Harold Sylvester Movies
Missing Brendan stars Edward Asner as George Calden, a man whose son Brendan has been missing since Brendan served in the Vietnam War. Along with his other son, Bob (Robin Thomas), and Bob's son, Patrick (Adam Brody), George goes to Vietnam in order to see if he can discover what happened to his missing boy. They are joined by an archeologist played by Illeana Douglas. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ed Asner, Robin Thomas, (more)
- 2001
Investigating the claims of a fellow cop who insists he was moonlighting when shot during a carjacking, Andy (Dennis Franz) and Danny (Rick Schroder) quickly learn that the victim was carrying on a high-maintenance double life. A holdup in a bodega run by a friend of Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) leads to a potential crisis for Greg when he tries to cover up the existence of an unregistered gun. Later, Andy has his first serious run-in with new precinct skipper, Rodriguez (Esai Morales). And Diane (Kim Delaney) makes a date with the doctor who treated her late husband, Bobby Simone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
John Clark Jr. (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) risks incurring the wrath of precinct skipper Rodriguez (Esai Morales) when John's badge is stolen from his car. Led by Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), the rest of the squad tries to cover up for John -- a task that becomes difficult when the badge is used in a string of robberies committed by a crook posing as a cop. In hopes of recovering John's badge and saving his job, fellow officer Connie McDowell (Charlotte Ross) adopts a most unusual disguise. And elsewhere, Connie is assigned a case that leads her to consider contacting the daughter whom she gave up for adoption 16 years ago. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Simmons
Set in the institutionally segregated New Orleans of 1965, the made-for-cable Passing Glory is the story of black priest Father Joseph Verrett (Andre Braugher) and his efforts to arrange the first integrated high-school basketball game in the city's history. Against the wishes of trepid white parish leader Father Robert Grant (Rip Torn), Fr. Verrett encourages the team members of the all-black -- and undefeated -- St. Augustine High School basketball team to prepare to play the equally successful all-white team of Jesuit Prep. Throughout it all, Fr. Verrett must learn to curb his own impatience over the racial status quo, and to keep his own faith afloat. Although some of the scenes are drawn in broad, unsubtle strokes -- especially those involving the bigoted father of Jesuit Prep's best player -- the film is thoroughly credible, right down to the last-second winning basket. Earning extra points for having its heart in the right place, Passing Glory made its TNT cable network bow on February 21, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andre Braugher, Rip Torn, (more)
A high-school senior finds himself walking a fine line between daydreams and reality in the comedy Trippin'. Gregory Reed (Deon Richmond) is soon to graduate from high school, and he frequently drifts into a Walter Mitty-style fantasy land where he's the coolest guy in town, has money to burn, and fine ladies are throwing themselves at him around the clock; however, back in the real world, Gregory has a lousy job, no girlfriend, and no solid prospects of a date for the prom. A much bigger worry to his parents is the fact that Gregory has done almost nothing about planning for his future after graduation; he's so preoccupied by his problems with women that he hasn't even started applying to colleges. His best friend, June (Donald Faison), has got girls to spare, but while he has a future ahead of him, it isn't a good one -- he's started selling stolen goods for low-level crime boss Kenyatta (Stoney Jackson). The girl of Gregory's dreams is Cinny Hawkins (Maia Campbell), who's beautiful, smart -- and has a boyfriend. Figuring he'll settle for whatever attention he can get, Gregory asks Cinny if she can help him with his college applications, as she's been through the route and has already been accepted. Cinny agrees, and as she and Gregory become friends, she starts to wonder if her pushy boyfriend is really the guy she wants to take to the prom. Balancing typical teen-flick humor with a pointed message about personal responsibility, Trippin' was a surprise box-office success in the spring of 1999. Director David Raynr's own teenage years included a brief stint as a regular on the TV series James at 15. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Deon Richmond, Donald Faison, (more)
- 1997
Series star David Faustino (Bud Bundy) cowrote this episode, originally titled "An Officer and a Garbage Man". Still unemployed, Al (Ed O'Neill) and Griff (Harold Sylvester) endeavor to pick up steady money by joining the military reserves. Their first assignment is to uphold the peace at a bitter garbage-workers' strike--and if that doesn't stink enough, the boys' commanding officer is Jefferson D'Arcy (Ted McGinley). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Marcy (Amanda Bearse) lives to regret giving her husband Jefferson (Ted McGinley) a free membership in her health club. Before long, Jefferson has become the club's star attraction--and also a chick magnate. Meanwhile, Bud (David Faustino) directs Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Al (Ed O'Neill) in a commercial for Gary's shoe store. And a master plan to sell shoeboxes to homeless dwarves begins picking up traction. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In this first episode of a three-part story (originally intended as a two-parter), Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg (Katey Sagal) split up after a trip to the marriage counselor (Jake Johannsen) exposes several nasty long-held secrets. Peg gets the kids and the house, and Al gets a huge smile on his face--at least temporarily. Elswhere, Kelly (Christina Applegate) trains for a role in a boxing movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Although dimwitted Lonnie (Charles Esten) has only recently held the Bundy family hostage, Kelly Bundy (Christina Applegate) has fallen madly in love with him--and in fact wants to become his bride. Al (Ed O'Neill) is dead set against the union, rightly summing up Lonnie as a faithless fool, but he changes his mind when he discover that the boy's father (Gordon Jump) is a millionaire. Originally telecast back-to-back with the previous episode "The Desperate Half-Hour", this final-first run Married. . .With Children installment has all the earmarks of a pilot for a spinoff starring Christina Applegate and Charles Esten--until Al throws a monkey wrench in the works in the last few seconds! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
The Bundys and the D'Arcys find themselves held hostage when Bud's (David Faustino) prison pen pal Starla (Tricia Cast) breaks out of jail with the help of her dimbulb boyfriend Lonnie (Charles Esten). The suspense of the situation is mitigated somewhat when Lonnie and Kelly (Christina Applegate) fall in love--two brains without a single thought. This episode was originally shown in a one-hour timeslot with the Married. . .With Children series finale "How to Marry a Moron". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Although the previous installment "How to Marry a Moron" was officially designated as the final episode of Married. . .With Children, the series actually ended with this "leftover", which aired five weeks after "Moron" on June 9, 1997. Hoping to barter their way towards an expensive massage chair, Al and Griff begin trading off the items in Gary's shoe store--and never mind that those items don't actually belong to them. Meanwhile, Kelly (Christina Applegate) practices her own massage techniques on her unwilling brother Bud (David Faustino). The series' very last image, appropriately enough, is a shot of a chimpanzee dressed like Al Bundy (so there's a difference?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In the conclusion of a three-part story (originally intended as a two-parter), Bud (David Faustino) and Kelly (Christina Applegate) welcome the news that Peg (Katey Sagal) has dumped Al (Ed O'Neill) and is slated to wed a cool guy named Bruce (Alan Thicke). But the kids change their tune when they find out that Bruce intends to force them both to find jobs. Meanwhile, Al stands quietly by on the sidelines, hoping that this situation will turn to his advantage--without his having to exert himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In Part Two of a three-part story (originally intended as a two-parter), Al (Ed O'Neill) moves into a tiny apartment near O'Hare Field after splitting up with Peg (Katey Sagal). Though Al's life is in the toilet, Peg is enjoying herself immensely, even going to a singles bar where she hits it off with a handsome stranger named Bruce (Alan Thicke). If only Al hadn't shown up to see Peg and Bruce's cozy little tete-a-tete... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Banished from the Jiggly Room, Al (Ed O'Neill) and his fellow NO MA'AM members establish their own nudie bar in the Bundy garage. Seeking out dancers at the lowest possible cost, the guys announce an "amateur night." The winning constent is a real hot number wearing little more than a veil, whom Al immediately falls for--never dreaming that the "mystery woman" is his own wife Peg (Katey Sagal) in disguise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Married. . .With Children moved from Sunday to Monday evening for this episode, which though taped as the 11th season opener was not seen until halfway through the year. When Peg (Katey Sagal) develops amnesia, Al (Ed O'Neill) capitalizes on the situation by reprogramming her as the perfect, obedient housewife--much to the chagrin of next-door neighbor Marcy (Amanda Bearse. Ron-Ann Frey guest stars as the professional-wrestling "ring girl" hired by Peg during her alternate existence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Concerned about his son Bud's (David Faustino) bad luck with women, Al (Ed O'Neill) concludes that the boy has set his standards too high. Advising Bud to aim lower--much, much lower--Al has reason to regret his words when Bud gets cozy with Al's boss Gary (Janet Carroll). See this episode and you'll never think about "Pooh and Piglet" in the same way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This sports comedy from Class Act (1992) and Houseguest (1995) director Randall Miller stars Kadeem Hardison and Marlon Wayans as basketball-playing brothers. The Tylers have been dreaming of stardom on the court since childhood. Now that they are the top players for the Washington Huskies, Antoine (Haridson) has become the more flamboyant and attention-getting of the pair. While Kenny (Wayans) is also a talented athlete, he lacks the self-confidence to become a star like his brother. When Antoine suffers a fatal heart attack during play, Kenny is grief-stricken, and the team's chances of making it through the Pac-10 to the NCAA finals become seriously diminished. Luckily, Antoine's ghost returns to give the Huskies a helping hand by blocking shots, tipping the ball through the hoop, tripping opposing team members, and even giving players a supernatural lift on their way to the basket. Only Kenny can see his brother's spirit, but a beautiful school newspaper reporter, R.C. (Michael Michele) suspects the truth. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Wayans, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
- 1996
Having made plans to spend his birthday ogling the nude dancers at "The Jiggle Room", Al (Ed O'Neill) is instead hauled into court by an overweight female customer whom he has repeatedly insulted in the past. Even worse, Al is besieged (and almost smothered!) by the outraged members of "Female Large American Beauties" (catch the initials). Elsewhere, the Bundy kids plan to surprise Al by tinting the windows of the Dodge, but the project get a bit out of hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Al (Ed O'Neill) is desperate for a slice of Aunt Maddie's Thanksgiving pie; problem is, Aunt Maddie has died. There is no other recourse for Al than to crash the old lady's funeral, where he makes a rather startling discovery. Meanwhile, Bud (David Faustino) and the D'Arcys (Ted McGinley, Amanda Bearse) would like to get their hands on Kelly's (Christina Applegate) pet turkey--who ultimate meets a fate which will be "old stuff" for fans of the vintage sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Fox sportscasters James Brown, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Ronnie Lott appear in the episode's surrealistic coda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
The temporary holiday helpers at the shoe store do such good jobs that Al (Ed O'Neill) and Griff (Harold Sylvester) are fired, forcing them seek other employment while wandering around the mall (at one point, they sit on a bench with a sign reading "Will Stop Singing for 25 Cents)". Back at home, Peg (Katey Sagal) hopes to win a neighborhood Christmas-decoration contest with some "gingerbread art", while Bud (David Faustino) and Kelly (Christina Applegate) celebrate Yuletide by stealing Mary and Joseph from the D'Arcy's elaborate Nativity display. Series story editor Christian McLaughlin is seen as a "reindeer dancer" (huh?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Al (Ed O'Neill) tries to adjust to the fact that the family Dodge has bitten the dust. Leasing a brand new car, Al finds out that he's stuck with. . .well, it's a small yellow fruit with a very sour taste. Meanwhile, Peg (Katey Sagal) digs up the Dodge's corpse in order to sell the engire to a mysterious overseas buyer. This episode marks one of the rare American TV appearances by Fidel Castro (or a reasonable facsimile). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In the conclusion of a two-part story, mobster Vito Capone (Perry Anzilotti) threatens to bump off Bud (David Faustino) unless the exercise video starring Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Raphael (John Carlos Frey) is finished by 5 PM. Unfortunately, Kelly and Raphael aren't speaking to each other--and when they DO speak, they nearly get Married. . .With Children knocked off the network. Meanwhile, Peg and Marcy are can't understand why Al and Jefferson are taking so long installing a satellite dish...little realizing that every husband in the neighborhood is using the Bundy roof as a refuge from their wives!. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Al (Ed O'Neill) and rival shoestore owner Floyd Babcock (Victor Raider-Wexler) battle each other to help their respective sons Bud (David Faustino) and Little Floyd (John Patrick White) complete a business-class project. But when Bud hires his girlfiend Crystal (Krista Allen of "Emmanuelle" fame) as the bikini-clad cover girl for his "Women of Trumaine College" calendar, Al and Floyd join forces to distribute the calendar on a national basis--whereupon Crystal suddenly develops cold...er...feet. With this episode, Katey Sagal begins curtailing her tenth-season Married. . .With Children) appearances in order to take maternity leave. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This episode is a spoof of a famous "sweatshop" scandal involving the franchised consumer products of a certain popular female TV talkshow host (are we being obscure enough here?) In their efforts to win a huge raise, Al (Ed O'Neill) and Griff (Harold Sylvester) resort to blackmail when they discover that their boss Gary is using illegal aliens to manufacture her shoes. Unfortunately, the plan fizzles (despite an extended takeoff of the Mission: Impossible films), and Al's son Bud (David Faustino) ends up atoning for his dad's sins. Meanwhile, Peggy (Katey Sagal) goes to elaborate lengths to hide the fact that she's bought a microwave. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
