Ted Wass Movies
Goodman Theatre graduate Ted Wass made his Broadway bow in the 1976 production Grease. Wass later became a lightweight leading man in films; his performances were generally appealing and effective, except when he was required to step into the late Peter Sellers' shoes in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983). His TV credits include the roles of Danny Dallas in Soap (1977-81) and leading character Dr. Steven Ratajkowski in Men (1989). Perhaps Ted Wass' best-known TV assignment was the part of Nick Russo, father of star Mayim Bialik, in the popular sitcom Blossom (1991-95). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 2006
Created by Marco Pennette, ABC's Crumbs was an off-kilter sitcom dealing with such warm-and-fuzzy issues as mental illness, attempted homicide, divorce, closeted homosexuality, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, and bitter sibling rivalry. In one of the most spectacular examples of non-typecasting in TV history, Fred Savage starred as Mitch Crumb, a gay screenwriter who was unable to follow up the success of his first film, which he based upon the death of his older brother. While starving in Hollywood, Mitch was summoned to his New England home to help his mother Suzanne Crumb (Jane Curtin), recently released from the Cedar Hill nursing home after suffering a mental breakdown, readjust to life on the outside. Suzanne had been institutionalized primarily because she had tried to kill her philandering ex-husband Billy (William Devane), the owner of a local restaurant called the Stone House Grille. Mitch's surviving brother Jody (Eddie McClintock), a near-sociopathic womanizer and the current manager of the family restaurant, deeply resented the return of his "famous" brother and made no secret of his feelings. As for Mitch himself, he hadn't yet informed his family that he'd come out of the closet -- the only person who knew his secret was his old friend Andrea (Maggie Lawson), a waitress at the Stone House. Also in the cast was Reginald Ballard as Elvis, a young orderly at Cedar Hill with whom Suzanne was having an affair. Crumbs made its first network appearance on January 12, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred Savage, Jane Curtin, (more)
- 2006
When an optimistic pair of newlyweds moves next door to a long-married couple whose honeymoon has long since ended, it turns out that both couples may have something to learn in this Fox sitcom starring Brad Garrett, Joely Fisher, Eddie Kay Thomas, and Kat Foster. Cynical couple Eddie (Garrett) and Joy Stark (Fisher) have been married for 9000 days and counting, and idealistic young couple Jeff (Thomas) Steph (Foster) Woodcock have only just exchanged their vows. Over the years, high school history teacher Eddie has grown disillusioned by marriage. Eddie views his union primarily as a means of having someone to drive you to the hospital when things go bad, but idealistic new high school assistant principal Jeff doesn't share this view. Jeff longs to build the groundwork for a happy, lasting marriage, and it seems that he and Steph have gotten off to a solid start together. When Jeff sets about purchasing a new pool table for the dining room and Eddie's sardonic comments about the endeavor prove uncannily prophetic for Eddie, the neighbors who couldn't be more different on the surface slowly begin to find a common ground. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2006
The weekly Fox sitcom 'Til Death was fashioned as a vehicle for towering (6'8") comic actor Brad Garrett, who had just come off a long and successful run as a supporting player on Everybody Loves Raymond. Garrett was cast as Eddie Stark, a cynical, know-it-all schoolteacher who had been married for 25 turbulent years to wife Joy (Joely Fisher). The humor arose from the contrast between the combative Starks and their young neighbors, billing-and-cooing newlyweds Jeff and Steph Woodcock (Eddie Kaye Thomas, Kat Foster), who at the outset of the series had been married a whole 12 days. In some cases, the marital crisis of the week was augmented with interviews showing real-life couples discussing love and marriage. Created by the husband-and-wife team of Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, both alumni of the Everybody Loves Raymond lookalike The King of Queens, 'Til Death joined the Fox lineup on September 7, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Based on the real-life romance between series co-creator Chris Henchy and film favorite Brooke Shields, this ABC sitcom starred David Sutcliffe as high school English teacher Patrick Owen and Teri Polo as gorgeous movie star Alex Young. "Meeting cute" when Patrick was attacked by Alex's dog, the couple began dating; Alex, it seemed, was immensely impressed by the fact that Patrick was immensely unimpressed by her celebrity, while Patrick was swept off his feet by Alex's unexpected unpretentiousness. The rest of the series followed a predictable path, with both Patrick's students and Alex's Tinseltown buddies offering sidelines commentary. I'm With Her first aired September 23, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Teri Polo, David Sutcliffe, (more)
- 2003
The ABC sitcom Married to the Kellys was reportedly based on the life experiences of its producer, Tom Hertz. An only child who had lived a blissful solitary existence most of his life, Manhattanite Tom Wagner (Breckin Meyer) was swept off his feet by Susan Kelly (Kiele Sanchez), an attractive Midwesterner. Upon relocating to his new bride's Kansas home town, Tom soon learned that he had not only married Susan, but also her large and boisterous family. Our hero immediately found a kindred spirit in Susan's dad Bill (Sam Anderson), who was likewise an only child. But Tom had a more difficult time adjusting to Susan's control-freak mother Sandy (Nancy Lenehan), her highly competitive sister Mary (Emily Rutherfurd), her nerdish, bug-collecting kid brother Lewis (Derek Waters), and Mary's envious husband Chris (Josh Braaten). Though life with the Kellys could be quite a trial at times, Tom was consoled by the advice given him by his father-in-law Bill: "Family is like quicksand. The more you struggle, the deeper you sink." Married to the Kellys debuted October 3, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Breckin Meyer, Kiele Sanchez, (more)
- 2002
Originally titled The Web, this hip, "inside" ABC sitcom was a savage spoof of the cutthroat world of prime-time network television. The "everyman" character in the proceedings was David Weiss (Ivan Sergei), a greenhorn junior executive with the fictional IBS network. It didn't take Weiss long to realize that he'd have to swim with sharks to survive in the TV biz, a lesson driven home hard each week by a variety of ruthless programmers, addle-pated execs, and other corporate types. In addition to taking much-needed swipes at such sacred cows as Political Correctness and Audience Demographics, the series also featured a number of celebrity cameos, with many of the Rich and Famous poking cruel fun at themselves. Created by Peter Tolan of The Job fame, ABC's Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) debuted March 27, 2002, fittingly in the Wednesday at 9:30 PM (8:30 Central) time slot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ivan Sergei
- 2002
The charming, pleasantly plump Sara Rue starred on this ABC sitcom as Claudia "Claude" Casey, a "permanent temp" working in various low-level clerical capacities in a TV news department. Claude's amusingly self-deprecating self image was given a boost when she was appointed assistant to Will Butler (Eric Roberts), the TV station's preening peacock of an anchorman. This sudden field commission from the ranks of the "peons" did not sit at all well with Claude's snooty new colleagues Lydia (Andrea Parker) and Kipp (Zachary Levi), who began concocting schemes to topple the heroine from her lofty perch. Fortunately, Claude could count on the support and encouragement from two subordinate employees who "knew her when," Owen (Andy Dick in a less manic replay of his NewsRadio character) and Ramona (Sherri Shepherd). Sort of a Mary Tyler Moore Show with weight issues, Less Than Perfect premiered October 1, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sara Rue, Sherri Shepherd, (more)
- 1994
Soap, a late-'70s sitcom, ruthlessly imitates the overdramatic vices of daytime drama by creating absurd twists in plot and breaking the logic-enforced rules of dramatic writing only previously skirted by the very soap operas it parodies. Featuring famous comedic performers like Billy Crystal, Richard Mulligan, and Robert Guillaume, the program found popularity with empathetic fellow soap critics, but controversial publicity before the show's debut thwarted potential for high success. In "Jessica's Wonderful Life," excerpts from celebrated Soap moments are incorporated into the tale of Jessica's life, as she reflects on it with Bea Arthur's character, who serves as heaven's gatekeeper. The chaotic development of events proves that there is still much tumult for Jessica to deal with on Earth, and thus the end of her life is reconsidered. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Disowned by her wealthy family, a determined young woman moves to San Francisco and tries to become a famous singer and to find lasting love. This sudsy drama chronicles her decade-long struggle. Through it all, she finds romance with an old flame. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
In this drama, a mayor's political career is threatened by the avaricious land speculators who are trying to force her to give into their demands. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Fine Gold was originally made for cable television, where it first aired July 15, 1990. Ted Wass stars as a man falsely accused of embezzlement. In the months that follow, he loses his job, his family, and most of his reason for living. The second half of the film concerns itself with revenge and an abundance of surprise plot twists. Jane Badler co-stars in this torrid melodrama. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In this drama, a high-ranking tennis player must make a difficult choice between the physician she loves and the game. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
A made for TV movie in which Valerie Bertinelli portrays Florence Pancho Barnes, a bored socialite who decides to learn to fly. After receiving her pilot's license, even though her ambitions get in the way of her love life, she becomes a stunt pilot, barnstormer, and even forced Howard Hughes to change his mind about unions. Her career spanned such varied activities as racing against Amelia Earhart and training army pilots. Fine portrayal of one of the more interesting of the independent women from the 1920s. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In this Disney comedy, two identical cars cause all sorts of mayhem for six people and lively dog. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1985
A trio of rich ex-cops begin to investigate a murder involving baseball and gangsters. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Wass, Markie Post, (more)
- 1985
James Coburn stars in this TV movie as the powerful head of a major law firm. Glynnis O'Connor is the firm's prize attorney--and also the lover of Coburn's son Ted Wass, a blue-collar worker long estranged from his father. Coburn stages a reconciliation with his son, but it's only so he can enjoy Glynnis' sexual favors himself. After only token resistance, Glynnis defers to Coburn's desires. The question raised by Sins of the Father: which of the two lawyers is the most opportunistic? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Phoebe Cates plays the Baby Sister in this made-for-TV melodrama. A sexually promiscuous college dropout, Cates moves into the home of older sister Pamela Bellwood. Ted Wass, Bellwood's husband, welcomes Cates with open arms...and that's the whole trouble. The original title of this pulpish endeavor was Tainted Love. Baby Sister was first broadcast March 6, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phoebe Cates, Pamela Bellwood, (more)
- 1982
Determined to prove that the men who answer advertisements for mail-order brides are nothing more than jerks and lechers, Chicago magazine writer Kate Tosconi (Valerie Bertinelli) places a typical "object matrimony" ad and awaits the inevitable drooling replies. Meanwhile, L.A. lawyer Robert Fitzgerald (Ted Wass) has bet his practical-joking friends that if he were to answer such an ad, he could easily remain celibate for two weeks after meeting his "bride." Anyone who can't guess what happens next should be drummed out of the TV room in shame. A fascinating example of what passed for "feminism" and "male compassion" back in the early '80s, the made-for-TV I Was a Mail Order Bride was first broadcast by CBS on December 14, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The death of Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond) was the big shocker at the end of Soap's third season. So imagine everyone's surprise when, as the series launched season four, Jessica was brought back to life -- following a brief stopover in Heaven to commiserate with all her ex-lovers! In another dangling plot strand resolved by the fourth-season opener, Jessica's son, Billy Tate (Jimmy Baio), is rescued from the bullet fired by his scorned lover, Leslie Walker (Marla Pennington). Additionally, the Tates have acquired a new butler named Saunders (Roscoe Lee Browne), replacing their former retainer Benson (actor Robert Guillaume had of course left Soap to star in his own sitcom, titled -- you guessed it -- Benson). The many subplots wending their way through the series' final network season include the election of Jessica's brother-in-law, Burt Campbell (Richard Mulligan), as sheriff leading to Burt's run-in with mob-connected hooker Gwen (Jesse Welles) -- with whom Burt's stepson, Danny (Ted Wass), becomes enamored. Also highlighted are the long-delayed wedding of Jessica's daughter, Eunice (Jennifer Salt) and ex-convict Dutch (Donnelly Rhodes); the long, anguished search by Danny's brother, Jodie (Billy Crystal), for his missing daughter; and Jessica's abduction to South America, where she falls in love with revolutionary leader El Puerco (Gregory Sierra), culminating in her divorce from Chester (Robert Mandan). As in previous years, season four of Soap ends with a cliffhanger as Jessica Tate faces a South American firing squad. This time, however, there was to be no resolution -- the series had been canceled! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Mandan, Katherine Helmond, (more)
