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, All Movie Guide
- 2000
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). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Sibbert, Jessica Hecht, (more)
- 2000
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. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elliott Gould, Christina Pickles, (more)
- 2000
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." ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Willis, Alexandra Holden, (more)
- 2000
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. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jane Sibbert, Kristian Alfonso, (more)
- 1999
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? ~ All Movie Guide
- 1999
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. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1998
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, All Movie Guide
- 1998
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, All Movie Guide
- 1998
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. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1998
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maria Pitillo, Bradley White, (more)
- 1998
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gerry Red Wilson, Kellie Overbey, (more)
- 1998
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." ~ All Movie Guide
- 1998
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. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1998
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. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
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!) ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
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. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
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, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Just in case of emergency, Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) decide to line up a guardian for their unborn baby. Alas, no one seems to want the job -- not even the people whom Paul and Jamie don't want for the job. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Bobby Rubenfield (Seth Green) develops a hopeless crush on Jamie. Friends regular Lisa Kudrow makes a return appearance as Ursula Buffay, and the name of a long-forgotten first season regular is unexpectedly invoked ("Please don't call him!"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Gynecologist Joan Golfinos manages to get Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) into a birthing class. Almost immediately, Paul and Jamie manage to flunk out. Meanwhile, the great mystery of the missing JFK Commemorative Spoon prompts Paul's parents Burt and Sylvia (Louis Zorich, Cynthia Harris) to "kidnap" the Buchman family documentary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
While filming "Buchman," the documentary about his family, Paul (Paul Reiser) pays a visit to his childhood neighborhood with dad Burt (Louis Zorich). As both Buchmans recall events which transpired in their old apartment building, Paul's pregnant wife, Jamie (Helen Hunt), sits fuming in the offices of her gynecologist, Joan Golfinos (Suzie Plakson). It seems that Paul has forgotten all about his appointment to hear his baby's heartbeat.... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Carol Burnett and Carroll O'Connor join the cast as Jamie's parents, Theresa and Gus Stemple, the latest in a long line of actors to essay these roles. When the Stemples arrive for a two-day visit, Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) try to determine the best time to tell Theresa and Gus that Jamie is pregnant. Turns out, however, that the Stemples have a little surprise of their own: After 37 years together, they're on the verge of a divorce. Though officially the 100th episode of Mad About You, this installment is listed as number 101 in the current syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
The long-delayed wedding between Rachel's friend Mindy (Jana Marie Hupp) and her ex-fiancé, Barry (Mitchell Whitfield), promises to be quite an occasion, especially since Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) is to be maid of honor (Egad! That wedding outfit!). Other developments: Joey (Matt LeBlanc) lands a role that requires kissing -- but not the kind that Joey is looking forward to. Monica (Courteney Cox) and Richard (Tom Selleck) have a showdown. And Chandler (Matthew Perry) finds the girl of his dreams on the Internet, or at least he thinks so until he meets her in person. This was the final episode of Friends' second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) anticipated reunion with her sailor boyfriend, Ryan (guest star Charlie Sheen), is scuttled by a case of chicken pox. Despite Phoebe's condition, Ryan will not be stopped -- or will he? Meanwhile, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) applies his acting skills to a temporary job at Chandler's (Matthew Perry) office, leading to a bad case of galloping improvisation. And Monica (Courteney Cox) worries that Richard (Tom Selleck) is too perfect -- no tics, no neuroses, no obsessions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Up until now, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) was the only person on earth who didn't know the ending to the old Disney picture Old Yeller. Now that she knows, she's prostrate with grief. Meanwhile, Monica (Courteney Cox) resents the fact that Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) are taking up all of Richard's (Tom Selleck) time -- and trying to behave like Richard to boot. And Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) doesn't like Ross' (David Schwimmer) extremely long-range plans for their future. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
