Michael Saltzman Movies

The world's most inept detective returns to the screen in this modern slapstick comedy. France's come-from-behind victory in the World Cup soccer championships turns tragic when the team's coach, Yves Gulant (Jason Statham), is murdered during a post-game celebration. Gulant's girlfriend, pop star Xania (Beyoncé Knowles), was standing by his side as he was felled by a poisoned dart, and in the chaos that followed a diamond ring he gave her was stolen, which held one of the world's largest and most valuable jewels, known as "the Pink Panther." The media and the public demand that the killer be found out and brought to justice, and Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) of the Paris Police pledges to put his best man on the case. However, somehow the astoundingly clumsy but consistently lucky Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) gets the assignment instead, and with his assistant, Gendarme Gilbert Ponton (Jean Reno), in tow, Clouseau follows a dizzying trail of clues from Paris to New York City as he attempts to recover the rare diamond and find the villains who killed Gulant. An updated variant on the Inspector Clouseau comedies that helped make Peter Sellers a major star in the United States, The Pink Panther also stars Emily Mortimer, Kristin Chenoweth, Roger Rees, and William Abadie; leading man Steve Martin also wrote the film's screenplay. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Never mind that every other TV sitcom about a talking baby had been virtually strangled in its crib: CBS boldly went forward with yet another variation on the theme, Baby Bob. The title character was a six-month-old infant, who, with the aid of voice-over artist Ken Hudson Campbell and Clutch Cargo-like special effects, was gifted not only with the power of speech, but also with the ability to crack wise and insult his elders. Baby Bob's mom Lizzy (Joely Fisher) would have loved to tell the world about her miracle infant, but dad Walter, a neurotic PR executive, was determined to keep Bob's loquaciousness a secret -- especially from his dour father Sam (Elliott Gould) and his flighty mother-in-law Madeline (Holland Taylor). Even so, Baby Bob regularly carried on spirited conversations with his babysitter Teala (Marissa Tait), who figured it was best not to tell anyone about her new "pal." Baby Bob first gurgled onto the airwaves on March 18, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Murphy (Candice Bergen) protests the severe cut-backs at "FYI" by quitting the network, with Frank (Joe Regalbuto) and Corky (Faith Ford) following suit. Forced by Miles (Grant Shaud) to admit he has made a mistake, network president Lansing (Garry Marshall) tries to woo back the "FYI" staff--and even attempts to bring Jim (Charles Kimbrough), now head of the ICN network news division, back into the fold with an offer he can't refuse (well, maybe he can't). This final episode of Murphy Brown's eighth season also marks the last regular appearance of costar Grant Shaud. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Swedish supermodel Vendela guest stars in this episode, in which Miles (Grant Shaud) goes to extraordinary lengths to make Corky (Faith Ford) jealous, while Miller Redfield (Christopher Rich) anxiously awaits on the sidelines. Elsewhere, Murphy (Candice Bergen) begins drawing up plans for her marriage to Peter. Corky manages to be a part of this story as well, but not in the manner that Murphy would have preferred. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When the "FYI" studio is decimated by a truck (you had to be there!), the news team heads en masse to Murphy's alma mater, where our heroine is to receive a doctorate for helping to create the school's Women's Studies Program. Murphy (Candice Bergen) of course anticipates being received like a conquering warrior by the female students. Unfortunately, times have changed, and now Murphy's "protégées" regard her particular brand of feminism as being hopelessly out of date! Featured among the students is future That 70s Show regular Lisa Robin Kelly. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Murphy (Candice Bergen) defies network policy to accept a role in a film directed by Louis Malle (then the real-life husband of star Bergen, playing "himself") No sooner has she stepped on the set, however, than Murphy goes into full "diva" mode, insisting upon script changes so that she will be able to maintain her image as a serious journalist. Garry Marshall makes his first appearance as new network president Stan Lansing. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The O.J. Simpson case is the clear inspiration for this episode,which was evidently filmed so quickly that the producers didn't barely had time to write a "TV Guide" synopsis. The focus is on beloved ex-astronaut Danger Duke Robinson, who is implicated in the murder of his brother. When Danger Duke goes on the lam, Murphy (Candice Bergen) is assigned to cover the story--much to her dismay, in that Robinson was one of her personal heroes. (Note: though Danger Duke does not appear on-screen, viewers will instantly recognize his voice). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

William Hickey returns in the role of crabby oldster Carlton Blanchard, a character he introduced in the previous season's episode "Das Plane." In a variation on The Man Who Came to Dinner, Carlton tumbles down the stairs while visiting Fay (Rebecca Schull) -- and, to quote the classic commercial, he's fallen and can't get up. Threatening to call his lawyer son and file a huge lawsuit, Carlton installs himself in Fay's living room and demands to be waited upon hand and foot. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Former Alf regular Max Wright appears as an author to whom Murphy (Candice Bergen) has granted authorization to write her biography. Once the deal is signed, Murphy begins to fret over what her friends and colleagues will say about her when interviewed for the upcoming book. This results in an "all-star nightmare" for our heroine, featuring a number of real-life politicians and journalists--including virtually the entire cast of 60 Minutes! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

With the activities at the terminal temporarily curtailed by a heavy fog, the gang agrees to participate in a full slate of fun-and-games devised by Fay (Rebecca Schull). At one point, Brian (Steven Weber) performs his celebrated hypnosis act, unexpectedly extracting the "deepest, darkest secret" from the subconscious of rival airline owner Roy (David Schramm). Before long, everyone is scrambling to recover a buried cache of 250,000 dollars in stolen money. The title of this episode derives from its original premise, in which one of the characters was to have confessed to a murder! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

As their romance escalates, Joe (Tim Daly) and Helen (Crystal Bernard) intend to celebrate Valentine's Day by revisiting "that special place." Trouble is, they can't agree on where exactly that "special place" is. In other affairs of the heart, Roy (David Schramm) prepares to pay a terrible price for lying in a classified ad while seeking out a date. Tony Shalhoub makes his first series appearance in the role of moonstruck Italian cab driver Antonio Scarpacci. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Persistent policewoman Colleen Thomas (Sharon Barr) has set her sights on swinging bachelor Brian (Steven Weber), who had only come onto her to prevent his brother Joe (Tim Daly) from being arrested for Brian's unpaid parking tickets. Sensing that Brian doesn't want the relationship with Colleen to blossom, Helen (Crystal Bernard) suggests that he discourage the policewoman with a "little white lie." Brian takes the advice -- only to get into deep trouble by weaving a fabrication of his own invention, rather than the harmless falsehood concocted by Helen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi