Richard Day Movies
- 2007
This CW sitcom was set in Medora, Wisconsin, where dwelled the Tolchuck family: Father Gary (Scott Patterson), mother Franny (Amy Pietz), son Justin (Dan Byrd) and daughter Claire (Lindsay Shaw). Desperate to fit in with the cool kids at school, the nerdish Justin (who narrated the series, Malcolm in the Middle style) decided if he couldn't make friends, he'd "import" one. Thus, he talked his parents into being the sponsors for an exchange student from Pakistan, an amiable Muslin teenager named Raja (Adhir Kalyan). Though Justin and Raja formed an immediate bond, mom Claire was a bit frightened by her guest, her head filled with news reports of middle-east terrorism and such. Conversely, dad Gary was quite impressed by Raja's courtesy, loyalty, and strong work ethic--and besides, he was getting $500 a month for sponsoring the kid. As for Claire, she was too preoccupied with being the "dream girl" of every jock in school, and the actual girlfriend of classmate Jeffrey (Harlan Jackson), to concern herself with Raja. In case the reader hasn't caught on by now, the purpose of this series was to dispel viewers in the post-9/11 era of the idotic assumption that every Muslim posed an eminent threat to the American way of life: Indeed, Raja may have been the most lovable and nonthreatening TV alien since Robin Williams' Mork From Ork. Aliens in America debuted October 1, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Byrd, Adhir Kalyan, (more)
An actor trying to keep the truth about his love life under wraps discovers feelings he doesn't want to hide in this frothy comedy. It's the mid-'50s, and Guy Stone (Matt Letscher) is a very successful movie star. Tall, good-looking, and boyishly charming, Stone has a reputation as a ladies' man with a very active love life. However, the truth is a bit different: while Stone is indeed enjoying more romantic misadventures than he can keep track of, he happens to prefer the company of men. When a scandal sheet gets wind of his sexual proclivities, Stone's manager (Veronica Cartwright) and the head of his studio (Victor Raider-Wexler) decide some camouflage is in order. Stone's handlers arrange for him to marry Sally (Carrie Preston), a sweet and naïve secretary from the studio who is entirely unaware that the man of her dreams is gay. As Stone tries to make the best of his sham marriage while feeling twinges of guilt about the toll it may take on Sally, he meets Rick Foster (Adam Greer), an author whose most recent novel is being adapted into a script for Stone. To Stone's surprise, he find himself falling seriously in love with Foster and discovers that Foster, like himself, has a few secrets that could put his Hollywood career in jeopardy. Straight-Jacket was directed by Richard Day, who also wrote the screenplay which was adapted from his off-Broadway play of the same name. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt Letscher, Carrie Preston, (more)
- 2003
Another presentation of the American Movie Channel's AMC Project anthology, Gay Hollywood follows five openly gay men, all employed (not always gainfully) in show business, as they discuss the ups and downs of their Hollywood careers. The quintet includes two aspiring screenwriters, Lance and Benjamin; Robert, an actor/model; Allan, a director; and Micah, a standup comedian. The documentary also offers a capsule history of homosexuality in Hollywood, from the "closeted" years of William Haines, George Cukor, Rock Hudson et al., to the more liberal atmosphere of the late 20th to early 21st century. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dustin Lance Black, Q. Allan Brocka, (more)
The confessional, behind-the-scenes showbiz melodrama goes under the knife -- so to speak -- in this drag comedy. Girls Will Be Girls casts three male performers in the roles of Evie Harris (Jack Plotnick), a has-been starlet of the '70s who has since gone to seed in her decaying Hollywood home; her best friend and domestic servant, Coco (Clinton Leupp); and Varla (Jeffrey Roberson), the daughter of a deceased peer/rival of Evie's who shows up to rent out a room in her home. The tension among the trio of women escalates as Evie prepares for a pull-out-all-the-stops television special commemorating her past career glories, which include sundry disaster movies and TV variety shows. What Evie doesn't know is that the naïve-seeming Varla has a debt to settle for her deceased mom, and will stop at nothing to seek vengeance. All three lead actors developed their characters in stage shows and cabaret acts; writer/director Richard Day wrote for such television shows as Ellen and The Larry Sanders Show before helming this film, his debut. After its 2003 Sundance premiere, Girls Will Be Girls was acquired by IFC Films for a theatrical release. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Plotnick, Clinton Leupp, (more)
- 1998
Still unemployed, Kate (Christa Miller) accepts a job house-sitting for her wealthy neighbors, the Fosters. Taking up residence in the couple's lavish home, Kate meets handsome plumber Scott (Neil Flynn), who in turn helps out when Kate is obliged to take care of the Foster's youngsters Cindy (Tony Scott) and Mark (a decidedly pre-Desperate HousewivesShawn Pyfrom). Faced with the responsibilities of an "instant family", Kate and Scott immediately begin acting like an old married couple, and it isn't long before Kate is having trouble separating fact from fantasy--especially when Scott wants to "go out with the boys". Meanwhile, Drew (Drew Carey) tries to impress sexy handywoman Sharon (Jenica Bergere) and gets an ear infection for his troubles; and Mimi(Kathy Kinney) worries over what sort of retribution Drew has in mind for the notorious "China Prank" a few episodes back. (Trivia note: series regular Christa Miller and guest star Neil Flynn were later reunited in the NBC sitcom Scrubs). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Hesitant to have Illeana Douglas as a guest on the show despite the fact that he's currently dating her, Larry (Garry Shandling) is compelled to coach the confounded actress through her appearance. Meanwhile, amidst a seemingly endless barrage of gay jokes from Phil (Wallace Langham), Brian (Scott Thompson) announces that he's considering filing a sexual harassment suit. Despite the chaos around him, Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) uses a video camera to coax celebrity guests into wishing the departing host well as the crew prepares for the final broadcast. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1998
With Mr. Wick in drug rehab, Drew (Drew Carey) is offered an opportunity to manage Winfred-Louder, but would rather spend time with his rock band, the Horndogs. As a result, Mrs. Louder gives the job to her "boy toy" Larry (Ian Gomez), who immediately cuts the employee health coverage to the bone. In the ensuing chaos, the employees beg Drew to come back to work, but he resists until discovering that he has an inborn talent for dull and repetitious budget management. Thus, the Horndogs are forced to find a quickie replacement for Drew--and we aren't about to reveal who that is (take a look at the supporting cast if you really want to know). Songs: "Think" and "Cleveland, Ohio". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Paul's mother, Sylvia (Cynthia Harris), and Jamie's mother, Theresa (Carol Burnett), both purchase cribs for the Buchman's new baby. This sparks a family feud that makes the Hatfields and McCoys seem like pikers. Meanwhile, Paul (Paul Reiser) wins a poker game from handyman Marvin (Jeff Garlin), who squares his debt "in trade." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In their efforts to elude Jamie's (Helen Hunt) baby shower, Paul (Paul Reiser) and Ira (John Pankow) pile into the van owned by Ira's right-hand man, Marvin (Jeff Garlin), and drive off for parts unknown. At first, it seems as if the fugitive trio will be able to get in some good old-fashioned male bonding. Alas, Paul's quirky sense of humor lands everyone in big, big trouble. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
The title character in this episode manages to disrupt the lives of Paul and Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt, Paul Reiser) without even trying. Complicating matters is Jamie's insistence upon seeing all sorts of sinister conspiracies at her workplace -- the result of a quick reading of Julius Caesar. And incidentally, you can't sneak up on a cockatoo the way they did on Daktari. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
David (Sam Lloyd), the cousin of Paul Buchman (Paul Reiser), decides to open his own coffee shop. Fueled with family pride, Paul's very pregnant wife, Jamie (Helen Hunt), volunteers as a waitress, with chaotic results. Meanwhile, another pregnant woman -- this one a total stranger -- causes trouble for Paul and his other cousin Ira (John Pankow). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Wealthy department-store heir Sanford Klarik (Billy Morrissette), the latest fiancée of Lisa Stemple (Anne Ramsay), agrees to finance the already over-the-budget documentary being filmed by Lisa's brother-in-law, Paul (Paul Reiser). At the same time, Paul and wife Jamie (Helen Hunt) agree to let Lisa hire their handyman, Doug (Scott Atkinson). Things bode ill for Paul's movie epic when handsome Doug captures Lisa's heart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Mel Brooks returns as Paul's Uncle Phil, who has been on his deathbed for what seems to be years. Phil wants Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) to name their new baby after him. But Paul is convinced that the little visitor will be a "she" rather than a "he." Imagine an episode of a 1960s sitcom getting away with the title of this one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Though told to give up coffee during her pregnancy, Jamie (Helen Hunt) must somehow stay awake while burning the midnight oil on Lance Brockwell's political campaign. Meanwhile, Paul tries to decide how best to spend a large financial grant. Coming to Paul's rescue (if not Jamie's) is his aphorism-spouting Uncle Phil (guest star Mel Brooks). With this episode, Harry Groener replaces Alan Ruck as Lance Brockwell. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1996
Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) very belatedly keep an appointment with a therapist. This creates a major conflict with Paul's family, who are primed to begin helping him film his latest documentary project, "Buchman." Mo Gaffney makes her first series appearance as pragmatic therapist Sheila Kleinman. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1996
Mad About You launched its fifth season with yet another time slot change, moving to Tuesday evenings opposite ABC's top-rated Roseanne, CBS's new The Promised Land, FOX's package of first-run films, and Moesha from the upstart UPN. Picking up where season four left off, the fifth season began with the temporarily separated Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) enjoying a tender reconciliation with Jamie's announcement of her long-awaited (and much-delayed) pregnancy. It was therefore inevitable that this season would end with the birth of the Buchman baby, an adventure that all but required a one-hour finale episode. In between, the stories involved Jamie's search for a decent obstetrician, a choice which was narrowed down to the colorfully yclept Dr. Von Derphal (John O'Hurley) and Joan Golfinos (Suzie Plakson), the girlfriend of Paul's out-of-the-closet sister, Debbie (Robin Bartlett, still one season away from her matriculation from recurring to regular character). Meanwhile, Jamie's filmmaker husband, Paul, busied himself with a documentary about his own family, bringing a whole new array of colorful characters into the Mad About You fold, chief among them the great Mel Brooks as philosophical Uncle Phil. Other new fifth season characters included Marvin (Jeff Garvin), handyman to Paul's cousin Ira (John Pankow) and tough-talking therapist Sheila Kleinman (Mo Gaffney). Elsewhere, Harry Groener replaced Alan Ruck as Jamie's politician boss, Lance Brockwell, while the revolving-door casting of Jamie's parents, Theresa and Gus Stemple, briefly settled upon TV icons Carol Burnett and Carroll O'Connor. Finally, Anne Ramsay, previously a series regular in the role of Jamie's sister, Lisa Stemple, was now seen merely on a recurring basis. This year, Emmy awards went (again) to Helen Hunt as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and to Mel Brooks and Carol Burnett for their sporadic guest appearances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt, (more)
- 1996
Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) have decided to hold off telling everyone that Jamie is pregnant until the couple can make a formal announcement at their Thanksgiving dinner. This plan is undermined by a number of "security leaks" in the office of gynecologist Joan Golfinos (Suzie Plakson). The ending offers six degrees of surprises thanks to an unheralded guest star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Paul (Paul Reiser) works out at a local gym where no one knows who he really is. Jamie (Helen Hunt) ultimately gets a free ten-day pass to the selfsame gym, and promptly hands it over to a homeless individual. Need we add that "mystery man" Paul is somewhat put out by this turn of events? Bruno Kirby is tonight's special guest transient. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
