Carroll O'Connor

In this romantic comedy, a man loses the love of his life, only to find her heart beating in the body of someone new. Architect Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) is happily married until his wife Elizabeth (Joely Richardson), a zoologist, dies in an auto accident. A year later, Bob is still dealing with his loss when he meets Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver), a shy woman who waits tables in an Irish/Italian restaurant run by her grandfather Marty (Carroll O'Connor). Bob falls for Grace at first sight, and she's attracted to him as well, but what he doesn't know is that a year ago Grace was the recipient of a heart transplant -- and that Elizabeth was the donor. Return to Me was directed and co-written by actress Bonnie Hunt, who also appears in a supporting role as Grace's best friend Megan; the cast also includes Robert Loggia, James Belushi, and David Alan Grier. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In the comic fable Gideon, the residents of the Lakeview Retirement Home are drifting through their final years with quiet dissatisfaction. A former cook (Carrol O'Connor) can't stand the food, a former fighter (Mike Connors) wishes he could still box, a one-time philosophy professor (Charlton Heston) has no one to discuss life's issues with, and a long-time artist (Shirley Jones) isn't allowed to paint the way she likes. Then one day Gideon (Christopher Lambert), younger than the rest but suffering from mental retardation, joins the group. While Gideon's I.Q. is lower than the other residents, his people skills are unusually keen, and his simple yet profound outlook on life soon gives everyone a new lease on life and makes the days something to look forward to again. Christopher Lambert co-produced as well as starring in the title role. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

After innumerable false alarms, it looks as though Jamie (Helen Hunt) is going to have her baby. This expected blessed event coincides with the unexpected film-festival triumph of Jamie's husband, Paul (Paul Reiser) -- who'da thunk that "Buchman" would win an award over a Michael Moore project? Originally telecast as the hour-long finale of Mad About You's fifth season, this episode has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) have decided to hold off telling everyone that Jamie is pregnant until the couple can make a formal announcement at their Thanksgiving dinner. This plan is undermined by a number of "security leaks" in the office of gynecologist Joan Golfinos (Suzie Plakson). The ending offers six degrees of surprises thanks to an unheralded guest star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This tribute to the long-running and very successful TV comedy series features the original cast as they take a nostalgic and respectful look back at the series, reflecting as to its impact on their lives and careers. Included too, are actual scenes from early episodes as well as viewers opinions on the smashing series which was watched faithfully by millions who apparently found more than a little of their own lives depicted. ~ All Movie Guide

In this provocative made-for-television drama, an African American Chicago priest takes on the Catholic church during his fight to adopt a troubled teen and save him from life on the streets. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Carroll O'Connor stars as NYPD chief of detectives Frank Nolan in Brass. The script, pseudonymously cowritten by O'Connor and Alvin Boretz, dramatizes two real-life incidents: a sniper attack on Penn Station and a murder in the CBS network parking lot. Though consigned to a desk job, Nolan insists upon hitting the streets to solve the crimes at hand. Vincent Gardenia, who'd previously costarred with Carroll O'Connor on All in the Family as Archie Bunker's next-door neighbor, appears as Chief Mike Maldonato. The director was former actor Corey Allen, best remembered as James Dean's "chicken run" opponent in Rebel Without a Cause. Intended as the pilot for a weekly series, Brass debuted September 11, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Just when Archie has accustomed himself to the presence of foster daughter Stephanie, along comes Stephanie's no-good father (and Edith's cousin), Floyd Mills. Aware of the Bunkers' fondness for Stephanie, Floyd cagily offers to let the girl stay with them -- provided they pay him a thousand dollars. Ben Slack takes over from Marty Brill as the unsavory Mr. Mills. Also in the cast are veteran actors Victor Kilian and Charles Wagenheim, who, in a grim coincidence were murdered by the same assailant a few weeks before this episode aired on March 25, 1979. "The Return of Stephanie's Father" was written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Theodore Bikel returns as Bronx butcher Alvin Klemmer, the man who fell in love with Edith during All in the Family's eighth season. Insisting that he's gotten over his infatuation with Edith, Alvin introduces the Bunkers to his new fiancée, a mittel-European woman named Judith Klammerstadt. But even slow-on-the-uptake Archie realizes that Alvin's latest love bears an astonishing resemblance to Edith as well she should, since both Edith and Judith are played by Jean Stapleton (who, in her "other" role, is billed as Giovanna Pucci, an Italianized variation of the actress' married name, Mrs. Jean Putch). Written by Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf, "A Girl Like Edith" originally aired on January 14, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fully aware of Archie's narrow-minded attitude towards minorities, Stephanie hides the fact that she's Jewish. The truth comes to the forefront thanks to the family's well-meaning minister, Reverend Chong (Clyde Kusatsu), to whom Stephanie confessed during a Sunday School session. Will Archie renounce Stephanie now that he knows she's not "one of his kind," or will he swallow his pride and prejudices (for the umpteenth time)? Written by Patt Shea and Harriet Weiss, "Stephanie's Conversion" first aired on February 18, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The disappearance of several items from the Bunker household coincides with a rash of petty thefts from the school attended by Stephanie. Though Archie and Edith are reluctant to believe it, the evidence is irrefutable: Stephanie has been stealing. The question is how best to punish the girl, who, after all, is not really the Bunkers' daughter. Davis Roberts appears as school principal Mr. Ruskin. Written by Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin, "Stephanie and the Crime Wave" was originally telecast on January 28, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide