Janet Leahy Movies
- 2004
A restored church belfry has a curious effect on the citizenry of Stars Hollow, with rapture and tears among the various and sundry reactions. In other developments, Rory (Alexis Bledel) goes after a malicious campus gossip who turns out to be Paris' latest boy-toy. Luke (Scott Patterson) fails to inform Lorelai (Lauren Graham) that he is now living with Nicole. And upon finding out that Lane (Keiko Agena) has been playing with a band -- and staying out until one a.m. to boot -- her mom Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda) reacts in exactly the way that you'd expect Mrs. Kim to react. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
The dust still hasn't settled the morning after the "battle royal" between Dean (Jared Padalecki) and Jess (Milo Ventimiglia). Luke's (Scott Patterson) anguish over Jess is compounded when he is confronted by a man (Rob Estes) who identifies himself as Jess's father. Meanwhile, Rory (Alexis Bledel) is shocked to learn that Dean has decided to get married on the rebound; and Lane (Keiko Agena) wonders if she'll ever be permitted to attend the prom after drinking herself blotto at Kyle's kegger. As the episode fades, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) are confronted with a "bad news-good news" situation involving an establishment called the Dragonfly Inn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) panics when Alex (Billy Burke) invites her on a fishing trip, compelling Rory (Alexis Bledel) to check out several books on fishing from the library -- and leading to a most unusual dry run for the occasion in the front yard. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) and Taylor's (Michael Winters) quarrel over the construction of the soda shop necessitates a visit from Taylor's lawyer Nicole Leahy (Tricia O'Kelley), whose charms are certainly not lost on the normally tactiturn Luke. And in order to attend the prom with Dave (Adam Brody), Lane (Keiko Agena) must adhere to the highly restrictive stipulations (including no dancing!) set down by her ultraconservative mother, Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
A prince (Jim Varney) comes to Lanford with hopes of romancing Jackie. He then invites the Conners on a trip to New York. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Just after finding out that he has been accepted to grad school, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) attends a corporate recruting dinner--not really to scope out his future job prospects, but to gorge himself on the free food. Be that as it may, Theo so impresses an attending executive that he is offered a $30,000-per-year job in San Francisco! While Theo's parents are delighted that their son has come so far so quickly (or maybe not so quickly, considering his less than stellar high school record), the prospect of his departure proves distressing to Eugene (Eugene Byrd), one of the kids at the community center. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
While on a shopping excursion with her former babysitter Mrs. Whitaker (Leila Danette), Pam (Erika Alexander) is shocked to discover that the chain supermarket in Mrs. Whitaker's neighborhood charges higher prices for lower-quality items than the store owned by the same chain in the Huxtable's neighborhood.. After sharing her outrage with her friends Lance (Allen Payne) and Charmaine (Karen Malina White), Pam sets up a "penny plan" whereby Mrs. Whitaker and her friends can shop at the supermarket with the more reasonable prices. This strategy proves both rewarding and exhausting for Pam and her pals, who are now committed to shuttling the little old ladies back and forth--nonstop! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
It isn't the money but the principal -- aw, the heck with it, it's the money -- when Joe (Tim Daly) blows his stack over being charged a 50-cent rewind fee at the local video store. Joe's rage results in the firing of Debbie (Ellen Albertini Dow), the sweet little old lady who rented him the video. Not only is Debbie dismissed on Christmas Eve, but she suffers a stroke soon afterward! The now contrite Joe tries to make amends in Debbie's hospital room, but will he be able to fight his way through the wall of hostility erected by the old lady's family? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In the concluding half of The Cosby Show's now-legendary series finale (originally shown as a single, hour-long special), Cliff (Bill Cosby) prepares for Theo's college graduation by recalling how his son struggled to keep apace in high school. Elsewhere, Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) and Dabnis (William Thomas Jr.) remain on the verge of getting back together; and word comes that a certain former series regular is now pregnant. Don't miss that unforgettable final shot, as Cliff and Clair elegantly share a last dance--then casually stroll off the set, past the studio audience, and into sitcom immortality. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In the first half of The Cosby Show's now-legendary series finale (originally shown as a single, hour-long special), Cliff (Bill Cosby) insists upon inviting everyone he knows to his son Theo's graduation--much to the dismay of Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), who is allowed only two commencement tickets. At the same time, Cliff's step-granddaughter Olivia (Raven-Symone) prepares to move to Singapore with her parents Denise and Martin. And there is a remote possibility that Vanessa will get back together with her much-older fiance Dabnis (William Thomas Jr.). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The longer Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) puts off setting a wedding date, the more frustrated Dabnis (William Thomas Jr. becomes--especially since it was Vanessa who insisted upon marriage in the first place. And in another matter of the heart, Kenny (Deon Richmond) begins hanging around the house in hopes of getting his former hearthrob Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam), who has broken up with Stanley (Merlin Santana), on the rebound. In a fascinating plot twist, it is Stanley himself who helps Kenny reclaim Rudy's heart, using words of affection that are remarkably familiar--mainly because they'd been spoken by Dabnis earlier in the episode! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) have something REALLY special in mind for their 27th wedding anniversary: a meticulously detailed reenactment of their first honeymoon meal. Cliff has gone so far as to replicate the atmosphere of the Carribean restaurant where it all took place, replete with decorations, calypso music and even the original chef, Mr. Atkins (Clebert Ford). Trouble is, Atkins has moved upward in his profession and now considers the Huxtables' first meal to be beneath his talents -- and accordingly, he insists upon "improving" the menu to the point that Cliff completely loses his appetite! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
While otherwise preoccupied with building a new soundproof (and kidproof) room in their house, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) cosign a loan that will enable daughter Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) and son-in-law Elvin (Geoffrey Owen) to buy their own place. Unfortunately, there are two unexpected complications: Elvin suffers a panic attack when he realizes how much the house will cost him, and at the last minute the people from whom Elvin and Sondra are purchasing the house abruptly cancel the deal! Will poor Cliff EVER be rid of his troublesome progeny? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Although it has been a year since the wedding of the Huxtables' daughter Denise (Lisa Bonet) and Martin Kendall (Joseph C. Phillips), Denise's brother Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) decides to throw a bachelor party for his brother-in-law--complete with a stripper. Denise can't decide what she's maddest about: the fact that Theo would do such a thing, or that Martin hesitates so long before turning down Theo's idea. The couple's argument spreads to eldest daughter Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) and HER husband Elvin (Geoffrey Owens), casting a considerable pall over the annual barbecue held by the girls' father Cliff (Bill Cosby). Grandpa Russell (Earle Hyman) saves the day by recalling his own bachelor party--eliciting a surprising reaction from Grandma Anna (Clarice Taylor). This episode was originally intended to air September 20, 1990 as the opener of The Cosby Show's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Assigned to do a class video project on "the day in the life of a parent", Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and Kenny (Deon Richmond) conclude that Clair's (Phylicia Rashad) legal work is too dull, so they beg Cliff (Bill Cosby) to let them follow him on his daily hospital rounds. Cliff agrees only on condition that the youngster confine themselves to his office and the waiting room. Chafing at these restrictions, the kids sneak all around the hospital and tape several things that they shouldn't--and to top off their indiscretions, they lend their camera to a prospective father (Francisco Rivela) who wants to film Cliff in the act of delivering his wife's baby! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
On the occasion of Rudy's first period, Clair (Phylicia Rashad) declares a "Woman's Day" in order to bond with her daughter. But Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) refuses to talk to her mom about the situation, preferring instead to listen to the misinformation about menstruation being dispensed by her highly imaginative girlfriends. Meanwhile, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) encounters several roadblocks in his efforts to write a "psychological profile" on his dad Cliff (Bill Cosby)--the biggest obstacle being Cliff himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Returning from a relaxing vacation in Vermont, Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) find their household in complete disarray--and even more vexing, all of the kids are making impassioned financial demands upon their long-suffering parents. Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) has been methodically "borrowing" his family's furniture for his own apartment; Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) needs 200 dollars for ice-skating lessons; Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) has been involved in a car accident; and little Olivia (Raven-Symone) has busted the washing machine. Holding an emergency family seminar, Cliff chastizes the children about their money problems and other misdeeds, whereupon they respond in kind by rattling off all of Cliff's shortcomings--including driving their friends crazy with his long-winded childhood yarns! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Hoping to impress their prom dates--and to one-up their friend who has rented a limo for the occasion--Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), Denny (Troy Winbush) and Smitty (Adam Sandler) pool their resources and engage the services of a helicopter! Alas, the "big night" flight proves to be a disaster; in fact, the boys and their dates don't even make it to the prom. In his efforts to help his son save face--and to make up for not escorting his wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad) to HIS prom way back when--Cliff (Bill Cosby) ends up hosting an impromptu dance party in the Huxtable living room. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
The family braces itself for a deluge of Biblical proportions when Cliff (Bill Cosby) volunteers to fix a leaky pipe in the bathroom. Ultimately, however, he acquiesces to a crew of young plumbers comprised of Sondra's college friends. Intrigued that these high achievers would take on a "blue collar" profession, Cliff peppers head plumber Jennifer (Erica Gimpel of Profiler and Veronica Mars fame) with annoying questions. Elsewhere, Rudy (Keshia Kinght Pulliam) is driving Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) crazier than usual. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
For the first time ever, Clair's all-female literary discussion club invites some men to attend. The only one who shows up is Cliff (Bill Cosby), whereupon Clair (Phylicia Rashad) worries that her husband will embarrass himself by exhibiting his ignorance of the book being discussed--but she's in for a big surprise. Meanwhile, the kids spend an eventful night in the shabby apartment of newlyweds Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf) and Elvin (Geoffrey Owens). Featured among the book-club ladies are future stars Angela Bassett and S. Epatha Merkerson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe), Janet (Pam Potillo) and Kara (Elizabeth Navaez) form a song-and-dance group called The Lipsticks, hoping to use their rendition of "The Loco-Motion" to win a recording contract in a TV dance contest. They need a lot of work with the vocals, but find the lessons conducted by voice teacher Amanda Woods (played by famed jazz singer Betty Carter) to be repetitious and boring. Finally, Vanessa opts to compete for the prize on the strength of her dancing and her costume--a very, very, VERY skimpy costume, much to the shock and dismay of her parents (Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Cliff (Bill Cosby) is fed up because his daughter Rudy's friends expect him to be funny all the time, so he tries not to be--and fails. As for Rudy (Keshia Knight-Pulliam), she gets into trouble when she and her friend Caroline (Grace Johnston) behave badly during a sleepover. But Caroline turns out to have more than mischief in her resume: as the daughter of a newspaper editor, she is instrumental in helping Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) improve his grade on his first college English paper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is upset when his sister Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) accepts a date from his friend Lyle (Dennis Singletary), who has a habit of boasting about his "conquests" in the school locker room. Sure enough, the next day Lyle is claiming that he has "scored" with Vanessa, and Theo is outraged. It not only turns out that Lyle is full of hot air, but it is also revealed that Theo is far more concerned about his own reputation than Vanessa's! Elsewhere, Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) performs a magic trick which baffles her dad Cliff (Bill Cosby). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
With both of his parents laid low by the flu, Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) takes charge of the Huxtable household. In time-honored sitcom tradition, Theo forces his siblings to follow his rules and regulations to the letter, and to do all the chores in the house while he takes it easy. Finally, the other kids revolt and turn to Cliff (Bill Cosby) to put Theo in his place--but guess who has the last laugh on this occasion? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Hoping to enrich himself in the process, Cliff (John Ratzenberger) sets up a date between his mother Esther (Frances Sternhagen) and wealthy Duncan Fitzgerald (Richard Erdman). It looks as though Cliff's machinations are going to pay off when Fitzgerald proposes. Alas, the old fellow puts a crimp in Cliff's plans by bequeathing his millions to charity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Bowing to the positive response garnered by the one-shot guest appearance of Bebe Neuwirth in the third-season episode "Second Time Around," the producers of Cheers hired the actress to repeat her performance as uptight psychologist Lilith Sternin in the fifth-season offering "Abnormal Psychology." Having struck out with Lilith when he took her on a date, Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) is trepidacious when he is asked to debate with Lilith on a TV program. Convinced that the hostility between the two doctors is actually a roundabout declaration of mutual love, Diane (Shelley Long) conspires to play matchmaker between the two warring "shrinks." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
