Joe Regalbuto Movies

Based on the actual events of one of the most horrific cases of child abuse ever to be documented, this haunting drama tells the tale of a young girl so severely affected by her traumatic experiences that she was unable to integrate into society after being rescued from her tormenting parents. When thirteen-year-old Katie Standon (Tarra Steele) was discovered in the early days of November 1970, the nation was shocked to learn that she had been isolated by her parents for fourteen years; spending her days in a closet wearing diapers and unable to utter a word. Assigned to social worker Sandra (Melissa Errico), Katie attempts to reintegrate herself into society, though her progress is tragically hindered by abusive Dr. Judy Bingham (Sean Young). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

With the New Year approaching, Chandler (Matthew Perry) resolves to abstain from poking fun at his friends for a whole week; Ross (David Schwimmer) vows to try something new each day; Joey (Matt LeBlanc) promises to learn to play the guitar (with Phoebe's help); Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) forsakes gossiping; and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) will become a temporary commercial jet pilot (yeh, sure). The resolutions begin falling apart the moment Ross tries something embarrassing -- if not the moment Rachel learns the whole truth about Chandler and Monica (Courteney Cox). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Returning from Europe, abrasive talk-show host Jerry Gold (Jay Thomas) wants to reconnect with his ex-lover Murphy (Candice Bergen)--a consummation which, it turns out, is also devoutly wished by Murphy's coworkers. Although willing to spend the night with Jerry, Murphy still can't make a commitment. As it turns out, this suits Jerry fine, inasmuch as he is about to married--and adding insult to injury, he wants Murphy to be his "best man"! This episode was originally scheduled for January 28, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The tenth and final season of Murphy Brown resolves the previous season's cliffhanger finale, as TV reporter Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) bids farewell to her co-workers on the Washington-based newsmagazine "FYI," in preparation of starting her new job as a White House correspondent. Not surprisingly, the tactlessly outspoken Murphy loses her White House gig in a record 45 minutes, forcing her to beg for her old job back. But these intrigues pale in significance compared to the central crisis of season ten, wherein Murphy is diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the seriousness of the situation and the gloominess of its ramifications -- notably Murphy's efforts to break the news to her son, Avery (played this season by a pre-Sixth Sense Haley Joel Osment) -- the series still manages to deliver plenty of laughs amidst the tears. The humor level remains constant even during a potentially depressing subplot, as the second marriage of Murphy's co-worker Corky (Faith Ford) proves to be no more successful than the first. As the series winds down, Murphy is reunited with her former lover (and journalistic rival) Jerry Gold (Jay Thomas) for what would be their last romantic rendezvous. The series concludes with a surrealistic two-parter, in which Murphy has a pointed conversation with God (played by Alan King) while she is anesthetized for an exploratory operation. Without giving away the ending, it can be noted that the final tally of secretaries hired and fired by Murphy Brown throughout the series' ten-year run is an astronomical 93 (and you'll never guess who the last one is!). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While preparing an expose of the CIA, Murphy (Candice Bergen) relies upon an unidentified source known only as The Jackal. When Kay (Lily Tomlin) demands to know the mysterious source's true identity, Murphy hires an impostor in order to protect The Jackal's privacy. Unfortunately, Frank (Joe Regalbuto) does the same thing at the same time--and Frank's "Jackal" just loooooves being in the spotlight! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In a spoof of a famous David Brinkley moment, Murphy (Candice Bergen) makes a disparaging remark about President Clinton while she thinks she's off the air--but she's not. Fired by network president Lansing (Garry Marshall) when she refuses to apologize, Murphy hardly knows what to expect when she is summoned to a special meeting at the White House. Astonishingly, the Clinton administration wants to offer Murphy a job--leaving her to ponder her future as Murphy Brown closes out its ninth season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Joanna Gleason guest stars as Athena Gillington, a prominent Washington hostess with whom Murphy (Candice Bergen) has been feuding for years. When Athena invites Murphy to a party, Murphy thinks that the gesture has been made out of pity. In fact, the invite was made for purely mercenary reasons, to help promote Athena's new book "I Just Turned 50." Characteristically, Murphy swears vengeance upon Athena--and vengeance may well be in her grasp when she learns a startling secret about her hostess. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

With the defection of series regular Grant Shaud at the end of Murphy Brown's eighth season, it was necessary to eliminate the actor's character Miles Silverberg, executive producer of "FYI," the Washington-based TV newsmagazine on which Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) is star reporter. Miles' immediately replacement is snotty Andrew Lansing (Paul Reubens), nephew of the network's president -- a promotion that prompts the entire "FYI" staff to resign in protest. As it turns out, Andrew was a saint compared to his replacement, a contentious former game-show producer named Kay Carter-Shepley (new series regular Lily Tomlin). Clearly in over her head on "FYI," Kay hides her ineptitude with her overbearing behavior and her fondness for playing nasty mind games with the staff. Clearly, Murphy and Kay are going to be at each other's throats for the remainder of the season...and only one of them may come out alive. In other developments, Murphy and her co-workers purchase their favorite neighborhood bar when its owner, Phil (Pat Corley), who has functioned as a sort of house philosopher and father confessor for the past eight seasons, suddenly dies (or does he?). And in the series' most outrageously self-referential episode, Murphy discovers that the dozens of secretaries whom she has fired in seasons past have formed their own support group -- with branches on both the East and West coasts! The season-ending cliffhanger finds Kay being fired for an on-the-air gaffe perpetrated by Murphy -- who, as it happens, may be on her way out as well. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

It's Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) vs. Miller Redfield (Christopher Rich) when both of them want to land a highly coveted interview with famed anthropologist Elizabeth Corning (Ruth Kobart). When Miller lands the interview, Murphy is outraged--and even more so when she finds out how the conniving Mr. Redfield scored the coup. This episode is one of several directed by series regular Joe Regalbuto (Frank Fontana). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The annual party held by Jim and Doris Dial (Charles Kimbrough and Janet Carroll) has for many years been unchallenged in the annals of boredom. Jim hopes to entice his coworkers to attend this year's party by adopting a "Hawaiian" theme. As it turns out, however, the highlight of the evening is a battle royal between Jim and Doris--culminating in the end of their marriage! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Appropo to the episode's title, Jean Stapleton guest stars as Miles' grandmother Nana Silverberg. The old dear is in Washington to attend the wedding of Miles (Grant Shaud) and Corky (Faith Ford)--actually the couple's "official" ceremony, inasmuch as they've already eloped. Trouble ensues when Nana lets slip her grandson's marital status to Corky's ultra-WASP family--which, up until now, was unaware that Corky has been Mrs. Miles Silverberg for several months! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Frustrated that the "FYI" team openly mocks new anchorman Miller Redfield (Christopher Rich) on the air, Miles (Grant Shaud) turns to Miller's predecessor Jim (Charles Kimbrough) for advice. Jim suggests that Miles pack up the entire staff for a group retreat, where they will (supposedly!) get in touch with, and overcome, their inner turmoil. A subplot involving Elizabeth Taylor and some stolen pearls was originally part of a running gag which permeated CBS' entire Monday-night sitcom lineup (The Nanny, Can't Hurry Love, Murphy Brown and High Society) on February 26, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When the "FYI" studio is decimated by a truck (you had to be there!), the news team heads en masse to Murphy's alma mater, where our heroine is to receive a doctorate for helping to create the school's Women's Studies Program. Murphy (Candice Bergen) of course anticipates being received like a conquering warrior by the female students. Unfortunately, times have changed, and now Murphy's "protégées" regard her particular brand of feminism as being hopelessly out of date! Featured among the students is future That 70s Show regular Lisa Robin Kelly. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi