Tom Trbovich Movies
- 1987
While the girls are off visiting Grandma Claire, Danny Bob Saget), Jesse (John Stamos) and Joey (David Coulier) take advantage of their absence by embarking on a fishing trip. Unexpectedly joining the boys on this excursion are Jesse's former girlfriend, a rock singer named Roxanne (Michelle Nicastro), and her three backup singers. In the course of events, widower Danny begins to toy with the notion of re-entering the dating scene--or does he? (Trivia note: this is the episode in which Danny's baby daughter Michelle walks for the first time). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- R
Another horny-teen epic from Galaxy International, Free Ride asks us to identify with jerky preppie Gary Hershberger. Anxious to impress a sexy but monumentally stupid young woman, Hershberger claims that a snazzy red sports car that has just pulled up to a singles bar is his. He "borrows" the car and takes the girl for a joyride, little knowing that the back seat contains a quarter of a million dollars of mob money. Connect the dots and you'll figure out the rest of the story. All Free Ride really has going for it is the campy presence of 1950s sex-bomb Mamie Van Doren and a handful of raunchy verbal gags. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Hershberger, Reed Rudy, (more)
- 1985
An hour-long TV special, The Garry Shandling Show 25th Anniversary Special is a parody of late-night talk show anniversary specials, featuring a fictional variety show, hosted by Shandling, that bears a rather striking resemblance to the Johnny Carson era of The Tonight Show. Assisted by a pudgy, bespectacled sidekick, Shandling looks back on the highlights of his late-night show's run, from the classic comedy sketches to the greatest embarrassments and bloopers, including a close call clearly modeled after the infamous Ed Ames tomahawk incident. Over the course of the evening, not everything goes as planned, and a few tensions begin to bubble underneath the surface. The flashback segments are designed to closely resemble the look of television of the appropriate era, from the quality of the video image to the wardrobes and hairstyles. Given its realistic re-creation of late-night talk shows and its occasionally wicked sense of humor, this special can be easily viewed as an early forerunner to Shandling's later, award-winning HBO series, The Larry Sanders Show, which combines the talk show parody with a look at the personality conflicts and chaos behind the cameras. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Outraged when graft-happy Congressman Pike (Shecky Greene) announces plans to tear down Cowboy Bill's in order to construct a high-rise office building, Frank (Phil Foster) decides to run against Pike in an upcoming election. Unfortunately, Frank is easily trounced by his opponent during a TV debate--but in this case, "winning" and "losing" are interchangeable commodities. Originally slated as the final episode of Laverne & Shirley, "Councilman DeFazio" was ultimately moved up to the next-to-final slot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Laverne & Shirley wraps up its eight-season run with its 178th and final episode, in which Carmine (Eddie Mekka) decides to leave Burbank and seek showbiz fame in New York. With 100 dollars loaned to him by Laverne (Penny Marshall), Carmine arrives in the Big Apple and auditions for the upcoming musical "Hair." Although his prospects for success look bleak, at least our hero finds a new roommate and kindred spirit in the form of a funky African American actor named Rick (Ben Powers). This episode was clearly intended as the pilot for a spinoff series starring the multitalented Eddie Mekka, but such was not to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Future Tonight Show host Jay Leno appears in this episode as influential rock-and-roll entrepreneur Bobby Bitts. Forced by Squiggy to hear Carmine sing his latest composition "Do the Hotfoot", Bobby sees potential in the song, but only if the title is changed to "Do the Carmine". This action causes Carmine's ego to swell to obscene proportions--but alas, his dreams of fame and fortune are scuttled when it is alleged that "Do the Carmine" is a pro-Communist rant when played backward! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
David L. Lander essays a dual role in this episode, appearing as both the geeky Squiggy and Squiggy's lookalike sister (!), an extremely strange young woman named Squendolyn. Briefly moving in with Laverne, the man-hungry Squendolyn immediately falls in love with Carmine (Eddie Mekka). After much negotiation, Carmine agrees to escort Squiggy's sis to a party held by Rhonda (Leslie Easterbrook)--for a price-tag of 200 bucks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In a dual role, David L. Lander appears in his customary guise as Squiggy, and as Squiggy's exact lookalike, a famous Russian ballet dancer named Boris. When Boris attempts to defect to the West, a pair of KGB agents nab Squiggy by mistake. This episode is capped by a screaming funny "Swan Lake" pas-de-deux performed by David L. Lander and Michael McKean (Lenny). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Laverne's new boyfriend (Larry Breeding) makes his living as a glamour photographer. Jealous over the fact that her beau spends all his working hours with gorgeous models, Laverne (Penny Marshall) tries to invade the glamour world herself--and ends up strutting down the runway of a major fashion show with a balky "Liberty Bell" hat on her head! This episode was dedicated to guest star Larry Breeding, who had died in an auto accident several months before the episode's first telecast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
The conspicuous absence of series regular Betty Garrett, aka Edna Babish DeFazio, is explained in this episode when Frank (Phil Foster) discovers that his wife Edna has left him for a rich Texan. Meanwhile, Laverne (Penny Marshall) gets a chance to sing with The Spinners (playing themselves), but is unfortuantely scheduled to babysit for her boyfriend Chuck's (Charles Fleischer) pet chimpanzee. Unaware that Frank and Edna have broken up, Laverne asks Frank to look after "Little Chucky" while she makes musical history--a sequence of events leading to a guilt-ridden finale. The Spinners perform "Daddy's Home". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
The spotlight in this episode is on the male cast members, namely Lenny (Michael McKean), Squiggy (David L. Lander), Frank (Phil Foster) and Carmine (Eddie Mekka). Guided by an old treasure map, the fearless foursome venture into the desert to hunt for gold. Before long, the would-be prospectors are hopelessly lost without food and water, at the mercy of the heat--and their own vivid imaginations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Laverne (Penny Marshall) is plagued by mysterious occurences in her apartment, such as doors closing by themselves and candles re-igniting without the aid of a match. It turns out that the apartment is being haunted by the ghost of its former occupant, who refuses to leave until he reaches some sort of "closure." There is no other option for Laverne and her friends than to hold a séance so that the restless spirit can air his grievances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Both Alice (Valerie Harper) and Mel's mom Carrie (Martha Raye) audition for a singing job at a fancy supper club. And both ladies are flatly rejected--on the grounds that they're too old for the gig. Series regular Vic Tayback (Mel) does not appear in this episode, which is highlighted by a down-and-dirty rendition of "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Rhonda (Leslie Easterbrook) informs Carmine (Eddie Mekka) that auditions are under way for the leading role in a movie musical about famous ex-boxer Rocky (played by genuine ex-boxer Ric Mancini). Naturally, Laverne (Penny Marshall) jumps to the wrong conclusion when she overhears Rhonda and Carmine rehearsing a romantic scene, convincing herself that Carmine is cheating on Shirley (Cindy Williams). But the episode's real crisis doesn't occur until Carmine is chosen as one of the finalists for the part of Rocky--and ends up in a "faked" fight that is anything but. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
As part of a department-store promotion, Shirley (Cindy Williams) wins a free wedding reception, replete with buttercream cake and champagne fountain. Hoping to capitalize on her good fortune, Shirley tries to trick her erstwhile beau Carmine (Eddie Mekka) into marrying her. But when Carmine fails to show up at the reception, Shirley, Laverne and "best men" Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) are forced to keep the guests happy with a stirring rendition of "Lullaby of Broadway"--a comic highlight capped by an unusually touching finale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Frank's army buddy Bullets (Robert Hogan) arranges for the unemployed Laverne (Penny Marshall) to get a job at Ajax Aerospace. At first, her new responsibilities prove to be a bit on the dull side--but all this changes when Laverne gets herself inextricably encased in a top-secret "antigravity" suit. Charles Fleischer, best known as the voice of cartoon star Roger Rabbit, makes his first appearance as Laverne's wacked-out boyfriend Chuck. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
After being struck by lightning and foiling an armed robbery, Carmine (Eddie Mekka) becomes convinced that he is indestructable. Capitalizing upon this, Squiggy (David L. Lander) acts as agent when Carmine re-emerges in public as "Lightning Man", replete with cape and purple tights. Unfortunately, the career of "Lightning Man" nearly comes to an abrupt and painful end during a stunt performed on a high tree limb! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
- Add Crosby, Stills & Nash: Daylight Again to QueueAdd Crosby, Stills & Nash: Daylight Again to top of Queue
Arguably one of the most important and influential American bands in rock history, Crosby, Stills & Nash took the music world by storm at the close of the 1960s only to break up by the start of the '70s. Luckily for fans of their melodic brand of folk-rock, the outfit reformed in 1977. A record of the tour supporting their second post-reunion studio album, Crosby, Stills & Nash: Daylight Again was shot over three November 1982 performances at the New Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. Some of the songs performed include "Southern Cross," "For What It's Worth," "Love the One You're With," and "Teach Your Children." ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1982
In the conclusion of a two-part story, an innocent Laverne (Penny Marshall) has been arrested for bank robbery along with a loudmouthed radical named Sheba (played by former Saturday Night Live regular Laraine Newman). Handcuffed together, Shirley and Sheba are mistaken for a pair of escaped murderers--who have been slated for execution at midnight! Can Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) come to the rescue in the nick of time? (They'd better, otherwise the now Shirley-less Laverne & Shirley will be left with no stars at all!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
With this episode, Laverne & Shirley becomes essentially Laverne, as Penny Marshall goes it alone without her longtime costar Cindy Williams. Having abruptly gone overseas to be with her new husband Walter, Shirley (Williams) vacates Burbank without so much as a goodbye. All Shirley has left behind is a brief, brusque note, which says nothing about her lifelong friendship with Laverne (Marshall)--who immediately spirals into a deep depression. Hoping to cheer up Laverne, her friends begin beating the bushes for a few likely new roommates, including (inevitably!) a couple of ladies named Patti and Maxine (the latter played by Penny Marshall's real-life sister Ronny Hallin). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Former "Batman" Adam West appears in this episode as retired circus aerialist Edgar Garibaldi. While dating Edgar, Laverne (Penny Marshall) is flattered by his attentions, until discovering that she bears a startling resemblance to his ex-partner. Guilt-ridden since his partner's tragic trapeze accident, Garibaldi begins acting very, very strangely around Laverne--convincing our heroine that she is destined to be murdered! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
In the first episode of a two-part story, Laverne (Penny Marshall) befriends a girl named Sheba (Laraine Newman), unaware that her new acquaintance is a member of a radical group. Sheba subsequently dupes Laverne into participating in a bank robbery--and as a result, the cops arrest our heroine and haul her off to jail...and thence to Death Row! Ben Powers, who'd later costar with regular Eddie Mekka (Carmine) in an unsold Laverne & Shirley spinoff, is here seen as Aaron. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
A goodly portion of this episode is given over to the rehearsal of a bizarre stage production, featuring Laverne (Penny Marshall) in a horned Brunhilde helmet and Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) dressed in feathers. The revelry screeches to a halt upon the unexpected arrival of Squiggy's long-lost father Helmut (Wynn Irwin). No sooner have father and son reconnected than the elder Mr. Squiggman proposes a tantalizing business partnership--which unfortunately leaves Lenny out in the cold! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Inspired by the example of neighbor Rhonda (Leslie Easterbrook, Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) head to a ski resort in hopes of attracting new boyfriends. What follows is a veritable symphony of slapstick mayhem, culminating with the girls being stranded on a high ski lift. Then there's the climactic rescue scene, which ranks as one of the series' funniest moments (who knew that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation could be so much fun?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
While on an outing at the LaBrea Tar Pits, Lenny (Michael McKean) finds a new girlfriend named Karen (played by prolific voiceover actress Maggie Roswell). As the relationship deepens, Lenny's roommate Squiggy (David L. Lander) begins feeling like the proverbial "fifth wheel". Ultimately, Karen announces that she's leaving town, whereupon a dejected Lenny returns to the tar pits--forcing Squiggy to get over himself long enough to save his buddy from committing suicide (or at least, that's what he THINKS he's doing!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
