William Bogert Movies

An English professor at a small private college finds his shot at tenure threatened by the sudden arrival of a pretty Yale PhD. onto the staff in this collegiate comedy form the producers of Rushmore. Charlie Thurber (Luke Wilson) isn't interested in school politics, and as a result his career is stalling out. But Charlie's a hit with the students, so when his chance for tenure comes up he's confident he'll get a fair evaluation. That confidence is shaken, however, when Elaine Grasso (Gretchen Mol) is hired on to the English staff. A published writer from a prestigious pedigree, Elaine has accomplished the things that Charlie's only dreamt about. Even Charlie's aging father, a celebrated professor, seems disappointed that his son hasn't accomplished more. Enter Jay Hadley (David Koechner); Jay is an anthropology teacher at the college who also happens to be Charlie's best friend. Jay isn't willing to sit idly by while Elaine takes Charlie's job, and is soon channeling all of his energy to sabotaging the well-intending newcomer's career. But despite being envious of Elaine's accomplishments, Charlie just can't bring himself to hate her; on the contrary, his attraction to her is growing by the day. As the time comes to make some decisions that will most certainly affect the course of his career, Charlie realizes that the only path worth walking is the one that you carve out for yourself. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

A Harlem community leader is beaten to death with a baseball bat. In addition to building a case against the likeliest suspect, struggling college student Jerome Warren (Avery Kidd Waddell), the D.A.'s office must also deal with a chaotic and potentially dangerous racial situation. "Haven" was originally telecast in tandem with another Law & Order episode, "Hunters," on February 10, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this fourth-season opener of Law & Order, Robert Klein guest stars as controversial, confrontational TV talk show host Rick Mason. During one of Mason's broadcasts, a guest is murdered on the air (and this show was telecast long before the Jenny Jones affair). The DA's office endeavors to prove that Mason provoked the tragedy -- and that, in so doing, he is himself an accessory to murder. Jill Hennessy and S. Epatha Merkerson join the regular cast as, respectively, Assistant DA Claire Kincaid and police lieutenant Anita Van Buren. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this comedy, a widow who works as a newspaper columnist tries to marry off her four strong-willed daughters. The widow is assisted by a good friend. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this lively comedy, an animal behaviorist is out studying wolves and she finds a young man who has been raised by the wild canines. Intrigued, she takes him back to the city to tame him. Later she learns that Bobo, as she calls him, is the long-missing heir to $30 million. His sudden reappearance causes his low-life brother Reggie to have apoplexy and he does everything he can to keep Bobo from becoming civilized and claiming his rightful fortune. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this uneven drama, Jeff (Tom Mason) is a Vietnam vet trying to eke out a living in New York when his already difficult life gets worse. In order to keep his head above water, he takes on several different, low-paying jobs in addition to driving a cab. He really wants to sell his cartoons so he can have a chance at syndication, and at the same time he satisfies his artist's calling by painting scenes of the war. But then the rent on his father's diner is raised through the roof, so it looks like his dad will be out of business soon. The rejections of his cartoons continue, and even his ex-girlfriend is having her separate problems. Without a doubt, Jeff decides it is time to retrench. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

This made-for-TV comedy postulates that, someday, members of carpools will be selected by computer. The four so anointed herein are Harvey Korman, Peter Scolari, T.K. Carter and Stephanie Faracy. Their lives go along in their usual luckless fashion until the quarter of mismatched "poolers" find themselves in possession of a million dollars that has fallen from an armored car. But ex-cop Ernest Borgnine has his eyes on the loot as well, and the chase is on. Basically a bargain-basement It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Carpool first aired October 5, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The air is filled with cries of "Stow It! Stow It" when Mel (Vic Tayback) gets into a verbal argument with the parrot owned by Vera (Beth Howland). At the height of the vocal barrage, Mel lets rip an emormous bellow--and the parrot promptly drops dead! Can it be that Mel has caused the bird to have a heart attack...and if so, how will Vera deal with this tragedy? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) has an opportunity to expand his store when the lease to Charlie's Bar is not renewed. Charlie (Danny Wells) may be a friend and confidant, reasons George, but business is business. However, George's wife Louise (Isabel Sanford) has a different view of the situation -- and she isn't about to keep her mouth shut when George tries to annex the bar without Charlie's knowledge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

John Ritter plays an unsuccessful actor who takes a job posing as comic-book hero Captain Avenger at comics stores and conventions. While thus garbed, Ritter foils a grocery store robbery. He skedaddles from the scene when the cops show up, leading witnesses to assume that he is a genuine costumed superhero, the sort that shows up to foil the villains and then modestly retreats after his job is done. Ritter is hired by the mayor's staff, who hope that the Captain Avenger tie-in will help the mayor win an upcoming election. This plan comes acropper, and Captain Avenger finds himself on the outs with the public. Prodded by his girlfriend Anne Archer to be himself and not rely on a costume and mask to gain adulation, Ritter becomes a bonafide hero when he rescues several citizens from a fire. Thanks to the enthusiastic performance of John Ritter, Hero at Large remains amusing even when you know what's going to happen next (a common occurrence in this film). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

An evangelist suspected of financial impropriety is found dead in a motel room, apparently from an overdose of drugs and alcohol. Was it an accident, a suicide, or a murder? Quincy (Jack Klugman) is pressured by the authorities to solve the mystery--a task which may or may not be expedited by Dr. Paul Chase (Stephen Elliott), who insists upon performing a "psychological autopsy" on the victim. This episode was originally scheduled to air on October 25, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Appointed head of the apartment building's maids union, Florence (Marla Gibbs) wants to hold a meeting in the Jeffersons' apartment. But upon learning that landlord Whittendale fiercely opposes the meeting, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) refuses. George's wife, Louise (Isabel Sanford), conspires with Florence to hold the meeting without anyone being the wiser. Jack Fletcher makes his first series appearance as the hitherto unseen (but much-discussed) Mr. Whittendale. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi