Michael Lembeck Movies
The son of comedian Harvey Lembeck,
Michael Lembeck started his career following his dad's footsteps as a comic character actor. The younger Lembeck made his TV movie debut in
Gidget Grows Up. His subsequent small-screen gigs included Kaptain Kool in the Saturday morning extravaganza
The Krofft Supershow (1977) and Max Horvath, the flight-steward husband of Julie Cooper (MacKenzie Phillips) in One Day at a Time (1979-84). He also played schoolteacher Peter Newman in the 1985 sitcom Foley Square, and, on a less comical note, was seen as Abbie Hoffman in the 1987 TV-movie special
Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 7. In the past decade, Michael Lembeck has concentrated on directing such weekly series as Hope and Gloria,
Mad About You and Everybody Loves Raymond; in 1996, he won an Emmy for his direction of the hit series Friends. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

- 2011
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A socially awkward teen begins stealing from the rich in order to impress his classmates, and quickly realizes he's gotten in over his head in this adolescent drama ripped straight from the headlines. Zack (Austin Butler) has never been good at making friends, and the moment he meets Natalie (Yin Chang) he wants desperately to be a part of her hip inner-circle. But Natalie and her friends have a warped perception of what it means to be cool; their favorite pastime is raiding the homes of the rich and famous, and making away with a fortune in clothes and jewelry. For a while at least, it feels like they'll never get caught. But all their bragging has done more than just earn them the envy of their peers - it's also attracted the attention of the media. Meanwhile, Zack's mother Iris (Jennifer Grey) is devastated to discover that her son has fallen in with a very bad crowd. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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- 2010
- PG
- Add Tooth Fairy to Queue
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20th Century Fox presents this family comedy following a star hockey player's (Dwayne Johnson) temporary transformation into a full-fledged tooth fairy as penalty for discouraging a young fan. Director Michael Lembeck (The Santa Clause 2 and 3) helms the family comedy, based on a screenplay by veteran comedic writers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, with additional writing provided by Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia. Ashley Judd and Julie Andrews co-star in the Blumhouse and Mayhem Pictures production. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, (more)

- 2008
- PG
- Add The Clique to Queue
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This teen movie follows the story of four seventh grade preteens who rule their exclusive New York girl's school with their powerful clique known as the Pretty Committee. Normally, their group of friends is extremely choosy about who they socialize with, but when frumpy classmate Claire ends up moving into the guest house of one of these cliquey chicks, their disgust eventually turns to sympathy, as some of them start to realize that it doesn't take a chic outfit to be a good friend. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Ellen Taylor Marlow, Bridgit Mendler, (more)

- 2006
- G
- Add The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause to Queue
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Tim Allen returns as a regular guy-turned-Jolly Old Elf in the second sequel to the 1994 hit The Santa Clause. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), who doubles as Santa Claus, has settled into his home at the North Pole with his new wife, Carol (Elizabeth Mitchell), and is preparing for another Christmas when he receives a visitor -- Jack Frost (Martin Short), the cold-weather sprite who has been sent to help out St. Nick by Mother Nature (Aisha Tyler) and Father Time (Peter Boyle) after making a scene at a meeting of the Council of Legendary Figures. However, while Jack is supposed to acting as an assistant to Santa, he has a habit of making things go haywire, and as it happens this is no mistake -- Jack is hoping that an exasperated Santa will quit his position so Jack can take over and finally have a holiday he can bend to his will. Meanwhile, Scott has invited Carol's parents, Bud (Alan Arkin) and Sylvia (Ann-Margaret), over for a long-promised visit, but since he needs to keep his other identity a secret, he and his elves are forced to go to great lengths to convince them that they're actually in Northern Canada. Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, and Spencer Breslin also reprise their roles from the first two Santa Clause films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, (more)

- 2004
- PG13
- Add Connie and Carla to Queue
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Actress and writer Nia Vardalos, who became an overnight sensation with My Big Fat Greek Wedding, returns to the big screen with this gender-bending comedy. Connie (Vardalos) and Carla (Toni Collette) are best friends who've shared the same dream ever since they were teenagers -- making a name for themselves in the musical theater. However, after years of treading water on Chicago's dinner theater circuit and playing bottom-of-the-barrel nightclubs, the two are facing middle age with minimal career success. One evening after a performance, Connie and Carla have the misfortune of witnessing the murder of nightclub owner Frank (Michael Roberds) by low-level Mafiosi; the gals are seen by the shooters, and they hit the road in fear for their lives. Connie and Carla end up in Los Angeles, where they struggle to create new identities for themselves. After witnessing a drag review at a nightclub, they realize that even they have more talent than most of the men performing that evening, and they decide to pose as female impersonators in hopes of landing a gig. Connie and Carla's new act is an immediate hit, and soon they're the toast of L.A.'s gay community. But the women discover it's difficult to keep on fooling people into believing they're men, and things become even more complicated when the Mobsters discover that Connie and Carla are in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Connie finds herself falling for Jeff (David Duchovny), a regular guy looking for his cross-dressing brother who can't understand why he's developing a crush on a drag queen. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette, (more)

- 2002
- G
- Add The Santa Clause 2 to Queue
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Eight years after getting a crash course in the fine art of personifying Christmas, Tim Allen returns as Kris Kringle's replacement in this sequel to the 1994 hit The Santa Clause. While Scott Calvin (Allen) initially had mixed feelings when he became the new Santa Claus, after eight years on the job he's come to enjoy being Father Christmas, and he and the Elves are looking forward to another holiday season when things begin going a bit wrong. Scott finds he's becoming less and less "Santa-like," and his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) has become difficult enough to land on the official "Naughty" list. Scott discovers most of his problems stem from an obscure passage in his contract with the North Pole which decrees that he has to find a Mrs. Claus. Scott has little choice but to start dating, but he soon learns that when you're a big guy from the North Pole who lacks conventional employment, single women do not come running. In order to leave him more time to search for a wife, Scott and the Elves create a duplicate Santa to keep an eye on the shop; however, the "other" Santa turns out to be more Naughty than Nice, and in time Scott has to wrestle control of the North Pole away from his doppelganger. Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, and David Krumholtz also reprise their roles from The Santa Clause. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, (more)

- 2001
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- 2000
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In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single hour-long episode), the gang continues to imagine what their lives would have been like had they made different choices. In this "alternate reality," Ross (David Schwimmer), still married to Carol (Jane Sibbett), enters into a ménage à trois with a very familiar third party. Also, Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) hit it off despite the fact that Monica is overweight and still a virgin. And Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) carries out her fantasies with famous soap opera star Joey (Matt LeBlanc). ~ Rovi
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- Starring:
- Jane Sibbert, Jessica Hecht, (more)

- 2000
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Friends opens its seventh season with two prime episodes, originally telecast back-to-back. In the second episode, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) makes a shocking discovery about Rachel (Jennifer Aniston): she has a fondness for extremely erotic reading material. And in another development, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), preparing to shoulder her responsibilities as a bridesmaid for Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry), temporarily moves in with Rachel's erstwhile boyfriend Ross (David Schwimmer) -- who is none too thrilled that "Pheeb" has brought her massage business along in the bargain. ~ Rovi
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- Starring:
- Elliott Gould, Christina Pickles, (more)

- 2000
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In the first of three Emmy-winning Friends guest appearances, Bruce Willis is cast as Paul, the father of Ross' college-student girlfriend, Elizabeth (Alexandra Holden). Not surprisingly, Paul admonishes Ross (David Schwimmer) for dating a girl that is much younger than himself. Also not surprisingly, given the usual plot twists and reversals seen on this series, Paul neglects to practice what he preaches when he falls for Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). And elsewhere, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) is poised to mess up his latest showbiz break, as star of the tacky sci-fi TV show "Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E." ~ Rovi
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- Starring:
- Bruce Willis, Alexandra Holden, (more)

- 2000
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In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single hour-long episode), the divorce of their friends Barry and Mindy leads the gang to imagine how their lives might have turned out had they made different choices in life. In this parallel universe of the mind, Monica (Courteney Cox) is overweight and a virgin; Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) has a crush on famous soap opera leading man Joey (Matt LeBlanc); Ross (David Schwimmer) is still wed to a "straight" Carol (Jane Sibbett); and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) has a high-paying job on Wall Street -- and a bad heart condition! The "alternate reality" theme of this episode is even carried over into the opening credits. ~ Rovi
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- Starring:
- Jane Sibbert, Kristian Alfonso, (more)

- 1999
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After nearly two months of pre-emptions, Mad About You returned on April 26, 1999. with a brace of first-run episodes. In "Murray at the Dog Show," the Buchmans' pet pooch remains traumatized by the "Puma in the Kitchen" incident earlier in the seventh season. On a potentially happier note, therapist Sheila Kleinman (Mo Gaffney) declares that Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) are cured -- but Jamie doesn't buy this diagnosis. And how does Billy Joel figure into all this? ~ Rovi
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- 1999
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A focal point for many of this season's episodes, Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler's (Matthew Perry) secret romance is revealed here. Ugly Naked Guy is moving out and Ross (David Schwimmer) wants his apartment. To gain an upper hand in a flurry of bids, Ross goes nude with him. Looking out their window, Joey notices that Ugly Naked Guy has a friend; a shocked Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) proclaims, "It's Naked Ross!" While checking out Ross' new apartment, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) looks out the window and sees Monica and Chandler having sex. Deciding to use the information to play jokes on them, Phoebe begins making passes at Chandler. This leads to a flirting showdown between the two where they kiss and freak each other out. Soon everyone knows about Monica and Chandler except Ross, who eventually sees them kiss out of his new apartment's window. This episode originally aired on February 11, 1999. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi
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- 1998
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Several months' worth of a difficult pregnancy may transform the vegetarian Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) into a voracious meat eater; somehow this forces Joey to become a temporary vegetarian. More apropos to the title of this episode, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) throws a fake farewell party for Emily (Helen Baxendale). It's all part of Rachel's scheme to see her dream boy Joshua (Tate Donovan) outside the workplace. Love that cheerleader outfit! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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- 1998
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Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) have trouble divesting themselves of the free porno channel that has popped up on their TV. When Ross (David Schwimmer) tells Emily (Helen Baxendale) that he loves her, the result is a round-robin of international plane flights and missed connections. And the artificially inseminated Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) discovers that she is carrying triplets -- news that nearly sends the babies' real parents Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi) and Alice (Debra Jo Rupp) into a state of shock (after all, Frank Jr. may now have to drop out of refrigerator college). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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- 1998
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This appropriately titled episode served as the opener of Mad About You's seventh and final season. The manhood of Paul Buchman (Paul Reiser) becomes embarrassingly evident when he experiments with Viagra. Meanwhile, Paul's wife, Jamie (Helen Hunt), stumbles out of a health club and into the streets of New York, clad only in a towel. A certain recently unemployed sitcom star makes a cameo appearance as himself. ~ Rovi
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- 1998
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In the Three's Company tradition, this sitcom involves two guys and a woman in Denver. Assistant district attorney Casey Farrell (Maria Pitillo, of Chaplin and Godzilla) shares her apartment with two male roommates, medical student McCusky (David Newsom) and reporter Riley (Bradley White). In the opening episode, the two guys try to get rid Casey's arrogant boyfriend (Jeff Yagher). The second episode intros deadpan policeman Dan (Patrick Warburton of Seinfeld), given to odd ideas like asking Casey to shoot him in his bulletproof vest. Caryn James (New York Times) found "hints of loopy humor" amid "lame" plots, while Variety suggested the show would work best with the focus on just Pitillo and Warburton. Premiere March 9, 1998 on NBC. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Maria Pitillo, Bradley White, (more)

- 1998
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In Queens, obnoxious and bombastic blue-collar slob Mike (stand-up comic Gerry Red Wilson) gets his kicks from football, cold beers, and spousal abuse with his cute wife Patty (Kellie Overbey). In the premiere episode of this sitcom, Mike is elated by a promotion at the supermarket to "head of the meat department." The fun is short-lived as household tensions erupt when Patty's snobbish sis Catherine (Nadia Dajani) is ditched by her husband and needs a place to stay. Mike already hates her, but this interferes with his plans for the spare room. Variety reviewed this as "an uncomfortably crude...oddly politically incorrect sick-com" from former Roseanne producer Eric Gilliland. It premiered March 10, 1998 on ABC. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Gerry Red Wilson, Kellie Overbey, (more)

- 1998
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Nathan Lane received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of a visiting college film professor. Upon learning that this was the prof to whom his wife, Jamie (Helen Hunt), surrendered her virginity many years ago, Paul (Paul Reiser) reacts in an unpredictable fashion. Meanwhile, Ira (John Pankow) once again dates a woman with ulterior motives -- or should we say "grave motives." ~ Rovi
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- 1998
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Filmmaker Paul (Paul Reiser), his writer-wife Jamie (Helen Hunt), and his producer-cousin Ira (John Pankow) collaborate on a video aimed at children. Alas, Paul's "method" portrayal of the Sandman is too frightening for younger viewers (and a few older viewers). Adding to this headache, Paul's parents (Louis Zorich, Cynthia Harris) reveal that our hero has a hitherto unknown half-brother. ~ Rovi
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- 1998
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The titular coin in this episode is flipped at a restaurant, bringing Paul's obstreperous ex-boss Lou Bonaparte (Larry Miller) back into the series, and landing both Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) on the TV tabloid Hard Copy. Destiny also takes a hand when Paul's parents (Louis Zorich, Cynthia Harris) use the selfsame coin at an Atlantic City gambling palace. And what does destiny (or the coin) have in store for Ira (John Pankow), currently the central figure in a paternity suit? This episode was telecast one day after series star Helen Hunt won an Oscar for her performance in the 1997 film As Good as It Gets. ~ Rovi
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- 1997
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Sportscaster Terry Bradshaw appears as himself in this episode, in which Ray's wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) is laid low by the flu. With Debra out of commission, it is up to Ray (Ray Romano) to take care of his three children all by himself. Things get sticky when even more "rug rats" are added to the equation. One of the episode's funniest bits, involving a staring kid, is a comedy standby that one can trace all the way back to the 2-reel comedies of the 1930s (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course!) ~ Rovi
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- 1997
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Ray (Ray Romano) is appalled to discover that the "discount diamond ring" he gave Debra (Patricia Heaton) to seal their engagement ten years ago is as phony as glass--and in fact, it is glass. Rather than inform Debra, Ray "steals" the ring, intending to replace it with the genuine article. But what Ray doesn't know is that Debra has already discovered that the ring is a fake--and she has already replaced it with the $1500 diamond once owned by Ray's grandma. A pre-record-breaking Barry Bonds appears as himself. ~ Rovi
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- 1997
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The title refers to the cute-and-fuzzy fowl adopted by Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler (Matthew Perry). Elsewhere, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) suspects that there are strings attached when Pete (Jon Favreau) offers Monica (Courteney Cox) a fabulous job in his restaurant. And Ross (David Schwimmer) gives up one of his favorite things to rush to the side of Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), the victim of Monica's reckless roller-skating. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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