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- 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
- 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
- 1996
Chandler (Matthew Perry) invokes memories of Three's Company ("Okay, think! What would Jack and Chrissy do?") when Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) divorcing parents, Sandra (Marlo Thomas) and Leonard (Ron Leibman), show up unexpectedly at her surprise party. To avoid further embarrassment, the party, like an evolving cell, splits in two: one for Sandra, one for Leonard. As if that makes anything better. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Ross (David Schwimmer) have a run-in with a pair of bullies at Central Perk -- only to join forces with their tormentors when another bully horns in. Monica's (Courteney Cox) eccentric methods of stock investment (based upon her initials) come a cropper, forcing her to take a humiliating job at a "1950s" diner. And Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) efforts to meet her birth father yield unexpected results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Paul (Paul Reiser) works out at a local gym where no one knows who he really is. Jamie (Helen Hunt) ultimately gets a free ten-day pass to the selfsame gym, and promptly hands it over to a homeless individual. Need we add that "mystery man" Paul is somewhat put out by this turn of events? Bruno Kirby is tonight's special guest transient. ~ Hal Erickson, 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
- 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
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
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
- 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
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
- 1996
Season five of Mad About You begins with Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) happily reconciled, thanks to Jamie's impending pregnancy. With their regular gynecologist, Mark, in Europe, the Buchmans need a new doctor to handle the preliminaries. Paul's gay sister, Debbie (Robin Bartlett), recommends her current girlfriend -- thereby introducing Suzie Plakson to the cast as Joan Golfinos. As for the title of the episode...well, take a look at the character played by John O'Hurley. ~ 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
Though told to give up coffee during her pregnancy, Jamie (Helen Hunt) must somehow stay awake while burning the midnight oil on Lance Brockwell's political campaign. Meanwhile, Paul tries to decide how best to spend a large financial grant. Coming to Paul's rescue (if not Jamie's) is his aphorism-spouting Uncle Phil (guest star Mel Brooks). With this episode, Harry Groener replaces Alan Ruck as Lance Brockwell. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1996
Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) very belatedly keep an appointment with a therapist. This creates a major conflict with Paul's family, who are primed to begin helping him film his latest documentary project, "Buchman." Mo Gaffney makes her first series appearance as pragmatic therapist Sheila Kleinman. ~ 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
While still in the womb, the Buchmans' baby bears witness as Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) recall the highlights -- and lowlights -- of their six-year marriage. The title of this episode wasn't kidding: This is indeed a "clip show," comprised of choice moments from seasons one through four of Mad About You. The brilliant documentary filmmaker and compilation expert Chuck Workman was responsible for the selection and editing of these precious vignettes. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1995
Part two of The One with the Two Parts is a hospital farce. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) has to go to a doctor, but has no insurance. To alleviate the problem, Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel switch identities so that Rachel can use Monica's coverage. Complications ensue when the two become attracted to their doctors (guest stars George Clooney and Noah Wyle). Asked out on dates by the cute practitioners, Monica and Rachel begin to bicker over who will date who -- listing each other's worst attributes in front of the doctors. Meanwhile, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) are not getting along because Joey is still dating Phoebe's twin sister, Ursula, forgetting Phoebe's birthday -- despite the fact that the identical siblings share the same birthday. Finally, Ross (David Schwimmer) is still afraid of being a father until Marcel the Monkey swallows some Scrabble tiles and Ross has to rush him to the hospital. His ability to take care of Marcel convinces him that he can handle fatherhood. This episode originally aired on February 23, 1995. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1995
This episode marks the first appearance of Phoebe's (Lisa Kudrow) twin sister, Ursula (also played by Kudrow), who is the exact opposite of the considerate and peace-loving Phoebe. Joey starts to date Ursula, which annoys Phoebe because she doesn't get along with her sister. Meanwhile, Ross (David Schwimmer) attends Lamaze class with Susan (Jessica Hecht) and Carol (Jane Sibbett). As Carol voices her anxiety about going through with the pregnancy, Ross also begins to come to terms with his role as a father; much humor is made over who gets to play the father role in the class exercises. Across town, Chandler (Matthew Perry) is dating Nina (Jennifer Grant), an employee he cannot bring himself to fire -- instead, he tells the other office workers that she is insane and too imbalanced to let go. When Nina asks why her co-workers are avoiding her, Chandler says that perhaps they are jealous of their relationship. After Marcel, Ross' monkey, changes Monica's (Courteney Cox) TV to Spanish mode, the gang sits around and watches it. This leads Joey to make the astute observation that "Urkel" is spelled the same way in Spanish as it is in English. Helen Hunt and Leila Kenzle show up at Central Perk as Jamie and Fran, their characters from Mad About You. This episode is part one of a two-part episode that originally aired on February 23, 1995. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1995
Friends' second-season opener resolves the nagging question left unanswered at the end of season one: Who is that girl at the airport with Ross (David Schwimmer)? The answer is Ross' new girlfriend, Julie (Lauren Tom) -- an answer that will please neither Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), who has been told that Ross is in love with her, nor Chandler (Matthew Perry), who revealed Ross' feelings to Rachel. Meanwhile, Monica (Courteney Cox) has a bad hair day, and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) gets the lowdown on his family's tailor. The DVD version of this episode includes material not seen in the syndicated version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
