Alan Rafkin Movies
- 1995
As the Big Day approaches, Murphy (Scott Bakula) and Peter (Scott Bakula) continue postponing their wedding plans--each telling the other that it's because of professional pressures (a story that neither party truly believes). Things come to head when Frank (Joe Regalbuto) throws a bachelor party for Party, complete with strippers...and an unexpected gatecrasher. Meanwhile, the triangular relationship involving Miles (Grant Shaud), Corky (Faith Ford) and Miller (Christopher Rich) arrives at its own peculiar climax. This is the final episode of Murphy Brown's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
The "FYI" studio is moved to a ground-floor office, the better to accommodate a new weekly feature called "Window on America." As it turns out, the show's first guest is a rat that has invaded the studio. Plucky Murphy (Candice Bergen) catches the rat in full view of a crowd of pedestrians--thereby incurring the wrath of several animal-activist groups!. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Miles (Grant Shaud) wears himself to a frazzle when, in addition to his "FYI" duties, he takes on the challenge of revamping "Next Wave", a failing newsmagazine hosted by resident airhead Miller Redfield (Christopher Rich). Unfortunately, Miles is too busy to pursue his romantic relationship with Corky (Faith Ford), thus giving the rapacious Redfield what he thinks is a clear field. Meanwhile, Murphy (Candice Bergen) helps out by taking over as "FYI"'s temporary producer--and we need not elaborate on the results of THIS move! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Murphy (Candice Bergen) is still upset that network president Lansing (Garry Marshall) has hired former MTV veejay McGovern (Paula Korologos) as "FYI"'s newest anchorperson. But Murphy's reaction is entirely different when McGovern poses nude for the cover of "Rolling Stone" magazine. Now, Murphy reasons, Lansing will see the light about McGovern and fire the girl for besmirching the integrity of "FYI"--or will he? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Shedding his familiar "Pee-wee Herman" persona, Paul Reubens makes his first series appearance as Andrew J. Lansing III, the nephew of network president Stan Lansing (Garry Marshall). On the strength of his family ties, Andrew is hired as Murphy's 76th secretary--and contrary to expectations, he does a great job. Unfortunately, the obnoxious Andrew rubs everyone on the "FYI" staff the wrong way...and there's a strong possibility that he's a few bricks shy of a full load. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Wallace Shawn returns as Stuart Best, the original anchorman for "FYI". As obnoxious as he was behind the news desk, Best is even more so now that he is a Republican congressman--especially when he goes out of his way to humiliate Murphy (Candice Bergen) in public. Thirsting for revenge, Murphy arranges to "grill" Stuart on her TV show--but the results are surprising for both parties! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This 69-minute endeavor comes to us by way of Entertainment Tonight star Mary Hart's "One on One" video series. Mary's interview subject is Craig T. Nelson, star of the long-running TV sitcom Coach. Nelson is shown at work, at play, and at home. He discusses his career, his family, his closest friends, and his goals. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This final episode of Murphy Brown's sixth season coincides with the 500th telecast of the fictional investigative-report series "FYI." It also coincides with contract-renewal time for "FYI" stars Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen), Frank Fontana (Joe Regalbuto) and Jim Dial (Charles Kimbrough). Unfortunately, the network is unwilling to pay the trio what they think they're worth (after all, Diane Sawyer gets 7 million per annum, doesn't she?), leading to a possible mass walkout--not to mention the "Attack of the Anchorperson Clones." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Newly unattached, Corky (Faith Ford) jumps at the opportunity when Miles (Grant Shaud) invites her out to dinner. Though he doesn't regard this as a date, she definitely does. She also considers the invitation as the stepping-stone to a full-scale romance, but the nervous Miles is resistant to such a notion. . .or at least he is when the evening begins! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
While his wife Doris is out of town, Jim decides to cut loose in his own inimitable--and essentially innocent--fashion. Alas, through no fault of his own, Jim gets involved in a series of compromising situations, which serve to make him choice fodder for the tabloid press. Complicating matters is the presence of a tall, middle-aged gent (Michael Zemenick) who looks exactly like our boy Jim. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Robert Pastorelli makes his final regular appearance as Eldin Bernecky, eternal housepainter-nanny to his close friend Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen), in an episode that also introduces Anne Meara) as Eldin's immensely lovable mother Reena. "Ma" Bernecky has arrived in DC with a letter of invitation, offering Eldin the chance to study painting in Spain with a world-renowned muralist. But Eldin is reluctant to leave Murphy and her son Avery (Dyllan Christopher)--leading to a drastic decision on the part of the unsinkable Ms. Brown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Murphy (Candice Bergen) thinks she's found the perfect Christmas present for Avery (Dyllan Christopher) in the form of an overpriced mail-order item called "Der Wunder Blocken." But when Avery tells a department store Santa that he'd really like to receive the year's hottest and hardest-to-get toy, the "Power Ninja Demon", a frantic Murphy embarks upon a last-minute shopping frenzy. Meanwhile, Corky (Faith Ford) broods over the fact that circumstances have conspired against her planned visit to her Louisiana home town. Rescue comes for both Murphy and Corky from an unexpected--and very distant--source. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Fulfilling a lifelong dream, stuffy "FYI" anchorman Jim Dial (Charles Kimbrough) decides to open his own English-style pub, which he calls--what else?--"The Anchorman." The good news is that the pub turns out to be a smashing success. The bad news (at least so far as Jim is concerned) is that "The Anchorman" quickly establishes itself as Washington's trendiest gay bar! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Shirley (Cindy Williams) wants more than anything to join the Ladies Auxiliary Milwaukee Police (The "LAMPS")--and, as usual, Laverne (Penny Marhsall) comes along for the ride. In order to qualify for the force, the girls must pass a grueling obstacle course. Upping the stakes a bit is an arrogant police captain (Mickey Deems) who thinks Shirley is too weak to survive the course, and a handsome police officer (Bo Kaprall) on whom Laverne has a passionate crush. Meanwhile, those celebrated "auteurs" Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander) try their hand at moviemaking. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
John Fink guest stars as Laverne's latest heartthrob, a mortician named Stan. Alas, Laverne (Penny Marshall) can't get a rise out of Stan, who--ever the professional--is more interested in dead people. Hoping to spark Stan's interest, Laverne talks Shirley (Cindy Williams) into pretending that she is gravely ill and not long for this world! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
For the second time in Laverne & Shirley history, Laverne (Penny Marshall) must administer a driving test. This time her victim--er, client--is Squiggy (David L. Lander), who will be fired from his truckdriving job if he flunks his license renewal. Elements essential to the story are a tricycle and a kiddie scooter, not to mention an eleventh-hour "cold turkey" treatment administered by Squiggy's pal Lenny (Michael McKean). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Soft-hearted (and frequently soft-headed) Laverne (Penny Marshall) rescues a decripit old horse named Buttercup from the glue factory. With no other hiding place available, Laverne squirrels Buttercup away in her bedroom, much to the dismay of roommate Shirley (Cindy Williams). Can it be possible that the nag's fate rests in the grimy hands of Lenny (Michael McKean) and Squiggy (David L. Lander)? (Trivia alert: the name of the horse's owner is Mr. Pioli--and tonight's episode was written by Judy Pioli Ervin). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
In one of the series' best and most poignant episodes, Linda Gillen guest stars as Amy, the mentally challenged daughter of Laverne and Shirley's landlady Edna (Betty Garrett). Left in the care of the girls, the sweet, childlike Amy unexpectedly finds a kindred spirit in the form of brash, goofy Lenny (Michael McKean). The overprotective Edna worries that Lenny may take advantage of Amy, but this proves not to be the case at all: neither Amy is quite as helpless nor Lenny quite as insensitive as everyone assumes them to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
This year, the Shotz Brewery Talent Show is being supervised by Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams). Alas, it looks like the festivities are on the fast track to disaster when the never-seen Mr. Shotz insists that his no-talent son Max Jr. (Ed Greenberg) be given a solo star turn. The episode's highlight is a rendition (or is it rendering) of "Night After Night", supposedly written by Lenny and Squiggy (but actually penned by the "genuine" Lenny, Michael McKean). Marjorie Marshall and Francine Williams, the real-life mothers of series stars Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, respectively appear as Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Bellini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
When Laverne (Penny Marshall) chips a tooth, it is manna from heaven for novice dentist Mikey (Bob McClurg)--who happens to be the cousin of Laverne's roommate Shirley (Cindy Williams). A lifelong failure (he has already flunked out of dentist school five times!), Mikey hopes to prove his worth by taking good care of Laverne--but no one has reckoned with the perilously persuasive powers of nitrous oxide, aka "laughing gas." Eddie Mekka (Carmine) sings "Personality", originally written for the 1945 Hope-Crosby comedy Road to Utopia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
After a two-month hiatus, Laverne and Shirley resumed its third season with this classic episode. Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) are somewhat surprised when they're invited to attend a royal debutante ball. Even more surprising is the fact that they've been invited by Lenny (Michael McKean), who is now himself "royalty" by virtue of the news that he's 89th in line for the Polish throne. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The budding romance between Laverne's widowed father Frank (Phil Foster) and five-time divorcee Edna (Betty Garrett) is threatened when the most recent of Edna's ex-husbands, a guy named Johnnie (Kirk Duncan), comes back into her life. Out of pique, Frank breaks off with Edna seeks out a new lady friend. It is up to Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Penny Marshall) to bring the contentious couple back together. This is the final episode of Laverne and Shirley's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Enchanted by a pair of medical students, Laverne and Shirley agree to rendezvous with the new men in their life in a faraway city. Upon arrival, however, the girls are jilted--and stranded in a lonely bus depot. Featured in the supporting cast are future This is Spinal Tap collaborators Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest, as well as Jaws scriptwriter Carl Gottleib. Song: "Milwaukee Moon", written by series regular Michael McKean (Lenny). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Worried that Laverne (Penny Marshall) will end up an old maid--and perhaps looking out for his own future a bit--Laverne's dad Frank (Phil Foster) arranges a marriage between his daughter and the dopey nephew of wealthy cheese manufacturer Nick Martino (Johnny Desmond). But Laverne wants no part of this set-up, especially after learning of Nick's mob connections. The ensuing argument threatens to drive a permanent wedge between Laverne and Frank. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
