Debra Jo Rupp Movies

As season six of That '70s Show gets under way, Red Forman (Kurtwood Smith) is recovering from a heart attack, a state of affairs that has put a severe strain on his marriage to wife Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp). Meanwhile, Kitty and Red's son, Eric (Topher Grace), temporarily shelving plans to attend the University of Wisconsin, has asked "girl next door" Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon) to become his bride, even as Donna's divorced dad, Bob (Don Stark), terminates his relationship with his lady friend Joanne (it had been originally plan for Bob and Joanne to wed as well, but this plot development was dropped when the actress playing Joanne, Mo Gaffney, signed on to another series). Also, exchange student Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) has narrowly avoided deportation via a quickie marriage to Eric's sister, Laurie (who is now being played by Christina Moore). And in other events, Eric's pal Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) has entered the Police Academy, though his future career may be hampered by the fact that he has impregnated his current girlfriend, Brooke (Shannon Elizabeth); Kelso's former girlfriend Jackie (Mila Kunis) is not so sure about her present relationship with the moody Hyde (Danny Masterson); and Brooke Shields makes her first appearance as Jackie's mother, Pam, who has an implied "topless" scene halfway through the year. As the season draws to a close, the wedding of Donna and Eric may not come off due to an unforeseen development -- namely, the disappearance of the groom -- and Hyde is shocked to discover the identity of his real father. ~ All Movie Guide

Most of the cast of That '70s Show is still intact as the series launches its fifth season; the sole defector is Tommy Chong, who'd spent much of season four cast to type in the role of overaged hippie Leo. The season begins with a three-part story arc in which Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), still nursing a broken heart over her breakup with Eric Forman (Topher Grace), elects to leave California and return to Wisconsin -- just as Eric, likewise mooning over his lost love, is en route to California in hopes of a reconciliation. Even after this situation is straightened out, events conspire to keep Eric and Donna apart, just when they need each other most. Meanwhile, Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) dallies in California with a girl named Annette (Jessica Simpson). In other developments, Donna's friend Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis) is finally forced to choose between her boyfriends Kelso and Steve Hyde (Danny Masterson). Tom Poston and Betty White are introduced as the eternally squabbling parents of Eric's mother, Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp), who for a very brief time believes herself to be pregnant (it's actually menopause). And, at long last, feckless exchange student Fez (Wilmer Valderamma) loses his virginity to Nina (Joanna Canton), his boss at the DMV; unfortunately, this proves to be the apex of their relationship, and by season's end Nina has broken up with Fez, declaring that the poor boy is too "needy" to suit her tastes. In the final season-five episode, the younger characters prepare to graduate from high school -- all except Fez, who because of his participation in a senior prank, may well be deported to his own country. ~ All Movie Guide

Season three of That '70s Show resolves the cliffhanger ending of season two, in which Steve Hyde (Danny Masterson) was arrested for pot possession and kicked out of the Forman household by outraged paterfamilias Red Forman (Kurtwood Smith). Even after it is revealed that Hyde was gallantly covering up for Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis), girlfriend of the clueless Mike Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), Red remains convinced that friends like Hyde and Kelso are bad influences for his son, Eric (Topher Grace), and begins lowering the boom discipline-wise -- at least, until he is gently talked out of his stand by his wife, Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp). And there's more to come in season three, as Hyde is reunited with his long-lost father, Bud (Robert Hays); Jackie and exchange student Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) win a roller-disco contest (it's the '70s, remember?); Red gets sued for firing a dopey employee (Robert Clendenin) at Pricemart, then finds that he can't shake the suer no matter where he goes; Jackie picks up a guy who turns out to be one of her mom's former boyfriends; Kitty begins getting the urge to become a mother again; Red undergoes a profound personality change after a near-death experience -- temporarily; Eric gets a tattoo during a drunken binge; Fez takes a trip across the Canadian border and is nearly deported as a result; and Eric's girlfriend, Donna (Laura Prepon), becomes "Hot Donna" when she takes a part-time job at a radio station. Other highlights include unexpected guest appearances by Ted Nugent and Monty Hall, and an episode titled "Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die" which evolves into an all-inclusive, and very funny, Alfred Hitchcock spoof. But it's no laughing matter when, at the very end of season three, a disillusioned Donna and Eric decide to call off their romance. ~ All Movie Guide

The first season of That '70s Show largely took place in 1976, though references to Saturday Night Fever and Star Wars in the course of the season's 25 episodes indicated that there had been some incursion into 1977 territory (the series also quietly moved from a Sunday- to a Monday-night slot in mid-season). The action occurred in Point Place, WI, not far from Green Bay. The plots revolved around the exploits of a group of high-school juniors, led by the impulsive Eric Forman (Topher Grace). Usually found hanging out in the Forman basement, Eric's cohorts included his next-door-neighbor, childhood friend, and latterly sweetheart, foxy redhead Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon); his best buds Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), the archetypal "dumb hunk," and Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson), conspiracy theorist supreme; Kelso's spoiled-brat girlfriend, Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis); and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), a naïve and extremely pliable foreign-exchange student. There was also a full complement of grown-ups, foremost among them Eric's dad, Red Forman (Kurtwood Smith), who had a very low opinion of his son's friends and lifestyle, and Eric's mom, Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp), who wasn't quite as ditzy as she seemed (no one could be!). Both of the Formans worked: Red had a factory job which was downsized early in the season, while Kitty was a nurse. Next door to the Formans were Donna's parents, Bob and Midge Pinciotti (Don Stark, Tanya Roberts). Bob owned an appliance store where the semi-laid-off Red was occasionally employed as a clerk, while Midge was a stay-at-home wife and mother who was bored out of her gourd. Seen on a recurring basis was another "older" character, Eric's sister, Laurie (Lisa Robin Kelly), a freshman at the University of Wisconsin. As the season progressed, Bob and Midge Pinciotti drifted toward separation and divorce; Hyde's single mom (played in one episode by Katey Sagal) deserted him, prompting the boy to move in with Eric; and Laurie flunked out of school, came home, and tentatively began a sexual relationship with doltish Kelso. Although That '70s Show did not crack the Top 20 ratings-wise during its maiden season, the series was one of the most popular offerings of the Fox network. It also earned an Outstanding Costume Design Emmy award for the entry titled "That Disco Episode." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As indicated by its title, this is the 100th episode of Friends. It is also the episode in which Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) finally gives birth to the triplets she has been carrying on behalf of Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi) and his wife, Alice (Debra Jo Rupp). While the gang anxiously awaits the arrival of the "replacement" obstetrician, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) experiences sympathy pains (or is it pangs?) along with Phoebe. As the big moment arrives, Phoebe makes a momentous decision. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) have trouble divesting themselves of the free porno channel that has popped up on their TV. When Ross (David Schwimmer) tells Emily (Helen Baxendale) that he loves her, the result is a round-robin of international plane flights and missed connections. And the artificially inseminated Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) discovers that she is carrying triplets -- news that nearly sends the babies' real parents Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi) and Alice (Debra Jo Rupp) into a state of shock (after all, Frank Jr. may now have to drop out of refrigerator college). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having gone back to smoking, Chandler (Matthew Perry) tries all sorts of things to quit, including a hypnosis tape (from the episode of the same title). Meanwhile, Monica's (Courteney Cox) date yields unexpected results. And Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) finds out that her half-brother Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi) is in love -- and she's none too pleased with the woman in his life. Jon Favreau and Debra Jo Rupp make their first series appearances as Pete and Alice, respectively. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Four women reflect on their lowly place in the corporate caste system in this dryly satiric comedy. Iris (Toni Collette) is a college graduate who hasn't decided what she wants to do with her life, except that she doesn't want the job her father has lined up for her at a frozen food company. While pretending to look for other work, she signs on with a temp agency, which sends her out to do office work for Global Credit, a particularly faceless corporation where the permanent employees go out of their way to avoid the temps. Iris is very much aware that she's at the bottom rung at Global, and she bonds with three other women in the temp pool. Paula (Lisa Kudrow) talks about her career as an actress and insists that she will only temp until one of her auditions pans out. Jane (Alanna Ubach) prattles on about her wealthy fiancé, although her friends are convinced that he's cheating on her. And Margaret (Parker Posey) is at once the rebel of the group, regarding her job and general office procedure with a barely disguised contempt, and the one who most desperately wants a "real" job with Global. When office supplies and various personal items start to disappear, all signs point to one of the temp workers (most likely Margaret), though none will own up to any wrongdoing. Clockwatchers was the directorial debut for filmmaker Jill Sprecher, who co-wrote the screenplay with her sister Karen Sprecher. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In wake of the ongoing crisis involving his ailing mother, the customarily brusque and arrogant Benton (Eriq La Salle) astonishes everyone with his courtesy, consideration, and compassion. Meanwhile, Ross (George Clooney) is ordered to see a psychiatrist after punching a patient, and also agrees to coach the Little League team in which Diane's (Lisa Zane) son is a player. And Greene (Anthony Edwards) angers Swift (Michael Ironside) by heading to Milwaukee in hopes of reconciling with Jenn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A raging ex-wife exacts revenge on her former husband in this made-for-television drama. Based on a true story, Meredith Baxter stars as Betty Broderick, the well-to-do ex-wife of Dan Broderick (Steven Collins). Furious at Dan for divorcing her and attempting to get on with his life, the insanely jealous Betty instigates some nasty encounters that culminate with murder. Baxter gives an all-out, over-the-top performance as the crazed ex-wife. This installment was followed by another TV-movie entry, Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, The Final Chapter. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide

More than anything else, 13-year old New Jerseyite Josh (David Moscow) wants to be "big". That's the wish he makes at an odd-looking amusement pier fortunetelling machine. The next morning, Josh wakes up-only to discover that he's grown to manhood overnight! (At this point, the part is taken over by Tom Hanks). Still a 13-year-old mentally and emotionally, Josh decides to hide out in New York City until he can figure out what to do next. He lucks into a job with a major toy company run by kid-at-heart McMillan (Robert Loggia). By cannily bringing a child's eye view to McMillan's business, Josh rises to the top-and in process, he falls in love with fellow employee Susan (Elizabeth Perkins). But he's still a kid, and he'd like to go back to his own world and own body. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg, Big proved a crucial success for budding director Penny Marshall, who'd work harmoniously with Hanks again on the radically different A League of Their Own. The cinematography was by Barry Sonenfeld, who went on to become a director himself with The Addams Family. That Big was heavily reliant upon the input of Tom Hanks and Penny Marshall was proven by the failed attempt to turn the property into a Broadway musical. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Penelope Spheeris directed this Marlon Wayans comedy, scripted by the Rocket Man team of Greg Erb and Craig Mazin. Saddled with several on and off-campus jobs, hard-working college student Darryl Witherspoon (Marlon Wayans) is aiming for a position with the Smythe-Bates brokerage firm, but twit Scott Thorpe has the right resumé and connections. A frat failure, Darryl also doesn't score at ice hockey. For extra cash, Darryl becomes a test subject for an experimental drug that heightens the senses by five times. The initial effect is a rectal irritation, but then Darryl finds his enhanced hearing enables him to pick up distant conversations, and his upgraded coordination improves his hockey game. However, an overdose literally leaves Darryl senseless, as he discovers only four of his five senses operative at any given time. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide