Jerry Adler Movies

TV journalist (and recovering alcoholic) Marcy Singer (Suzanne Somers) is promised an Exclusive by anonymous phone an caller. Singer is advised to show up at a well-known bar at an appointed time. Once she's arrived, she finds six corpses awaiting her. Investigating, Singer follows the trail of evidence to an unexpected-and all-too-close-source. Joe Cortese and Michael Nouri co-star in this made-for-TV melodrama. Exclusive originally aired October 4, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jacqueline McKenzie stars in this bleak, ambitious character portrait. Kicked out of her home by her loutish, abusive boyfriend, Penny (McKenzie) tries desperately to ingratiate herself back into his favor. In her pathetic efforts to debase herself, she makes all the wrong choices, including a half-hearted attempt to sacrifice her dog and kill her son. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

An ambitious young woman who can't afford to pay for college throws caution to the wind by moving to New York City and attempting to break into the toughest stand-up comedy circuit in the country. Melissa Brooks (Christine Evangelista) is down on her luck, but she's determined to live her life to the fullest despite the fact that she can't afford a higher education. Shortly after moving into the cramped, one bedroom apartment shared by her eccentric brother Robbie and his boyfriend Miller, Melissa wanders into a local comedy club and lands a job as a waitress. As the owner of the club takes Melissa gently under his wing, the aspiring comedienne bides her time between slinging drinks to customers and carefully observing the many comics who take the stage. After learning valuable lessons from both her new mentor as well as such acclaimed comics as Donnell Rawlings, Kevin Corrigan, and Sal "The Stockbroker" Governale, Melissa finally gains the courage to test her material on some of the nation's most unforgiving audiences. As if the stress of making one's stand-up debut on the New York City stand-up circuit isn't enough to deal with, the pretty young comic soon finds herself involved in a complicated love triangle while attempting to resolve some serious issues from her sordid past. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The life of one of the most famous American women of the last half of the 20th century receives yet another retelling in this made-for-TV drama. Raised by a harsh, domineering mother (Frances Fisher) and a charming but unfaithful (and alcoholic) father (Fred Ward), Jacqueline Bouvier (Joanne Whalley) is born into privileged circumstances but learns early on that wealth and power do not guarantee happiness. Jackie falls in love with John F. Kennedy (Tim Matheson), the son of a family even richer and more influential than her own, and is by his side as he becomes President of the United States -- though she soon discovers that, like her father, his charm and position make him very attractive to other women, a temptation he does little to resist. After the assassination of Kennedy in 1963, Jackie becomes America's best-known widow, and is forced to struggle through her mourning in the glare of the public eye. Alone and with expensive tastes, Jackie eventually becomes the trophy wife of Aristotle Onassis (Philip Baker Hall), yet another wealthy and flamboyant man. Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was first aired in two parts on November 5 and 8, 2000, by the CBS television network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) agree to tend the rooftop garden maintained by building superintendent Mr. Wicker (Jerry Adler). And if that doesn't turn out to be a source of discord, there is always the toy belonging to a neighbor's child which is dearly coveted by baby Mabel. Or, perhaps, the central conflict in this episode is Jamie's dismissive reaction to Paul's latest film project. ~ All Movie Guide

When news arrives that their apartment building may go co-op, the Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) finds themselves embroiled in a battle with their snooty English neighbors, the Conways. As their neighbors plot a strategy to grab hold of the Buchmans' apartment, a Montague-and-Capulet romance blossoms between Paul and Jamie's stupid mutt, Murray, and the Conways' precious pooch, Sophie. Though Judy Geeson returns as Maggie Conway, the role of Maggie's husband, Hal, is now played by Jim Piddock rather than Paxton Whitehead. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Despite the objections of her husband, Paul (Paul Reiser), Jamie (Helen Hunt) and her friend Fran (Leila Kenzle) are determined to hook up the Buchmans' bedroom TV with "stolen" cable service. The ladies' combined efforts result in a citywide power blackout of 1965 dimensions. Will Tom Brokaw ever get out of that stalled elevator? "Pandora's Box" was original one of three sitcom episodes telecast on the same Thursday evening over the same network (NBC), all of them built around a special "Blackout Thursday" promotion (the other two series involved in this stunt were Friends and Madman of the People). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Looking for the perfect third-anniversary gift causes Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) to lose confidence in their relationship. In the course of events, Jamie receives a cryptic message: "This note entitles the bearer to one magical night." Truer words were never written. Originally telecast as the hour-long finale of Mad About You's third season, this episode has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After a fight with his wife over the proverbial "other woman," building super Mr. Wicker (Jerry Adler) moves in with Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt). An additional crisis arises when it develops that Jamie needs glasses -- or would contact lenses go better with her "trapezoidal face?" Best moment: the faux Dickens recital. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Discover how some remarkable soldiers found the strength to face almost certain death to save the lives of others in this documentary tracing the history of the Medal of Honor from the Civil War to the Iraq war. It was during the Civil War that the Medal of Honor was first created. Though one woman was bestowed the Medal of Honor at that time, that commendation was soon revoked. Since then, many brave men have received the Medal of Honor. These are their stories. From the Holocaust survivor who single-handedly defended a hill from advancing enemy forces during the Korean War to the Navy Seal who swam two hours in the ocean with his wounded comrades in tow and the Marine who cleared a fiery path for his demoralized company at Iwo Jima, these tales are some of the most inspirational stories of bravery every to emerge from the battlefield. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Once upon a time, National Lampoon was on the cutting edge of satire and scatology. By 1986, the magazine was on its last legs, a doddering shadow of what it once had been. The performers in the 86-minute review National Lampoon's Class of '86 give it the old college try, but they're hampered by scads of hit-and-miss material. This video was labelled "adults only", though it's hard to imagine anyone over the age of 15 who will be amused. The title Class of '86 is only half right: it has no class, but it certainly deserves to be eighty-sixed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The title character in this WB Network sitcom was Matt Stewart, played by Full House graduate Bob Saget. A widower, Matt used wisecracks and wry comments to shoulder the responsibilities inherent in raising his two daughters, Sarah (Kat Dennings) and Emily (Brie Larson). Sound familiar? But here's the clincher: Daddy Matt was an English teacher -- in the same high school attended by Sarah and virtually all of her would-be boyfriends. Dispensing the usual sage grandfatherly advice was Matt's own live-in dad, Sam Stewart (Jerry Adler). Part of a Friday-night WB comedy block, Raising Dad (working titles: In Your Dreams and Wake Up Dad) debuted on October 5, 2001, its original September 14 premiere date preempted by continuing coverage of the World Trade Center tragedy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide