Duane R. Campbell Movies
- 1985
Vera's police officer husband Elliot (Charles Levin) has not exactly been a credit to the force, but thus far he hasn't screwed up so much as to lose his job. But when Elliot manages to shoot himself with his own gun, he decides on his own that he's not cut out for a life in law enforcement. Trouble is, he's not really cut out for a life in any other profession! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Alice ends its nine-season run with the series' 202nd episode, in which Mel Sharples (Vic Tayback) finally sells the diner that bears his name--and surprise of surprises, he doles out huge bonuses to his staff. Mel's waitresses Alice (Linda Lavin), Vera (Beth Howland and Jolene (Celia Weston) proceed to reminiscence on the highlights of the past nine years, which of course are served up in the form of "flashbacks" from earlier episodes. In the course of events, Alice finally gets her chance at showbiz stardom, Jolene draws up plans to open her own beauty shop, and Vera announces her pregnancy. This episode was written by the series' executive producers Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll Jr., whose previous collaborations included the classic 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Once again short of funds, Vera (Beth Howland) takes a second job as a radio deejay. Calling herself "Nightbird", Vera adopts an uncharacteristically sexy voice for her on-mike persona. Sure enough, our heroine attracts a huge fan following consisting of lonely males--and nearly wrecks her marriage to Elliot (Charles Levin) in the process. Watch for prolific character actor Stephen Tobolowsky in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Cult favorite Gregory Walcott (Plan Nine from Outer Space) appears in this episode as Big Jake, the father of waitress Jolene Hunnicutt (Celia Weston). When Big Jake, his three sons, his mom and his dog arrive in Phoenix, Jolene welcomes them with open arms. But when they all squeeze into her tiny apartment intending to stay in town indefinitely, Jolene wishes that she'd kept her arms closed! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Mel (Vic Tayback) wants trophy-winning ballplayer Jolene (Celia Weston) as pitcher for his softball team. Jolene, however, wants no part of this set-up. It isn't that she is afraid of losing; no, she's terrified that she might win. The reason? Well, it seems that the star player on the opposing team is Jolene's current boyfriend Buzz (John Bedford Lloyd). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1984
While attending a circus, Vera (Beth Howland) is enchanted by a miniature performing horse. She is also shocked to discover that the horse is being maltreated by its abusive trainer. This explains why Vera has smuggled the horse into the diner--and why the authorities are hot on her hoofs. The villain of the piece is played by Robert Englund, clealry warming up for his more famous role as the monstrous Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare at Elm Street films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Having long dreamed of owning a Porsche, Mel (Vic Tayback) is thrilled when his dream is fulfilled. Even better--the precious Porsche now in his possession cost him a mere twenty dollars. The explanation for this phenomenon is rooted in an old urban legend, and the principal player in the drama is a woman named Monique, played by Cassandra Peterson of "Elvira" fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Vera (Beth Howland) has decided to marry Elliot (Charles Levin), the cop who gave her a jaywalking ticket. That is, she decides to marry him, then doesn't. Then she does...then she doesn't...then she does...and then the episode runs out of both time and options. "Vera's Wedding" was originally telecast by CBS in tandem with its predecessor, "Vera Gets Engaged"--the same night that rival network ABC made history with its landmark nuclear-holocaust drama The Day After. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Phoenix may not be Roswell, but try telling that to Alice (Linda Lavin) when she sees a UFO. At first, the gang at the diner laughs at Alice's supposed sighting--but when "true believers" begin showing up at the diner, Mel figures out a way to profit from his top waitress' Close Encounter. With this episode, Alice moved to a Monday-night timeslot (it was originally seen just before the now famous M*A*S*H series finale). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Alice returned from a two-month hiatus (and back to its original Sunday-night timeslot) with this episode, originally scheduled for November 10, 1982. Mel's mom Carrie (Martha Raye) is back, and she's wallowing in the depths of a depression. Having divested herself of her new hubby in a quickie divorce, Carrie is in dire need of male companionship--and the pickings are mighty lean in Phoenix. Look for a very young Mykelti Williamson in a minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Mel (Vic Tayback) has put up with a lot from his overbearing mother Carrie (Martha Raye). But when Carrie demands that Mel get married and give her grandchildren, she has pushed the envelope too far. Going ballistic, Mel squirrels himself away in his apartment and binges on beer and pizza--refusing ever to set foot in the diner again. With this episode, Alice returned to its familiar Sunday-night timeslot, after hopscotching all over the 1982-1983 primetime schedule. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Freshman economics student Tommy (Philip McKeon) dispenses some valuable marketing advice to diner owner Mel (Vic Tayback). Sure enough, Mel's business improves dramatically--at least until Tommy takes a close look at the statistics and realizes that the diner is actually on the fast track to bankruptcy. Will Mel have to make up for the losses by firing Tommy's own mother Alice (Linda Lavin)? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
A pre-Cheers George Wendt shows up in this episode as Monty, a nebbishy Las Vegas busboy. Having previously been jilted by his girlfriend, Monty is unprepared for a second disillusionment when Alice (Linda Lavin) rebuffs his romantic overtures. The story climaxes with the first "within-the-episode" sighting of the sign in front of the diner--the same sign from which a despairing George threatens to jump! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
After scoring a best-seller with her recipe book, Mel's mom Carrie (Martha Raye) purchases the apartment building in which her son resides. Convinced that his existence will be rent-free from here on in, Mel (Vic Tayback) is sorely disappointed when Carrie actually increases his rent by an additional 50 bucks--and then evicts him when he refuses to pony up. This is the final episode of Alice's sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
After six successful seasons in a Sunday-night CBS slot, Alice moved to Wednesdays to launch its seventh year on the air. Appearing in the Season Seven opener is Debbie Reynolds as Felicia Blake, a famous actress who has just published her sensational, tell-all memoirs. While the whole world would like to learn the identity of the mystery man whom Felicia has identified as the "greatest kisser" she has ever known, diner owner Mel (Vic Tayback) has absolutely no doubts: He is confident that she is referring to him! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
In the conclusion of a two-part story, guest star Joel Grey has agreed to headline the musical play starring Alice (Linda Lavin) and bankrolled by Mel (Vic Tayback). But Grey ankles the project when Mel transforms the show from a sophisiticated Manhattan revue to a desert "folk opera", repleted with a line of cowboy-clad chorines and such deathless tunes as "Ramona from Arizona" (this is Alice's big solo, much to her dismay). As indicated by the episode's title, Joel Grey WILL save the day...but not until the very, very last minute! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Marilyn Cooper appears as Brenda, an old high-school chum of Alice (Linda Lavin). When Brenda pays a visit, Alice is surprised to discover that her friend still has a debilitating inferiority complex. Our heroine determines to change this situation while both she and Brenda attend a 1950s-themed reunion dance, leading to a joyously melodic denoument. This episode was originally scheduled to air on January 10, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In the opening episode of Alice's sixth season, diner owner Mel (Vic Tayback) once again allows his judgment to be clouded by his mania for gambling. Specifically, Mel plans to make a 90-to-1 bet on a horse race, using $10,000 borrowed against his diner. To save Mel from himself--and to save their jobs in the bargain--Alice (Linda Lavin) and the girls overpower their boss and rope him to a chair (and in case you're curious, Mel proves that he can still yell "Stow It!" with a gag in his mouth!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
A 1940s-themed banquet populated by an audience of prominent Arizona restauranteurs may prove to be a stepping-stone to stardom for our girl Alice (Linda Lavin). The starry-eyed waitress lands a singing gig at the banquet, one guaranteed to show off her talent for belting out the "oldies." Alice's appearance does indeed prove to be a momentous one--but not in the way that she imagined. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Donald O'Connor guest stars in this appropriately dance-themed episode. Aspiring hoofer Vera (Beth Howland) hopes to get her name in the Guinness Book of World Records. And how will she accomplish this feat? Why with her feet, of course--tap-dancing the day (and night) away in an effort to break the world's tapping record. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Kip Niven makes his first appearance as Steve Marsh, former high-school flame of watiress Vera (Beth Howland), and a man to whom "dependability" is a foreign term. Against the advice of Mel, Vera agrees to cash a check for Steve--and without going into further detail, Mel is given ample opportunity to say "I told you so!" This episode was originally taped for Alice's fifth season, but held back until Season Six due to a Hollywood writer's strike. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Ruth Buzzi guest stars as Chloe, the much-talked-about by heretofore unseen wife of owlish diner patron Henry (Marvin Kaplan). After twenty years of wedded strife, Henry is surprised that his wife is treating him nicely--and concludes that she must be having an affair. To get even, Henry pretends to be engaged in an extramarital relationship of his own...and inasmuch as the name of the series is Alice, guess who's drafted to pose as the "other woman"? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
More paranoid than usual after his safe is stolen, Mel (Vic Tayback) rents a pair of ferocious guard dogs. The huge hounds know their job, and they do it well--the result being that Mel, Alice (Linda Lavin) and the rest of the staff is trapped in the diner by the snarling "sentinels." Warren Berlinger, cast as an amorous IRS agent in the first-season episode "The Pain of No Return", appears herein as dog owner Stanley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Eddie Barth guest stars as "Rocky" Rockwell, an old buddy of diner owner Mel (Vic Tayback). Paying Mel and extended visit, Rocky arrives bearing news that his wife Mildred (Reva Rose) has walked out on him. Naturally, this places Mel in an awkward position--which gets akwarder and akwarder as the episode progresses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Polly Holliday makes her final regular Alice appearance in this episode, designed as a lead-in for the actress' new spinoff series Flo (which debuted exactly one month later, on March 24, 1980). When a wealthy Houston restauranteur offers Flo a terrific new job, the "Kiss Mah Grits" girl bids farewell to the gang at Mel's diner--and receives a gala party in honor. The fact that Flo would end up laboring away at her own truck stop in the flyspeck community of Cowtown, Texas was of course not revealed to her (or the viewer) until the situation's full comic value could be realized. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
