Peter Tolan Movies

Another contemporary "dramedy" series from the star/creator of The Job, Rescue Me revolved around the activities of a group of professional firefighters operating Engine 62 in a post-9/11 New York City. Denis Leary headed the cast as senior firefighter Tommy Gavin, who had allowed the pressures of his job to botch up his home life, separating him from his wife, Janet (Andrea Roth), and their three children. Even more disturbing was the fact that Tommy was constantly haunted by the ghosts of his dead comrades, and regularly carried on conversations with his deceased cousin, firefighter Jimmy Keefe (James McCaffrey). Nor was Tommy the only member of the Engine 62 team battling personal demons. Chief Jerry Reilly (Jack McGee) was a compulsive gambler; handsome Sean Garrity (Steven Pasquale) was incapable of carrying on an intelligent conversation; and daredevil Franco Rivera (Daniel Sunjata) insisted upon living on the edge, both on and off the job, frequently with disastrous consequences. Meanwhile, Lt. Kenny "Lou" Shea (John Scurti) endeavored to channel his emotions and phobias into writing poems, and rookie Mike Silletti (Mike Lombardi) was kept busy trying to figure out what sort of practical joke would next be pulled on him by his sadistically prankish co-workers. The first season of Rescue Me was launched by the FX cable network on July 21, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally titled The Web, this hip, "inside" ABC sitcom was a savage spoof of the cutthroat world of prime-time network television. The "everyman" character in the proceedings was David Weiss (Ivan Sergei), a greenhorn junior executive with the fictional IBS network. It didn't take Weiss long to realize that he'd have to swim with sharks to survive in the TV biz, a lesson driven home hard each week by a variety of ruthless programmers, addle-pated execs, and other corporate types. In addition to taking much-needed swipes at such sacred cows as Political Correctness and Audience Demographics, the series also featured a number of celebrity cameos, with many of the Rich and Famous poking cruel fun at themselves. Created by Peter Tolan of The Job fame, ABC's Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) debuted March 27, 2002, fittingly in the Wednesday at 9:30 PM (8:30 Central) time slot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Denis Leary was both producer and star of the iconoclastic cop comedy The Job. Leary played NYPD detective Mike McNeil, whose fashion-plate sensibilites were compromised by his chronic self-abuse, which included drinking like a fish, downing all manner of barbituates, and shamelessly cheating on his estranged wife, Karen (Wendy Makkena). Nor was McNeil a pillar of virtue on the job, ruthlessly strongarming and even blackmailing perps into confessing their crimes and habitually undercutting his colleagues. Although McNeil knew that he had to stop carrying on and change his ways before it was too late for redemption, that didn't prevent him from falling back on his old bag of dirty tricks in every half-hour episode. Others in the cast included Bill Nunn as McNeil's chunky, henpecked partner, Terrence "Pip" Phillips; Karyn Parsons as our "hero"'s mistress, Toni; Keith David as McNeil's easily outraged superior, Lt. Williams; and Lenny Clarke, Diane Farr, Adam Ferrara, John Ortiz, and Julian Acosta as, respectively, Detectives Harrigan, Fendrich, Manetti, Sommariba, and Rodriguez. More fondly regarded by critics than by the public, The Job made the ABC network rounds from March 14, 2001, to April 24, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Desperate for an A-list guest as his final show draws ever closer, Larry (Garry Shandling) determines that he must overcome his discomfort with affectionate old friend David Duchovny in order to secure an appearance from the X-Files star. Meanwhile, Artie (Rip Torn) struggles to keep the emotional staff afloat in hopes of producing a memorable swan song for The Larry Sanders Show. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Feigning illness, Phil (Wallace Langham) jumps ship to write a sitcom pilot. Confident that his work is golden, the former head writer finds himself back at the bottom of the barrel when his writing doesn't gel with what star Dave Chappelle had in mind for the show. When Larry (Garry Shandling) gives Artie (Rip Torn) a rare and expensive pen as a gift, the grateful but absent-minded producer must find a replacement before Larry catches on that the pen is missing. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

While organizing a roast for Larry (Garry Shandling), Norman (David Paymer) invites Dana Carvey, Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, and Al Franken to take their best shot at the self-absorbed talk-show host. When Artie (Rip Torn) invites Carl Reiner to host instead of Hank (Jeffrey Tambor), the sensitive sidekick retaliates by practicing his heckler defense skills and inviting an unexpected guest. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

After finding religion and inviting Rabbi Susan Klein (Amy Aquino) to the set, Beverly (Penny Johnson) becomes upset because her previous request to give her pastor a tour was rejected. Despite Artie's (Rip Torn) repeated pleas to Hank to keep his religious beliefs separated from the show, Hank rebels by donning his yarmulke on-air, upsetting the network brass who fear loss of sponsors. Despite the stress of this holy war, Larry (Garry Shandling) finds refuge on his new massage chair until it becomes apparent that he's not the only one enjoying it's relaxing effects. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The Larry Sanders Show is celebrating its eighth anniversary, and guests k.d. lang, Pat O'Brien, Rosie O'Donnell, Mandy Patinkin, and Noah Wyle are booked for the big show. It seems that Murphy's Law is in full effect for the anniversary show, however, and in addition to O'Donnell's limo failing to arrive, it's revealed that lang and Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) have a background as feuding neighbors, while Patinkin and Wyle can't stop arguing over who has a better TV series. As if those factors weren't enough to make the anniversary show a stressful occasion, it seems as if Larry (Garry Shandling) has forgotten to take his usual bathroom break before the show. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Realizing that he has no money while in the midst of remodeling his home, a panicked Larry (Garry Shandling) quickly contacts his business manager, Frank (Paul Willson), in hopes of getting to the bottom of the financial dilemma. When Frank suggests that the problem may lie in a faulty office accountant, Larry denies the possibility and shifts the blame toward Frank himself. As Larry opts to make a few quick bucks by appearing in Kentucky Fried Chicken commercials and other advertisements, Artie (Rip Torn) and Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) embark on a drunken spree of retribution in which they burn down Frank's trellis. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The job of a television producer can be highly stressfull and greatly under-appreciated, as Artie (Rip Torn) finds out when little things around the office begin to add up. After Artie's close friend Ryan O'Neal is bumped from an appearance on the show, Hank's (Jeffrey Tambor) incessant complaining and Larry's (Garry Shandling) indifference begin to grate on the already high-strung Artie. After he befriends Russian janitor Nikolae (Elya Baskin) while burning the midnight oil, the newfound friends leave obscene messages on Larry's machine to blow off some steam. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Despite his outrageously destructive appearances on The Tonight Show and Arsenio, Bobcat Goldthwait is booked on The Larry Sanders Show and warned by Larry (Garry Shandling), Artie (Rip Torn), and Paula (Janeane Garofalo) not to repeat his troublesome escapades. Meanwhile, Larry loses his sidekick when Hank (Jeffrey Tambor), fueled by Regis Philbin's offer to jump ship and join his new show, sets his site on not joining Philbin, but taking his job. Following Artie's accusation that Hank's wife is destroying his career, Hank hands in his resignation. Figuring that he can always join Philbin, he is shocked when told Philbin's new show is still three years from air. Oblivious to Hank's hasty departure, Larry happily accepts his sidekick's return to the show, and Goldthwait proves as predictable as ever. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Desperate for a filler host after Larry falls ill shortly before air, Artie (Rip Torn) reluctantly agrees to do something he swore never to do -- let Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) host the show. Hank is elated but somewhat hesitant for fear of failure, but his insecurity ultimately endears him to the audience and his appearance is a success. Empowered by his previous success, Hank takes the stage when Larry calls in sick again the following night, though his newfound confidence results in an arrogant stint that leaves everyone with a bad taste in their mouths. Guest stars include Shadoe Stevens and George Wendt. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The network is preparing a new show to follow The Larry Sanders Show in the late-night lineup, and everyone and their brother seems to have an opinion on who should serve as host. Despite all the hoopla surrounding Larry's follow-up act, however, our gracious host seems more concerned with the possibility of not winning a major award again. Guest stars include David Letterman, Deborah May, Gloria Dorson, Kevin Nealon, Richard Lewis, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Tom Snyder. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide