Raye Birk Movies
- 2002
The cast of Frasier meets most of the cast of Cheers in this landmark episode. Arriving in Boston to deliver a speech at a conference, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is reunited with his old drinking buddy Cliff (John Ratzenberger) -- who thinks that Frasier is in town to attend his retirement party. Later on, Frasier's dad, Martin (John Mahoney), bonds with the loquacious Norm (George Wendt); Daphne (Jane Leeves) becomes captivated by Cliff's long-winded stories; and Carla (Rhea Perlman) helps Niles (David Hyde Pierce) get even with Frasier for embarrassing him in public. This episode was written by Rhea Perlman's sister Heide Perlman and features a cameo appearance by the ladies' father Philip Perlman. ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- John Ratzenberger, Rhea Perlman, (more)
- 2000
In order to convince a skeptical cabbie that a tragedy will occur if she doesn't reach the Queensborough Bridge by 10 PM, Monica recalls the chain of disastrous events that led up to this crticial and anxious moment. It all started when a total stranger (Howard Hesseman) made a rude gesture to Monica because of her inept parallel-parking skills. Outraged by this breach of etiquette, Monica transmitted her anger and bitterness to several other people in the course of the day. One of the second-hand recipients of Monica's wrath is a woman named Wendy (Kathie Lee Gifford)--who becomes so disheartened that she intends to commit suicide! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1997
Thanks to the misguided efforts of Garibaldi, Captain Sheridan has been captured by the Earth forces. Using extreme measures, an interrogator named William (Raye Birk) tries to force Sheridan into confessing that he was under alien influence during his attack on President Clark's forces. J. Michael Straczynski's teleplay is so constructed to blur the distinction between fantasy and reality --- and as a result, the viewer is often as disoriented as the hapless Sheridan. "Intersections and Real Time" was originally broadcast during the week of June 19, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1996
As the staffers at County General anxiously await news as to which hospital in their county is going to be closed down, a number of personal dramas play themselves out. Both Greene (Anthony Edwards) and Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) strike out with their respective blind dates; Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) begins to understand the negative effect that being HIV-positive will have on her life; and Carter (Noah Wyle) plots revenge against Benton (Eriq La Salle) for making his first day as an ER intern so miserable. John Aylward makes his debut appearance as Dr. Donald Anspaugh, the ER's new chief of staff. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1996
This episode reveals the hitherto unknown fact that Nantucket has a sister city called Khrinan, located in a faraway kingdom. In hopes of keeping her job with the tourism board, Casey (Amy Yasbeck) personally supervises the visit of Khirinan's Prince Restivon (Raye Birk) and Princess Fala (Jocelyn Seagrave). What Casey doesn't know is that her boyfriend Brian (Steven Weber) has had a romantic fling with the princess -- on the night before her highness' visit to Nantucket! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Fraser (Paul Gross) and Ray (David Marciano) appear in Federal court to testify against Randal Bolt (Kenneth Welsh), the terrorist leader who attempted to hijack a trainload of singing mounties in the previous episode "All the Queen's Horses." Unfortunately for the two lawmen, the courtroom is invaded by Ray's cousins, who intend to free the terrorist and kill off his accusers. The climax finds our heroes strapped to a bomb that is set to go off if their combined heartrate exceeds 200 beats per minute. First broadcast on Canadian television, this episode made its US debut on May 24, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
- 1995
Insisting upon taking a traffic ticket to court, Murphy (Candice Bergen) intends to fight for her rights all by herself--and without invoking any special celebrity privileges. But when a news story leaks out suggesting that the judge will be lenient for no other reason than Murphy is a TV star, the circumstances alter drastically. As a result ,the network provides our heroine with a "dream team" of expensive lawyers...and before long, the dream turns into a nightmare. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
In the erotic thriller Illegal in Blue, Chris Morgan (Dan Gauthier) is a young policeman who confronts the harsh reality that he must compromise his ideals to get along in a world of moral ambiguity. When police officers split a large sum of confiscated illegal gambling money among themselves, Morgan reports it to Internal Affairs. He starts receiving death threats, and the police department suspends him without pay. Morgan begins a steamy love affair with a stunning nightclub singer, Kari Truitt (Stacey Dash), whose husband is found murdered. Morgan's suspension is lifted, and he goes back to the police department to face open hostility from officers who want him to soften his testimony against the policemen who split the gambling money. He also gets caught up in the murder investigation, where his new lover is the prime suspect, and he soon finds that he must make some difficult choices. A well-integrated musical score, moody shots of the city at night, and lyrical love scenes help to make Illegal in Blue somewhat better than many similar low-budget efforts. ~ Rovi
- 1993
In this made-for-cable thriller an unemployed actor makes a little cash running acting classes. His troubles begin when the student he has been sleeping with calls him one day and says that she has been kidnapped. The next thing he knows, he is being framed for embezzlement and murder. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1992
Harry Connick Jr. guest stars as Russell Boyd, cousin of Cheers bartender Woody (Woody Harrelson). Smitten by Rebecca (Kirstie Alley), Russell begins composing special songs for her; but his ardor doesn't stop there. Meanwhile, Cliff (John Ratzenberger) angrily protests the new postal uniforms, little realizing he's being set up for an elaborate practical joke. This is the episode in which Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) first appears with his trademark beard. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1991
The ninth and final season of Night Court begins with the first episode of a two-part story, in which Judge Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson) and his staff awaiting word about prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), who has been on the lam from the law since the collapse of the Phil Foundation. As the courtroom adjusts to Dan's wacky temp replacement Oscar Brown (Gilbert Gottfried), Harry tries to work up the courage to tell public defender Christine (Markie Post) that he loves her. But Harry's efforts are interrupted by the sudden appearance of a masked phantom, who swoops down to kidnap Christine! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1991
In the conclusion of Night Court's two-part Season Nine opener, Christine (Markie Post) has been abducted from a costume party by a masked "phantom",who bears a startling resemblance to fugitive prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette). This does not rest well with Harry (Harry Anderson), who was on the verge of telling Christine how much he loves her. Meanwhile, the courtroom is set on its ear by the antics of Dan's temporary replacement (Gilbert Gottfried). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1990
Made for television, The Challenger is at once a tribute and a eulogy to the seven courageous souls who perished when the Challenger space shuttle exploded 73 seconds after liftoff on January 28, 1986. Though all of the crew members are given three-dimensional, balanced treatment, the one we all remember is schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. As played by Karen Allen, McAuliffe is neither superwoman nor saint: just an average human being with an insatiable thirst to learn more about the universe around her. The other members of the ill-fated crew are Cmdr. Francis R. Scobee (Barry Bostwick), Captain Michael J. Smith (Brian Kerwin), Dr. Judith A. Resnik (Julie Fulton), Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka (Keone Young), Dr. Ronald E. McNair (Joe Morton) and Gregory B. Jarvis (Richard Jenkins). Wisely, the film concentrates on the crew's training, ending before the tragic real-life denoument. Filmed on location at the Johnson Space Center, the 3-hour The Challenger was originally telecast February 25, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Karen Allen, Barry Bostwick, (more)
- 1990
For most of the United States, February is the month of Presidents' birthdays and Valentine's Day; at the headquarters of "FYI", February means "Sweeps Month." Hoping to score a huge ratings coup, Murphy (Candice Bergen) and Corky (Faith Ford) team up to write a shocking expose of a crooked oil company. Unfortunately, their investigation requires the ladies to pose as members of the World's Oldest Profession--fish-net stockings and all! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1990
Archie Andrews and his Riverdale buddies Jughead, Betty, and Veronica, from the enduring adolescent comic book, are all grown up and trying to deal with the '90s in this live-action comedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christopher Rich, Lauren Holly, (more)
- 1989
In this entry in the long-running mystery series, Perry Mason has a conflict with an old friend after he begins representing the law student who is the prime suspect in the murder of his friend's son. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1988
Ordered to enroll in an anger management group, Roz (Marsha Warfield) is joined by the Night Court staff for her first session. Things take a surprising turn when the group is invaded by a gun-wielding teenaged thief--who is even more frightened than his hostages. The youthful perpetrator is played by 24-year-old Don Cheadle, later the star of such prestigious films as Crash and Hotel Rwanda. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1988
In the conclusion of a two-part story, ALF and a burglar confront each other in the Ochmoneks' living room. Before long, the local neighborhood-watch group has formed a circle around the house, and the police have been summoned. Unfortunately, the cops are convinced that ALF is the criminal, and that he has taken hostages to boot! It is up to Willie (Max Wright) to dodge the bullets of a SWAT team to save the hapless alien (who hopes that he can stay alive long enough to finish his pizza). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1988
After the Ochmoneks' home is robbed, a neighborhood-watch group is formed, using the Tanner garage as headquarters. Figuring that he'd better take charge of things, ALF inadvertently sends the group scurrying off in several wrong directions thanks to his false alarms. But circumstances are considerably altered when ALF confronts a prowler in the Ochmoneks' living room. This is the first episode of a two-part story. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1987
Majel Barrett, one of the cast members of the original Star Trek, guest stars as Deanna Troi's mother Lwaxana in this Next Generation episode. Unexpectedly showing up at the Enterprise, Lwaxana announces an impending wedding, not hers, but Deanna's. Understandably upset at the notion of a prearranged marriage to the son of an old family friend (Rob Knepper), Deanna is in no mood to contend with a band of renegade plague-bearing aliens who intend to take refuge on an inhabited planet. Originally telecast December 5, 1987, "Haven" was cowritten by Tracy Torme and Lan O'Kun. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1987
This film takes place in that strange bastion of middle-class living, Stepford, CT. The trouble begins when a former resident returns with his new family and forces them to become as strangely contented as their neighbors. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Barbara Eden, Don Murray, (more)
- 1987
Raquel Ochmonek (Liz Sheridan) finally catches a glimpse of ALF, but hubby Trevor (John LaMotta) refuses to believe her. Later, Raquel reveals what she's seen to the audience of a TV talk show--and THEY refuse to believe her. At this point, Raquel is beginning to doubt her own sanity, forcing ALF to take matters in hand and convince her that she's not crazy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1987
In the first episode of a three-part story, Hunter (Fred Dryer) finds himself up against a crooked judge, a coven of Satanists, and a serial killer known only as Big Foot. The intrigues commence when McCall is pressured to drop charges against Judge Warren Unger (Robert Reed), who was caught in a police sting with a teenage prostitute. Later on, the hooker tells Hunter that she thinks her best friend has been kidnapped by the Satanists--one of whom may well be the elusive Big Foot. Shelley Taylor Morgan returns in the role of flamboyant undercover cop Kitty O'Hearn in this adaptation of a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1987
This is the first of four "Day in the Life" episodes, in which Harry (Harry Anderson) must judge a huge number of cases before a predetermined deadline. In this instance, Harry wants to dispense justice to 200 defendants in order to beat a midnight "general amnesty" ordered by a retiring federal judge. Among those appearing before Harry is NBC programming chief Brandon Tartikoff, who pleads on behalf of a Nielsen family that doesn't want to go to jail before they get a chance to watch Misfits of Science! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1986
Cliff (John Ratzenberger) wants to nominate Norm (George Wendt) for membership in his lodge, the Knights of the Scimitar, but Norm isn't interested -- especially after being apprised of the lodge's draconian rules. Meanwhile, Sam (Ted Danson) suspects that Diane (Shelley Long) is trying to arouse his jealousy by fabricating a handsome boyfriend. It turns out that Diane's friend does exist -- and he is most decidedly a "boy." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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