Pam Fryman Movies

Created by former Late Show with David Letterman writers Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the 30-minute CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother was, per its title, related entirely in flashback, from the vantage point of 2030. The hero, Ted (his "old" voice provided by Bob Saget) was endeavoring to regale his children with the stories of how he wooed and won his wife and their mother. The main action took place in "the present," after the twentysomething Ted (played in flashback by Josh Radnor) decided to take upon himself a bride after the unexpected engagement of his friend Marshall (Jason Segel) to the lovely Lily (Alyson Hannigan). Ted had his sights set on a girl named Robin (Cobie Smulders), but there was no guarantee that she would ultimately be the "mother" of the title, not as long as Mike allowed himself to be immersed in the what-the-hell lifestyle of the early 21st century. Providing snide sidelines comments (and most of the laughs) was Ted's know-it-all best pal, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). How I Met Your Mother premiered on September 19, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As might be expected, the title of this NBC sitcom was a bit of a misnomer. A well-heeled suburban Philadelphia couple, Peter and Annie Brennan (John Larroquette and Christine Baranski) began the series secure in the belief that their children were happy and that they'd all left the nest, or were about to. This illusion was dashed to bits when it was learned that their son Tim (Tyler Francavilla), ostensibly away at college, had dropped out and was carrying on an affair with the Brennans' much-older next door neighbor, divorcee Maggie Harris (Susan Gibney). But wait, there's more: the couple's other son Todd (Jeff B. Davis, replacing the un-telecast pilot episode's Hamish Linklater) was blatantly cheating on his wide-eyed fiancée; and their "perfect" daughter Sara (Melanie Paxson) was a seething mass of neuroses. Happy Family debuted September 9, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sort of a jock's version of the popular cable sitcom Dream On, Inside Schwartz stars Breckin Meyer as the title character, aspiring sportscaster Adam Schwartz. Obliged to work in his family's bar, Adam dreams of a big-time career on ESPN or some other sports outlet. On each half-hour episode, Adam's imagination spills over into reality, with real-life sports announcers Van Earl Wright and Kevin Frasier providing running commentary of our hero's triumphs and tribulations, and with a whole slew of guest stars (Mills Lane, Dick Butkus, etc.) parading through Adam's subconscious. The denizens of Adam's "real" world include his father Gene (Richard Kline), his best friend David (Bryan Callen), and his erstwhile girlfriend Julie (Miriam Shor). Created by Stephen Engel) of Just Shoot Me fame, Inside Schwartz was supposed to have made its NBC debut on September 20, 2001, but the network's ongoing coverage of the World Trade Center attack moved the series' premiere date up to September 27. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Niles (David Hyde Pierce) succeeds Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) as president of their wine club when Frasier finds himself swamped with work as resident wine expert on Gil Chesterton's (Edward Hibbert) gourmet talk show. Unfortunately, in the course of one broadcast, Frasier breaks the club's bylaws by imparting "delicate" information -- whereupon Niles retaliates by ordering the other club members to boycott Gil's program. As the feud escalates, Martin (John Mahoney) is having problems of his own keeping up with his health-nut lady friend. Jane Leeves was on maternity leave during filming of this episode, and does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It's often said that people can choose their friends and lovers, but not their families, and on the comedy series Three Sisters, Steven Keats (David Alan Basche) discovers that by marrying the woman he loves, Bess (Katherine LaNasa), he's also inherited her two sisters, with whom she has an extremely close if sometimes contentious bond. Nora (Vicki Lewis) is a documentary filmmaker with a limitless reserve of cynicism and a gift for scaring off the men in her life (she even dated Steven before he met Bess), while Annie (A.J. Langer) is sweet but not especially well connected to reality; Bess spends much of her time trying to resolve Nora's romantic woes and helping Annie get a career off the ground. Other frequent visitors to the Keats home include Bess' father George (Peter Bonerz), who tries to counsel Steven on the fine art of dealing with his three daughters, and their mother Honey (Dyan Cannon), who follows a path through life best known to herself. Three Sisters first aired on NBC on January 9, 2001. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In the tradition of the theatrical film Sliding Doors, this episode of Frasier offers two alternatives to a single twist of fate for both Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce). In Frasier's case, we are given the opportunity to see what will happen to him if he decides to go out on Valentine's Day -- and what will happen if he stays at home (and taking things a step farther, we see two different methods of courtship involving Frasier and a cute but klutzy artist [Charlotte Ross]). Meanwhile, a similar "either-or" situation is played out for Niles and Daphne (Jane Leeves), who may or may not go on a Hawaiian vacation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Relentless attorney Donny Douglas (Saul Rubinek) continues to press his lawsuit against Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Daphne (Jane Leeves), accusing Frasier of encouraging Daphne to run out on her wedding to Donny. Hoping to fight fire with fire, Frasier hires an attorney named Abby (Teri Polo), who has a reputation for being even more "down and dirty" than Donny. The fun (?) begins when Frasier starts dating the estimable -- and none too ethical -- Abby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In part one of Frasier?s eighth-season opener, the wedding of Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) and attorney Donny Douglas (Saul Rubinek) has come to end before the knot has even been tied as Daphne runs off with her true love, Niles Crane (David Pierce). Left standing in the exhaust fumes of the fugitive couple's Winnebago are both Donny and Niles' vengeful bridge Dr. Mel Karnofsky (Jane Adams). The upshot of all this is an enormous lawsuit brought against Daphne by Donny and an even more sinister revenge cooked up by Mel. Originally telecast as a 60-minute special, this episode has since been reedited as two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Robert Loggia guest stars as Stefano, a popular chef as famous for his temper as his culinary accomplishments. Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) bends over backward trying to remain on Stefano's good side, even if it means pretending to like a caricature of himself that has been hung on the wall of Stefano's restaurant. Meanwhile, a nervous Daphne (Jane Leeves) continues preparing for her marriage to Donny (Saul Rubinek) -- and wrestling with her feelings toward Niles (David Hyde Pierce). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Harriet Sansom Harris returns as Bebe Glaser, carnivorous agent (and former lover) of radio shrink Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer). This time, it is Bebe's turn to take a talent fee as she substitutes for the co-host of the morning TV talk show "AM Seattle." The original plan had been for Bebe to talk Frasier into giving up radio in favor of television...but things work out somewhat differently, as things on Frasier have a habit of doing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It has been quite a while since one of Frasier's old pals from the Cheers gang has paid a visit to Seattle. This episode makes up for lost time as Woody Harrelson returns in his old sitcom role as hayseed bartender-turned-politician Woody Boyd. Arriving in town to attend a wedding, Woody regales a delighted Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) with updates about his friends back in Boston (the news about Cliff is particularly intriguing). But once conversation flags, Frasier realizes that he and Woody just don't have all that much in common any more. And there's one more thing: Woody evidently hasn't the slightest intention of leaving. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A hitherto unknown Crane family heirloom has Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce). If authentic, the heirloom will prove that the brothers are descended from Russian nobility. What to do? What else is there to do? Artifact in hand, Frasier and Niles show up on the popular PBS series Antiques Roadshow (or at least, a reasonable facsimile thereof) in hopes of getting to the truth of the matter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide