Jay Tarses Movies

After sitting on the shelf for some time, Teen Wolf was released on the heels of the hugely successful Back to the Future in an attempt to cash in on the huge popularity of star Michael J. Fox. Teen Wolf chronicles the plight of Fox as a small-town nerd who can't seem to score a basket on the court or a point with his dream girl. Things change, however, once he discovers his family's hereditary secret, lycanthrope. As he begins to look hairier and hairier, his team begins to win basketball games and his dream girl begins to show interest in his unusual talent. His story does not progress without complications, however. His best friend, an opportunistic weasel, begins to exploit him beyond his limits of toleration, and his dream girl is captive to the requisite bully boyfriend, who, of course, captains the arch-rival basketball team. And then, to top it all off, Fox's other best friend is in love with him. Unbelievably, this film was a box-office success and eventually inspired an even worse sequel, Teen Wolf Too, several years later -- a film which Fox wisely declined. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

A teen comedy that does not quite rise to the level of that age group, this uninspired story features Ron Liebman as the Major, a sadistic instructor at a military school. Ralph Macchio (before his 1984 hit, Karate Kid) and other teens of every stripe suffer through the indignities heaped on them by the Major and do their best with the sexual, ethnic, and racial stereotypes that the script gives them to handle. Robert Downey directs, Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses wrote the screenplay. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Although the opening episode of The Bob Newhart Show's fifth season was not the first of that season to be filmed, "Enter Mrs. Peeper" was a logical extension of the final episode of season four. Tom Poston makes another appearance as Bob's fun-loving college buddy, Cliff Murdock, aka "the Peeper." Having remarried, Cliff insists that he's a changed man. Jean Palmerton appears as Corinee Murdock, with Charles Thomas Murphy as the messenger and series story consultant Jay Tarses as the waiter. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Enter Mrs. Peeper" originally aired on September 25, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Emily feels that Bob's weight workshop could use a motivational speaker. Pressed into service is Bob's secretary, Carol, who tells her story of how she lost one hundred pounds after graduating "magna cum lard" from high school. Unfortunately, Carol's words result more in perspiration than inspiration. Also appearing are Cliff Osmondas Leonard de Paolo and Marcia Lewis as Louise Gross. First telecast on October 11, 1975, "The Heavyweights" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Though not the first episode filmed for The Bob Newhart Show's fourth season, "The Longest Good-Bye" was chosen as the season opener on September 13, 1975. Tom Poston makes the first of several appearances as Bob's prankish old college chum Cliff Murdock. Having arrived in Chicago to close a business deal, Cliff moves in "temporarily" with Bob and Emily -- and before long has firmly entrenched himself, virtually taking over the Hartleys' home and lives. "The Longest Good-Bye" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Bob is invited to form a partnership with another psychologist, a high-living gentleman named Frank Walburn (Phillip R. Allen). The reason, explains Frank, is that the low-pressure Bob would provide a welcome contrast to the usual Walburn method. But the real reason, or so it seems, is for Bob to take over Walburn's entire workload while his partner continues to enjoy his "swinging" lifestyle. The supporting cast includes Titos Vandis as Gene the Janitor and Lisa Sublette as Kelly. First aired on November 15, 1975, "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Filling in for another psychologist, Bob finds out that his first patient is his best friend, Jerry. Initially reluctant to listen to Jerry's problems, Bob decides that his is not to reason why, etc. etc. Then Jerry confesses that he is secretly in love...with Bob's wife, Emily. Also in the cast are Roger Perry as Dr. Walker and Teri Garr as Mrs. Brennan. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Confessions of an Orthodontist" first aired on February 23, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Bob and Emily have decided upon a trial separation, but not for the usual reason. Working on her Master's degree, Emily takes up residence in school, while Bob stays home relishing a bit of much needed peace and quiet. Despite the couple's protestations, however, the Hartleys' friends are convinced that the marriage is on the rocks. Occasional series writer Carl Gottlieb appears as Kuberski, while Richard Stahl is cast as the bellboy, and Katherine Ish plays Mrs. Helnsohn. Scripted by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses from a story by Bob Garland, "The Separation Story" originally aired on October 5, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

It's the Christmas season again, and Carol is depressed over the prospect of spending the holidays with her overbearing parents in Iowa. As a result, Carol ends up celebrating Christmas Eve in the home of Bob and Emily Hartley. Some celebration -- it's more like an emergency therapy session when Carol launches on an uncontrollable crying jag sparked by unpleasant family memories. Featured in the cast is Bob Newhart's real-life father-in-law, character actor Bill Quinn, as the mailman. First telecast December 21, 1974, "Home Is Where the Hurt Is" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When a Chicago Bears football game is blacked out on the local TV station, Bob and Jerry book a hotel room in Peoria so they can see the contest. Sensing that Bob misses Emily, Jerry introduces him to a pleasant woman named Janine (Zohra Lampert) -- leaving out the vital information that Janine is a hooker. Thus it is that Bob suffers the pangs of conscience, mixed with a sense of awe, as Janine "inexplicably" makes the usual moves on him. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Motel" originally aired on September 22, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The ever-rising cost of living has forced Bob to increase his rates. Unfortunately, he chooses the worst possible time to inform his therapy group that he's raising their fees. The group rebels en masse -- and that's hardly the end of Bob's dilemma. In addition to the usual aggregation of "patients," Henry Corden appears as Mr. Nenn. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Mutiny on the Hartley" first aired on November 10, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Howard begins entertaining thoughts of a reconciliation with his ex-wife. His plans are somewhat abruptly dashed when, during a visit with son, Howie, he discovers that the former Mrs. Borden has moved in with her new boyfriend. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Blues for Mr. Borden" originally aired on December 1, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi