Molly Newman Movies
- 2003
Lucky was the weekly comedy drama series for which star John Corbett turned down the opportunity to recreate his role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding for the CBS spin-off sitcom My Big Fat Greek Life. The title was a bit ironic; to be sure, high-stakes gambler Michael Linkletter fully deserved his nickname "Lucky," but he nearly always ran out of luck by the end of each episode. Determined to give up his compulsive gambling, "Lucky" did not do himself a favor by continuing to reside in the heart of Las Vegas. A typical episode was the series premiere, in which Linkletter garnered one million dollars at during a championship poker tournament, only to lose it all within a matter of hours. Even when he managed to build up a bankroll, Lucky was beholden to number of creditors: his so-called pals, a few assorted shady types with broken noses and cities for nicknames, and the parents of his deceased wife, from whom he borrowed 8,000 dollars to pay for her funeral. As reckless as Lucky was with his cash, he was even more so with his emotions, falling hard for another recovering gambler named Theresa McWatt (Ever Carradine) -- who happened to already have a husband. Adroitly wringing laughs from otherwise pathetic people and situations, Lucky first aired April 8, 2003, on the FX cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Corbett
- 2003
The third live-action TV series based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' immortal "King of the Jungle" (there had also been a few cartoon series and innumerable theatrical features), the WB network's Tarzan offered a few new up-to-date spins on the classic canon. Orphaned in the jungle as an infant, John Clayton (played by male model Travis Fimmel) was raised by apes and came to maturity as the resourceful Tarzan. All this changed when John/Tarzan was captured by his uncle, billionaire industrialist Richard Clayton (Mitch Pileggi), and flown to New York City, there to take his rightful place as the heir apparent of the vast Greystoke business enterprises. As uncomfortable as Tarzan felt in his new civilized surroundings, it was nothing compared to the discomfiture expressed by Richard Clayton's sister, acid-tongued publisher Katherine Clayton (Lucy Lawless), who wished that Tarzan would return whence he came so that she could take over Greystoke. At last fed up by all the inter-family squabbling and backstabbing, Tarzan escaped to the concrete jungle known as Manhattan, where he befriended feisty female NYPD detective Jane Porter (Sarah Wayne Callies). Ultimately, Me-Tarzan teamed with You-Jane to track down elusive criminals, while Jane's detective boyfriend, Michael Foster (Johnny Messner), and her official partner, Sam Sullivan (Miguel Nunez Jr.), expressed dismay at the girl's newfound bravado -- and while Jane's younger sister, aspiring actress Nicki Porter (Leighton Meester), lolled around awaiting her next "damsel in distress" assignment. The new Tarzan swung into view on October 5, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Travis Fimmel, Sarah Wayne Callies, (more)
- 1999
Originally telecast by HBO from January 13 to March 17, 1999, season four of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at 12 different topics. This year's crop of single-issue episodes include "Dating," "Drugs," "Scandal," "Hair," "Lies," "Erotica," "Books," "Road Rage," "America," "Hype," "Obsession," and the appropriately yclept series finale, "End of the World." Many of Ullman's familiar "alter egos" are still in attendance, including elderly Hollywood makeup artist Ruby, ageing male homosexual Trevor, suburban Jewish widow Fern, posturing magazine editor Janie, ruthlessly ambitious lawyer Sydney, burned-out rock musician Erin, and washed-up nightclub singer Linda. Breaking a tradition from previous years, this final season of Tracey Takes On... does not conclude with a special hour-long best-of highlights episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
- 1998
Originally telecast by HBO from January 4 to June 4, 1998, season three of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at ten different topics. Among the sacred institutions skewered this season are "Marriage," "Hollywood," "Smoking," "Loss," "Agents," "Age," "Religion," "Man's Best Friend," "Culture," and "Sports." Among the characters in Ullman's one-woman "repertory company" are airport security guard-cum-author Sheneesha, earthy Hollywood makeup artist Ruby, ebullient born-again Christian Birdie, 19-year-old virgin Hope, and sharkish lawyer Sydney. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
Originally telecast by HBO from January 18 to May 28, 1997, season two of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at 15 different topics. Episode titles this season include "Sex," "Fantasy," "Mothers," "Las Vegas," "Secrets," "Childhood," "1976," "Food," "Crime," "Movies," "Money," "Race Relations," "Supernatural," "Politics," and "Music." Among Ullman's hilarious "other selves" in the course of the 15 episodes are the perennial virgin Hope, the trash-talking Hollywood makeup artist Ruby, mother-dominated bank clerk Kay, barracuda-like Beverly Hills lawyer Sydney, fiftysomething suburban Jewish matron Fern, over-the-hill nightclub entertainer Linda, and high-strung magazine editor Janie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
Originally telecast by HBO from January 24 to April 3, 1996, the first season of Tracey Takes On... finds the multi-talented Tracey Ullman utilizing scores of comic characterizations to poke satiric jabs at ten different topics. This year's episodes include "Romance," "Charity," "Nostalgia," "Royalty," "Family," "Law," "Vanity," "Death," "Health," and "Fame." In the course of these episodes, the star appears in such guises as pretentious magazine editor Janie, mother-dominated British bank teller Kay, redheaded Australian stuntwoman Rayleen, foulmouthed cabbie Chic, donut shop owner/philosopher Miss Noh Nang Ning, landed-gentry Englishwoman Virginia, ageing male homosexual Trevor, and septuagenarian Hollywood makeup artist Ruby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tracey Ullman
- 1994
Murphy (Candice Bergen) recaptures a portion of her youth when she purchases the iconic "Meaty Boy" statue from her favorite fast-food restaurant. Alas, no sooner has the transaction taken place than the statue is stolen. Sensing that she has been victimized by a prankster amongst the "FYI" staff, Murphy vows to exact a terrible revenge upon the perpetrator--and she'll leave no stone (or burger) unturned to find out just who that perp happens to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
When it's announced that Artie (Rip Torn) will be producing this year's People's Choice Awards, Larry (Garry Shandling) vies for host duties and Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) makes his bid to become the announcer. In addition to the tension that arises when Artie doesn't hire them, Hank's feeling are hurt when Larry pulls one of his jokes from the show. After the host Artie had hired pulls out at the last minute, Larry gets the gig but is dismayed to discover that his co-hosts will be Dean Cain and Rita Moreno. As Larry and Artie nearly come to blows over the miscommunication, Elvis Costello seems a bit down in the dumps as well. Special guest stars include Deborah May, Reynaldo Duran, Elvis Costello, Rita Moreno, and Bob Odenkirk. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
A tongue-tied Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) manages to say all the wrong things at the breakfast table after his father, Martin (John Mahoney), has spent the night with a woman. Realizing that he has embarrassed his dad, Frasier tries to make amends during his radio show -- and succeeds to make things worse, only this time in front of the entire city of Seattle. Our hero's last-ditch effort to smooth out the situation just might work...and then, it just might not. Patrick Kerr makes his first series appearance as irritating Star Trek aficionado Noel Shempsky, eternal nemesis of Frasier's co-worker, Roz (Peri Gilpin). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Two magazines on the complete opposite end of the spectrum play into this episode of HBO's popular late-night talk show satire. As Darlene (Linda Doucett) finds herself strangely manipulated by Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) into appearing in Playboy magazine, Larry (Garry Shandling) becomes increasingly concerned with his appearance in Architectural Digest. Guest stars include Patrick O'Connell and Hugh Hefner. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Love blinds a lonely sidekick on this episode of HBO's The Larry Sanders Show. Despite Hank's (Jeffrey Tambor) elation at the prospect of marrying a younger woman whom he has just met, his enthusiasm may be short-lived as Larry (Garry Shandling) attempts to decide whether he should reveal some relevant, and ultimately damning, information concerning the bride-to-be. Guest stars include Leah Lail, Ed McMahon, Roger Eschbacher, Katherine Olsen, Dennis Tracy, Adam Sandler, and Alex Trebek. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
