Francine's Bad Hair Day

Francine's Bad Hair Day is the second episode of the first season in the Arthur TV series. It was written by Kathy Waugh and the storyboards were done by Saro. It aired on September 2, 1996 along with Arthur's Eyes.

Plot Outline

The episode begins in Mr. Ratburn's class. Mr. Ratburn tells the students that school pictures are scheduled for next thursday. Arthur gives the viewing audience advice about school pictures, like not to drink soda before your picture is taken. Buster is shown taking his picture but burps loudly right when the picture is taken. And he also says that it's not wise to rub on carpet and sit on a metal seat. Prunella rubs her feet on the floor and sits on a metal stool, causing her hair to stand on end. Arthur adds that you shouldn't wear a flower if you have allergies. Binky is waiting for his picture to take but sneezes from the flower he is wearing, destroying the backdrop behind him at the moment the camera snaps.

{Title card}

Arthur's team is in the ball field planning out a strategy against the fourth graders. They need to get the fourth graders one more out to win. They strategize that the ball goes to Francine no matter what. The game resumes and Arthur pitches the ball. The kicker kicks the ball on the first shot and it hits Arthur's face and then it flies toward Francine, but Buster gets in the way and knocks over Francine. Quickly, Francine grabs the ball and manages to tag the fourth grader out and win the game.

In the girl's bathroom, Muffy, Sue Ellen, and Prunella are talking about what they will be wearing to school pictures. Francine arrives and is happy about the winning game. Muffy asks what Francine is wearing to school pictures, but Francine doesn't really care. Muffy thinks that Francine would have the most beautiful picture in the class (besides herself that is) and that she could be like Muffy. Francine doesn't believe it though. At Francine's house, Francine and Muffy look in Francine's closet and end up finding a pink dress. Francine tries it on, Muffy thinks it is perfect. Continuing on, Muffy now wants to do Francine's hair too, but Francine thinks there's nothing wrong with it. Muffy is urked at this and has Francine close her eyes while she does her hair. She does so and opens her eyes to a hair disaster. Francine becomes frustrated at this and tries to get out of it, but Muffy yet has another idea. She calls Flossie, a manicure lady, for professional help. Muffy tells Francine to meet her at the Salon de Beauté, tomorrow. When they meet, Francine is disappointed to see that it was a beauty parlor, she refuses to enter, but Muffy came prepared with a 'secret weapon'. A photo of last year's school picture of Francine with unclean hair and dirt on her face. Francine is convinced and enters the parlor.