Martin Mull Movies
Martin Mull intended to become a painter when he enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design, but his Scaramouche-like sense of the ridiculous led to a career as a nightclub comedian. The deceptively conservative-looking Mull is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished satirists in show business. Even before he gained TV fame, Mull's barbed comedy albums had earned him a following on the college campus circuit. His first major TV assignment was Mary Hartman Mary Hartman (1976-77), where he was seen as Garth Gimble, an ill-tempered wife beater who ended up being impaled by a Christmas tree. When Mary Hartman Mary Hartman producer Norman Lear developed the spin-off series Fernwood Tonight in 1977, Mull was brought back as glad-handing emcee Barth Gimble, Garth's twin brother. In films since 1978, Mull is often called upon to portray an underhanded or vacillating CEO (vide Mister Mom). His well-groomed mustache and tweedy appearance served him well as Colonel Mustard in the 1985 movie version of the venerable board game Clue. Back on television, Mull has etched such indelible comic characterizations as Leon Carp, Roseanne Connor's gay boss, on Roseanne (1988- ), and the leading roles of Martin Crane in Domestic Life (1984) and Dr. Doug Lambert in His & Hers (1990). In collaboration with Allan Rucker, Martin Mull was the creator/writer of a devastating series of lampoonish "cultural studies" books and TV specials, under the blanket title The History of White People in America. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Way back when she was 13 years old, lonely Holly Grant (Kelli Williams), envying the busy social lives of her best friends, made a wish to receive a boyfriend for Christmas. Instead, Holly was given a glass globe, ostensibly by "Santa Claus" himself, with the attached message that her wish would be granted within the next two decades. Flash forward 20 years: Now a dedicated pro bono attorney, the still-unattached Holly has experienced great success in making everyone happy -- except herself. Enter two men in our heroine's life: Ted Powell (Bruce Thomas), her onetime high school heartthrob, and some guy calling himself Doug, who strangely resembles a person whom Holly ardently dislikes -- and who may well be the answer to the wish posted to Santa twenty years before! A Boyfriend for Christmas originally aired over the Hallmark channel on November 27, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kelli Williams, Patrick Muldoon, (more)
Three years after her controversial ABC sitcom left the airwaves, comedian Ellen DeGeneres is back on another network. In The Ellen Show, the eponymous star plays an attractive gay woman named Ellen Richmond. When her once-thriving dot.com company goes belly-up, Ellen skedaddles from New York and returns to her Norman Rockwell-style home town, moving in with her eternally judgmental mother Dot (Cloris Leachman) and her unlucky-in-love sister Catherine (Emily Rutherfurd). After a brief period of unemployment, Ellen goes to work as a guidance counselor at her former high school, under the aegis of her old principal Mr. Munn (Martin Mull). Here she works side by side with her one-time prom date Rusty (Jim Gaffigan), who still has a crush on her, notwithstanding Ellen's radically altered lifestyle. Originally packaged by Mike Ovitz's ATG Productions, Ellen was taken over by CBS when the Ovitz enterprise died on the vine. Slated to be shown on Fridays, the series finally debuted on Monday, September 24, 2001, where it failed to make a dent in the ratings despite the strong lead-in from Everybody Loves Raymond . ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ellen DeGeneres, Cloris Leachman, (more)
Diane Keaton stars in this adaptation of Christopher Durang's popular one-act play Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You as Sister Mary, a nun who teaches at a parochial school and has very firmly held ideas about sin, forgiveness, and the importance of church doctrine. As Sister Mary delivers a lecture on sin and its consequences, she's interrupted by several of her former students, who have little positive to say about how a Catholic education has impacted their lives. Sister Mary Explains It All also stars Brian Benben, Jennifer Tilly, and Wallace Langham; it was produced for the Showtime premium cable network, where it first aired in May 2001. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diane Keaton, Brian Benben, (more)
- 2000
- Add Paul McCartney and Friends: The PETA Concert for Party Animals to QueueAdd Paul McCartney and Friends: The PETA Concert for Party Animals to top of Queue
This video features the music icon Paul McCartney, with a stellar cast of performers, giving a live benefit concert for PETA. The organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was the special concern of the former Beatle's deceased wife Linda McCartney. The concert honors her memory while it raises funds for an organization that has been embraced by people around the world. The performers include Ricki Lane, Brian McKnight, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ellen DeGeneres, Chrissie Hynde, Sarah McLachlan, and the B-52's. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul McCartney, Jamie Lee Curtis, (more)
John Murlowski directed this straight-to-video sequel to 1994's Richie Rich. Featuring all new actors filling the roles originally created for the Richie Rich comic book, Richie Rich's Christmas Wish finds the richest boy in the world in an It's a Wonderful Life-style holiday adventure after he wishes that he'd never been born and is overheard by Professor Keanbean's Wishing Machine. Suddenly Richie is in a world where even his family doesn't know him. Can he find Professor Keanbean and the Wishing Machine so he can wish himself back to reality? With David Gallagher filling the shoes formerly occupied by Macaulay Culkin, the film also features Eugene Levy as Professor Keanbean, Keene Curtis as Herbert Cadbury, and Martin Mull and Leslie Ann Warren as Richie's parents. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Roseanne gets overwhelmed by producers and such who want to turn her life into a television movie. Bev (Estelle Parsons), Joyce (Ruta Lee), and Leon (Martin Mull) unwittingly tell stories about Roseanne to a local merchant, who ends up being a reporter in disguise. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In the two-part series conclusion episode, Darlene and David (Johnny Galecki) bring home their daughter, Harris Conner Healey, from the hospital. Bev (Estelle Parsons), Leon (Martin Mull), Scott (Fred Willard), and Nancy (Sandra Bernhard) come over to celebrate and order pizza. Leon and Scott announce that they've adopted a baby, and Becky reveals she's pregnant. Finally, Roseanne concludes the episode with a monologue explaining how much of the series comes from her real life, and that the ninth season was a fictionalized fantasy for the character of Roseanne. Supposedly, Dan Conner died when he had a heart attack at Darlene and David's wedding at the end of season eight. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Sales of Buzz Beer drop to an all-time low (the all-time high wasn't so great either), so the guys plan a "Going Out of Business" party with plenty of free beer 'n' eats at Drew's house. Thanks to the prankish Mimi (Kathy Kinney), invitations to the party go out to literally everybody in Cleveland, explaining the presence of such disparate celebrities as entertainers Little Richard and Joe Walsh (who'd rather play chess, but end up singing "Rocky Mountain Way"), NFL star Bernie Kosar, and Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White). Elsewhere, Kate's (Christa Miller) social life takes a "bizarro" turn when she befriends three women who behave exactly like her male pals Drew (Drew Carey), Oswald (Diedrich Bader) and Lewis (Ryan Stiles). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In this comedy, a famous housewife must put her alleged homemaking skills to the test after she and her family are marooned on a tropic island. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Jackie reveals that the Conners have won the lottery, to the tune of one hundred million dollars. After they confirm their winning ticket, everyone in town suddenly rushes to befriend them. News reporter Kathleen Sullivan and TV icon Robin Leach guest star as themselves. Dan and Roseanne make a vow to continue being regular people no matter how much money they have. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1996
A prince (Jim Varney) comes to Lanford with hopes of romancing Jackie. He then invites the Conners on a trip to New York. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Roseanne misses Dan, so she visits Nana Mary (Shelley Winters) with Leon (Martin Mull) and Scott (Fred Willard). Nana Mary (Shelley Winters) tells stories about her rebellious past and leaves everyone with very sound advice. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this Thanksgiving episode, Roseanne is glad that she won't have to cook, but she's upset that Dan won't be there. Leon (Martin Mull) and Scott (Fred Willard) visit with the news that they are thinking about adopting a child. This leads into a discussion with Bev (Estelle Parsons) where she announces her attraction to women. The episode ends at the homeless shelter. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1994
D.J. finds God and gives Roseanne a moral lecture when she accepts delivery on an appliance that she didn't pay for. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (from the popular television series Full House) are back with another TV-movie for the kids. This time around the twins go West to help save their grandmother's endangered dude ranch from their greedy uncle who wants to take it over. Western cliches abound, but kids should find the duo heroines entertaining in this safe family choice. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, (more)
- 1994
One of the more memorable episodes, the episode "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the one where Roseanne goes out to a gay bar and gets kissed by Mariel Hemingway. Meanwhile, Becky meets up with old boyfriend Dean (David Allan Donah). Also features guest appearances by standup comedian Laura Kightlinger and PBS host Joanne Liebler. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
The comedy The Day My Parents Ran Away concerns a teenager named Matt whose wishes come true when his mother and father abandon him in their home. Soon the realities of caring for oneself overwhelms Matt and he seeks out his parents to convince them to return home. However, they have found a much more enjoyable life and have no desire to return to him. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1993
A vacation is never truly a vacation for some, as Larry (Garry Shandling) discovers in this episode of HBO' s The Larry Sanders Show. Despite the fact that Larry is physically away from the show, the specter of discontent follows him as Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) begins alienating a series of co-hosts. It turns out that some of Hank's unusually grating behavior may be due to his nervous anticipation as he awaits the opening of his new restaurant. Guest stars include Martin Mull, Jerry Seinfeld, John Riggi, Burt Reynolds, and Pauly Shore. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Dan accidentally knocks out one of Roseanne's teeth. Unfortunately, it's on the day she has to meet with the health inspector, who ends up being her old boss from Rodbell's diner, Leon (Martin Mull). Meanwhile, Darlene and David (Johnny Galecki) eagerly await their response letters from the art school in Chicago, only to find out that Darlene gets accepted and David doesn't. Bob Odenkirk guest stars. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Leon (Martin Mull) thinks Jackie and Nancy (Sandra Bernhard) should open the restaurant for breakfast. Roseanne thinks he is trying to kick her out of the business. Meanwhile, D.J. steals the car, causing Roseanne to lash out in anger and fear that she is turning out like her parents. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1992
The Conners star as the "All-American family" in a television ad for Rodbell's diner. Rick Dees guest stars as Ken, the director of the commercial, and Adam Hendershott plays the producer. Meanwhile, next-door neighbors the Bowmans get ready to move back to Chicago, leaving D.J. upset about losing his friend Todd (Troy Davidson). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Roseanne considers trying to cheat a lie-detector test at Rodbell's because she's been stealing food. Meanwhile, Darlene asks Dan and Becky for advice about her relationship with David (Johnny Galecki). Roseanne gets upset because Darlene didn't go to her. At the end of the episode, Darlene and David have their first kiss on the basketball court. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1992
With the help of Dan, Crystal (Natalie West) goes into labor while Roseanne and Bonnie (Bonnie Sheridan) are fighting over who will be the new manager to replace Leon (Martin Mull). Meanwhile, it appears that Rodbell's diner is going out of business. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In this finale episode of the fourth season of Roseanne, the Conners once again are faced with a grim financial situation. Roseanne loses her job when Rodbell's diner goes out of business and Dan is out of work when he is forced to close his bike shop, Lanford Custom Cycle. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A supposedly quiet dinner with Artie (Rip Torn) turns into an all-out party in this episode of HBO's popular behind-the-scenes late-night talk show parody The Larry Sanders Show. Following up on Jeannie's (Megan Gallagher) suggestion that he and Artie get together outside the context of the work, Larry's paranoia kicks into high gear as the ever-increasing guest list continues to grow. Martin Mull appears as a special guest. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
