Jo Dee Messina Movies
- 2002
16-year-old Natalie Tate (Ashley Johnson) is thoroughly ashamed of her mom Annie (Jo Dee Messina), a cocktail waitress who lives in a trailer camp. Aspiring to a better life, Annie weaves a web of lies for the benefit of her high school friends, claiming that Annie is a wealthy Harvard graduate. When the true is revealed in a humiliating fashion, Annie begs her new neighbor Monica (Roma Downey) for help in resolving the situation. But angel though she may be, Monica demurs, convinced that Annie is capable of handling things herself. Guest star Jo Dee Messina sings the title song for this episode, in which series regular Della Reese (Tess) does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
The famous candy factory Taffy Town has been inherited from its jovial creator Uncle Dudley (Louie Anderson in a cameo role) by his less-than jovial son Bo (Greg Evigan). Having no great affection for Taffy Town, Bo has allowed the business to run into the ground. Enter Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey), in the guise of an efficiency expert hired to turn Taffy Town around. Though it would seem that the dispirited Bo is Monica's "client" on this occasion, there are several others who need her help, notably Bo's employees Clarence (Tom Sullivan), Susi (Joe Dee Messina), Norma (Jennifer Holliday) and Isaac (Keb' Mo'). Curiously, the solution to everyone's problems involves transforming the Taffy Town work force into a singing group. Alas, a devastating explosion nearly ends Monica's reclamation project before it begins. Musical highlights in this episode include "Hand it Over", sung by Keb' Mo'; "I Have Decided", sung by Joe Dee Messina"; "My Tribute", sung by Jennifer Holliday; and "How Great Thou Art, sung by Greg Evigan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
