David Paymer Movies

The nurses go on strike, forcing the doctors and interns (with the exception of George [T.R. Knight], who refuses to cross the picket line) to soldier on all by themselves. With Bailey on pregnancy leave, her replacement is Dr. Sydney Aaron (Kali Rocha), the polar opposite of Seattle Grace's infamous "Nazi". Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) makes a mistake while treating a patient, and the error does not go unnoticed by the patient's gossipy friends (played by veteran actresses Betty Garrett, June Lockhart and Rae Allen). And elsewhere, the beleagured doctors must cope with a sullen pregnant teenager and a mysterious skin ailment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the tradition of Dore Schary's Sunrise at Campobello, the made-for-cable biopic Warm Springs focuses on one of the least publicized aspects in the life of America's most-publicized (and longest-serving) president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, here played brilliantly by British actor Kenneth Branagh. Like Sunrise, Warm Springs uses as its starting point the year 1921, when the 39-year-old Roosevelt was permanently paralyzed from the waist down by an attack of polio. But whereas the earlier film concentrated on FDR's battle to return to public life despite his handicap, this film zeroes in on Roosevelt's efforts to cure himself of his affliction. Having heard of the therapeutic value of the waters of Warm Springs in rural Georgia, Roosevelt makes a pilgrimage to the area, which is little more than a swamp surrounded by dilapidated shacks. Though he never experiences the "miracle" cure that he so desperately seeks, Roosevelt is instrumental in the conversion of Warm Springs from a backwater hellhole to a streamlined, efficiently managed polio-treatment center, a virtual mecca for hundreds of thousands of others who had been crippled by the debilitating illness. And in the process, he also brings hope, optimism, and racial enlightenment to the poverty-stricken, multiethnic citizens of Warm Springs. Even more significantly, FDR removes the stigma of polio from the public consciousness, forever abolishing the misguided notions that the disease adversely affected the brain, that it could be spread merely by physical contact, or that it represented celestial "punishment" of the victim (it is noted, however, that Roosevelt was always careful never to reveal the true extent of his immobility nor his atrophied legs in public, feeling that it might diminish the nation's image of an "invulnerable" Commander in Chief). Also in the cast are Cynthia Nixon as Roosevelt's devoted wife, Eleanor; Jane Alexander (who'd previously played Eleanor Roosevelt in two TV miniseries) as his over-protective mother Sara; David Paymer as his crusty chief aide Louis Howe; Kathy Bates as his no-nonsense physical therapist Helena Mahoney; and Tim Blake Nelson as Tom Loyless, the man in charge of Warm Springs. Originally telecast by HBO on April 30, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, the sprawling six-part, 12-hour TV miniseries Into the West covers 65 years of American history, from the first major migration westward in the mid-1820s to the massacre at Wounded Knee in the early 1890s. The story is largely seen through the eyes of two protagonists (and their families): Jacob Wheeler (Matthew Settle), a wheelwright who leaves his Virginia hometown and his family's business in 1827 to seek his destiny in the company of legendary mountain man Jedediah Smith (Josh Brolin); and Loved by the Buffalo (George Leach), a Lakota Sioux holy man who spends a lifetime seeking the answers to his profound and disturbing images about the future of his country -- and his people. Eschewing the usual "old-age makeup" route often pursued in epic tales of this nature, the main characters are played by progressively older actors in the course of the story: for example, Loved by the Buffalo is portrayed by no fewer than four different performers! In a more traditionalist How the West Was Won vein, the miniseries is festooned with major stars, some cast in very brief roles: among these are Josh Brolin, Keri Russell, Matthew Modine, Beau Bridges, Gary Busey, Tom Berenger, and Judge Reinhold. Nor is How the West Was Won the only inspiration for the multi-plotted storyline: other films echoed and emulated throughout the saga include The Iron Horse, The Big Trail, Westward the Women, The Searchers, and Dances With Wolves. As mentioned, the story is divided into six parts: "Wheel to the Stars," in which the fates of Jacob Wheeler and Loved by the Buffalo become forever intertwined; "Manifest Destiny," chronicling the first major trek to California; "Dreams & Schemes," wherein the Lakota lands are despoiled by Gold Fever and war breaks out between the North and South; "Hell on Wheels," chronicling the postwar chaos and the coming of the railroad; "Casualties of War," wherein the conflict between Native Americans and the white man results in wholesale bloodshed -- and, surprisingly, a "counter-revolution" of compassion and understanding; and "Ghost Dance," the last great stand of the Lakota, which brings the story full circle. Largely filmed in the Canadian Rockies over a six-month period, and utilizing the talents of six directors, Into the West premiered June 10, 2005, on the TNT cable network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The first biographical film produced by the FX cable channel, RFK covers the last five years in the life of Robert F. Kennedy, here played by British actor Linus Roache. The narrative begins in 1963, with the assassination of Bobby's brother, president John F. Kennedy (Martin Donovan). His appointment as Attorney General already a source of outrage for resentful new President Lyndon Johnson (James Cromwell), Bobby now finds himself in the position of proving his worth all over again -- not only to his brother's successor and the world, but also himself. With the spirit of his brother acting as counsel, Bobby succeeds beyond his wildest dreams, especially in the field of social and racial reform. By 1968, he is a viable candidate for the presidency himself, and there seems to be no stopping him -- but fate, as it often will, again takes a hand in matters. Unlike previous cinematic recaps of the early 1960s, RFK is careful not to identify its characters as heroes or heels, but instead as human beings with all the strengths and shortcomings indigenous to the species. Filmed in Ontario, RFK originally aired on August 25, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A white-collar criminal meets a blue-collar small-time crook who thinks he's stumbled into a major score in this crime comedy. Bob (David Paymer) is a slightly geeky computer programmer who decides to turn on his boss and make a big killing. He steals a highly valuable set of computer codes from his workplace and offers to sell them to their competitors. Bob's plan seems to be working out fine, until he makes the mistake of discussing his plan on a bus within earshot of a drifter (Casper Van Dien) who overhears that Bob expects a seven-figure payday for the data. The drifter lifts the briefcase with Bob's stolen goods, and Bob discovers he now has a partner in crime. Bob has little choice but to play along, though his lack of enthusiasm becomes acute when the drifter's former girlfriend, a pair of Japanese agents, a detective, and several other hangers-on are all hot on their trail. Partners also features Vanessa Angel, Seiko Matsuda, Jennifer Lewis, and Donna Pescow. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

How does a man convince the woman he loves that attempting to make him the toast of Broadway could be a really bad idea? Paul Halpern (David Paymer) is a cynical, middle-aged comedy writer who primarily works in television. Paul once had dreams of becoming a successful playwright, but after a passionate, short-lived relationship with a beautiful woman, he wrote a stage drama that became a notorious flop when it was presented for the first (and only) time by a Los Angeles theater company. Paul has come to believe that his play is cursed, and he has spent years trying to distance himself from the ill-fated project. Paul is more single than he'd like to be these days, and he's encouraged when he's approached by Carla (Rosalind Chao), an attractive, intelligent woman who seems quite fond of him. However, while Carla is attracted to Paul personally, she also has a professional interest in him. Carla is a director who wants to stage Paul's play in New York, and while he'd like to make her happy, he thinks it would be inviting disaster to put his drama back on the boards. Enemies of Laugher also features Judge Reinhold as a filmmaker directing a documentary about Paul, Peter Falk and Bea Arthur as Paul's parents, and cameos from Marilu Henner and Kathy Griffin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Desperate for an A-list guest as his final show draws ever closer, Larry (Garry Shandling) determines that he must overcome his discomfort with affectionate old friend David Duchovny in order to secure an appearance from the X-Files star. Meanwhile, Artie (Rip Torn) struggles to keep the emotional staff afloat in hopes of producing a memorable swan song for The Larry Sanders Show. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

While organizing a roast for Larry (Garry Shandling), Norman (David Paymer) invites Dana Carvey, Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, and Al Franken to take their best shot at the self-absorbed talk-show host. When Artie (Rip Torn) invites Carl Reiner to host instead of Hank (Jeffrey Tambor), the sensitive sidekick retaliates by practicing his heckler defense skills and inviting an unexpected guest. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Although The Commish officially came to an end at the end of its fourth season, the series was briefly revived in late 1999 with three new episodes advertised as "movie specials." "In the Shadow of the Gallows" finds Eastbridge, NY, police commissioner Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis) plagued by a past murder. The two-part "Father Image" reunites Tony with his onetime mentor Terry Boyle (Darren McGavin). And in "Redemption," Rod Steiger guest stars as a suspected arsonist. ~ All Movie Guide

Season four of The Commish gets off to a harrowing start with the two-part "Against the Wind," wherein Eastbridge, NY, police commissioner Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis) is temporarily paralyzed in an assassination attempt. Though he manages to recover from this, Tony narrowly escapes death in a later episode when he comes too close to exposing a conspiracy to frame an innocent man. There has been quite a turnover since season three, with Chief of Detectives Cyd Madison (Melinda McGraw) leaving Eastbridge to accept another job, and Paulie Pentangeli (John Cygan), not seen since the series' first season, returning to take Cyd's place. Others missing from the roster this season are officers Ricky Caruso (Nicholas Lea), Mike Rose (Pat Bermel), and Jonathan Papdakis (Ray Scrivano) -- and, of course, the late officer Stan Kelly, who died in spectacular fashion at the end of season three. The cases crossing Scali's desk during this years' 22 episodes involve crooked cops, illegal immigrants, a possible ghost sighting, and, on an intensely personal note, the possibility that Tony's father (George Kennedy) may have killed the man dating Tony's mother (Carol Lawrence). In the two-part season finale (which was also planned as The Commish's very last episode), "Off Broadway," Tony teams with New York police officer Connie Muldoon (Lisa Vidal) to hunt down a serial killer. ~ All Movie Guide

Soon after announcing the cancellation of her engagement, actress Sharon Stone appears on The Larry Sanders Show, and an elated Larry (Garry Shandling) proposes that the two go on a date. Despite the fact that all seems to be going well during their first date, Artie (Rip Torn) warns Larry that he may be headed for rough waters with his new relationship. When the womanizing host gets a taste of his own medicine, Larry proves fairly resilient, though Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) doesn't take the break-up quite so easily. Special guest stars include David Paymer, Jack Blessing, Julianne Phillips, Sid Newman, Lisa Edelstein, and, of course, Sharon Stone. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The two-part "Suffer the Children," all about the investigation of a runaway's death, opens the third season of The Commish. With his wife, Rachel (Theresa Saldana), pursuing a new career in Buffalo, Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis), police commissioner of Eastbridge, NY, considers quitting his job, joining his wife, and starting a new career of his own as a private eye. Though this doesn't happen, Eastside's PD does lose a couple of its best officers, Carmela Pagan and Gordy Tuefel (respectively played in previous seasons by Gina Belafonte and Michael Patten). And at the tail end of season three, officer Stan Kelly (Geoffrey Nauffts) makes a startling and spectacular exit in a car explosion. In other developments, Tony must come to the rescue of wife Rachel twice, first when she is framed for murder, then when she is taken hostage by bank robbers; Chief of Detectives Cyd Madison (Melinda McGraw) is drawn into a potential fatal attraction; Stan Kelly's fiancée is implicated in a robbery; and one of the cops shakes up the precinct when he comes out of the closet. As the season draws to a close, Tony must deal with the fallacies and failures of the court system when trying to protect a little girl from being molested by her wealthy and well-connected father. ~ All Movie Guide