John Riggi Movies

Along with Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, 30 Rock was one of two NBC series of the 2006-2007 TV season to take place backstage at a Saturday Night Live-style comedy show. In the case of 30 Rock, "SNL" veteran Tina Fey served as series creator and executive producer, and also assumed the leading role of Liz Lemon, head writer of the ficitional comedy-ensemble series "The Girlie Show." Liz was placed in the none-too-skilled hands of novice network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), whose previous experience had been confined to the offices of the network's corporate owners (clearly General Electric). At Jack's behest, the long-suffering Liz was compelled to hire irresponsible and highly temperamental movie comedian Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan). Jordan's intrusion upon the "Girlie Show" set did not rest well with lead comedian Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), and thus Liz ended up being less a writer and more a referee. A 30 Rock debuted October 11, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In his second bid for sitcom stardom (the first was the late, unlamented Encore! Encore!), Broadway favorite Nathan Lane starred as Charlie Lawrence, a gay TV actor who forsook his popular weekly series "Guppy Sherman" to enter politics. Appointed to fill out the term of a recently deceased New Mexico congressman, Charlie did his best to use his showbiz savvy to cut through the deeply ingrained B.S. of Washington, D.C., and sometimes actually succeeded. The cookie-cutter supporting characters included Sarah (Laurie Metcalf), Charlie's uptight, no-nonsense chief of staff; Charlie's neighbor and friend Graydon Cord (Ted McGinley), a politician who happened to be a member of the loyal opposition; ditzy office manager Suzette Michaels (Stephanie Faracy), who couldn't see past Charlie's carefully cultivated TV image; and klutzy office intern Ryan Lemming (T.R. Knight), the son of a millionaire campaign contributor. Charlie Lawrence made its CBS bow on June 15, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Larry (Garry Shandling) relents to his new girlfriend Alex's (Melinda McGraw) requests to appear on the show, he offers to cast her as a mermaid in an upcoming skit. All seems well until Alex spots sleazy network VP Roger Bingham (Bruce Greenwood) and attempts to turn a one-time appearance into an extravagant career starter. This was the final episode of The Larry Sanders Show's fifth season. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Attempting to cheer up his friend Brian (Scott Thompson) following a painful breakup, Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) treats him to a night on the town after the show. When Hank and Brian are seen together at various gay bars, gossip writer Army Archerd makes mention of their night out in his column. Meanwhile, things aren't looking too good for Pauline's (Janeane Garofalo) new assistant, Mary Lou (Mary Lynn Rajskub), who even manages to rub easygoing Tim Conway the wrong way after making a series of mistakes. Desperate to prove he's not gay following Archerd's "revealing" gossip blurb, Hank arranges to be seen in public with a beautiful woman. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

In the infamous seventh-season finale of Seinfeld, George's fiancée, Susan (Heidi Swedberg), makes the fatal error of licking all the cheap envelopes George (Jason Alexander) has purchased for their wedding invitations. As if that's all that happens! Elsewhere, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) thinks he's in love with his female counterpart, Jeannie Steinman (Janeane Garofalo); Kramer (Michael Richards) hopes to earn a quick hundred bucks by getting a bank clerk not to say hello; and look, it's an unbilled Carol Leifer (but not the real George Steinbrenner). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the midst of contract negotiations, Larry's (Garry Shandling) agent, Stevie (Bob Odenkirk), is able to work a sitcom deal into the mix. In search of a good comic writer to ensure success, Larry is elated when he discovers that Chris Elliott is more than willing to pen a script. Despite his initial enthusiasm, however, Larry finds himself at odds with the network brass in terms of what is expected from the show. Hiring Phil (Wallace Langham) for a quick rewrite, Larry manages to impress the network while simultaneously incurring the wrath of a vengeful Elliott. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Troubled over the fact that Artie (Rip Torn) goes out for lunch and leaves him to make the difficult decisions concerning the show, Larry (Garry Shandling) becomes even more distraught when he finds out that Artie's lunch companion is none other than Donna Lasner (Linda Gehringer), the VP of late-night programming for CBS. Hastily retaliating by making purposefully bad decisions concerning the show, Larry is later comforted when Artie tells him that the two are simply having a private tryst. Though momentarily placated, Larry loses it after Donna offers Artie a position at CBS. Following an argument that becomes particularly heated and personal confrontation between host and producer, Artie decides to stick with Larry and the old friends make up over drinks. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

While discussing the hiring of a new head writer with Artie (Rip Torn), Phil Wallace Langham) unexpectedly jockeys for the position himself. Despite the fact that Artie thinks Phil lacks the "people skills" that the job of head writer demands, he gives a determined Phil a shot at the job. Quickly disillusioned due to the substantial amount that office politics play into the job, Phil runs into grief with both Paula (Janeane Garofalo) as well as a headstrong executive. Soon on the outs with the rest of the writers, Phil makes outrageous demands in hopes that Artie will fire him. The plan backfires, and Artie is convinced that Phil will go a long way as head writer. Special guests include Doug Ballard, John Riggi, Jim Turner, Richard Narita, and SCTV alum Dave Thomas. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Eager to whip herself into shape, Francine (Kathryn Harrold) purchases an exercise device endorsed by none other than Larry's (Garry Shandling) sidekick, Hank (Jeffrey Tambor). An injury suffered while using the devise however, leaves Hank afraid that Francine will go public with her injury. Guest stars include Charlotte Booker and Richard Israel. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Performance art certainly isn't for everyone, as Larry (Garry Shandling) quickly finds out in this installment of The Larry Sanders Show. Worried that the show has become too routine, Larry books a controversial performance artist on the show. Despite his initial enthusiasm, however, our gracious host gets cold feet and cancels the appearance after getting a taste of the act. Guest stars include Maureen Mueller, John Riggi, Roseanne, Tom Arnold, Jay Leno, Tim Miller, and George Segal. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Life in the spotlight can have its benefits and substantial drawbacks as Larry (Garry Shandling) discovers in this episode of HBO's The Larry Sanders Show. Following a woman's claim that Larry shoved her into a magazine rack and neglected to apologize, the tabloids hang the popular late-night talk show host out to dry. His nerves frazzled, Larry attempts a last-ditch effort at damage control in order to save face. Guest stars include Suanne Spoke, Tom Dahlgren, John Riggi, Paula McClure, Benjamin Lum, Suzanne Vafiadis, Jeanne Basone, Eduardo Quezada, David Paymer, and Bella Shaw. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide