John Bowab Movies
- 1989
While attending a charity event with her family, DJ (Candace Cameron) meets her very first boyfriend, a 6th grader named Michael Montfort (Jonathan Brandis). Alas, the boy is merely using her to meet another girl, and before long our 13-year-old heroine is nursing a broken heart. Fortunately, DJ can count on her family to rally together and cheer her up in an amusingly unorthodox fashion (and this despite a time-consuming subplot involving a "bachelor auction.") ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Having flown to Denver for a Yuletide family reunion, the Tanners are stranded in an airport waiting room by bad weather. This proves to be an unpleasant experience for most of the family members, and a particularly traumatic one for Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin). After all, it's only a few hours before Christmas, and Stephanie is terrified that Santa Claus won't be able to find her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
With Jesse (John Stamos) monopolizing more and more of Joey's time, Danny (Bob Saget) begins to feel left out. Ruefully, Danny recalls when his friendship with Joey (David Coulier) began, twenty years ago--allowing the series' producers to showcase a trio of child actors (Phillip Glasser, Adam Harris, Kristopher Kent Hill imitating the three adult stars. And in a parallel development, Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) becomes jealous of DJ (Candace Cameron) over a similar "stolen friend" situation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
A party held by DJ (Candace Cameron) in honor of Kimmy's 12th birthday degenerates into a shouting match which may completely destroy DJ's lifelong friendship with Kimmy (Andrea Barber). Elsewhere, Danny (Bob Saget) is removed from his sportscasting job in order to cohost the morning talk show "Wake Up San Francisco" with a very attractive--and highly unpredictable--young woman. Lori Loughlin makes her first series appearance as Danny's new coworker Rebecca "Becky" Donaldson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Gabe Kaplan was always fond of imitating Groucho Marx on his TV series Welcome Back, Kotter, so it was only natural that he expand this on-target impersonation into a one-man show. Kaplan's Groucho is not as multilayered as Lewis J. Stadlen's like-vintage solo stage interpretation of the character. Still, Kaplan knows where the laughs are and knows how to get them. Also, there is enough biographical material to give the monologues context, and to explain certain esoteric passages to non-fans of Groucho. Adding to the fun is the presence of Michael Tucci as both Harpo and Chico and Connie Danese doubling as Marx Brothers foils Margaret Dumont and Thelma Todd. Gabe Kaplan as Groucho was co-written by Groucho's son Arthur Marx and Bob Fisher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
In her third attempt to launch a successful starring sitcom, comedienne Bonnie Hunt starred as Bonnie Molloy, host of the low-rated TV chat show "Morning Chicago." The basic humor arose from Bonnie's efforts to juggle her career with her home life as the wife of doctor John Molloy (played by Lance Kerwin in the unaired pilot episode, and by Mark Derwin in the series proper) and the mother of three rambunctious kids. The domestic scenes admirably avoided the usual "setup-punch line" formula, with Bonnie making jokes almost as an afterthought as she tried to cope with her hectic lifestyle, while the scenes allegedly taking place during the telecast of "Morning Chicago" were largely improvised. The supporting cast included Samantha Browne-Walters and Charlie Stewart as Bonnie's kids Cathleen and Tommy (youngest child Connor was played by an uncredited infant), Marianne Muellerleile as autocratic live-in maid Gloria, David Alan Grier as Bonnie's TV producer David Bellows, Holly Wortell as studio makeup artist Holly, Anthony Russell as Bonnie's on-air piano player Tony Russo, and Chris Barnes as Marv, the cue-card guy. Life With Bonnie debuted September 17, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bonnie Hunt, Mark Derwin, (more)
- 1986
A lingerie designer (Janis Paige) finds herself falling for her competition, the son-in-law of her boss. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Pam (Erika Alexander) spends an eventful weekend serving as Cliff's temporary assistant at the hospital, highlighted by the contrary attitude of expectant mother Mrs. Minnifield (Lili Bernard), who refuses to follow the pre-natal instructions laid down by Cliff (Bill Cosby). As a result, the woman ends up giving birth in a cab just outside the Huxtable house! Elsewhere, Kenny (Deon Whitfield) tries to make Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) jealous by introducing his classmate Dierdre (Gabrielle Carmouche) as his new girlfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
"I'm healthy. I'm in shape. And I'm beginning menopause." Clearly, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) is not troubled in the least about facing the Change of Life. Such, however, is not the cases with the Huxtable children, who are terrified that Clair will rend the household asunder with hot flashes and mood swings--and thus begin treating her as if she is an invalid, driving her crazy in the process. Prankishly, Clair and Cliff (Bill Cosby) cook up a scheme to convince the youngsters that their worst fears about mom's menopause have come horribly true! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Completing the extra room in his house ahead of schedule, Cliff (Bill Csoby) proudly presents the sumptuous new living space to his wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad)...who promptly moves in and refuses to leave! Upset that their mom has shut herself off from the rest of the family--or, as she puts it, "away from the people who think you were put on Earth to serve them"--the Huxtable kids devise all manner of strategies to lure her back outside. Meanwhile, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is perplexed over his dad's apparent refusal to put up the Christmas tree lights. This episode was originally scheduled to air on December 12, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Cliff (Bill Cosby) begins to worry that he will never, EVER get rid of Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) and Elvin (Geoffrey Owens) when furnace problems in the couple's new home force them to hold their housewarming party at the Huxtable house. And in a related incident, Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) and Dabnis (William Thomas Jr.) have broken up, but are reluctant to inform the family. Once he finds out, Cliff is even more upset than Vanessa; after all, with Dabnis gone, who can he count on to do repairs around the house? This episode was originally telecast in tandem with "The Getaway". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Having decided to attend grad school rather than accept a job in San Francisco, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) returns to work at the community center, where he ends up moderating a heated debate over whether or not a underprivileged kid named Rahim (Kennan Scott) should return the $600 that he found on the street. Meanwhile, back at the Huxtable house, Olivia (Raven-Symone) and Marlon (Aaron Beener) are unable to get a straight answer from Cliff (Bill Cosby) as they work on school project about Cliff's childhood. Finally, Grandpa Russell (Earle Hyman) comes up with a few embarrassing anecdotes--forcing Cliff to drop the jokes and tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Asked to teach a "For Men Only" course at Theo's community center, Cliff (Bill Cosby) precipitates a heated discourse, as the inner-city teens complain about being blamed for all the trouble in the community. Among the biggest complainers is a fellow named Cal (Akili Prince), who seems to be a textbook example of the phrase "absentee father." In his efforts to straighten out Cal and the rest of the teens, Cliff delivers a stirring (and surprisingly joke-free) monologue on the subject of personal responsibility. And back at home, Cliff's dad Russell (Earle Hyman) succumbs to the lure of his granddaughter's new video game! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Everyone in the family is thrilled by a visit from celebrated African singer Miriam Makeba--everyone, that is, except Olivia (Raven-Symone), who is nowhere to be found. Depressed over the fact that she won't see her Navy-officer father for another three months, Olivia deliberately gets lost in hopes of persuading him to stay. In the end, it is Ms. Makeba who locates Olivia and dispense a few heartfelt words of wisdom. This episode marks the final appearance of former series regular Joseph C. Phillips, in the role of Olivia's father Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Much against their will, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and his neighbor Jeffrey (Wallace Shawn) agree to escort Olivia (Raven-Symone) and her classmates on a museum field trip. Meanwhile, a nervous Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is put in charge of the community center's fundraiser. While Cliff survives his ordeal, Theo may not be so lucky: it turns out that the expensive T-shirts he has ordered as prizes have no neckholes. But lest you think that Theo is doomed, please remember that his mom Clair (Phylicia Rashad) is an attorney! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Despite her less than stellar performance in high school, Pam (Erika Alexander) is determined to go to college. Both her friend Charmaine (Karen Malina White) and her guidance counselor Mr. Bostic (Richard Lawson) gently try to persuade Pam that her chances of being accepted by the same college that will take Charmaine are within the "slim to none" range, but our heroine is not about to be confused by the facts. Meanwhile, Cliff (Bill Cosby) suffers yet another home-repair mishap, while Olivia (Raven-Symone) is continually sidetracked from her school show-and-tell project. This is one of a handful of episodes in which none of the Huxtable children appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Placed in charge of the community center's upcoming parent-counselor night, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) worries that he will be unable to effectively communicate with the mothers and father of the center's most troubled kids. Further vexing Theo is the fact that single mom Lisa (Saundra Quarterman) is attracted to him, despite his most strenuous efforts to maintain a professional distance between himself and his clients. Meanwhile, Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) falls for Theo's favorite student Stanley (Merlin Santana)--and Rudy's lifelong friend Kenny (Deon Richmond) is not happy about this, not happy at all! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
For the first time in years, Cliff (Bill Cosby) fills out the family's income tax form. Merrily declaring everyone a dependant and everything a deduction, Cliff is ultimately given a good strong dose of reality by his no-nonsense wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad). Meanwhile, klutzy Kenny (Deon Richmond) tries to keep Deirdre (Gabrielle Carmouche) from finding out that her birthday party was hastily slapped together at the very last minute. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
On the occasion of Rudy's first period, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) declares a "Woman's Day" in order to bond with her daughter. But Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) refuses to talk to her mom about the situation, preferring instead to listen to the misinformation about menstruation being dispensed by her highly imaginative girlfriends. Meanwhile, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) encounters several roadblocks in his efforts to write a "psychological profile" on his dad Cliff (Bill Cosby)--the biggest obstacle being Cliff himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the first episode of a two-part story, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) begins his internship as a community-center counselor assigned to "The Rosa Parks Group", a collection of underprivileged 7th graders. Unable to maintain his professional aloofness, Theo puts in overtime trying to help a bright youngster named Stanley (Merlin Santana, in his first series appearance), whose inability to finish his schoolwork may be due to dyslexia. And back at the Huxtable home, Cliff (Bill Cosby) instills terror in the hearts of his family as he sets about to fix the sink. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the conclusion of a two-part story, novice community-center youth counselor Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is frustrated in his efforts to help a bright but troubled teen named Stanley (Merlin Santana), who may be suffering from dyslexia--but refuses to be tested for fear of being stigmatized as "different." Weighed down by a plethora of similar crises, Theo begins to wonder if he is capable of handling his new job--prompting his dad Cliff and the center's head Mrs. Hudson (Lynne Thigpen) to team up for some "counseling" of their own. This is the final episode of The Cosby Show's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
While otherwise preoccupied with building a new soundproof (and kidproof) room in their house, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) cosign a loan that will enable daughter Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) and son-in-law Elvin (Geoffrey Owen) to buy their own place. Unfortunately, there are two unexpected complications: Elvin suffers a panic attack when he realizes how much the house will cost him, and at the last minute the people from whom Elvin and Sondra are purchasing the house abruptly cancel the deal! Will poor Cliff EVER be rid of his troublesome progeny? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The eighth and final season of The Cosby Show gets under way with a surprise announcement from Vanessa, third-eldest of the Huxtable daughters. It seems that for the past six months, Vanessa has been engaged to Dabnis Brickey (William Thomas Jr.), the maintenance man at her college--and a man who is twelve years older than she! During a family dinner, Vanessa's parents Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) are more than a little concerned as Dabnis rattles off his previous romances. Naturally, Cliff is dead set against his daughter's impending marriage, until he realizes two things: He likes Dabnis, and he will finally get Vanessa out of the house. (Conspicuous by their absence are the Huxtables' daughter Denise and her husband Martin, who--according to the script--is now stationed in Japan.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Monroe Ficus (J.M. J. Bullock), erstwhile house guest of the Rushes, is on a self-pity kick again. This time, Monroe is feeling sorry for himself because he is still a virgin. He doesn't want to be a virgin, and he says so. He says so in front of every member of the Rush family, including the prudish Henry (Ted Knight). And in his characteristic beat-a-dead-horse fashion, Monroe bemoans his "un-deflowered" status over and over and over and over and over and over again. (And over and over and over and over....) ~ All Movie Guide
- 1981
Mr. Rafkin, the late transvestite tenant of Henry and Muriel Rush (Ted Knight, Nancy Dussault), may be gone, but he's certainly not forgotten. At the insistence of Rafkin's sister, Mildred (Selma Diamond), Henry and Muriel attend a séance, during which Muriel hopes to invoke her brother's ghost to find out what became of a valuable brooch. Alas, in the course of "crossing over" from the next world to this one, the spirit of Mr. Rafkin accuses Henry of "fooling around" during one of Muriel's absences. This was the final episode of Too Close for Comfort's first season. ~ All Movie Guide
