Robert Picardo Movies

Vera (Beth Howland) must relinquish her new policeman husband Elliot (Charles Levin) for a few hours during the Holidays when he goes undercover as a department store Santa. Unfortunately, the disguised Elliot spots Vera locking lips with her ex-fiance Steve (Kip Niven), and it looks like it'll be a Blue Christmas. Featured among the many child actors in this episode is future Full House costar Candace Cameron and soon-to-be Hogan Family regular Danny Ponce. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Vera's police-officer husband Elliot (Charles Levin) would love to nab the rustlers who've been stealing cattle in the vicinity, but he hasn't got the evidence. Turning to Mel (Vic Tayback), Elliot suggests that the diner owner go undercover to help trap the criminals. Motivated less by civic responsiblity than by a $5000 reward, Mel agrees to the plan--even though his "clever disguise" probably wouldn't fool a cow, much less a cow thief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Vera (Beth Howland) attends her high school reunion, where she meets her former flame Steve (Kip Niven). Those with good memories will recall that this is the same Steve who, a few episodes back, talked Vera into cashing a personal check--which promptly bounced. Apparently Vera's memory isn't quite that good: she returns from the reunion with a ring on her finger and a promise of marriage from the reboubtable Steve. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While attending a circus, Vera (Beth Howland) is enchanted by a miniature performing horse. She is also shocked to discover that the horse is being maltreated by its abusive trainer. This explains why Vera has smuggled the horse into the diner--and why the authorities are hot on her hoofs. The villain of the piece is played by Robert Englund, clealry warming up for his more famous role as the monstrous Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare at Elm Street films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Self-made wealthy guy Rodney Dangerfield decides he needs a better education--and also to spend some time away from his cheating new wife. Dangerfield joins his son Keith Gordon at college. Dad hopes to gain his son's respect (isn't that always Dangerfield's motivation?), while son tries to fit in with his snobbish and brutish fellow students. English professor Sally Kellerman forms a strong bond with Dangerfield, encouraging both father and son to stick out their first year despite all odds. The finale involves some slapstick at the swimming pool diving board, and the obligatory commencement address delivered by Dangerfield, who proves that he can crack jokes without tugging at his tie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ryan Hurst, Jeremy London, and William Devane star in director Russ Emanuel's docudrama detailing the Federal Trade Commission's case against an independent sales organization seeking to redefine the way Americans use credit cards. Adam (London) and Ross Franklin (Hurst) were still in their twenties when they became millionaires by marketing electronic terminals for credit card transactions. It was the early '90s, and Americans were spending more money than ever before. But while Adam and Ross had ambition to spare, their refusal to acknowledge the demands of others more powerful revealed a certain lack of business savvy. Ignoring government warnings to "respond" to various complaints regarding their practices, the brothers built their modest startup company into a multi-million-dollar empire. But that empire would crumble when the FTC set out to destroy their company at the behest of powerful industry competitors. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Brian Dennehy makes one of his many TV-movie appearances as Chicago homicide cop John Reed in the two-part Deadly Matrimony. Reed's quarry this time is mob lawyer Treat Williams, who murders his wife and then effectively covers his tracks. The closer Reed comes to the truth, the more he's in jeopardy of losing his job (and possibly his life) thanks to Williams' friends in high places. Based on a true story, part one of Deadly Matrimony was first telecast on November 22, 1992. In part two, which debuted November 23, Reed is victimized by the crooked cops under Williams' thumb, but refuses to knuckle under to mob pressure. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Greene's (Anthony Edwards) miserable personal life continues to spill over into his professional one. Ultimately, he risks dismissal by admitting a patient (Michael Galeota) for observation against the orders of Pediatrics chief Dr. Neil Bernstein (David Spielberg). Meanwhile, Ross (George Clooney) faces a violation-of-ethics charge for spending the night with med student Harper (Christine Elise), and Jeanie Boulet (Gloria Reuben, now joining the series' regular cast) is surprised by the aloofness of her former lover Benton (Eriq La Salle) during her first day as the ER's new physician's assistant. And Carol (Julianna Margulies) encounters innumerable distractions while filling out the necessary papers to purchase her own house. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Normally a man who does not back down from a confrontation, Martin (John Mahoney) just stands and takes it when his new boss Rich (M. Emmet Walsh) bullies him on the job. Sympathizing with his dad's frustration, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) decides to intervene -- the last thing in the world that Martin wants him to do. As the situation develops, Frasier learns a whole new meaning for the old adage "Like Father, Like Son." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this followup to the second-season episode "Tabula Rasa," Superman's perennial nemesis Lex Luthor returns, claming to have completely reformed. Willing to give their former foe the benefit of the doubt, the Justice Leaguers try to protect Luthor from the evil android AMAZO, who seems determined to kill Lex in as nasty a manner as possible. Meanwhile, "Green Lantern" John Stewart tries to get over his busted romance with Hawkgirl. Fans of The Andy Griffith Show will enjoy the fleeting inside joke during the barbershop scene. ~ All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, perennial Superman foe Lex Luthor manages to escape incarceration, though his life-saving armor has been damaged in the process. Hoping to wreak vengeance against the Justice League, Luthor activates one of his many sinister creations: AMAZO, an android capable of mirroring the likenesses and powers of the League members. Unfortunately, the "mirror" is a dark one, as proven by the unsavory "alternate" versions of the Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and the rest. ~ All Movie Guide