Philip Mishkin Movies

While moonlighting as a cabbie, Archie witnesses a mugging. For a variety of reasons, Archie is reluctant to come forth with his testimony -- but has no qualms about fabricating a story that the mugging was Mafia-related. This bit of prevarication places the Bunker family under the scrutiny of a suspicious-looking anti-defamation organization, headed by the sharkishly charming Mr. Ralph Sylvestri (Val Bisoglio). First telecast on January 29, 1972, "Archie Sees a Mugging" was scripted by Philip Mishkin and Don Nicholl, from a story by Henry Garson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

As indicated by the title of this episode (which is "bookended" by the celebration of Mike and Gloria's first anniversary), the viewer is taken back in time to the momentous first meeting between Archie Bunker and Mike Stivic. The fun is generated not only by Archie's outraged reaction at Gloria's hirsute hippie boyfriend (never before or since did Rob Reiner have so much hair), but also by the depiction of the pre-marriage Gloria as a curly headed, squeaky-voiced Junior Dingbat. The script was co-written by series star Rob Reiner and Philip Mishkin. "Flashback: Mike Meets Archie" first aired on October 16, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Mike's nervousness over his upcoming final exams have rendered him temporarily impotent. Not only does this put the damper on his sex life with Gloria, but it adversely -- and hilariously -- affects the rest of the Bunker family as well. The script for this taboo-shattering All in the Family installment (which, according to the producers, generated more network resistance than any other episode during the 1972-1973 season) was written by Alan J. Levitt and Philip Mishkin, from a story by Levitt. "Mike's Problem" first aired on November 20, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rob Reiner coproduced, cowrote and costarred in this TV-movie about suburban "angst" in the 1980s. Reiner is one of four wealthy Long Islanders who play for an amateur softball team. All four men (Reiner, Bruno Kirby, Robert Costanzo and Christopher Guest) suffer from profound personal and professional problems, thus the weekly ball game becomes a method of working out their frustrations. So adept do they become at this cathartic activity that their team makes it to the state-wide championship--which leads to yet another crisis. Million Dollar Infield was the first of several "behind the scenes" projects for onetime TV sitcom star Rob Reiner; more recently, Reiner has been responsible for such moneymaking theatrical films as This is Spinal Tap, Misery and A Few Good Men. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Jerry Van Dyke, whose older brother co-starred with Mary Tyler Moore in The Dick Van Dyke Show, appears as Wes Callison, a gag writer for WJM-TV's resident kiddie host, Chuckles the Clown. Wes dreams of becoming a standup comedian, and his new girlfriend Mary wants to give him that chance. The whole newsroom staff shows up for Wes' first gig -- in the all-but-deserted lounge of a tacky bowling alley. "But Seriously, Folks" was first broadcast on November 4, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi