Classic TV Episodes: The Patty Duke Show – The Cousins

In this entry in our Classic TV Episodes series we take a look at 1960’s identical twins sitcom The Patty Duke Show.

This episode re-creates the first meeting between those “identical cousins” Patty and Cathy Lane, in which cultured Cathy gets her Uncle Martin (William Schallert) fired from his job as managing editor of the New York Daily Chronicle and breaks up Patty’s romance with Richard (Eddie Applegate) — all before the second commercial.

This frothy family comedy boasted good writing and clever camera work, but its real distinction was Patty Duke’s extraordinary dual performance — never more noticeable than in “The Cousins,” in which she plays Cathy imitating Patty and vice versa. You can lose your mind when cousins are two of a kind.

“I always had the impression that I was working with two different people,” recalls Schallert. “Patty created two such totally different girls. What was amazing was that she could do that with such subtle changes. It really was marvelous acting on her part.”

Original Airdate: May 24, 1964

Alastair James is the editor-in-chief of Memorable TV, leading the charge in covering today's must-see television. A lifelong television enthusiast, his passion began with a deep dive into the world of classic sci-fi, culminating in his role as editor of "Beyond the Static," a publication devoted to celebrating iconic sci-fi series. While his love for classic television remains, Alastair's focus at Memorable TV is firmly on the present, analyzing the latest trends in the television landscape, from gripping crime dramas to the ever-evolving strategies of Survivor. His insights have been featured in numerous publications. At Memorable TV, Alastair's goal is to provide readers with sharp commentary, engaging reviews, and in-depth analysis of the shows dominating the current conversation.