Philip Charles MacKenzie Movies
- 2002
In keeping with its promise to add ethnic diversity to its prime-time lineup, the ABC network gave the green light to the development of a weekly, half-hour sitcom built around the talents of Latino standup comedian George Lopez. On his eponymously titled series, Lopez was cast as "himself," an employee at a large airplane-parts factory not named Lockheed. Newly promoted to manager, George now found himself in the untenable position of ordering around his old pals -- not to mention his own mother, and fellow employee, the indomitable and insufferable Benny Lopez (Benita Moreno). Others in the cast included Constance Marie as George's wife Angie, Masiela Lusha and Luis Armand Garcia as his children, and Valente Rodriguez as his best friend Ernie. George Lopez debuted on March 27, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Luke Perry stars in this comedy about an actor starring in a failing sitcom. When the network sends him out to make a promotional appearance at the opening of a shopping center, he finds himself taking a long, hard look at his career and his marriage. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Luke Perry
- 1998
Asking the question, "Can't we all get along?," this TV sitcom attempts to shatter stereotypes with a satirical focus on upwardly mobile suburban couples in a gated, planned community. The arrival of black radio disc jockey Curtis Cook (Dondre T. Whitfield) and his pregnant wife Tamara (Kira Arne) elicit a variety of reactions, including one neighbor who accuses the Cooks of stealing his barbecue grill and another who believes Curtis is the gun-carrying punk who robbed him at an ATM. Various neighborz in the 'hood include Prozac-popping, blocked writer Will Marek (Matthew Letscher) and his wife, Jewish attorney Becca (Melinda McGraw); plus bigoted, gold-chained muffler king Carmine Santucci (Lenny Venito) and his trophy wife Lisa (Mia Cottet). Keeping Woodland Heights safe from intruders is beleaguered security guard Gordon (Terry Rhoads), teetering on a mental precipice. After the intro to these people in the pilot, subsequent episodes turn the spotlight from racism toward sexual insecurities and other areas ripe for social satire. This series has been compared to the '70s sitcom All in the Family, starring Carroll O'Conner as lovable bigot Archie Bunker. Filmed in L.A., Living in Captivity premiered September 11, 1998 on Fox. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Dondre Whitfield, Kira Arne, (more)
- 1996
Feeling a bit wistful one afternoon, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) informs his radio listeners that he has not forged one strong male friendship since arriving in Seattle. As a result, a wheelchair-bound fellow named Bob (Griffin Dunne) comes forward, eager and willing to be Frasier's closest friend. At first delighted by this turn of events, Frasier has reason to regret his on-the-air plea for companionship when all-around nice guy Bob turns out to be a crashing bore. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
Kate Costas (Mercedes Ruehl), headstrong manager of radio station KACL and erstwhile lover of Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), announces that she is leaving Seattle and moving to Chicago. It is at this point that Frasier realizes just how much he loves her. While waiting for her plane at the airport lounge, Kate and Frasier have a long, long talk -- with many, many surprises. This episode marked the final Frasier appearance of Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
Hoping to fix the 8000 dollars worth of unpaid parking tickets accumulated by his wife, Maris, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) enters into a slighty shady business arrangement with a "wise guy" named Belasco (Harris Yulin), most of whose friends have broken noses and bodies in the trunks of their cars. At the same time, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) advises one of his call-in listeners to dump her no-good boyfriend. Need it be added that the one who is dumped turns out to be the redoubtable Mr. Belasco? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
The romance between Daphne (Jane Leeves) and contractor Joe DeCarlo (Tony Carreiro) heats up, reaching a high point when Joe spends the night with her. An outraged Frasier chews Daphne out for using his apartment as a romantic retreat, whereupon he establishes a series of strict house rules. An equally outraged Daphne threatens to move out -- whereupon Martin (John Mahoney) panics, fully realizing that he and Frasier will not be able to stand each other's presence with Daphne gone. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
With his nerves at the breaking point, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is in no mood for the rude behavior he encounters at every turn at the Café Nervosa. When one customer becomes particularly abusive, Frasier uncharacteristically administers an "etiquette lesson" with physical force. Word quickly spreads concerning this outburst turning Frasier into a local hero -- whereupon his radio listeners follow his example by settling their problems with their fists. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
Donald O'Connor guest stars as Harlow Safford, an elderly, decidedly eccentric timber baron. A sanity hearing in court will determine the disposition of Mr. Safford's fortune. Two psychiatrists are called to testify, one for the defense, one for the prosecution. One believes that Safford is harmless and in full possession of his wits; the other is convinced that the old man is cuckoo. And, oh yes: One of the psychiatrists is Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer); the other is Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
Pulled over for speeding, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is instantly smitten by sexy female traffic cop Maureen Cutler (played by future Malcolm in the Middle co-star Jane Kaczmarek). Following up the episode, Frasier asks Maureen to come to his apartment. She does -- whereupon she develops a strong attraction to Frasier's ex-policeman dad, Martin (John Mahoney). Filmed as the fourth episode of Frasier's third season, "Police Story" was held back until April of 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
Radio station KACL is purchased by Big Willy Boone (Richard Hamilton) a flamboyant 85-year-old Texas multimillionaire. It turns out that Big Willy is engaged to Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris), the redoubtable agent of Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer). Warned that the engagement will be broken off if she doesn't stop smoking within three days, Bebe turns to Frasier for help -- thereby setting up a situation that could either land Frasier a nationally broadcast radio show or a quick trip to the unemployment bureau. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
The eternally unlucky-in-love Roz (Peri Gilpin) begins dating one of Niles' (David Hyde Pierce) patients. Armed with the knowledge that Roz's new beau is a serial womanizer, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) agonizes over how to break the news to her without violating the standard psychiatrist-patient confidentiality. As a result of Frasier's veiled and somewhat convoluted warnings, Roz leaps to the conclusion that he himself has fallen in love with her. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
A 12-person focus group comprised of ordinary citizens reviews Frasier's radio show. 11 of the 12 love the show; the 12th, the owner of a newspaper stand, does not. Neurotically obsessing over why this particular group member is apparently hostile toward him, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) begins stalking the poor fellow -- and nearly destroys his life. The hapless newsie is played by guest star Tony Shalhoub, several years removed from his starring turn on Monk. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Frasier's son, Frederick Crane (Luke Tarsitano), makes his annual Yuletide visit to Seattle. Eagerly looking forward to the educational toys that Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has promised him -- including a "Living Brain" -- Frederick is crushed when a mistake is made in shipping and he receives nothing but girl's playthings. Thus it is that Frasier, who despises crowds even in the best of time, must claw his way from one mall to another in a hectic last-minute shopping excursion. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Niles (David Hyde Pierce) finally works up the gumption to tell off his wife Maris. This may explain why Niles turns up on the doorstep of his brother Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and father Martin (John Mahoney), moaning over the fact that Maris hasn't been seen for three days. Frasier advises Niles to beg his wife's forgiveness, but things don't turn out as planned. Just as well: This episode launches a story tangent that will eventually culminate in lasting happiness for at least two of the series' characters (and one of them isn't Maris!). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Although they never cared much for their late and unlamented great aunt Louise, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) agree to arrange the old girl's funeral. Even though she has shuffled off her mortal coil, Aunt Louise manages to exercise her usual total control over his great-nephews, who are forced to follow the dictates of her will to the letter. While dutifully rummaging through some old family papers, Frasier makes an astonishing discovery: An unpublished song, written specifically for Frank Sinatra--by Frasier's dad Martin (John Mahoney). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl makes her first Frasier appearance as KACL's stubborn new station manager Kate Costas, as the series launches its third season. Almost immediately upon her arrival in Seattle, Kate begins tinkering with the format of Frasier Crane's (Kelsey Grammer) radio advice program. Predictably, Frasier digs in his heels and dismisses Kate's efforts to invest his program with "national" appeal: "I'd rather stay local, if going national means sucking at the sump pump of sensationalism." But Kate is not one to be trifled with -- and it isn't long before Frasier is exiled to a 2 a.m. timeslot. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
In the conclusion of a two-part story, former antagonists Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Kate Costas (Mercedes Ruehl) are now enmeshed in a torrid romance. In fact, "torrid" hardly covers it: The two can't keep their hands off each other, either in or out of the office. When they end up "doing it" in the radio booth, the action is inadvertently broadcast all over Seattle -- and soon the city is abuzz as to the identity of the mysterious "dirty girl." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Aghast at finding a tiny scratch on his otherwise flawless hardwood floor, Frasier calls in a contractor to repair the damage. What begins as a relatively small job mushrooms into a vast and expensive undertaking -- one that threatens to ruin a wine-tasting party being held at Frasier's home. The reason? Well, it all stems back to Niles (David Hyde Pierce), who is jealous over the attention paid by Daphne (Jane Leeves) to handsome hunk contractor Joe DeCarlo (Tony Carreiro). This episode earned an Emmy award for "best sound mixing." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
New KACL station manager Kate Costas (Mercedes Ruehl) thinks that encouraging her on-the-air talent to play practical jokes on each other will improve ratings. When Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) falls victim to a nasty prank perpetrated by sports-show host Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe (Dan Butler), he decides to get even in a peculiarly personal matter. Taking advantage of Bulldog's phobia about lizards, Frasier plants a slithery little critter just where his nemesis will find it. What he hadn't counted on was that Kate would stumble upon the lizard first -- and the results are nearly fatal! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Nathan Lane guest stars as a man who steals Frasier's briefcase. The theft has Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) shaken to his foundations, not only because of the material loss, but because it has damaged his faith in mankind. But that's not the half of it: The thief is now going all over Seattle posing as Dr. Frasier Crane. And here's a puzzler for Frasier fans: Guess the identity of that uncredited celebrity who provides the call-in voice of Denise. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
While conducting his radio advice show, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) receives a call from Gretchen, the wife of a philandering Austrian fencing instructor named Gunnar (Brian Cousins). As it happens, this is the same Gunnar who is currently giving lessons to Niles' wife, Maris. Jumping to the obvious conclusion, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) is convinced that Gunnar and Maris are engaging in more than innocent swordplay -- and the only logical solution is to challenge Gunnar to a duel. Irene Olga Lopez makes her first series appearance as the unseen Maris' maid Marta. This episode earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Harriet Sansom Harris returns as Bebe Glazer, the predatory agent of radio personality Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer). Hoping to secure a pay raise for her client, Bebe suggests that Frasier stage a "sick-out." The management at KACL responds by removing virtually all evidence that Frasier ever worked for the radio station -- even unto painting over the name on his parking space. Normally, this might bode ill for future contract negotiations, but it turns out that Bebe has more than money in mind, and she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) agrees to go ice fishing with his father, Martin (John Mahoney), and brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce). No, Frasier has not suddenly developed an insatiable yearning for Seattle's winter weather; he simply hopes that in the course of the trip, his father will finally tell Frasier that he loves him. The outcome of the episode hinges upon a lengthy, lachrymose session with a certain "Mr. James Beam." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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