Bill Dial Movies
- 1999
Though their latest slide has thrust Quinn (Jerry O'Connell) and Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) headlong into a raging battle, Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) and Colin (Charlie O'Connell) apparently emerge from the experience with no difficulty whatsoever. Once the four travelers are reunited, Quinn and Maggie suddenly begin to grow older and sicker, ending up on the verge of death. While the two afflicted Sliders are quarantined in the Chandler Hotel, Remmy and Colin are confronted on the street by a spectral figure (David Dukes) who claims to be Thomas Mallory, Quinn and Maggie's son from a parallel universe. These curious events lead to an extremely grim prognosis for all four of the principal characters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
On an otherwise unremarkable Alternate World, Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) comes across a fascinating comic book that turns out to be the story of the Sliders' lives and adventures, albeit with the names changed. The four travelers locate the book's author, Isaac Clark (Ken Jenkins), who claims to have based his story on his own exploits as a slider. After offering to help reunite Quinn and Colin Mallory with their birth parents on Kromagg Prime, Isaac turns out to have an entirely different plan in mind--a plan linked with a terrible secret stemming back to an incident which occurred during the series' Fox Network years. Jerry O'Connell (Quinn) and Charlie McConnell (Colin) make their final Sliders appearances in this last episode of the series' tumultuous fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Armed with the knowledge that he was actually born on Kromagg Prime, Quinn (Jerry O'Connell) embarks upon an arduous journey through the wormholes of the universe to be reuinited with his birth parents and his brother Colin--and also to recover the technology that will liberate Earth Prime from the Kromagg's iron rule. Naturally, fellow "sliders" Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) and Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) have come along for the ride, making their first stop on an alternate Earth where the populace apparently lives in peace and harmony. In truth, however, this world is ruled by despotic religious fundamenalists, whose "Enforcers" tell the people what to think and believe. Aligning themselves with a rebel group called the Radical Rationalists, the Sliders conduct a frantic search for the missing timer that will enable them to escape this repressive world--only to end up captured and sentenced to a horrific "reprogramming" session. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
With this episode, Charlie O'Connell) becomes a regular in the role of Colin Mallory, long-lost brother of seasoned "slider" Quinn Mallory (Jerry O'Connell). Having arrived on an agrarian alternate Earth which is bereft of modern technology, Quinn is finally reunited with Colin--who, as the only scientist on the planet, is regarded as a pariah. Joining Quinn, Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) and Remmy (Cleavant Derricks) in their search for the Mallorys' home planet Kromagg Prime and the brothers' birth parents, wide-eyed Colin is ill prepared for the "outside universe". Indeed, his naivete proves to be his undoing when he ends up in the clutches of a predatory female and a gang of renegade body-snatchers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Bailing out of a crippled aircraft, Quinn (Jerry O'Connell) and Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) sustain serious injuries when they land on a world that has been environmentally devastated by the Kromagg. One of the few doctors remaining on this planet is Dr. Grace Venable (Valarie Pettiford), who despite her back-breaking workload agrees to provide much-needed medical treatment for the comatose Quinn. Meanwhile, Maggie (Kari Wuhrer) discovers that Dr. Venable is anything but the selfless humanitarian that she appears to be--a particularly painful discovery in light of the fact that Remmy has fallen in love with Grace. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Odo's discoverer and mentor, Bajoran scientist Dr. Mora Pol, arrives on DS9. After an uncomfortable reunion with Odo (who does not relish the notion of being a "living experiment"), the good doctor announces his intention to resume his search for Odo's true origins. The solution may lie within the ruins of an ancient planet on the other side of the wormhole. Written by Bill Dial and Jim Trombetta, "The Alternate" was originally broadcast on January 8, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
The focus of this episode is O'Brien, who is arrested by the Cardassians on charges of smuggling and conspiracy. Though he is unaware of the charges levelled against him, O'Brien protests his innocence, to no avail, since the Cardassians have already found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Making matters worse is the overwhelmed body of evidence pointing to O'Brien's guilt, evidence that even the crew of DS9 is unable to refute. Written by Bill Dial and directed by Avery Brooks, "Tribunal" first aired June 4, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
A group of religious leaders is up in arms over a WKRP program starring self-styled preacher Little Ed Pembrook (Michael Keenan). In additon to making a farce of all things spiritual, Little Ed insists upon promoting such questionable religious icons as "Baptist shower curtains." But inasmuch as the 300-pound preacher used to be a professional wrestler, no one at the station has the guts to question his ethics--dumping the problem into the trembling hands of Andy (Gary Sandy) and Carlson (Gordon Jump). This is the final episode of WKRP in Cincinnati's first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
In this unforgettable episode, WKRP station manager Carlson (Gordon Jump) endeavors to prove once and for all that he's truly in charge of things by secretly planning a "brilliant" Thanksgiving promotion for his station. The plan involves flying a helicopter over the Pinedale Shopping Mall--and then releasing twenty live turkeys into the air. Oh, the humanity! Acknowledged by innumerable fans and pundits as one of the greatest TV sitcom episodes of all time, "Turkeys Away" is, incredibly enough, based on a true story. And at the risk of tipping off the ending, we herein quote Mr. Carlson's classic closing line: "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
WKRP holds a contest in which deejays Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) and Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid) are offered as "prizes." Meanwhile, Andy is reunited with his former girlfriend Linda Taylor (Barrie Youngfellow), a touring rock star who entreats him into leaving radio and joining her on the road. This was originally telecast as the last of WKRP in Cincinnati's eight "test" episodes, whereupon the fledgling series went on hiatus for three months. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
