end, we are told that the police officer disregards the ticket, in exchange for a provocative car wash from Andy. (I guess that was a good idea after all.)
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Thank you for enjoying an episode of According to Jim with me. If you'd like to see more of the show, check your local listings, or order it from Amazon.
now I don't feel like I missed it
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