Everett Greenbaum Movies

The ninth and final season of Seinfeld begins with Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) enthusing over NBC's interest in his concept for a situation comedy "about nothing." However, he's less than enthusiastic over the omnipresence of his eternal nemesis, second-rate comedian Kenny Bania (Steve Hytner). Meanwhile, Kramer (Michael Richards) discovers that butter makes a great after shave lotion -- but Newman (Wayne Knight) is spooked by the smell. George (Jason Alexander) lands a new job only because he's still using a cane long after his hospital stay. And Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) sets out on a month-long trip to Europe with the redoubtable Puddy (Patrick Warburton). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Inspired by the success of previous TV sitcom "reunion" films, Return to Mayberry debuted on April 13, 1986. Eleven of the original cast members of the classic Andy Griffith Show were reunited in this marvelous blast from the past. The plot finds former sheriff Andy Taylor (Griffith, of course), returning to Mayberry, North Carolina to visit his grown son Opie (Ron Howard, taking a break from his busy directorial career), who is now an expectant father. Andy's onetime deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) is running for the sheriff's post, so Andy decides to stick around to help out. Barney thinks he's found an excellent publicity ploy when he discovers what seems to be a bigfoot-style monster roaming around the Carolina hills. Actually, he's the victim of a cruel hoax, compelling Andy once more to come to Barn's rescue. Also in the cast is George Lindsay as Goober, Jim Nabors as Gomer, Aneta Corsaut as Helen, Betty Lynn as Thelma Lou, and Howard Morris as Ernest T. Bass. Conspicuous by her absence was Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier, who was too ill to make a comeback. The highest-rated TV movie of 1986, Return to Mayberry might have resulted in a series, but Andy Griffith decided to switch professional gears and star as an attorney in Matlock. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third and final entry in M*A*S*H unofficial "mail call" trilogy, the army postman delivers a passel of problems to the 4077th. Klinger (Jamie Farr) learns that his wife wants a divorce; B.J.'s (Mike Farrell) spouse Peggy reveals that she's been "hit upon" by another man; and Radar (Gary Burghoff) copes with the prospect of his mother's remarriage. Only Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is the recipient of unqualified "good news", a bundle of love letters; trouble is, they aren't written to him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This episode begins on a serious note, as B.J. (Mike Farrell) receives word that he is the target of a military investigation. Before long, however, tension has segued into laughter as Hawkeye (Alan Alda) merrily engages in a battle of practical jokes against his old pal Bardonaro (James Cromwell). The question: Which of the two mirthsome combatants will have the titular "Last Laugh"? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The men and women of the 4077th finally get to meet Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan's fiancee, Col. Donald Penobscott (here played by Beeson Carroll). Despite the predictions of sullen Frank Burns (Larry Linville), who still carries a torch for Hot Lips (Loretta Swit) and is convinced that the belated wedding ceremony will never take place, Donald agrees to be married in camp immediately. What follows is a riotous bachelor party and an equally hilarious wedding, replete with hung-over commanding officers, unnecessary body casts, an off-key piano solo, and a gorgeous "ensemble" from fashionable cross-dresser Klinger (Jamie Farr). This was the final episode of M*A*S*H's fifth season--and the last series appearance of Larry Linville. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of M*A*S*H's sixth-season opener, Margaret Houlihan (Loretta Swit) is already having problems with her marriage to Donald Penobscot, Major Frank Burns has gone AWOL, and Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and B.J. (Mike Farrell) have had a bellyful of Frank's brilliant but insufferably arrogant replacement, the aristocratic Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester II (David Ogden Stiers). Likewise discomfited is Winchester, especially when his temporary assignment to the 4077th threatens to become permanent. Originally telecast as a 60-minute "special", "Fade Out, Fade In has since been reedited as two half-hour episodes for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the series' fifth-season opener, the 4077th has moved out, leaving Hawkeye (Alan Alda) behind to complete an extremely delicate operation. With a reported advance of Chinese troops in the offing, B.J. (Mike Farrell) and Margaret (Loretta Swit) volunteer to stay behind as Hawkeye's assistants--and as moral support when the shooting starts. The question now is: Will the rest of the M*A*S*H unit return in one piece? Originally telecast as a 60-minute "special," "Bug Out" has since been reedited as two half-hour episodes for syndication purposes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Several medical crises face the 4077th while Col. Potter (Harry Morgan) is away in Tokyo. To start with, the Colonel's beloved mare gets the colic; then Klinger (Jamie Farr) is felled by profound depression, and Margaret (Loretta Swit) is sidelined with appendicitis. By the time Potter has returned, at least two of the three major crises have passed. Can it be that Klinger will finally get his long-desired discharge--without even wearing a string of pearls and basic black? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Still in charge of the 4077th, Maj. Frank Burns (Larry Linville) arrogantly lords it over his subordinates. Things change when the unit's new commanding officer, Col. Sherman Potter (Harry Morgan), arrives at the camp. A old "regular army" man, Potter at first seems to be sympatico to the martinet Burns--but soon proves to be more in tune with the breezy irreverence of chief surgeons Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and B.J. (Mike Farrell). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of M*A*S*H's Season Four opener, Hawkeye (Alan Alda) escorts B. J. Hunnicut (Mike Farrell), the likeable replacement of Hawkeye's old pal Trapper John, back to the 4077th. En route, B.J. gets his first taste of "surgery under fire"--and Hawkeye realizes that he's found a kindred spirit. Imagine the surprise of strutting martinet Frank Burns (Larry Linville) when the "strait-laced" B.J. turns out to be just as cheeky and irreverent as Hawkeye; clearly, it's going to be business as usual for the rest of the War. The first of the series' 60-minute "special" episodes, Welcome to Korea has since been divided into two half-hour episodes for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This time it is Radar's (Gary Burghoff) turn to recap the zany happenings at the 4077th in a letter home. Writing to his mother, Radar invokes such highlights as the camp's annual foot inspection, this year handled by a reluctant Hawkeye (Alan Alda). On a more delicate note, Radar recalls the shrapnel wound endured by Col. Potter (Harry Morgan)--an injury as embarrassing as it is painful. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

B.J. (Mike Farrell) recounts the week's events at the 4077th in a letter to his wife Peggy. Highlight include a visit from a no-nonsense Army chaplain (Ned Beatty), a series of zany escape attempts by Klinger (Jamie Farr), and a classic snafu courtesy of Frank Burns (Larry Linville). With this episode, M*A*S*H moved briefly from Friday to Tuesday evening. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When a Jewish GI insists upon a circumcision for his Korean-born son, it is up to Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) to function as "substitute rabbi" during the ceremonial briss. Meanwhile, Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) is presented with evidence suggesting that his wife is "stepping out" on him during his absence. The script was written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, best known for their prolific contributions to The Andy Griffith Show. "Life with Father" was originally telecast on October 29, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide