Sharon Lawrence

Introduced in the previous episode "Mr. Monk, Private Eye", attractive realtor Linda Fusco (Sharon Lawrence) is now the girlfriend of Captain Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine). This fact makes it all the more difficult for Monk (Tony Shalhoub) to pursue his theory that Linda is responsible for the death of her business partner. The fact that Monk would even entertain such a thought causes a rift between himself and Stottlemeyer--one that may prove irreparable when Linda tries to seduce Monk. This remarkable episode flies in the face of conventional TV-series wisdom, which dictates that a recurring character accused of murder is obviously innocent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When a reformed grifter currently running a prosperous alibi service for adulterous husbands inadvertently becomes an accessory to murder, he is forced to execute one last, well-timed con as a means of clearing his name in this lightning fast caper comedy starring Steve Coogan, Rebecca Romijin, Selma Blair, and Sam Elliot. Ray (Coogan) is a smooth operator with a special knack for helping his fellow man dodge the proverbial bullet. When a married man simply can't resist the urge to have a bit of fun on the side, Ray is the man they call to ensure that word of their infidelity never gets back to their unsuspecting wives. When the spoiled son of a high-profile client accidentally kills his clandestine lover on the eve of his wedding, Ray is shocked to discover that he has been implicated in the crime. With a small-town cop targeting him on one side and a mysterious assassin known as "The Mormon" locking him into his sights from the other, desperate Ray must now enlist the aid of his beautiful new recruit Lola (Romijin) in carrying out one last con designed to both clear his name, and save his life. The debut feature from co-directors Matt Checkowski and Kurt Mattilda, Lies and Alibis also features performances by James Brolin, Henry Rollins, James Marsden, Debi Mazar, Jerry O'Connell, and John Leguizamo. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The whole truth concerning the "extracurricular activities" of über-mom Daisy Gibbons (Sharon Lawrence) has a disturbing effect on the ladies of Wisteria Lane -- not to mention some of the husbands. However, Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) and Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) can't be bothered with this crisis in the face of their ever-mounting debts. Meanwhile, Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Edie (Nicolette Sheridan) unexpectedly call a truce; and Lynette (Felicity Huffman) continues to be plagued by the misdeeds of her young boys. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) finds out that Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) has been keeping secrets from her as well, though his regard his less-than-legal business practices. Bree (Marcia Cross) is outraged that her husband, Rex (Steven Culp), has been dabbling with the oh-so-perfect Maisy Gibbons (Sharon Lawrence). Elsewhere, Lynette (Felicity Huffman) tries to confirm her suspicions about her new nanny (Marla Sokoloff). The relationship between Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Mike (James Denton) intensifies. And the mysterious Paul Young (Mark Moses) has something to get off his chest. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As if audiences in mid-2002 weren't nervous enough about anticipated enemy attacks on America, this made-for-cable movie speculates on the disastrous possibilities of a tornado hitting a nuclear power plant. Racing against time, nuclear expert Corinne Maguire (Sharon Lawrence), sheriff C.B. Bishop (Corbin Bernsen) and deputy Jake Hannah (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) try to evacuate the locals and prevent the vaporization of Tennessee (if that power plant goes, "it'll make Chernobyl look like a firecracker"). Complicating matters is the fact that Sharon's 12-year-old Campbell (Daniel Costello) is nowhere to be found. Advertised on the strength of the presence of two NYPD Blue stars in the cast -- one former (Sharon Lawrence), one current (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) -- Atomic Twister made its TBS Superstation debut on June 9, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The blurry line between a rumor and the truth is stretched to the breaking point in this drama. Three arrogant and self-centered college students, Jones (Lena Headey), Derek (James Marsden), and Travis (Norman Reedus), are brought together for a class project, in which they decide to start a rumor and keep track of how it spreads. Looking for possible gossip material, they see Naomi (Kate Hudson), a girl known for her high-minded views on saving sex for marriage, drunkenly making out with Bo (Joshua Jackson) at a party. The three students begin passing around the rumor that Naomi became a victim of date rape later that evening, embroidering the truth with allegations that Bo forcibly seduced Naomi after she was too inebriated to put up a fight. Before long, the rumor makes its way back to Naomi herself, who suffered a black-out on the night in question after too much alcohol. Naomi panics, and convinced that the rumor is true, contacts the police, who assign Detective Kelly (Sharon Lawrence) to investigate the charges of rape filed against Bo. Featuring a cast of young actors best known for their work on television, Gossip was an appropriate first feature film for director Davis Guggenheim, who previously distinguished himself on such TV series as ER, NYPD Blue, and Party of Five. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Set in a Nova Scotian fishing community, the made-for-TV Blue Moon focuses on a group of local citizens who are under the financial pressure of a land-grabbing tycoon. Particularly hard hit is restaurant manager Cass Medieros (Sharon Lawrence), who not only may have her property sold out from under her, but is also experiencing serious problems with her marriage. Despite these tribulations, family values emerge triumphant over so-called progress. This film represents the final screen appearance of Richard Kiley, here rather incredibly cast as the son of Kim Hunter--who was almost exactly the same age as he! Based on a novel by Luann Rice, Blue Moon debuted April 11, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season six of NYPD Blue begins with a story arc designed to prepare viewers for the inevitable departure of series regular Jimmy Smits (Detective Bobby Simone). It all begins as Bobby's dentist asks the detective to check up on the dentist's daughter, whose boyfriend is a slimy drug dealer. When the boyfriend is stabbed, disreputable private eye Mike Roberts (Michael Harney), currently the bodyguard of the victim's father, asks the cops to give the case "special" handling -- much to the disgust of Bobby's partner, Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), who despises Roberts. Elsewhere, a false-alarm rape investigated by Bobby's wife and co-worker, Diane Russell (Kim Delaney), turns out to be the real things; John Irvin (Bill Brochtrup), returning to the precinct after his business folds, strikes up a friendship with new PAA Dolores Mayo (Lola Glaudini); and, on a more ominous note, Bobby begins to exhibit signs of a potentially serious illness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The big news attending NYPD Blue's sixth season was the imminent departure of series star Jimmy Smits, who played Det. Bobby Simone, the new husband of Det. Diane Russell (Kim Delaney). While the particulars of Simone's exit were kept secret from the public, it became obvious from the season opener onward that Bobby was not long for this world; having developed a serious illness, he needed an immediate heart transplant, and even then the doctors could guarantee nothing. It was in the season's fifth episode, "Hearts and Souls," that the saga of Bobby Simone was terminated fatally, much to the shock and dismay of millions of the series' fans. Bobby's replacement was Det. Danny Sorenson, played by former child star Rick Schroder. Although both the grieving Diane and Bobby's irascible partner, Det. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), initially resented Sorenson's presence, Danny quickly proved his mettle both on and off the job. But in time-honored NYPD Blue tradition, young Mr. Sorenson brought with him some heavy emotional baggage, which would be revealed bag by bag over the next three seasons, culminating in yet another "shocker" of a climactic episode. Elsewhere, the 15th precinct's gay Anti-Crime Unit assistant John Irvin (Bill Brochtrup, who was moved up from recurring-character to regular) developed a close friendship with the squad's new PAA, Dolores Mayo (Lola Glaudini), a troubled young woman who ultimately quit her job and turned to prostitution. It was Dolores' death during a weekend trip to Atlantic City with wealthy drug dealer Malcolm Cullinan (Todd Waring), coupled with the murder of Sipowicz' old nemesis, shady private eye Mike Roberts (Michael Harney), that led to the series' violent sixth-season finale, a courtroom shoot-out which claimed the life of Andy Sipowicz' wife, ADA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence). Once again, NYPD Blue copped a handful of Emmy awards. This years' recipients included series star Dennis Franz, recurring guest actress Debra Monk (as Sipowicz' ex-wife, Katie), and director Paris Barclay, the latter two earning their statuettes for their work in the pivotal episode "Hearts and Souls." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After holding up a convenience store, African American petty crook Joseph Grange (Giancarlo Esposito) races to his girlfriend's house to give her the money. Confronted by the girl's current bedmate, he gets into a scuffle and accidentally shoots the man. Now the object of a citywide manhunt, the desperate Grange stumbles onto a remote cabin occupied by Clair Ballard (Sharon Lawrence), a white woman. Though terrified at the prospect of being Joseph's hostage, Clair somehow senses that he is more frightened than she. Drawing upon lessons learned in her own troubled past, Clair tries to get at the root of Joseph's problems, not only hoping to defuse the situation but also to help the man come to peace with himself. And in the course of the next five hours, Clair also learns a lot about handling her own crises from her repentant captor. First telecast by NBC on October 5, 1997, Five Desperate Hours was based on a true story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this drama about love and how it can go wrong, Reese McHenry (Sam Shepard) is the owner of a clothing store who, in 1966, hires Carol Fitzsimmons (Diane Keaton) to work for him as a seamstress. Carol is a widow, and Reese's wife is in a coma; both are lonely, and they begin a habit of going to the movies every Wednesday afternoon, and sometimes also meeting for furtive sexual assignations. But Reese is unable to commit to a more permanent relationship as long as his wife is alive, despite his feelings for Carol, and their love remains in a state of limbo for the next 30 years. Meanwhile, Reese's son Tom (Robert Patrick) and Carol's daughter Katherine (Diane Lane) become romantically involved with no knowledge of their parent's relationship, but Tom's unwillingness to commit mirrors his father's own failings. The Only Thrill was based on the play The Trading Post by Larry Ketron, who also wrote the screenplay. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide