Will MacKenzie Movies
- 1997
Debra (Patricia Heaton) doesn't care for the quality of children's books that Ally (Madlyn Sweeten) insists she read over and over again, night after night. Hoping to elevate the literature level in her household, Debra begins writing her own book--and persuades hubby Raymond (Ray Romano) to collaborate on the project. Alas, when the partners begin falling out over story material, content and other such niceties, and when Ray threatens to take over the project and leave Debra eating dust, it appears as though this fairy tale will not end "happily ever after." ~ Rovi
- 1997
It is Frank's 65th birthday, and the family has opted to break tradition by purchasing expensive presents. The only "holdout" is Ray (Ray Romano), who sheepishly presents Frank (Peter Boyle) with a tacky birthday card. Feeling guilty, Ray decides to compensate for his cheapness by purchasing a lavish aquarium, just like the one Frank has always admired at his favorite Chinese restaurant. Unfortunately, Frank's delight over this generous gift lasts only as long as it takes for the first of his new fish to go belly-up. ~ Rovi
- 1997
Debra (Patricia Heaton) reads an article about the happiness and contentment brought about by working at home. When Ray comes home late and stressed out (again!), Debra helpfully suggests that he transform a room in the house into his office--complete with fax machine, computer modem and, satellite dish. Unfortunately, Ray doesn't get much work done, but now he has a swell place to hang out and waste time with his friends (including sportscaster Pat O'Brien). ~ Rovi
Music bridges a gap between two cultures in this made-for-TV drama. In 1957, Derek Sanders (Peter Scolari) is hired to teach music and direct the choir at Blanton Academy, a private school in South Carolina. Integration has not yet come to Blanton, and a number of students display an open hostility towards African-American in the community, most notably Taylor Bradshaw (Justin Whalin), one of the school bullies who makes no secret of his dislike of people of color. As Sanders tries to impress a more open-minded attitude upon the boys in his choir, he introduces a new vocalist to the group -- Landy Allen (Eugene Byrd), the teenaged son of Zeke (Moses Gunn), the school's black caretaker. Despite his initial enmity, Bradshaw strikes up a friendship with Allen based on their shared love for music, and as Allen teaches Bradshaw about the blues, he also finds himself learning about a people and a community he previously know almost nothing about. Noted folk-blues Richie Havens also appears in the film's supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- 1992
When a private detective takes on a missing person assignment trying to find an Italian aristocrat's uncle, she discovers a conspiracy of murder and drugs. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cybill Shepherd, Robert Beltran, (more)
A self-centered womanizer makes a wager that he will be able to propose to three women in a three month time and have each one accept in this romantic Philadelphia-set comedy. His three victims are an icy concert pianist, an innocent blonde receptionist for the Philadelphia Eagles, and a rich, horny hausfrau. The fellow plans to prove his success by videotaping each proposal. Sure enough he succeeds, but things quickly sour when the ladies find out that he's duped them. They then team up to get revenge and teach him a thing or two about real love. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mark Harmon, Madeleine Stowe, (more)
- 1987
The hobo in the made-for-TV A Hobo's Christmas is played by Barnard Hughes. Drifting from place to place, Hughes finds himself in his hometown of Salt Lake City at Christmastime. Here he hopes to close old wounds and be reunited with his unforgiving son Gerald McRaney, and get to know the grandchildren he has never met. McRaney, still resenting the fact that Hughes ran out on his family 25 years earlier, gives his father only one day with his grandkids; after that, he's expected to leave and never come back. Everything that usually happens in a feel-good film of this nature does happen, but getting there is half the fun. If you missed the location-filmed A Hobo's Christmas when it was first telecast on December 6, 1987, despair not: the film is sure to pop up again on cable during the Yuletide season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1986
This episode opens with the grave announcement that it has NOT been filmed in 3-D (the glasses didn't show up in the mail). Once this is established, we segue into the curious tale of the Great Kandinski, a famous escape artist who has recently died. Inasmuch as Kandinski had threatened to come back from the grave to get even with his philandering wife (K Callan), David (Bruce Willis) and Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) are engaged to do some "corpse sitting" at the local funeral parlor--but comes the dawn, and the body has disappeared...and even worse, it looks as if Kandinski has carried out his threat. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1986
This classic episode begins when a youngster tunes into his favorite TV series Moonlighting, only to be ordered to switch off that "trash" and return to his homework. Inasmuch as the kid is studying William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew", he soon dreams up a wild scenario wherein all of the Moonlighting characters are recast as the principals in that boisterous battle-of-the-sexes comedy. What follows is an insane blend of faux Elizabethan dialogue and contemporary wisecracks ("Doth bears bear-eth? Doth bees be-eth?"), with a few "improvements" that the Bard of Avon would never have dreamed of--such as the swaggering Petruchio, aka David (Bruce Willis), escorting a bound-and-gagged Katherina, aka Maddie (Cybill Shepherd), to the altar! And since when did "Taming of the Shrew" include a sight gag straight out of the Warner Bros. cartoons, complete with a musical passage from composer Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse"? The episode's flippant credit title "from an idea by William 'Bud' Shakespeare" was obviously inspired by the infamous credit on the 1929 film version of Taming of the Shrew: "Based on the play by William Shakespeare, with additional dialogue by Sam Taylor." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1986
This time out, the services of Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) and David (Bruce Willis) are engaged by the deceptively mild-mannerd Alan Tupperman (Guy Boyd). It seems that lonely Alan is in search of the "perfect mate", and he expects the detectives to find this elusive woman--or at the very least, locate several women from which he can choose. The episode's action is counterpointed by significant scenes culled from the 1935 horror flick The Bride of Frankenstein). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1985
All the main characters from the popular TV sitcom Family Ties were carried over into this made-for-TV feature. Michael J. Fox heads the cast as insufferable/lovable young conservative Alex Keaton, who this time around is attending Oxford on a summer scholarship. The Keaton family--ex-hippie parents Elyse (Meredith Baxter Birney) and Steven (Michael Gross), and sisters Mallory (Justine Bateman) and Jennifer (Tina Yothers)--decide to go along with Alex in order to enjoy a vacation in England. The script contrives to have the Keatons behave wildly out of character by getting involved in a hackneyed espionage plot. The film looks more like one of those Dell Comics "specials" or Ace Paperback TV show tie-ins rather than a logical extension of the original series. Family Ties Vacation was first telecast September 23, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, (more)
- 1985
Fed up with David's childish behavior, Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) bets him that he can't act in a mature manner throughout their next case. David (Bruce Willis) does his best, even though the case at hand--delivering the ransom money for a kidnapped concert pianist--offers ample temptation for him to cut up. By the time the situation is resolved, however, Maddie kind of misses the "old" David and would like to have him back. This is the episode with the infamous (and much-copied) "office limbo" scene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1981
The cabbies are astonished when Jim (Christopher Lloyd), a burned-out relic of the 1960s whose appearance and lifestyle can be charitably described as "unkempt" abruptly turns over a new leaf. Virtually overnight, Jim has brought perfection, order, and expensive creature comforts into his life--and he's even begun to take baths and change his clothes. The reason? Well, it seems that Jim had earlier picked up a couple of passengers who were discussing the "secret of success." Future Miami Vice producer Michael Mann also appears in a supporting role. ~ Rovi
- 1980
College student Sara (Lydia Cornell) gets a part-time job as a waitress. The uniform she is required to wear leaves very little to the imagination. Taking one look at the skimpy outfit, Sara's overprotective dad, Henry (Ted Knight), blows his stack. Fed up with her husband's bombastic behavior, Henry's wife, Muriel (Nancy Dussault), moves in with Sara and her sister, Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) -- and the episode isn't even half over yet! ~ Rovi
- 1980
Normally seen on Tuesdays during its first ABC season, Too Close for Comfort was given a rare Sunday showing when this episode originally aired. Henry Rush (Ted Knight) goes ballistic when he learns that a sailor plans to spend his shore leave with his attractive daughter Sara (Lydia Cornell). It gets worse when, while snooping around Sara's apartment, Henry finds a cache of pills. Putting two and two together, Henry characteristically comes up with the wrong equation. ~ Rovi
- 1980
Its premiere delayed two months by an actors' strike, Too Close for Comfort finally made its debut on November 11, 1980, with an airing of the series' pilot episode. Newspaper cartoonist Henry Rush (Ted Knight) and his wife, Muriel (Nancy Dussault), have missed their daughters, Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) and Sara (Lydia Cornell), since the girls moved out. This doesn't mean, however, that Henry is crazy over the idea of his nubile daughters moving into the newly vacant downstairs apartment in his San Francisco townhouse. Even so, the girls manage to talk Henry into agreeing to their move -- leading to an extremely nervous evening as the overprotective Henry agonizes over every imagined noise emanating from below his floor. This pilot episode is a rewrite of "Downs and Ups," the debut episode of Too Close for Comfort's British sitcom predecessor Keep It in the Family. ~ Rovi
- 1980
With this episode, J.M. J. Bullock becomes a series regular in the role of Monroe Ficus, nerdy fellow student of Jackie Rush (Lydia Cornell). Overwhelmed by a small act of kindness from Sara (Lydia Cornell), Monroe insists upon thanking her. Then he follows her from school to thank her again. Then he follows her home to thank her again and again. Then he drops in at the home of Sara's parents (Ted Knight, Nancy Dussault) to thank her again and again and again. Then he decides to stay with the senior Rushes...and stays...and stays...and stays.... ~ Rovi
- 1980
Henry (Ted Knight) is decidedly nervous about hiring a couple of ex-convicts from a local rehabilitation center to do a plastering job in the Rushes' apartment. That said, imagine Henry's reaction when Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) comes home from her bank job with a grocery bag containing 10,000 dollars. To quote the original ABC press release for this episode, "Henry Goes Bananas!" One of the former convicts is played by Ernie Hudson, of Ghostbusters fame. ~ Rovi
- 1979
When she was a little girl back in Rock Throw, West Virginia, Jennfer (Loni Anderson) promised to marry her childhood sweetheart T.J. Watson. Now T.J. is all grown up (and played by country singer Hoyt Axton), and he has come to Cincinnati to see Jennifer. Worried that T.J. will demand that she keep her marriage promise, Jennifer tries to pass off Johnny (Howard Hesseman) as her husband! Without tipping off the punch line of this episode, it can be noted that Hoyt Axton performs two of his own compositions, "I'm a Jealous Man" and "Della and the Dealer". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1979
A series of tornadoes hits the Cincinnati area just as a pair of Japanese radio executives are being given a guided tour of WKRP. A bad situation gets worse when a window blown loose by the heavy winds knocks Andy (Gary Sandy) unconscious--but fortunately, Jennifer (Loni Anderson) is at the ready with a most intriguing rescue method! Series regulars Tim Reid (Venus) and Jan Smithers (Bailey) do not appear in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1979
When Mr. Carlson's 11-year-old son Arthur Jr. (Sparky Marcus) is booted out of Valley Forge Military Academy, the kid's grandmother Mrs. Carlson (Carol Bruce) demands that the boy be given a job at WKRP. Before long, the entire staff is on the verge of insanity thanks to Arthur Jr.'s fascistic notions of military protocol! As it turns out, however, the kid is not quite the unregenerate monster he appears to be. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1977
Though other time-frames have been offered in past episodes, the Hartleys have been married seven years according to Sy Rosen's script for "Taxation Without Celebration." Their anniversary is April 15th, a date that has completely slipped Bob's mind. Not only must he face the wrath of wife Emily, but he also must come up with a good excuse for the IRS. Will Mackenzie makes another appearance as Carol's husband, Larry Bondurant; also appearing are Vince Martorano as the chauffeur and Drew Michaels as the bellboy. Originally slated to air (appropriately enough) in mid-April, "Taxation Without Celebration" was moved up to February 19, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Generous Edith offers the Bunker living room as the site for the wedding between Mr. Hooper (Ian Wolfe) and Florence Talley (Merie Earle), two octogenarian residents of the Sunshine Rest House. Unfortunately, the ceremony coincides with Archie's long-anticipated fishing trip. As the wedding plods on and on due to unexpected interruptions and delays, it looks as if the fishing season will be over before Archie ever gets to bait his hook. Written by Charles Stewart and Ben Starr, "Unequal Partners" first aired on October 23, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, (more)
- 1977
Once again breaking his self-imposed rule of never consulting his friends, Bob offers advice to Carol's husband, Larry Bondurant (Will Mackenzie). Suggesting that the discouraged Larry open his own travel agency, Bob never dreamed that his advice would be acted upon so quickly. Nor did he imagine in his wildest dreams that Larry would set up his new agency in Bob's medical building, converting the reception area into a Polynesian paradise. Written by future Family Ties creator Gary David Goldberg, "The Mentor" originally aired on March 5, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Mr. Carlin is in love again; this time the lucky (?) woman is one Andrea Duff (Mary Ann Chin). Hoping to appear more exciting to the new woman in his life, Carlin enlists Bob's aid in fabricating a spectacular "life story." The result is a wide-ranging farrago of a resumé which claims, among other things, that Carlin invented gravy. Written by Gary David Goldberg, "Love Is the Blindest" first aired on January 8, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
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