Tim O'Donnell Movies

Created by Tim Maile and Douglas Tuber, the half-hour animated series Phil of the Future was originally titled The Out of Timers. This weekly effort chronicled the misadventures of the Diffys, a family from the year 2121 who had been inadvertently thrust back to 2004 thanks to a malfunctioning rented time machine. The titular Phil Diffy was a 15-year-old high school freshman (he'd been originally conceived as 12-year-old, but there were too many 12-year-olds on cartoon series as it was). Regarded as normal by 22nd century standards, Phil found himself a misfit as he attended school in his adopted 21st-century home town of Pickford, the eternal target of bullies and wise guys who found his futuristic patois to be "weird." Fortunately, Phil could always count upon the support of his best friend Keely Teslow, the only person who knew that the Diffys were from another time. Other characters included Phil's dad Lloyd, whose 22nd century inventions and gadgets always managed to get the family into trouble; Phil's mom Barbara, part-human, part-robot; his kid sister Pim, given to emitting bizarre noises; and Debbie Berwick, "Teacher's Pet" and Pim's best pal. One of the most popular offerings of cable's Disney Channel, Phil of the Future debuted June 18, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Under intense pressure from his parents, Ben (Jeremy Miller) is willing to do anything to pass an upcoming biology class. But does "anything" include cheating? Well, with Ben's crafty pal Vito (Kenny Morrison) demonstrating the ease with which the answers can be illicitly determined ahead of time, Ben is dangerously close to surrendering to temptation! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Seavers arrange to hold a fundraiser for a free mental-health clinic in their own home. Unfortunately, Jason (Alan Thicke) uses last year's calendar to select the date for the event--and as a result he and his family are caught short when the Big Day arrives one day too early. Frantically, Jason and Maggie (Joanna Kerns) scramble about to find a caterer for the fundraiser...with only 23 minutes to go before the guests arrive! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The kids' grandparents Ed (Gordon Jump) and Kate (Betty McGuire) decide to give Mike (Kirk Cameron), Carol (Tracey Gold) and Ben (Jeremy Miller) $5000 each. The money was supposed to be part of the kids' inheritance, but Ed and Kate are anxious to find out how their grandchildren will handle so large a sum. Typically, Ben goes on a wild spending spree--but less typically, Mike and Carol display a hitherto unsuspected streak of generosity. This episode marks the second appearance of Mike's down-and-out friend Fred (Carmen Filpi). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jason's mom Irma (Jane Powell) and her new hubby Wally (Robert Rockwell) hope to play matchmaker for their granddaughter Carol (Tracey Gold) and their gormless investment counselor Ken Singleton (Darren Powell). To foil this scheme, Carol decides to show up at Irma's party with a phony boyfriend. The man selected for this dubious "honor" is none other than Carol's coworker Big Al (Beans Morocco). (Note: The first telecast of this episode was not listed in TV Guide, due to the possibility of an extra World Series game). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although pressured by both Jason (Alan Thicke) and Maggie (Joanna Kerns), Carol (Tracey Gold) is reluctant to attend her parents' alma mater, Boston College. To avoid this, she plans to deliberately mess up her interview with the college's rescruiter (Rod McCrary). Joining in on the scheme, Mike (Kirk Cameron) dredges up a homeless man named Fred (Carmen Filpi) to pose as Jason during the interview! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Maggie (Joanna Kerns) frets over the wellbeing of son Mike (Kirk Cameron) when he agrees to work the night shift at convenience store. As for Mike, he finds the job pleasant enough--until he tumbles to the fact that his racist boss Nick (Dick Van Patten) displays a rather obvious preference for his white employees. The outcome of this episode hinges upon a "soda test", conducted by a disgruntled Mike to expose Nick's bigotry for all to see. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A very young Jenny Lewis is cast as Judy, the current object of Ben Seaver's affections. Willing to go to any length to wangle a date with Judy, Ben (Jeremy Miller) throws a birthday party for himself--and invites the girl as his only guest. Unfortunately, Ben's pals Stinky (Jamie Abbott) and Vito (Kenny Morrison) find out about the party, and before long virtually the entire school has shown up for the festivities. It now falls to Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Carol (Tracey Gold) to help Ben control the crowd without alerting their parents of the situation! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Maggie (Joanna Kerns) and Jason (Alan Thicke) agree to chaperone a school dance attended by Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Carol (Tracey Gold). In the course of the evening, Mike manages to hook up with his "dream girl" Lydia (Cathy Podwell), Carol sets herself up for endless ribbing by dancing with Boner (Josh Andrew Koenig), and Maggie ends up subbing for the incapacitated deejay. Meanwhile, Ben (Jeremy Miller) and his pal Stinky (Jamie Abbott) embark upon an "excellent adventure" that ends up a "bogus journey." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, the family bands together to scotch the quarrel between Jason (Alan Thicke) and Mike (Kirk Cameron). Once a truce is reached, Mike moves out of the house and into the attic above the garage, a living arrangement that meets with Jason's approval, so long as Mike can come up with his own rent money. But when Jason catches Mike borrowing cash from Maggie (Joanna Kerns), another nasty fight ensues--and this one may drive a permanent wedge between father and son. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide