David Isaacs Movies

A rare original dramatic offering from cable's American Movie Channel, the weekly series Mad Men was the story of a major advertising agency operating from New York's Madison Avenue in 1960. The most successful ad executive at the Sterling Cooper agency was handsome, indefatigable Don Draper (Jon Hamm), who was not only expert at "playing the game" while servicing accounts ranging from cigarette manufacturers to political candidates, but was also an accomplished ladies' man. It was crucial for Draper to always be at the top of his professional form -- there were scores of hungry young executives who were eager to topple him from his perch and become Sterling Cooper's new top dog. The series evoked the manners and mores of the early '60s with pinpoint accuracy: the advertising business, like practically every other business, was completely male-dominated, with an overabundance of WASPs, a minimum of Jews, and virtually no other minority anywhere in sight; women were second-class citizens and sex objects, expected to be both subservient and "available"; honesty and integrity were merely words in the dictionary; and everybody drank and smoked to excess (indeed, so many cigarettes were lit up in the course of each episode that a number of TV critics were turned off by the show, undoubtedly preferring that historical fact be subordinated to contemporary political correctness). Others in the cast included John Slattery as agency CEO Roger Sterling; Elisabeth Moss as wide-eyed novice secretary Peggy Olson; Christina Hendricks as wordly wise head secretary Joan Holloway; Vincent Kartheiser as Don Draper's sharkishly ambitious protégé Pete Campbell; and Maggie Siff as Rachel Menken, a source of anger and confusion to the Madison Avenue macho males not only because she was the executive in charge of a major department store (and Jewish in the bargain!), but also because she refused to let any mere adman tell her how to promote her business. Created by The Sopranos' Matthew Weiner, Mad Men was unveiled by AMC on July 19, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Marian Seldes appears as Betty, the mother of Martin's fiancée, Ronee Lawrence (Wendie Malick). Betty has never liked or trusted Martin (John Mahoney), but he vows to make the best of things when she pays a visit. As for the rest of the Crane clan, Frasier continues obsessing over Charlotte (Laura Linney), but that doesn't prevent him from getting mixed up with another girl named Kim (Jennifer Tilly) -- a brief fling that unexpectedly turns into a major public event. And arrow-narrow Niles (David Hyde Pierce) suddenly develops a craving for fattening fast food. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first half of Frasier's two-part season-six finale, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) remains depressed over the impending marriage of Daphne (Jane Leeves) and Donny (Saul Rubinek) -- at least until he meets an attractive stranger at Café Nervosa. Meanwhile, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) thinks he has finally chosen between Cassandra (Virginia Madsen) and Faye (Amy Brenneman), and Roz (Peri Gilpin) finally gives Bulldog (Dan Tucker) what he wants. Originally telecast as a one-hour "special," this episode has since been re-edited as two separate half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this follow up to the previous episode "My Fair Fraser," the romance between high-powered attorney Samantha (Lindsay Frost) and the uncharacteristically submissive Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is on the rocks. Ultimately the relationship breaks off, though Samantha assures Frasier that this setback is "all about her." This doesn't stop our hero from believing that the breakup was his fault -- and subsequently obsessing over the "fact." 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl makes a cameo appearance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Number 10 promises and provides a good show, with the Superfight a contest between "Massive" Mark Coleman, a former Olympic athlete, and Don "The Predator" Frye, a once-and-future favorite. Their battle delivers the goods that UFC fans crave and is up to previous standards. Number 10 is also Coleman's first UFC appearance. Other newcomers enter the octagon to show their meanest, roughest, toughest moves, holds, and jabs, and Gary "Big Daddy" Goodridge returns. ~ Leslie Birdwell, Rovi

Another of Kelsey Grammer's former Cheers co-stars makes a guest appearance on Frasier. This time it is Ted Danson, reprising his role as ballplayer-turned-bartender Sam Malone. Upon linking up with Frasier, Sam claims he has come to Seattle to get a tryout with the Mariners. Before long, however, the truth comes out: Sam has run away from his own wedding. Frasier offers to help his old friend--only to regret these words upon discovering that he himself has had a "close encounter" with Sam's fiancée, Sheila (Téa Leoni). Inside jokes abound in this episode, including a reference to Frasier's "late" father (who of course isn't late yet) and an annotated update on the gang from the Boston tavern "where everybody knows your name." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Frasier's dreams of a romantic rendezvous in Bora Bora are dashed when he runs smack-dab into his ex-wife, Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth), who is vacationing with her new beau, a seismologist named Brian (James Morrison). In his efforts to one-up his former spouse, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) succeeds only in convincing everyone on the island -- including his girlfriend Madeleine (JoBeth Williams) -- that he's a few bricks shy of a full load. Upon returning to Seattle, Frasier is desperate to patch things up with Madeleine, but the omnipresent Lilith botches this up as well. It is giving nothing away this late in the game to note that there is a BIG surprise at episode's end -- but it was one of TV's best-kept secrets of 1994. (And listen for the voice of Roz's latest "bad date.") ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Carla's careless daughter Serafina (Leah Remini) has to get married before she begins to "show." Though Carla (Rhea Perlman) is not too upset over Serafina's pregnancy, she is outraged at the girl's wedding plans. It seems that Serafina wants her father, Carla's disreputable ex-husband Nick Tortelli (Dan Hedaya), to walk her down the aisle. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The guys at Cheers inaugurate a marathon poker game, ostensibly for the purpose of teaching Woody (Woody Harrelson) how to play. While the boys are otherwise occupied, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) bravely holds down the fort -- or rather, the bar -- with the help of Carla (Rhea Perlman). Fortunately, Cheers enjoys one of its busiest nights ever; unfortunately, the bar's liquor license has just expired, forcing Rebecca and Carla to concoct some bizarre, alcohol-free improvisations. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Although Sandpiper Air is up and running again, the trials and tribulations of sibling owners Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) are far from over. The latest crisis involves a tough guy who, mistaking Joe for Brian, breaks the wrong brother's nose. When Joe subsequently visits the doctor (Peter Brown), it is Brian who begins contemplating a nose job -- for himself. Featured in the supporting cast is perennial starlet Lana Clarkson, whose career -- and life -- would come to a tragic end in 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Although Gary's Old Towne Tap is under new ownership, the gang at Cheers intends to reinvigorate its war of practical jokes against the rival pub. Alas, Gary's taciturn owner (Harry Guardino) doesn't find the pranks very funny -- but then, not too many mobsters are known for their sense of humor. Senator John Kerry appears as himself in the opening scene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

One year before he was reunited with Cheers regular Kelsey Grammer on Frasier, John Mahoney guest starred on Grammer's earlier series as Sy Flembeck, a hack songwriter hired by Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) to compose a jingle for Cheers. As for the main plot of this episode, a pregnant Maggie (Annie Golden) returns and insists that Cliff (John Ratzenberger) is her baby's father. Meanwhile, mercurial ex-convict Andy (Derek McGrath) pops up at the bar, looking for the long-departed Diane Chambers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi