Tom McGowan Movies
- 2005
Created by Rob Lotterstein, the Fox network sitcom The War at Home tackles a problem faced by millions of parents of the early 21st century: how can one who was raised in the "anything goes" 1970s and 1980s, with no barriers, boundaries, or taboos, suddenly be expected to discipline their own children and set down ground rules without coming off as a hypocrite? This was the dilemma of Dave (Michael Rapaport) and Vicki (Anita Barone), who despite the many wild oats sown in their own teen years felt obliged to go through the motions of tough-love parenthood with their three hormone-driven kids: 15-year-old Larry (Kyle Sullivan), who may or may not be gay; 16-year-old Hillary (Kaylee DeFer), just entering the dating scene; and 13-year-old Mike (Dean Collins), obsessively dedicated to his violent video games and precious little else. One critic cited the series as an amalgam of amusing leftovers from All in the Family, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Arrested Development. The War at Home debuted September 11, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Rapaport, Anita Barone, (more)
The direct-to-DVD romantic comedy Dog Gone Love is the tale of two dog lovers, bookish author Steven (Alexander Chaplin) and assistant veterinarian Rebecca (Lindsay Sloane). Upon meeting Steven, Rebecca makes the assumption that he is gay. Steven allows her to go on believing this so that he can use her expertise in all things canine to research his latest novel -- and besides, he thinks she's cute. Originally rated R, Dog Gone Love was whittled down to a safe PG-13 when the film made its cable-TV debut over the Lifetime network on July 29, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alexander Chaplin, Lindsay Sloane, (more)
- 2003
Felicity Huffman makes her first series appearance as Julia Wilcox, KACL's new financial analyst. The abrasive, condescending Julia rubs everyone the wrong way, but Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) -- who can be pretty abrasive and condescending himself -- believes she's merely insecure. He extends the hand of friendship, only to have the nasty Julia nearly bite it off. Thus spruned, Frasier expresses his outrage to everyone -- which merely confirms their belief that he had a crush on Julia. The situation culminates with threats of a harrassment suit and a remarkable revelation. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Felicity Huffman, Dan Butler, (more)
- 2003
Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is willing to donate a huge amount of money to KACL's bike-a-thon fundraiser for AIDs research, but he balks at participating in the event. Julia (Felicity Huffman) goads Frasier into riding one of the bikes, while Daphne (Jane Leeves) does the same with Niles (David Hyde Pierce). Only one problem: Neither brother knows one end of a bike from another. Elsewhere, Daphne's mom (Millicent Martin) manages to bollix up the relationship between Martin (John Mahoney) and Cora Winston (Emily Yancy). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Millicent Martin, Felicity Huffman, (more)
- 2003
When Niles (David Hyde Pierce) partners up with someone other than Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) for their club's squash tournament, Frasier teams with Chelsea Gray (Jeanne Tripplehorn), a sexy phys-ed teacher. At the end of the tournament, Martin is delighted that at last one of his sons has won a trophy -- but the other son, Niles, is not. As for Chelsea, Frasier wonders if his lifelong terror of P.E. instructors will ruin his chances at romance. This is the classic episode in which actor Bob Hoskins repeatedly materializes on the shoulders of guest star Jeanne Tripplehorn. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Hoskins, Jeanne Tripplehorn, (more)
- 2003
Against his better judgment, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) agrees to offer psychiatric advice to recently divorced radio-station manager Kenny Daly (Tom McGowan). Convinced that all Kenny needs is to get his mind off his troubles, Martin (John Mahoney) takes Kenny out to his favorite watering hole, McGinty's saloon -- whereupon Frasier takes umbrage at his father interfering with his "patient." And jealousy of a different kind rears its head when Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeves) begin taking yoga classes. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom McGowan, Alan Cumming, (more)
- 2003
Though she has decided to leave Seattle for a better job out of town, Roz (Peri Gilpin) begins having second thoughts about bidding farewell to Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) -- especially since he is drawing ever closer to the mercurial Julia Wilcox (Felicity Huffman). This state of affairs leads to two different showdowns, while a third is in the offing as Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeves) square off against Daphne's meddlesome mother (Millicent Martin). This was the final episode of Frasier's tenth season. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Felicity Huffman, Millicent Martin, (more)
- 2003
Julia (Felicity Huffman) breaks up with Avery when it becomes obvious he won't divorce his wife -- and when she also realizes he has been appropriating her ideas for his software company. Somehow this situation leads to Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) helping Julia burgle Avery's office, whereupon the two are locked in the same closet. Inevitably, Frasier and Julia use this "opportunity" to make love -- with Julia alternately showering Frasier with affection and haranguing him for his shortcomings. Meanwhile, Roz (Peri Gilpin) is offered a new job out of town, and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) makes some new "friends" at a shooting range. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Felicity Huffman, Millicent Martin, (more)
- 2002
Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) thinks he has scored a professional coup when his Seattle-based radio advice show is syndicated to a station in Spokane. No such luck! The Spokane audiences resent Frasier because his show has replaced the one hosted by popular and venerable local radio personality Sully (Bill Hayes). Former Second City TV co-star Joe Flaherty makes a cameo appearance while the "guest voices" include a certain former mermaid! ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Hayes, Catherine Bruhier, (more)
- 2002
The scene is a parking garage, where a defiant Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) takes a stand -- and blocks traffic -- when he feels he's being unjustly charged for a full 20 minutes' parking when he only owes for a few minutes. Refusing to allow anyone to pay the fee for him, Frasier transforms an insignificant molehill into an impassable mountain, much to the dismay of his passenger Niles (David Hyde Pierce). Meanwhile, Roz (Peri Gilpin) makes an unexpected public confession when she subs for Frasier on his radio show. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom McGowan, Luis Guzman, (more)
- 2002
Zooey Deschanel guest stars as Roz's wild, impulsive, and highly opinionated cousin Jen. The girl's aggressive personality drives Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) up a wall and leaves Roz (Peri Gilpin) exhausted trying to keep up with her cousin's round-the-clock partying. About the only person who truly hits it off with Jen is KACL station manager Kenny Daly (Tom McGowan), who feels he needs her sort of excitement in his life -- maybe permanently. Elsewhere, Martin (John Mahoney) tries to snooker Daphne (Jane Leeves) into continuing to tend his needs. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom McGowan, Zooey Deschanel, (more)
- 2002
Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has just about had enough of the practical jokes perpetrated by radio sports guy "Bulldog" Briscoe (Dan Butler). Clearly what is called for is a get-even scheme so elaborate and complicated that Frasier has to bring in "outside help." And on the subject of revenge, Daphne's mother, Gertrude (Millicent Martin), is determined to settle accounts with the youthful trick-or-treater who has "vandalized" Niles' door. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Millicent Martin, Dan Butler, (more)
- 2002
Hoping to master Hebrew so that he can give a speech at his son's bar mitzvah, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) turns to nerdy Noel (Patrick Kerr) for help. Noel agrees to coach Frasier, but in return Frasier must obtain a valuable autograph at a sci-fi convention. Alas, things go very wrong, whereupon Noel cooks up a rather embarrassing revenge. Meanwhile, Frasier's ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) displays a side of her personality that no one has ever seen before -- and few ever want to see again. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bebe Neuwirth, Patrick Kerr, (more)
- 2002
KACL manager Kenny (Tom McGowan) figures that Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) could improve his following amongst younger listeners if he agrees to appear on the station's public-service program "Teen Scene." Confidentially, Frasier gears up for questioning from the show's panel of high-school journalists. Unfortunately, the show's host has nothing but contempt for Frasier, and as a result, our hero ends up a laughing stock to listeners of all ages. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Although there's little love lost between Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and his carniverous agent Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris), something bad always happens when our hero is represented by someone else. This time, Frasier's new agent is young Portia Sanders (Kristin Chenoweth), whose eagerness to please borders on the annoying. The limit comes when Portia gets involved in the rivalry between Frasier and competiting radio shrink Dr. Zach (Chris Berg). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Niles (David Hyde Pierce) succeeds Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) as president of their wine club when Frasier finds himself swamped with work as resident wine expert on Gil Chesterton's (Edward Hibbert) gourmet talk show. Unfortunately, in the course of one broadcast, Frasier breaks the club's bylaws by imparting "delicate" information -- whereupon Niles retaliates by ordering the other club members to boycott Gil's program. As the feud escalates, Martin (John Mahoney) is having problems of his own keeping up with his health-nut lady friend. Jane Leeves was on maternity leave during filming of this episode, and does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Bill Gates guest stars on this, the 200th episode of Frasier. It so happens that this landmark event occurs on the same day as the 2000th radio broadcast of Frasier's radio call-in show. Having accumulated all but one of his broadcast tapes, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) must now negotiate with the overly obsessive fan (Adam Arkin) who owns the only surviving copy of the missing show. This episode orginally ran 35 minutes and was shown in tandem with a special comprised of clips from previous Frasier seasons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Once again, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) must bargain with his crafty and cunning former student Kirby (Brian Klugman). This time, both Frasier and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) converge upon the boy, in hopes of glimpsing (and hopefully sampling) a rare bottle of wine owned by a rich relative of Kirby's current girlfriend. Meanwhile, grumpy Martin (John Mahoney) balks at wearing his new blood-pressure monitor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Bored with the inactivity of his retirement, Martin (John Mahoney) takes a job as a security guard. As he prepares for his first night at work in years, Martin flashes back to his final days on the police force (with a few familiar faces dotting the landscape). Meanwhile, Martin's absence in the Crane apartment sparks an argument between Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Daphne (Jane Leeves) as to who will assume the care and maintenance of Eddie the dog. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Tony Goldwyn guest stars as Roger, current boyfriend of Roz (Peri Gilpin). Though delighted at the prospect of a relationship that might actually last more than a few weeks, Roz is also worried over the somewhat aromatic fact that Roger is a garbage man. Meanwhile, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) tries once again to shed his stuffed-shirt image by throwing a party, and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) discusses his childhood with Daphne (Peri Gilpin). Ashley Thomas makes her first series appearance as Roz's three-year-old daughter Alice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Just before he is to receive a lifetime achievement award, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) receives a congratulatory gift from his mentor, Prof. Tewksbury (René Auberjonois) along with an unsettling written note. Disturbed by the sentiments in the notes, Frasier is plunged into an intense, near-existentialist flurry of self-analysis, highlighted (or lowlighted!) by flashbacks from the past. Meanwhile, Martin (John Mahoney) tries to mollify Niles (David Hyde Pierce) who is envious of the attention being showered upon Frasier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
In the tradition of the theatrical film Sliding Doors, this episode of Frasier offers two alternatives to a single twist of fate for both Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce). In Frasier's case, we are given the opportunity to see what will happen to him if he decides to go out on Valentine's Day -- and what will happen if he stays at home (and taking things a step farther, we see two different methods of courtship involving Frasier and a cute but klutzy artist [Charlotte Ross]). Meanwhile, a similar "either-or" situation is played out for Niles and Daphne (Jane Leeves), who may or may not go on a Hawaiian vacation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
KACL station manager Kenny Daly (Tom McGowan) is down in the dumps over his failing marriage. Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) tries to help Kenny deal with this situation -- only to inadvertently go out on a date with Mrs. Daly (Illeana Douglas). Elsewhere, Daphne's "binge eating" is getting out of control, forcing her to take drastic action. This last subplot was cooked up to explain away the noticeable weight gain of actress Jane Leeves, who was pregnant at the time of filming. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Roz (Peri Gilpin) is in the process of producing a documentary about the NASA space program and wants Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) to narrate the project. Alas, before long Frasier has all but taken over production of the documentary himself, leading to a big-time feud between hero and heroine. By the time the crisis reaches its peak, even former astronaut and U.S. senator John Glenn (as himself) has gotten involved -- and in this case, the mission is not "Go"! Jane Leeves was on maternity leave during filming of this episode, and does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
If he wants to keep his job, Frasier must curry favor with Todd Peterson (Alan Tudyk), the youthful, self-made billionaire owner of station KACL. As it happens, Todd is shy around "high society" folks, and wants Frasier to give him a few pointers. The result: Todd turns into a Frasier clone, much to the dismay of the "original." Meanwhile, Niles continue humiliating himself in public to in order to secure his divorce from the vengeful Mel (Jane Adams) -- but the more he tries to run away from his contentious spouse, the more he is entangled in her web. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
