Bill Daily

Not so much a sequel to the John Sayles-scripted Alligator as a shoddy remake, this sophomoric low-budget effort plays like a bad TV movie about a swamp-dwelling alligator mutated to monstrous size by toxic waste, munching on the screaming residents of a lakefront community. The naughty polluter who caused this mutation is the property developer himself (Steve Railsback, playing such a cookie-cutter villain that he might as well have a "BAD GUY" sign around his neck). An embarrassed Joseph Bologna plays the cop investigating the mutilation murders; an equally-ashamed Dee Wallace Stone plays the scientist assisting him, who is conveniently married to him as well. In an attempt to remedy the situation, a big-game hunter (Richard Lynch) is called in to bag the beast. When his efforts fail, it's left to Bologna to pick up the pieces -- literally -- and take charge of the situation when the big reptile decides to take in the grand opening of the local amusement park. From a nonsensical script to cheesy special effects that make the beast look like a pool toy, this film shows none of the cynical charm and sly wit that made Alligator so enjoyable. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Fed up with having to stay in hiding, ALF fantasizes about revealing his presence to the world. In his dreams, ALF serves a guest host on David Letterman's late-night NBC talkfest (replete with typical "Dave-isms"), while the Tanners plan a party celebrating his "emergence." Featured as ALF's TV guests are several of the people to whom he's revealed himself in the past--as well as Sandy Duncan, playing herself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this comedy, a revival of the popular TV-series from the mid-60s, the wedded bliss of astronaut Tony Nelson and his magical djin and wife Jeannie is endangered when Jeannie desires to become more independent. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

News of a critic's arrival causes hijinx to ensue at a hotel resort in this made-for-TV comedy. Bill Daily stars as Walter Grainger, a California resort-hotel manager whose business is thrown into turmoil at the news of a hotel-guide writer's arrival. As he and his staff try to impress the writer, along with their regular guests, they get involved in a series of mishaps, including mistaking an ordinary guest for the critic. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide

Emily intends to "bond" with Bob and his father, Herb (Barnard Hughes), by accompanying them on a fishing trip. But before long, the old rules are set in place: Bob and Herb get to do all the rugged "men's stuff," while Emily is saddled with the cooking and cleaning. Laura Levine's teleplay is so on-target that one suspects she was drawing from her own experiences. "Grizzly Emily" originally aired on January 14, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jerry Fogel is cast as Paul Billingham, aka "Ralph Alfalfa the Happy Farmer" of Chicago radio fame. Though a huge success on the airwaves, Billingham harbors a dark secret: He stutters. Now that he has been offered a TV job, Billingham is terrified that the bizarre physical subterfuges he uses to speak coherently into the microphone will be exposed -- so naturally, he goes to Bob for advice. Written by Andrew Smith, "Easy for You to Say" originally aired on February 11, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Didi Conn, who skyrocketed to fame thanks to Saturday Night Fever (77) and You Light Up My Life (78), did nothing for her career with the made-for-TV Murder at the Mardi Gras. Conn plays a loopy young Philadelphia waitress who witnesses a murder during the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, but can't get anyone to believe her. The murderer, who is disguised variously as a large pink rabbit and a headless gorilla, spends most of "Fat Tuesday" pursuing poor Didi Conn up street, down alley, and around the other costumed revellers. With an all-TV cast, it's hard to tell at first whodunit--since all the actors have played the mystery killer at one time or another in their careers. The biggest mystery is the participation of director Ken Annakin, who surely does not list Murder at the Mardi Gras on the same resume as his earlier Swiss Family Robinson, The Longest Day, and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this follow-up to the earlier episode "Ex-Con Job," Bob is reunited with the five paroled convicts whom he's counseled in prison. This time, the quintet is determined to become useful members of society by finding honest work. Taurean Blacque (of Hill Street Blues fame), Wyatt Johnson, Allen Case, Ric Mancini, and Bert Rosario reprise their roles as Tatum, Hawkins, Kopelson, Brolio, and Ortiz, respectively. Written by Emily Purdum Marshall, "Son of Ex-Con Job" was originally scheduled to air in February or March of 1978, but was moved up to January 21, due to Bob Newhart's absence from several other like-vintage episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With Bob out of town on a lecture tour, Emily is terrified that she will succumb to the temptation of having an affair with her old flame, Steve Darnell (David Hedison). To prevent this, Emily turns to Jerry and Howard for help -- and how much help they are. Written by Laura Levine, this was one of several sixth-season episodes in which Bob Newhart did not appear. "It Didn't Happen One Night" first aired on February 18, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mr. Carlin is in love again; this time the lucky (?) woman is one Andrea Duff (Mary Ann Chin). Hoping to appear more exciting to the new woman in his life, Carlin enlists Bob's aid in fabricating a spectacular "life story." The result is a wide-ranging farrago of a resumé which claims, among other things, that Carlin invented gravy. Written by Gary David Goldberg, "Love Is the Blindest" first aired on January 8, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Saddled with a close-mouthed patient named Twillmer (Richard Libertini), Bob encourages the man to open up and "let it all out." Unfortunately, Twillmer reveals that he has embezzled an enormous sum of money -- and Bob is bound by his doctor-patient confidentiality oath to keep mum about this little indiscretion. Others in the cast include Frank Maxwell as Sgt. O'Conner and J. Jay Saunders as Williams. Written by Earl Pomerantz, "Shallow Throat" first aired on November 26, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Invited to lecture before a sex seminar at the Ironwood Institute, Bob invites Emily to accompany him. Little does he suspect that the Institute is a nudist colony, but the bare facts soon become all too apparent. And what sort of effect will this have on the Hartleys' marriage. Max Showalter appears as Dr. Morgan. Written by Phil Davis, "The Ironwood Experience" was the first episode filmed for The Bob Newhart Show's fifth season, but was withheld from view until January 15, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide