Larry Charles Movies
A bona fide counterculture figure who later struck gold as one of the most successful and lucrative comedy writers in the history of show business, Larry Charles grew up in a Coney Island housing project designed and built by Fred Trump (father of Donald), and attended Rutgers University in the early '70s. Harboring a serious interest in a career as a full-time writer, Charles took a professor's advice by dropping out of college and hitting the standup circuit as one-half of a two-man comedy act that regularly opened for a Top 40 cover band. (Throughout, Charles authored many of the routines.) When that gig flopped due to payment disputes, Charles hearkened back to New York and wrote satirical sex stories for Al Goldstein's Screw magazine (then in full swing), then later took a job as an author of porno novels in a Gotham sweatshop.It was only upon moving to the City of Angels, however, that Charles' fortunes began to shift; he began to hang around outside of comedy clubs and sell jokes to various standup acts, one of whom happened to be Larry David. David offered Charles an assignment writing for Fridays (1980-1982), ABC's now-forgotten answer to Saturday Night Live, which Charles gladly accepted. Unfortunately, that program failed to connect with an audience and folded after two seasons -- leading to almost a decade without work for Charles. A friendship blossomed between Charles and David, however, and when David secured a development deal for Seinfeld (1989-1995), he instantly brought Charles on board to script innumerable episodes. The story of that program scarcely needs to be retold; it turned into one of the most eminently successful prime-time series in the history of the medium, revolutionized the sitcom format, and turned David, Charles, and their leads into multimillionaires for life. In the meantime, Charles' reputation as a comedy writer took hold; he authored episodes of the decidedly less-controversial Mad About You at about the same time, and moved into directing features. Though Charles' first outing behind the camera -- a deeply eccentric Bob Dylan vehicle called Masked and Anonymous (2003) -- flopped with audiences and drew much critical scorn, his second effort, fully entitled Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) more than made up for it and represented the second great coup of the writer's career after Seinfeld. One of the most inventive comedies of the early 21st century, it starred the inimitable Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat Sagdiyev, a sweet-natured but culturally inept (and violently lecherous) traveler from Kazakhstan making his way across the United States in search of "dream girl" Pamela Anderson (Baywatch). Charles and Cohen's genius lay in staging and shooting largely unscripted scenes with average and unsuspecting Americans, who were led to believe that Borat was in fact a real person and filmed in reaction to Cohen's outrageous behavior. Sequences had Borat engaging in such antisocial behavior as letting a chicken loose on a public bus, walking through a posh hotel lobby with his pants half-down, and -- finally -- attempting to kidnap Anderson by tossing a burlap bag over her at a book signing and carting her away (a event that the actress may or may not have been "in" on but that Charles branded as completely spontaneous and unplanned). The project set new records in terms of profitability; on a budget of 18 million dollars, it grossed in excess of 261 million dollars. Unsurprisingly, he also directed many episodes of David's HBO improvisational sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm at about the same time. After Borat, Charles was reportedly "swamped" with offers to helm Hollywood comedies budgeted at around 100 million dollars each. Ever the iconoclast, he turned down all of these offers and partnered up with friend Bill Maher (Politically Incorrect) to make Religulous, a satirical documentary skewering the religions of the world and both touting and celebrating atheism. That film bowed in the summer of 2008. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Master of disguise Sacha Baron Cohen hits the road to explore America as the crude Kazakstani reporter Borat in a feature mockumentary that brings one of the Da Ali G Show star's most popular characters to life on the big screen. Sent by the Kazakh Ministry of Information to gain a better understanding of American culture and bring his findings back home, Borat and faithful producer Azamat (Ken Davitian) set their sights in New York City. When the citizens and interview subjects of the Big Apple seem less than receptive to Borat's distinctively unrestrained approach and the curious Kazakh television personality stumbles across an episode of Baywatch while channel-surfing in his hotel room, he becomes instantly smitten with screen siren Pamela Anderson. Now confident that the only way to discover the true essence of America is to travel to California and make the bikini-clad beauty his bride, Borat purchases a ramshackle ice-cream truck in which he and Azamat will make their way across the Great Plains and on to the sunny West Coast -- all the while coming into contact with a wide variety of "typical" Americans. Within this loose, scripted framework, Borat engages in his usual misbehavior with unsuspecting strangers, from accidentally releasing a chicken from his suitcase on a New York subway ride to a formal interview with Alan Keyes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, (more)
Borat trickster Sacha Baron Cohen returns to the big screen to offer yet another stinging dose of sociopolitical satire in this comedy that finds him assuming the persona of gay fashionmonger Bruno, the self-proclaimed "voice of Austrian youth TV." Originally conceived as part of Baron Cohen's cult television series Da Ali G Show, the character of Bruno offered a cleverly costumed Baron Cohen the opportunity to highlight the absurdities of the fashion industry by interviewing unsuspecting fashion icons and other haute couture hangers-on. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, (more)
- 2000
Seinfeld producer/creator Larry David has often claimed that the character of George Costanza, the abrasive, neurotic, spectacularly luckless Seinfeld supporting player so brilliantly played by Jason Alexander, was based on David himself. Small wonder, then, that most of the plotlines of the self-deprecating, reality-based sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm have a distinctly Costanzan flavor -- with Larry David, in the role of former standup comic-turned-TV executive Larry David, a dictionary definition of the phrase "his own worst enemy." A spinoff of the 1999 HBO "mockumentary" special of the same name, the weekly 30-minute Curb Your Enthusiasm is filmed in cinéma vérité fashion, with much of dialogue ad-libbed (though the premise of each episode has been carefully worked out in advance).
Larry David portrays himself as the archetypal Hollywood wheeler-dealer, forever promoting "can't miss" TV and film projects, and using (and sometimes abusing) his myriad of showbiz celebrity connections -- among them Richard Lewis, Rob Reiner, Shaquille O'Neal, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Wanda Sykes, and Mel Brooks, not to mention a generous supply of former Seinfeld stars -- to further advance his already super-successful career. And yet, no matter how high he climbs, David is a slave to his own foibles, phobias, and neuroses, perpetually opening mouth and inserting foot, making as many enemies as friends in high places and never relaxing long enough to enjoy or appreciate what he has accomplished. In typical Seinfeld fashion, our hero manages to make a sizable and often insurmountable mountain out of the tiniest and least significant of molehills. While the plotlines of the first two ten-episode HBO seasons were relatively self-contained, season three was held together with the through-line of Larry opening a Planet Hollywood-style restaurant, while the focus of season four was the rather improbable premise that Larry had been offered the starring role in Mel Brooks' smash Broadway musical The Producers. Also appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm are Cheryl Hines as Larry's spouse, Cheryl; David's longtime production associate Jeff Garlin as Jeff Greene; and Susie Essman as Jeff's wife, Susie. The series is very much an HBO production with an unending stream of hilarious profanities and sexual situations (though the series' funniest running gag is probably the cleanest: Larry David's constitutional inability to figure out the basic protocol of tipping the help). ~ All Movie Guide
Larry David portrays himself as the archetypal Hollywood wheeler-dealer, forever promoting "can't miss" TV and film projects, and using (and sometimes abusing) his myriad of showbiz celebrity connections -- among them Richard Lewis, Rob Reiner, Shaquille O'Neal, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Wanda Sykes, and Mel Brooks, not to mention a generous supply of former Seinfeld stars -- to further advance his already super-successful career. And yet, no matter how high he climbs, David is a slave to his own foibles, phobias, and neuroses, perpetually opening mouth and inserting foot, making as many enemies as friends in high places and never relaxing long enough to enjoy or appreciate what he has accomplished. In typical Seinfeld fashion, our hero manages to make a sizable and often insurmountable mountain out of the tiniest and least significant of molehills. While the plotlines of the first two ten-episode HBO seasons were relatively self-contained, season three was held together with the through-line of Larry opening a Planet Hollywood-style restaurant, while the focus of season four was the rather improbable premise that Larry had been offered the starring role in Mel Brooks' smash Broadway musical The Producers. Also appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm are Cheryl Hines as Larry's spouse, Cheryl; David's longtime production associate Jeff Garlin as Jeff Greene; and Susie Essman as Jeff's wife, Susie. The series is very much an HBO production with an unending stream of hilarious profanities and sexual situations (though the series' funniest running gag is probably the cleanest: Larry David's constitutional inability to figure out the basic protocol of tipping the help). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry David, Cheryl Hines, (more)
- 2004
Larry (Larry David) and Cheryl's (Cheryl Hines) tenth anniversary is approaching. Cheryl knows what she wants, and asks Larry to keep an open mind. "Has it ever once been closed, to anything?" asks Larry. But he readily agrees to her wish to renew their marriage vows. Larry says that her present to him was already agreed upon ten years earlier, and reminds Cheryl that before they were married, she told him that on their tenth anniversary, he could have sex with another woman. Cheryl is a bit taken aback. "You have a good memory," she tells him. "For some things," he responds. When Larry offers to forget about the offered gift, Cheryl insists, and goads Larry by insinuating that he won't be able to find anyone who'll have sex with him. At a karaoke party later that night, Larry sings "Swanee" and catches the eye of Mel Brooks, who calls him and Jeff (Jeff Garlin) in for a meeting the next day. Larry proceeds to alienate both the office's wheelchair-bound computer tech (Michael D'Amore) and Brooks's lesbian receptionist, Joanne (Rachael Harris). But Brooks still asks him to take over the role of Max Bialystock in the Broadway show The Producers, inviting him to see the L.A. production that night to help him make up his mind. There, he runs into his proposed co-star, Ben Stiller, and his wife, Christine Taylor. Larry commits another faux pas when he refuses to shake Stiller's hand because Stiller has just sneezed. Cady Huffman, Paul Mazursky, and Philip Baker Hall also appear in this episode. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Richard Lewis tells Larry (Larry David) that he's found "the one," his new girlfriend Deborah (Robin McDonald). He's a little concerned, though, because she's a Christian Scientist. "It's a nightmare for me because I'm under the weather 99 percent of the time," Richard explains. Larry buys a new cell phone, based on Richard's recommendation, and uses it to call Cheryl (Cheryl Hines). He tells her to call the chef from the restaurant they're investing in, and get him to cater a dinner party, where they'll meet Deborah, and Richard will show them his new HBO special. Richard tells Larry to pass the word to the chef not to make anything with peanuts, because Deborah is highly allergic. The big night arrives, and Jeff (Jeff Garlin) shows up with brownies that his ex-wife Susie (Susie Essman) made, which Deborah enjoys. Things go awry, of course. First Larry can't figure out how to operate his VCR. Mike (Anthony Griffith), the electronics "expert" Larry hired, was supposed to put everything on one remote, but nothing is working. Then, Deborah starts to feel sick. She has an allergic reaction to the food. It turns out that Larry's cell phone dropped out when he gave Cheryl the vital information. Now, Larry has to fire Mike, and he feels uncomfortable about it because Mike is black. Meanwhile, Deborah has swelled up from her allergies, won't take any medication (due to her religious beliefs), and insists that Richard follow through on his promise to take her to the Emmys. Richard and Larry hatch a zany scheme to get Deborah to take some allergy medication by slipping it into the brownies she liked so much. Joan Rivers makes a guest appearance on this episode. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Larry (Larry David) is spending a lot of time taking care of Michael (Patrick Kerr), who broke up with his girlfriend after Larry told him she was not attractive. Later, when he has a problem with his car, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor give him a ride. Larry and Stiller get into a shouting match after Stiller drops Taylor off, because Larry refuses to move to the front seat for the rest of their short drive, which Stiller thinks makes him seem like Larry's chauffeur. "You know what makes you a baby?" Stiller screams at Larry. "The fact that you're a big, stupid baby!" Jeff (Jeff Garlin) upsets Larry by telling him that he had a vision of Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) while pleasuring himself. When Larry expresses his disgust, Jeff protests, "You can't control who pops in!" Mel Brooks later calls Larry in to tell him that Stiller has given him an ultimatum, and that he's decided to stick with Larry in the show and let Stiller go. After Larry leaves, Norm (Paul Mazursky) and Rudy (Rudy De Luca) question Brooks' decision, and Norm suggests that Larry might be mentally challenged. After Larry has Cheryl's car washed at a charity car wash operated by four mentally challenged men, he runs out of gas. Desperate to use the bathroom, he goes door-to-door in a well-to-do neighborhood, asking strangers to use their bathroom. Finally, a friendly Muslim woman (Moon Unit Zappa) wearing a burka lets Larry in, and Larry decides to fix her up with Michael. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Larry (Larry David) tries to hire a private detective, Omar Jones (Mekhi Phifer), to find out if he's adopted, but Jones explains he's only interested in taking cases that "benefit the community," and Larry's offer to host bingo or be a Big Brother for a single afternoon apparently doesn't cut it. Larry and Jeff (Jeff Garlin) run into Jodi Funkhouser (Mayim Bialik, TV's Blossom), the daughter of their friend Marty (Bob Einstein). She's very friendly, and Larry explains to Jeff that the lesbian community has always embraced him. Later, Marty, who is pressing Larry to attend his anniversary party, promises him that Rosie O'Donnell will be at his table. He also tells Larry that Jodi is now dating a guy, eliciting a joyous response from Larry that puts his relationship with the lesbian community in peril. Also, Larry wears a bowtie, learns from Wanda (Wanda Sykes) that his new dog hates black people, and gets into a spat with a disabled man when he uses the handicapped stall in a public restroom. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2005
In what may be the series finale, Louis Lewis (Bill Saluga) awakens from his coma, and refuses to give Richard (Richard Lewis) one of his kidneys, leaving Larry (Larry David) as Richard's best hope for survival. Omar Jones (Mekhi Phifer) calls Larry to tell him that he was, in fact, adopted. Larry goes to Arizona to visit his birth parents, the Cones (Hansford Rowe and June Squibb) and is shocked to learn that he is not actually Jewish. After an inspirational visit to the Cones' church, Larry has a change of heart, and races back to Los Angeles to donate his kidney to Richard. On the way into the operating room, he learns that there's been a terrible mistake. Larry also pays a brief but illuminating visit to the afterlife, where he gets into an argument with his guardian angels (Dustin Hoffman and Sacha Baron Cohen of Da Ali G Show) over his system for making sure he doesn't misplace his DVD cases. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Hugh (Tim Kazurinsky), one of the investors in the restaurant, invites Larry (Larry David) and the other investors to a pool party at his house. Larry confirms that Hugh's company publishes Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, and tells Hugh that Richard Lewis wants to be included in the book for coming up with the expression "[blank] from Hell." Hugh seems dubious, but agrees to look into it. Larry finds out that Jeff (Jeff Garlin) plans to go to the party, and Jeff also tells him that he's moving back in with Susie (Susie Essman), his estranged wife. He asks Larry not to tell anyone that Susie is pregnant. Larry and Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) stop off at their favorite bakery to buy a cake for the party, and learn that it's going out of business. Larry insists on buying a sponge cake, which Cheryl thinks no one will eat. But when they get to the party, Jeff says the cake is "like eating a delicious sponge." Larry needs to use the bathroom, but Hugh's nanny, Martine (Cheri Oteri), won't let him into the house, telling him that Hugh has insisted that guests use the cabana. Larry persuades her to let him in, promising he'll "take full responsibility." During the party, Larry notices that Hugh's young son is exceptionally well endowed. A few days later, the investors meet at the restaurant, where they discuss the trouble they've had finding a new chef. Larry tells Hugh privately that his son's "got some penis." Hugh doesn't respond well, and when Larry gets home, the unstable Martine is there with a suitcase. She tells him that she's been fired, and that he's responsible. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Richard (Richard Lewis) is low on the kidney transplant list, so he's hoping that Larry (Larry David) will come through for him. Richard wishes he were more famous, like his hero, Mickey Mantle, whose 500th home-run ball he owns. Richard offers to give Larry the valuable ball in exchange for his kidney. But then Larry runs into George (George Lopez) at the hospital, and George tells him that the head of the local "Kidney Consortium," Ben Heineman (Stuart Pankin), is an Orthodox Jewish Yankee fan who is willing to bend the rules for his friends. In an effort to get Richard moved up on the list of kidney recipients, Larry decides to befriend Heineman by inviting him and his daughter, Rachel (Iris Bahr), to Jeff's (Jeff Garlin) cabin for a ski trip. Larry decides to further ingratiate himself by pretending to be an Orthodox Jew. Of course, this will only work if Susie (Susie Essman) pretends to be his wife. Larry also gets into a dispute with Lisa (Mo Collins), Richard's allegedly larcenous nurse, about the alleged size of her genitalia. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2004
When Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) asks Larry (Larry David) to get a present for Betty Dusenberry's (Eliza Coyle) baby shower, Larry wonders if he should also get a present for the surrogate mother (Elizabeth Beckwith). Cheryl is in a frisky mood, but Larry is still healing from being bitten by Oscar. The next day, Larry visits his doctor (Jack Gallagher) to take his required physical for The Producers, but his heart rate spikes when Renee (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon) comes in, and the doctor won't sign the necessary forms unless Larry agrees to wear a heart holster for a day. Larry's friend Richard Lewis is actually dating Renee, and confides to Larry that because Renee is black, and has presumably dated black men, he feels insecure about the size of his "equipment." The two wonder if it's really a myth. Later, Wanda (Wanda Sykes) catches Larry mistaking a black man for a valet, and attempts to figure out his logic: "Anytime I see a black man in a tie and a suit, I automatically think, 'You must park cars for a living.'" Larry also creates problems at the baby shower, inadvertently convincing the surrogate to keep her baby. He continues to alienate his Producers co-star, David Schwimmer, and he uses his apparent heart problem to his advantage when he encounters a potentially violent case of road rage. Mel Brooks and Muggsy Bogues make guest appearances. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Preparations are in full swing for Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) and Larry (Larry David) to renew their marriage vows for their tenth anniversary. After Anna (Gina Gershon), the sexy Chasidic woman who runs the Laundromat, flirts with Larry, he visits his rabbi (Barry Gordon) and expresses his qualms about taking Cheryl up on her offer to let him sleep with another woman as her tenth anniversary present. The rabbi finds a biblical parallel, and suggests that Larry accept the generous gift. He also asks Larry if he can invite a "survivor" to their rehearsal dinner. Larry assents, and then decides to invite Solly (Allan Rich), a friend of his father's (Shelley Berman) who survived the Holocaust. But the rabbi's friend turns out to be Colby Donaldson, from TV's Survivor, leading to an embarrassing argument at the dinner table about who the "real" survivor is. Cheryl and Larry get into a tiff about their vows when Larry learns that Cheryl expects them to spend eternity together. He had expected to be single again, what with the whole "Till death do us part," thing. "This is continuing into the afterlife?" he asks her, dismayed. On a more upbeat note, Anna agrees to meet Larry at a motel for an extramarital tryst to fulfill Cheryl's gift, but Larry is confused when Jeff (Jeff Garlin) suggests he bring a sheet with him. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Vince and his buddies meet Ari's rival at a Malibu beach party; Turtle gets under Gary Busey's skin at an art gallery. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Eric battles a defiant Walsh to arrange an early screening of Queens Boulevard; Ari pitches a foreign commercial to Vince; and Turtle gets ready for a video-game showdown. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) organizes a going-away party for a New York-bound Vince; Drama auditions for a TV show; Eric is fed up with some of his responsibilities. Larry David and Scarlett Johansson appear as themselves. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Vince's agreement to appear on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show touches a nerve with Drama (Kevin Dillon); Eric says good-bye to Kristen (Monica Keena); Ari works overtime to land a new client. Luke Wilson, Sarah Silverman and Sara Foster have cameos. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Melanie Mayron guest stars as Doris, the astrologer sister of the Buchmans' dog-walker, Nat (Hank Azaria). When Doris offers to draw up charts for the Buchman family, Jamie (Helen Hunt) is reluctant to cooperate -- and not without good reason. Originally slated to air in the U.S. on February 4, 1997, this episode was bumped to March 11 due to an unexpected pre-emption (though it ran on Canadian TV on February 4, as scheduled). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
While filming "Buchman," the documentary about his family, Paul (Paul Reiser) pays a visit to his childhood neighborhood with dad Burt (Louis Zorich). As both Buchmans recall events which transpired in their old apartment building, Paul's pregnant wife, Jamie (Helen Hunt), sits fuming in the offices of her gynecologist, Joan Golfinos (Suzie Plakson). It seems that Paul has forgotten all about his appointment to hear his baby's heartbeat.... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Jamie (Helen Hunt) reveals her pregnancy to boss Lance Brockwell (Harry Groener) and the rest of the City Hall staff. The question: Can she still maintain the hectic pace of her job? Meanwhile, Ira (John Pankow) takes over the financing of Paul's (Paul Reiser) epic documentary "Buchman" -- and manages to secure the services of a moderately famous narrator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) have spent four months trying to conceive, with absolutely no success. Desperately, the couple uses the influence of obstetrician Mark (Richard Kind) to get into an exclusive organic fertility enhancement program. Mark's ex-wife, Fran (Leila Kenzle), further advises Paul and Jamie to take a romantic weekend at a ritzy hotel. Will any of this help? (Hint: There are still nine episodes left in season four). ~ All Movie Guide
- 1995
After enjoying a year's worth of high ratings by virtue of its "Must See TV" Thursday night time slot, Mad About You entered its fourth season in a new prime-time berth on Sunday evening, opposite CBS's Cybil and ABC's Lois and Clark. The move neither helped nor hurt the series, which resurfaced on Tuesdays when season five rolled around. Beyond the addition of a few new recurring characters -- among Gates McFadden as Paul Buchman's new boss, Allison Rourke; Alan Ruck as Jamie's new employer, Lance Brockwell; and Hank Azaria (the then boyfriend of series star Helen Hunt) as Nat the dogwalker, Mad About You embarked on some fresh story tangents as well. Paul Buchman (Paul Reiser) was hired as a documentary filmmaker for the Explorer Channel cable service, Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt) and her friend Fran Devanow (Leila Kenzle) opened their own PR firm, and so forth. The biggest new development was the pregnancy of Jamie Buchman -- or rather, the non-pregnancy, since actual conception was held off as long as the scriptwriters (and the audience) were able to endure the weight. Having scored excellent ratings in past seasons by offering such pop-icon guest stars as Carl Reiner and John Astin, the series continued in this vein throughout season four, most memorably in the episodes featuring Yoko Ono and several former regulars of the 1960s variety show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. In addition to maintaining its loyal viewership during its fourth year on the air, Mad About You also garnered another Emmy award, this one for series regular Helen Hunt as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt, (more)
- 1996
Mad About You launched its fifth season with yet another time slot change, moving to Tuesday evenings opposite ABC's top-rated Roseanne, CBS's new The Promised Land, FOX's package of first-run films, and Moesha from the upstart UPN. Picking up where season four left off, the fifth season began with the temporarily separated Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) enjoying a tender reconciliation with Jamie's announcement of her long-awaited (and much-delayed) pregnancy. It was therefore inevitable that this season would end with the birth of the Buchman baby, an adventure that all but required a one-hour finale episode. In between, the stories involved Jamie's search for a decent obstetrician, a choice which was narrowed down to the colorfully yclept Dr. Von Derphal (John O'Hurley) and Joan Golfinos (Suzie Plakson), the girlfriend of Paul's out-of-the-closet sister, Debbie (Robin Bartlett, still one season away from her matriculation from recurring to regular character). Meanwhile, Jamie's filmmaker husband, Paul, busied himself with a documentary about his own family, bringing a whole new array of colorful characters into the Mad About You fold, chief among them the great Mel Brooks as philosophical Uncle Phil. Other new fifth season characters included Marvin (Jeff Garvin), handyman to Paul's cousin Ira (John Pankow) and tough-talking therapist Sheila Kleinman (Mo Gaffney). Elsewhere, Harry Groener replaced Alan Ruck as Jamie's politician boss, Lance Brockwell, while the revolving-door casting of Jamie's parents, Theresa and Gus Stemple, briefly settled upon TV icons Carol Burnett and Carroll O'Connor. Finally, Anne Ramsay, previously a series regular in the role of Jamie's sister, Lisa Stemple, was now seen merely on a recurring basis. This year, Emmy awards went (again) to Helen Hunt as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and to Mel Brooks and Carol Burnett for their sporadic guest appearances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt, (more)
- 1996
No sooner has Paul lost his job with those "weasels" at the Explorer Channel than he is nominated (once again) for the prestigious Silver Sprocket Award. Reluctantly, Paul attends the awards ceremony, certain that he is in for yet another disappointment. Can Jamie (Helen Hunt) and Ira (John Pankow) make the best of a bad situation -- assuming that this is indeed a bad situation? ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
After innumerable false alarms, it looks as though Jamie (Helen Hunt) is going to have her baby. This expected blessed event coincides with the unexpected film-festival triumph of Jamie's husband, Paul (Paul Reiser) -- who'da thunk that "Buchman" would win an award over a Michael Moore project? Originally telecast as the hour-long finale of Mad About You's fifth season, this episode has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
