Maurice C. Lauchner Movies
- 2001
It is extremely likely that this episode was inspired by the real-life romance between a prominent rap singer and a famous Hollywood film star. A fatal shooting at an exclusive Manhattan nightclub involves a number of celebrities, including popular hip-hop artist G-Train (Cyrus Farmer). The subsequent investigation is complicated by a distinct lack of cooperation amongst the parties involved. Once the case gets to court, it is clear that G-Train is more concerned with shielding a very special person in his life -- and his carefully cultivated "gangsta" public image -- than in preserving his own freedom. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Pam (Erika Alexander) is working extremely hard in school, in hopes of attending college. Alas, her cynical boyfriend Slide (Mushond Lee) puts a damper on her plans by reminding her that she'll never be able to afford higher education. Upon hearing this, Pam's teacher Miss Hobbs (Shellye Broughton) surprisingly sides with Slide, agreeing that Pam really doesn't need college--and then itemizes the difficulties the girl will face if she tries entering the "real world" without a degree. Meanwhile, Cliff (Bill Cosby) braces himself for the inevitable moment that Pam will hit him up for a loan! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Asked to teach a "For Men Only" course at Theo's community center, Cliff (Bill Cosby) precipitates a heated discourse, as the inner-city teens complain about being blamed for all the trouble in the community. Among the biggest complainers is a fellow named Cal (Akili Prince), who seems to be a textbook example of the phrase "absentee father." In his efforts to straighten out Cal and the rest of the teens, Cliff delivers a stirring (and surprisingly joke-free) monologue on the subject of personal responsibility. And back at home, Cliff's dad Russell (Earle Hyman) succumbs to the lure of his granddaughter's new video game! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In the first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single one-hour special), Slide (Mushond Lee) is pressuring Pam (Erika Alexander) to prove her love by having sex with him: "We both know how we feel about each other, now's the time we did something about it." In his efforts to prove that "everybody's doing it," Slide gets his friend Lance (Allen Payne) in hot water; it seems that Lance has been bragging about sleeping with his own girlfriend Charmaine (Karen Malina White)--which is news to her! Back at the Huxtable household, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) try to keep their cool while counseling Pam, but are unable to hide their shock and dismay when she asks permission to take birth-control pills. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
