Steve Levitan Movies

This mockumentary-style sitcom chronicles the unusual kinship of the extended Pritchett clan, a brood that includes patriarch Jay (Ed O'Neill), his younger Latina wife, Gloria, and her preteen son, Jay's daughter, Claire, and her family, and Jay's son, Mitchell, who lives with his partner, Cameron. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide

Fox's Back to You was a tailor-made vehicle for two sitcom favorites, Frasier's Kelly Grammer and Everybody Loves Raymond's Patricia Heaton. Grammer was cast as vainglorious TV news anchor Chuck Darling, who after publicly humiliating himself with an internet tirade lost his job with a prestigious big-market station, and found himself right back where he started at Pittsburgh's WURG-TV. While Chuck had been away from Pittsburgh, his former co-anchor Kelly Carr (Heaton) had become a star and "news diva" in her own right. Now Chuck and Kelly were forcibly teamed again by the WURG management, and neither was happy over the arrangement. Much of the series' humor arose from the backstage squabbling between these two giant egos, which often focused on Chuck's reputation as a womanizer and Kelly's habit of playing "Ms. Know-It-All". Like most sitcoms of this nature, Back to You boasted a large supporting ensemble: Josh Gad as neurotic news director Ryan Church, Fred Willard as dunderhead sports anchor Marsh McGinley, Ayda Field as well-endowed weatherperson Montana Stevens, Ty Burrell as accident-prone field reporter Gary Crezyewski (pronounced Kre-Shoov-Ski), and Laura Marano as Kelly's 10-year-old daughter Gracie. Originally titled Action News, Back to You made its network bow on September 19, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Wonder Years met Malcolm in the Middle in this Fox network sitcom set in the early '60s. Grant Rosenmeyer starred as 11-year-old Oliver Beene, a budding intellectual and inveterate cut-up mired in a world of eccentric relatives, spiteful teachers, and mercurial females. Oliver's dad, Jerry (Grant Shaud), was a dentist who liked to spend his off-hours either drilling teeth for fun or talking about it; his mom, Charlotte (Wendy Makkena), was a neat-freak who wished she was Jackie Kennedy; and his brother, Ted (Andrew Lawrence), was a self-involved sports nut, his ear perennially glued to his transistor radio. Things weren't much better at school, where Oliver was bedeviled by venom-spouting teacher Mrs. Heller (Annie Korzen), ardently pursued by moonstruck classmate Joyce (Daveigh Chase), and studiously ignored by red-haired beauty Bonnie (Amy Castle). On the other hand, Oliver enjoyed the company of his best friends, chubby Neal (Ben Bookbinder) and closeted-homosexual Michael (Taylor Emerson). Like The Wonder Years, this series was narrated from the vantage point of the future by the leading character. Oliver Beene debuted March 9, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Kate Costas (Mercedes Ruehl), headstrong manager of radio station KACL and erstwhile lover of Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), announces that she is leaving Seattle and moving to Chicago. It is at this point that Frasier realizes just how much he loves her. While waiting for her plane at the airport lounge, Kate and Frasier have a long, long talk -- with many, many surprises. This episode marked the final Frasier appearance of Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After being saved from execution at the hands of a vengeful Native American tribe by Powhatan princess Pocahontas, an explorer in the New World finds his relationship with the beautiful Pocahontas fueling the rage from both sides in this take on the classic tale starring Tony Goldwyn, Miles O'Keeffe, and Sandrine Holt. John Smith (O'Keeffe) was an explorer seeking adventure in a new land, but soon after being captured by the Powhatan Confederacy, the brave adventurer is sentenced to death by his captors. As the moment of Smith's execution draws near, a young Powhatan princess named Pocahontas (Holt) saves his life by adopting him under tribal tradition. Though the act of compassion saves Smith's life, it also draws the wrath of both Pocahontas' tribe and Smith's mortal enemy Sir Edwin Wingfield (Goldwyn) -- who views his old nemesis' alignment with the tribe as an act of treason. As the simmering tension between the settlers and the Native Americans breaks into a boil, blood will be spilled and history will be made. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Firmly and comfortably ensconced in its Tuesday-night timeslot, Frasier launched its third season on NBC. The basic character lineup was carried over from the first two seasons: Seattle radio psychologist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), his brother and fellow "shrink" Niles (David Hyde Pierce), their retired policeman father Martin (John Mahoney), Martin's down-to-earth cockney caregiver Daphne Moon (Jane Reeves) -- for whom the very married Niles silently carried a torch -- and Frasier's sharp-tongued radio producer and call-screener Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin). Though Dan Butler was still receiving "special guest appearance" billing for the role of gonzo sports-show emcee Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe, the actor was methodically moving out of the recurring-character class and ever closer to "regular" status. Then, of course, there was Niles' imperious, fabulously wealthy wife Maris -- still much talked about but still never seen. Additions to the recurring cast during season three included Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl, who made a cluster of unforgettable appearances as Kate Costas, the headstrong, ratings-obsessed new manager of Frasier's home radio station KACL. The combative relationship between Frasier and Kate rather unexpectedly morphed into a torrid romance, culminating with a poignant airport farewell. Also making her earliest series appearances was Irene Olga Lopez as Marta, Maris' maid and go-between. Finally, Luke Tarsitano became the first of several young actors to essay the role of Frasier's son, Frederick. In the tradition of Kelsey Grammer's former Cheers co-stars Bebe Neuwirth and Ted Danson, Shelley Long made a return appearance as Frasier's former fiancée Diane Chambers in the episode titled "The Show Where Diane Comes Back." The hints dropped in this episode that Frasier and Diane might rekindle their romance were eclipsed by the turbulent events in the life of Frasier's brother Niles. It was during season three that Niles' marriage to Maris began to disintegrate, and also during this season Niles finally "declared" himself to Daphne in the form of a kiss (though they would not be genuine lovers for several seasons to come; Daphne was not yet about to be tied down to anyone, and Niles was still skittish about jumping into another relationship).

In what was now becoming an annual ritual, Frasier garnered several Emmy Awards during its third season. This time, the statuettes were doled out for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing (multi-camera production). The final Frasier episode of the season, "You Can't Go Home Again," offered a "prequel" to the events leading up to the first episode of season one. As a bonus, the episode ended with a roll call of all the A-list celebrities who had been heard as "guest voices" during the past three seasons, playing the various neurotics who placed calls to Frasier's radio show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Goaded by Artie (Rip Torn) and Paula (Janeane Garofalo) into finding a high-profile guest for the show, Larry (Garry Shandling) reluctantly asks his friend Jeff Goldblum if he would be willing to make an appearance. When Goldblum happily offers to oblige, Larry's confidence is boosted and the insecure host musters the courage to ask out Susan (Marg Helgenberger), the network executive whom he's been fawning over. When Susan seems less receptive to Larry's advances than Goldblum was, Larry's insecurities take hold once again. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) agrees to go ice fishing with his father, Martin (John Mahoney), and brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce). No, Frasier has not suddenly developed an insatiable yearning for Seattle's winter weather; he simply hopes that in the course of the trip, his father will finally tell Frasier that he loves him. The outcome of the episode hinges upon a lengthy, lachrymose session with a certain "Mr. James Beam." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Brian (Steven Weber) begins neglecting Alex (Farrah Forke) in order to pal around with his old "wild man" buddy Danny (Charles Rocket). When the situation goes from bad to really bad, Alex makes a crucial -- and devastating -- decision. Meanwhile, Lowell (Thomas Haden Church) is set up for a big-time disillusionment at the hands of his boyhood idol, a former TV superhero (played by Robert Ridgely, who once supplied voices for the animated versions of Superman and Flash Gordon). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Amy Yasbeck joins the Wings cast in the role of Casey, the snobbish, annoying "perfect" older sister of Helen Chappel (Crystal Bernard). Casey's sudden arrival on Nantucket effectively scuttles the plans conceived by Joe (Tim Daly) to spend a romantic evening with Helen. Irritated beyond measure, Helen squares off against Casey for the first time in her life -- and receives the surprise of her life when Casey reveals why she's on the island. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After witnessing a robbery, Antonio (Tony Shalhoub) goes to the police with a full description of the robber. Swelling with civic pride, he further agrees to testify against the suspect in court. Unfortunately, the man gets off on a legal technicality, and now Antonio is one extremely paranoid cabbie. Gabriel Dell Jr., son of former "Bowery Boy" Gabriel Dell, shows up in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Joe (Tim Daly) finds himself in the unenviable position of being the all-purpose problem-solver for everyone else. Unfortunately, no one seems available or even willing to help Joe solve his own problems, which range from an angry and abusive passenger to a crisis involving the grave of one of Fay's many late husbands. Finally, Joe reaches the bursting point -- and bursts!!! Clearly, there is nothing left for him but to escape Nantucket for parts unknown -- leaving Sandpiper Air in the trembling hands of his brother Brian (Steven Weber). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide