Jack Blessing Movies

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Quincy (Jack Klugman) races against time to locate and neutralize the mysterious neurological disease that has already claimed three lives on a luxury liner. Though some of the pasengers have managed to escape to shore, the ship is now quarantined and prohibited from docking at any port. Thus Quincy must not only stem the epidemic, but also track down those on dry land who may still be spreading it--and worse yet, his own girlfriend Janet (Diana Muldaur) is now gravely ill. Originally telecast over a two-week period, Slow Boat to Madness has since been syndicated as a single two-hour "TV movie." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Underpublicized and underappreciated, the US ice hockey team heads for the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York. Driven a manner than can be described as merciless by coach Herb Brooks (Karl Malden), the team has learned how to swallow months of defeat and disappointment press on to success. The result: A stunning victory over the high-profile Russian and Finnish skating teams. Actual scenes from the Olympic finals are seamlessly blended with recreations of the event in this made-for-TV movie. Miracle on Ice costars Andrew Stevens as team captain Mike Eruzione. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the concluding episode of a two-part story, Klinger (Jamie Farr) has been arrested on the suspicion that he is responsible for the crime wave that has spread through the 4077th. Though Klinger was apparently caught red-handed, Charles (David Ogden Stiers) agrees to act as his defense consul at the court-martial proceedings. But it is B.J. (Alan Alda) and Hawkeye (Mike Farrell), victims both of the elusive thief, who come to the rescue by uncovering the actual miscreant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In addition to sexual encounters and nudity, toilet humor is on a roll in this story about some teens trying to finish a 12-week course in fast-food service -- yes, 12 weeks to study how to make and sell a hamburger. As their final exam, the teens have to run a burger place. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

There must be an inviolate law on the TV statute books demanding that every series turn out at least one takeoff of the 1946 film classic It's a Wonderful Life. Moonlighting's contribution to this ongong Yuletide tradtion finds a disgruntled Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) wondering what her life would have been like had she sold the Blue Moon Detective Agency as she originally planned. The "Clarence" character this time out is a most unangelic angel named Albert, played by Richard Libertini. Guest appearances include model Cheryl Tiegs as herself, and Lionel Stander in his "Max" character from the earlier TV detective series Hart to Hart (which had previously occupied Moonlighting's Tuesday-night network timeslot!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Children of a Lesser God is a love story about a speech teacher who falls for a beautiful yet distant deaf girl in a small New England school for the deaf, and the obstacles that they face due to their differences. William Hurt plays James Leeds, a renegade teacher with an unconventional approach to education and a resume that includes stints as a bartender and a disk jockey. Upon his arrival, he is warned by school administrator Dr. Franklin (Philip Bosco) not to get creative with his instruction. Naturally, Leeds already has his mind set on his teaching plan and proceeds to play loud rock music in class in order to teach the students to feel the vibrations of the music and get them to try to speak phonetically. But a new element enters his life when he meets the attractive custodian, Sarah (Marlee Matlin). An exceptionally intelligent yet extremely bitter young woman, Sarah is a graduate of the school who has decided to remain there, in the confines of her world of silence; it's safer for her to be with her own "people" than to face what she perceives as a cruel and uncaring world. She hardly seems interested in James and will only communicate with him through signing, although she can read lips and even speak a little. James learns from Sarah's mother (Piper Laurie) that Sarah was sexually molested as a teenager; this explains why she is so wary of his attempts to form a relationship with her and why she is so full of fear. Eventually, James does get through to Sarah and the two fall in love, although both have to learn new ways to communicate their feelings. Though it seldom resembles the Mark Medoff play on which it was based, this directing debut from Randa Haines won an Best Actress Oscar for Matlin, for her first screen performance. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

It's a slow night at the local single's bar, so three guys end up sitting around sharing their widely-differing viewpoints on finding romance. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Three weeks have gone by since David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) have seen each other. Having retreated to her parents' house in Chicago, Maddie is more depressed than ever, prompting her mom (Eva Marie Saint) and dad (Robert Webber) to throw her a cheer-up party. Meanwhile, back in LA, David and his erstwhile buddy Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) have decided to forget their problems by going on a prowl for new girlfriends. Suffice to say that one of the boys is luckier than the other! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Now that he knows Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) is pregnant, David (Bruce Willis) is pressured to do the "right thing" by Maddie's overprotective father Alexander (Robert Webber). Meanwhile, our harried hero must also deal with the increasingly disgruntled employees of the Blue Moon Detective Agency. It is clear by this point that David and Maddie love each other--and also that they may very well allow false pride to impede their future happiness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

On the eve of his Hawaiian vacation, irresponsible high school teacher Mark Harmon is forced into teaching a summer school class. His students are all malcontents and layabouts with the standard repertoire of teenaged hangups and hostilities (two of the kids, who can't see enough slasher movies to suit them, are hilarious precursors to Beavis and Butt-Head). Harmon would rather spend his time with history teacher Kirstie Alley, but she doesn't think much of his laziness and lack of dedication. Harmon finally begins to take his job seriously when he realizes his students' problems are not all of their own making. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Its first episode delayed by a lengthy writers' strike, the fifth and final season of Moonlighting begins with one of the series' most famous--and controversial--installments. Star Bruce Willis shows up wearing bonnet and diapers in the role of "Baby Hayes", the as-yet-unborn offspring of David Addison (also Bruce Willis) and Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd). From his vantage point in Heaven, Baby Hayes is given the low-down on his future parents by friendly angel Jerome (Joseph Maher). Alas, the episode ends with a heartbreaker for David and Maddie, but at least Baby Hayes can take comfort in the possibility that he'll eventually be added to the cast of another series like Growing Pains or The Cosby Show). This episode's curious blend of comedy and pathos is counterpointed by an opening scene in which the cast and crew promises that they'll deliver a full 22 episodes this season, come Hell or high water. (But they don't). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

David (Bruce Willis) finally meets Walter (Dennis Dugan), the man whom Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) has impulsively married. Rather than get angry or exhibit jealousy, David generously offers to throw a bachelor party for Walter. That David might have an ulterior motive is evidenced when the stripper hired for the party doesn't show up--and Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) takes her place! Highlights of this episode include a chaotic hospital scene, and the formation of "The Royal Order of Napkin Heads." Also: Brooke Adams makes a return appearance as Terri Knowles, the pregnant woman whom David met in a Lamaze class a few episodes back. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Colleen Dewhurst guest stars as Betty Russell, a famous divorce lawyer better known as "The Barracuda." Exhibiting a hitherto well-hidden conscience, Russell hires Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) to reunite Lydia and Nathan Kraft (Jane Hallaren, Lawrence Pressman), whose union Betty may have wrongly rent asunder. A special gift and an unanticipated murder both figure into the story, as does a discussion wherein the two stars ponder the possibility of staging a nude scene to improve Moonlighting's ever-sagging ratings! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide