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- 1973
In this drama, a young woman is devastated to find out that her mother is involved with a younger man. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Bloodsport began life under the less alluring title Poetry in Motion. Gary Busey and Ben Johnson star as, respectively, a high-school football quarterback and his "winning is the only thing" father. The more his dad pushes him, the less Busey truly wants to be an athlete. The inter-family hostility comes to a head during an excitingly filmed climactic gridiron battle. Made for TV, Bloodsport was initially telecast on December 5, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Johnson, Gary Busey, (more)
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette, (more)
- 1987
The docudrama Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8, relates the story of the trial that resulted from the riots that broke out in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic Convention. The majority of the dialogue has been taken directly from court records and archival footage. Michael Lembeck plays the boisterous prankster Abbie Hoffman, who was certainly the most entertaining of the defendants. The main victim of his pranks is Judge Hoffman (David Opatoshu), whose stoic attitude is constantly challenged by the outrageous behavior of the defendants. The cast includes Barry Miller as Jerry Rubin, Robert Carradine as Rennie Davis, Robert Loggia as defense attorney William Hunstler, and other famous politically active actors like Peter Boyle and Martin Sheen. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
As indicated by its title, this made-for-TV weeper was inspired by one of author Danielle Steel's innumerable best-sellers. The beautiful and talented Adrian (Polly Draper) is a writer for one of America's most popular TV soap operas. She is also pregnant, and when she refuses to abort her baby, Adrian's selfish husband (Kevin Kilner) deserts her. It falls to one of the soap opera's producers, the recently divorced Bill (John Ritter), to convince Adrian to give romance a second chance -- and, incidentally, to give her baby a new last name. Described at the time of its release as "a yuppie love story," Danielle Steel's 'Heartbeat' was originally telecast by NBC on February 3, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Ray (Ray Romano) has been devoting more time coaching his basketball team for the Pizza League Championship than he does playing with own children. This gets Ray on the bad side of his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton)--but this is nothing compared to the family crisis precipitated when Ray's brother Robert (Brad Garrett) is forced to resign as captain of the team. Feeling that Ray is responsible for Robert's demotion, his parents Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts) lay on the guilt feelings with a trowel. ~ 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
- 1996
Fans of Everybody Loves Raymond will be fascinated by the slight cosmetic differences between this pilot episode and the series proper--not to mention the fact that the twin sons of Ray and Debra Barone are here named Matthew and Gregory, rather than Michael and Geoffrey. Beyond these minor discrepancies, the episode serves up the standard hilarious recipe, as Debra (Patricia Heaton) complains to her sportwriter husband Ray (Ray Romano) about his family's habit of dropping in at their home unannounced. To mollify his wife, Ray arranges things so that his dad Frank (Peter Boyle), his mom Marie (Doris Roberts), and his policeman brother Robert (Brad Garrett) will NOT be in attendance at Debra's birthday party. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1996
Debra (Patricia Heaton) wants to buck Barone family tradition by insisting that Thanksgiving dinner be served at her house, rather than her in-laws'. So as not to risk comparison with Marie's famous turkey dinners, Debra serves up a tasty repast of striped bass. Luck of luck, everyone loves Debra's piscatorial delicacy--everyone except Marie (Doris Roberts), who now feels rejected. But this crisis pales in comparision to the brouhaha arising over the family's decision to swear off watching football after dinner is served. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1996
Ross (David Schwimmer) discovers that Marcel the Monkey has become a popular TV commercial star (next step to superstardom: "Virus II"). Fortune also smiles upon Joey (Matt LeBlanc) during his tenure on Days of Our Lives -- or at least he thinks so until meeting his unbalanced "number one fan." And Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) finds that her songs may not be suitable for all ages when she plays for a group of library kids. Michael Lembeck won an Emmy award for his direction of this episode. Part one of "The One After the Super Bowl" originally aired in a 60-minute slot with part two, but was rebroadcast and syndicated as a separate entity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Julia Roberts and Jean-Claude Van Damme appear in this episode, in which the gang pays a visit to Hollywood. Chandler (Matthew Perry) is less impressed by celebrities than by an old friend from the fourth grade who has gotten work in the Industry -- and who has an old score to settle. Joey (Matt LeBlanc) gets another in a long line of "big" breaks. And Ross (David Schwimmer) and Marcel the Monkey take a trip. Michael Lembeck won an Emmy award for his direction of this episode. Part two of "The One After the Super Bowl" originally aired in a 60-minute slot with part one, but was syndicated as a separate entity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 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)
- 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)
- 1996
Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) hubris over being cast as Dr. Ramoray on Days of Our Lives evaporates when his character is abruptly killed off (and, truth be told, it's all because of Joey's big mouth). Monica (Courteney Cox) and Richard (Tom Selleck) have an intimate discussion with Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) that reveals too much for comfort. And Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) endeavors to forge a bond between Chandler (Matthew Perry) and his new looney-tune roommate, Eddie (Adam Goldberg). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) has the chance to record her song "Smelly Cat" as a music video -- but there's a condition she doesn't know about. After a misfire apartment-decorating session, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) wants to move back in with Chandler (Matthew Perry), but there's Chandler's new roommate, Eddie (Adam Goldberg), to consider. And the relationship between Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) has an unexpectedly negative effect on Monica (Courteney Cox). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Whatever Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) shortcomings as a roommate, he was a prince among men compared to Chandler's (Matthew Perry) bizarre new roomie, Eddie (Adam Goldberg). Ordered to leave, Eddie agrees, then claims he's forgotten all about the agreement. Elsewhere, Joey has to adjust to the fact that his soap opera stardom -- and the commensurate hefty salary -- is a thing of the past. And after reading the self-empowerment book "Be Your Own Windkeeper," the girls feel that a "goddess meeting" is in order. ~ Hal Erickson, 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
- 1996
Chandler (Matthew Perry) is disappointed when his roommate, Joey (Matt LeBlanc), accepts an offer from an actor friend to move into another apartment. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) visit a tattoo parlor. And news of Dr. Richard Burke's (Tom Selleck) romance with "twinkie in the city" Monica (Courteney Cox) is met with something less than unconfined joy by Burke's best friend -- Monica's father Jack Geller (Elliott Gould). ~ 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
- 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)
- 1996
Tom Selleck makes his first series appearance as Dr. Richard Burke, the optometrist with whom the much-younger Monica (Courteney Cox) has a fling. Elsewhere, Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) soap opera salary enables him to buy such creature comforts as a big-screen TV and a pair of leather recliners -- whereupon he and Chandler (Matthew Perry) turn into couch potatoes (evidently emulating their favorite video stars Beavis and Butthead). And in keeping with the episode's title, Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) go out on their first date -- and end up as an R-rated planetarium exhibit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 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)
- 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
- 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
