A run-in with a crocodile in Florida leaves Kim temporarily pantsless. A stop-over at a local Smarty Mart solves the problem...but creates a new one for the fashion-conscious Kim. She wouldn't be caught dead wearing bargain items. She prefers Club Banana, even though the pants are very much the same in both stores. A villain interrupts television broadcasting with a message demanding a ransom of...one dollar.
This was a terrific episode. One of its strongest assets, I think, is its villain. With all due respect to Gemini and Falsetto Jones, I believe that Frugal Lucre (or should I say Francis Lurman?) is the most underrated villain in this show's run. His plan is simple and yet deceptively clever: he wants everyone in the world to send him a dollar. With over six billion people in the world, it really adds up. (I guess working at Smarty Mart teaches you more than you'd expect.) And if he's refused payment, he'll destroy the internet. You have to admit that that's a really wicked plot (If you're reading this, you've already admitted it). And lest I forget the deathtrap involving a kiddie pool and snapping turtles? (Okay, so they're not all winners.)
I also liked that Ron knew Smarty Mart inside and out. After all, it's where he first met Rufus. And you definitely want to be careful of expired food; it's more dangerous than one would think.
Kudos to writers Patti Carr and Lara Runnels for creating such a unique villain and to Richard Kind ("Spin City") for bringing him to life. Despite some interference from Bonnie, I found "Low Budget" to be a joy.
***/****
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