Phil Leeds Movies

In the first part of Murphy Brown's series finale (originally telecast as a single 60-minute episode along with Part Two), Murphy's plans to retire from "FYI" are sidetracked when another mammogram shows a possible malignancy. Wishing that the late tavernkeeper Phil (Pat Corley) were around to provide comfort and support, Murphy is astonished when he shows up in ghostly form--and even more astonished by the ghost's advice. Meanwhile, the rest of the "FYIers" decide to follow Murphy's example by moving on with her lives. Among those making cameo appearances are Bette Midler as Murphy's 93rd and final secretary, Candice Bergen's real-life mother Frances Bergen, an actress who goes by the name of Julia Roberts, and even a computer-generated Edward R. Murrow. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A case involving a “mentally incompetent” elderly man's right to marry stirs up Ally's old feelings for co-counsel Billy. ~ TV Guide, Rovi

Ally McBeal, despite low expectations from the network, proved to be a highly successful endeavor from writer/producer David E. Kelley. The notoriously tiny Calista Flockhart's neurotic portrayal of Ally fueled the show for five seasons, though it could not have lasted nearly as long without the insights of its eccentric supporting cast. Unique for its forays into the surreal, Ally McBeal as a show is as conflicted as its starring character. Half feministic endeavor, half a frustratingly traditional portrayal of lovelorn women, Ally McBeal danced precariously between law dramas of a more serious nature and Bridget Jones-esque "chick-shows." The series centered around the life of Ally McBeal, the quintessential "little girl lost," who, after graduating with a law degree from Harvard University, found herself in a law firm populated by an extraordinarily unconventional staff, including but not limited to Billy Thomas (Gil Bellows), her high school sweetheart. The show's premise allowed for quite a bit of creative freedom, and most episodes switched seamlessly from the thought-provoking (modern gender issues and sexual boundaries) to the absurd (remote control toilet flushers and pet frogs). Ally's quest for love and emotional fulfillment made for the heart of the series, along with the dark undertone of her often-questionable sanity. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

The first season of Ally McBeal centers around Ally's (Calista Flockhart) introduction to a law firm as full of eccentric characters as it is legal files. Not only must Ally adjust to her former high-school sweetheart's choice to marry another, but she also has to learn how to cope with having both him and his wife as co-workers. This season was a highly successful test of Ally McBeal's unique format, which emphasized musical numbers and special effect-laden flights of fancy. Despite initial low expectations from the network, Ally McBeal became a sleeper hit, owing much of its success to its originality, incorporation of truly unique characters, and its expert combination of modern issues of political-correctness with age-old matters of the heart. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Appearing as contestants on the prestigious but low-rated TV academic quiz show "Knowledge Fever", Cory (Ben Savage), Shawn (Rider Strong) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) score a hit with their wisecracks and hilarious cultural references. In fact, the producers are so impressed that they invite the trio to make a return appearance. Flattered by all the attention, Cory and his friends are blissfully unaware that the producers plan to "dumb down" all future quiz questions in order to keep the threesome coming back week after week. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the series' 100th episode, Ally is hired by a man who believes he can fly, and he tries to prove to her that she can, too; and John scoffs as Richard and Elaine try matchmaker Harriet Pumple (Nell Carter). ~ TV Guide, Rovi

Marlo Thomas guest stars as Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) mother, Sandra Green, who shows up at the apartment with startling news. This comes just as Ross' (David Schwimmer) ex-wife, Carol (Jane Sibbett), is about to marry her girlfriend, Susan (Jessica Hecht), in an event catered by Monica (Courteney Cox). And Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) elderly massage client Mrs. Adelman dies -- but her spirit isn't about to leave until she sees how the of rest of the episode comes out. Candice Gingrich, sister of Senator Newt Gingrich, has a significant supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) find themselves back in charge of Sandpiper Air, just in time for Christmas Eve. To celebrate the occasion, Joe plans a surprise party for Helen (Crystal Bernard), who is out shopping with Fay (Rebecca Schull) and Casey (Amy Yasbeck). Unfortunately, the party may never come up thanks to a malfunctioning time-lock and a pair of feuding siblings (Phil Leeds, Abe Vigoda). Brooke Adams, the wife of series regular Tony Shalhoub, makes an amusing guest appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Picked as the spokesman for Florida Orange Juice after assuring their representative that he's a straight-arrow, meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) soon finds himself facing controversy after Phil (Wallace Langham) finds a revealing video in the newfound spokesman's desk. After viewing the tape and witnessing Hank celebrating his birthday sans pants and in the company of a feisty pair of hookers, Phil sends a copy to a friend and plans a screening for the whole crew. After walking in on the screening, Hank panics at the thought of losing his spokesperson job and attempts to salvage his reputation before it's too late. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Despite his outrageously destructive appearances on The Tonight Show and Arsenio, Bobcat Goldthwait is booked on The Larry Sanders Show and warned by Larry (Garry Shandling), Artie (Rip Torn), and Paula (Janeane Garofalo) not to repeat his troublesome escapades. Meanwhile, Larry loses his sidekick when Hank (Jeffrey Tambor), fueled by Regis Philbin's offer to jump ship and join his new show, sets his site on not joining Philbin, but taking his job. Following Artie's accusation that Hank's wife is destroying his career, Hank hands in his resignation. Figuring that he can always join Philbin, he is shocked when told Philbin's new show is still three years from air. Oblivious to Hank's hasty departure, Larry happily accepts his sidekick's return to the show, and Goldthwait proves as predictable as ever. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally networkcast as a single one-hour special), Harry (Harry Anderson) is offered several jobs, from superior court-judge to road manager for Mel Torme, before making his final decision. Elsewhere, Christine (Markie Post) rather surprisingly wins the congressional election; Dan (John Larroquette) finally finds his true love; and Bull (Richard Moll) has a very close encounter with some Jupiterians. Though intended as the final installment of Night Court's nine-season run, this episode was originally seen next-to-last, with an additional first-run episode shown three weeks later. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A temporary personnel shortage requires the Night Court staff to take over the duties of Day Court. This has a strange effect on acerbic court matron Roz (Marsha Warfield), who transforms into the personification of effusive cheerfulness. Not quite so cheery is Christine (Markie Post) who in a last-ditch effort to save her marriage endeavors to shed her inhibitions and adopt a wild, freewheeling personality. Singer Jack Jones appears as himself (what, no Mel Torme?) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This is the first of four "Day in the Life" episodes, in which Harry (Harry Anderson) must judge a huge number of cases before a predetermined deadline. In this instance, Harry wants to dispense justice to 200 defendants in order to beat a midnight "general amnesty" ordered by a retiring federal judge. Among those appearing before Harry is NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who pleads on behalf of a Nielsen family that doesn't want to go to jail before they get a chance to watch Misfits of Science! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi