David Steinberg Movies
The son of a Rumanian rabbi, Canadian actor/comedian David Steinberg was considered the quiet member of his large family -- until he developed a gift for lying. Steinberg's prevarications did not endear him to his father, who said "I kiss the train that takes you away" when Steinberg left Winnipeg to study theology in Israel. All plans for a rabbinical career ended when Steinberg happened to catch Lenny Bruce's act, whereupon he decided to become a comedian. Paul Sills of Chicago's Second City troupe hired Steinberg after seeing the young comic in a University of California production of Candide, but Steinberg didn't really fit in with the communal spirit of Second City and chose to strike out as a solo actor. He appeared in Broadway productions as Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights and Little Murders, both failures. Finally he attained a new agent who guided Steinberg through the Playboy-club circuit in the late '60s. Steinberg confused many club patrons by avoiding standard mother-in-law jokes in favor of conceptual comedy - humor based on observations of everyday life. One of his routines centered around a sanctimonious minister's sermon, and on the strength of this Steinberg was hired for guest spots on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. After his appearance on October 27, 1968, Steinberg was deluged with angry mail complaining about his "blasphemous" performance; the Smothers refused to cave in to pressure and used Steinberg on other programs, including their final taping in April 1969, which remained untelecast after the brothers were fired by CBS. Adverse publicity or no, Steinberg was hired to emcee a 45-minute ABC-TV variety program, The Music Scene, in 1969, where his comic gifts were stifled and he was expected to merely point fingers as the singing groups were introduced. In 1972, when censorial pressure had subsided somewhat at CBS thanks to the advent of All in the Family, Steinberg was hired by the network for a summer replacement series, The David Steinberg Show. The program played to so-so ratings, but did give Steinberg a brief spurt of popularity wherein fans could be heard repeating his catchphrases "Boogie boogie boogie" and "Get OFF me." Steinberg's fame crested in the mid '70s, after which he faded from television. In the early '80s Steinberg turned to film directing with such movies as Paternity (1980) and Going Berserk (1982), and in 1985 he gave TV another try with a series of syndicated interview specials. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi- 1995
In her never-ending efforts to "bond" with her contentious mother-in-law, Sylvia Buchman (Cynthia Harris), Jamie (Helen Hunt) embarks upon yet another exotic cooking experiment. This time, Jamie is convinced that she will succeed -- after all, how can one go wrong with Martha Stewart as one's guide? Alas, not even the magnificent Martha can save the day, but things aren't as bleak as they seem. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
This made-for-cable science fiction drama is set in a grim future where abuse of the environment has rendered much of the Earth unlivable and most of the survivors wile away their days playing high-tech virtual reality adventure games. Carver (Michael Pare), who works for DreamCore, the world's leading VR technology firm, makes a startling discovery after his close friend Dinah (Tara Maria Manuel) dies testing a new game. It seems that Dinah was working with a revolutionary system called the Trancender, which allows players unprecedented entry into the VR world but also allows the creatures from the VR games to enter the real world. Carver must first travel into the virtual world in hopes of finding out the truth about Dinah's murder, then track down the VR killers who have left it behind. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Paré, Tara Maria Manuel, (more)
- 1995
Not by choice, Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) spend their first New Year's Eve apart. This is not the only offbeat occurrence in the course of this episode, you may be sure. Things reach a summit of strangeness during the traditional countdown in Times Square. And yes, that uncredited TV personality is exactly who you think he is. ~ Rovi
- 1995
"Why it will never happen" for the Buchmans (Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) is sort of revealed on this episode. At the center of the crisis is the couple's new friends, who aren't exactly what they seem to be. Trouble is, it takes innumerable plot twists to prove this fact -- not to mention a brace of shows and a trio of untruths. All this, and Gilbert Gottfried too. ~ Rovi
- 1995
Hank Azaria, longtime significant other of series star Helen Hunt, makes his first Mad About You appearance. When Jamie's sister Lisa (Anne Ramsay) passes on walking Murray, the Buchmans (Hunt and Paul Reiser) are obliged to hire a professional walker. That worthy is a fellow named Nat, played by Azaria. Problems arise when Murray (aka "Furry Murray," aka "F. Murray Abraham") indicates that he likes Nat a lot more than his owner Paul Buchman. ~ Rovi
- 1995
This "very special" episode goes back in time to recount the hectic three months leading up to the wedding of Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt). Last minute complications include a call from Aunt Selma, a tiff over Incan gifts, and a detour to a manhole. And wait till you see who performs the ceremony (hint: Julia Roberts is not among the guests). Originally telecast in a single hour-long time slot, this episode has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
This "very special" episode goes back in time to recount the hectic three months leading up to the wedding of Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt). Among other matters of importance, the couple must decide upon the appropriate nuptial music: "Color My World," "Alley Cat," or "The Hokey Pokey"? Originally telecast in a single hour-long time slot, this episode has since been divided into two half-hour installments for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
A young boy overcomes his obsessive fears by discovering a love for books in this animated fantasy adventure. In a live action wraparound, Macaulay Culkin stars as Richard Tyler, an easily bullied, nervous wreck of a kid who's an expert on safety statistics. His mother and father (Mel Harris and Ed Begley, Jr.) don't know how to inspire their son to embrace life boldly. Barely able to leave the house, Richard ventures out one day, but he gets lost in a storm and ends up at a mysterious library. Inside, he slips, knocks himself unconscious and finds himself in a cartoon realm where books come to life. Guided by Adventure (Patrick Stewart), Fantasy (Whoopi Goldberg) and Horror (Frank Welker), Tyler experiences the adventures of classic novels such as Moby Dick and Treasure Island, and he even meets some famed fictional characters, such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Leonard Nimoy). Through his experiences in the pages of the legendary books, Richard confronts his phobias and learns to face life more courageously. The Pagemaster was directed by Joe Johnston, a former special effects supervisor and production designer who later directed Jumanji (1995) and October Sky (1999). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Starring:
- Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, (more)
- 1994
Despite the objections of her husband, Paul (Paul Reiser), Jamie (Helen Hunt) and her friend Fran (Leila Kenzle) are determined to hook up the Buchmans' bedroom TV with "stolen" cable service. The ladies' combined efforts result in a citywide power blackout of 1965 dimensions. Will Tom Brokaw ever get out of that stalled elevator? "Pandora's Box" was original one of three sitcom episodes telecast on the same Thursday evening over the same network (NBC), all of them built around a special "Blackout Thursday" promotion (the other two series involved in this stunt were Friends and Madman of the People). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
As an experiment, Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) deliberately ignore one another during Fran's (Leila Kenzle) birthday party. As a result, Jamie is briefly reunited with her former boyfriend Alan Tofsky (Eric Stoltz in his first series appearance). The party quickly degenerates into a Rashomon rehash, as Jamie and Alan argue over which one of them truly dumped the other. In keeping with this prismatic approach, "The Ride Home" was filmed with two different closing tags, only one of which is currently available in the Mad About You syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
Murray the dog "teams" with Kim the grocer (played by Ping Wu) to provide five turkeys for Jamie's ten-person buffet thanksgiving. Among the guests is Aunt Lolly (Meg Wyllie in her first series appearance) -- but whose aunt is she? And will the marshmallows hold out? This is the episode in which John Karlen and Penny Fuller take over the roles of Jamie's parents, Gus and Theresa Stemple. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
The Buchmans (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) haven't been getting much boudoir action of late ("Arouse me!"), and a silly misunderstanding doesn't help matters. Elsewhere, Jamie Buchman's sister Lisa (Helen Hunt) wins a couple of free dinners, Paul Buchman's cousin Ira (John Pankow) takes on a new business partner, and Fran Devanow's (Leila Kenzle) new office isn't new, or an office. George O. Petrie makes his first appearance as Paul's editor, Sid Novak. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
When news arrives that their apartment building may go co-op, the Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) finds themselves embroiled in a battle with their snooty English neighbors, the Conways. As their neighbors plot a strategy to grab hold of the Buchmans' apartment, a Montague-and-Capulet romance blossoms between Paul and Jamie's stupid mutt, Murray, and the Conways' precious pooch, Sophie. Though Judy Geeson returns as Maggie Conway, the role of Maggie's husband, Hal, is now played by Jim Piddock rather than Paxton Whitehead. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) head to the Belmont Park race tracks, there to honor the last wishes of Jamie's beloved Uncle Van. The Belmont ticket-takers don't share the Buchmans' good intentions, thus Uncle Van will have to pay admission posthumously for the honor of having his ashes strewn along the track. The climax hinges upon a "relapse" experienced by Paul's reformed-gambler cousin Ira (John Pankow) -- not to mention the track performance of the presciently named racehorse "About-to-be-Glue." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
After a fight with his wife over the proverbial "other woman," building super Mr. Wicker (Jerry Adler) moves in with Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt). An additional crisis arises when it develops that Jamie needs glasses -- or would contact lenses go better with her "trapezoidal face?" Best moment: the faux Dickens recital. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
Jamie (Helen Hunt) tries to arrange for a former N.Y. Yankee to make a guest appearance at the annual Midnight Sale held by the sporting goods store owned by Paul's father, Burt Buchman (Louis Zorich). But Paul (Paul Reiser) is not in a particularly festive mood; he was under the impression that he would someday inherit the store from his dad, and now that doesn't seem to be the plan. On an even more sober note, there's a spirited discussion of Harvey Keitel's private parts. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
Season three of Mad About You opens with an intolerable heat wave bearing down on New York. Escaping to the relatively temperate climate of the Jersey shore, Paul and Jamie Buchman (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) conduct a lengthy and largely fruitless search for their all-time favorite fried clam restaurant. Though the Buchmans have commandeered the car owned by Jamie's business partner, Fran (Leila Kenzle), it is Murray the dog who ends up getting towed away (sort of). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
It's another evening out at Riff's, where Jamie (Helen Hunt) has arranged a blind date between her friends Fran (Leila Kenzle) and Nick (David Beron). The cozy tête-à-tête quickly goes south when Fran's ex-husband, Mark (Richard Kind), makes an unexpected appearance. But this is only the first of several startling surprises, each more hilarious than the one before. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
Jamie (Helen Hunt) feels too bad to see a feel-good movie. Still, Paul (Paul Reiser) persuades her to accompany him to the theater, if for no other reason than to meet Ira's (John Pankow) new sweetie. Not only do things go to hell in a hand basket, but waitress Ursula Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) isn't at Riff's anymore (try looking for her on Friends). All this, plus an important message from the mayor of the city of New York. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1993
Actor-comedian Kevin Pollak performs an hour of stand-up comedy, impersonations, and anecdotes in this hour-long special. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi
- 1992
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When Chanticleer the Rooster (Glenn Campbell) is tricked into leaving town to seek fame as an Elvis-style Las Vegas singer, his farm is plunged into eternal darkness. This animated musical from Don Bluth centers on a young farm boy who embarks on a magical journey into the animal world to try and bring Chanticleer home. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Starring:
- Glen Campbell, Ellen Greene, (more)
- 1991
When George breaks up with his girlfriend, he decides to be brutally honest with her about his reasons. This could mean trouble for Jerry as the woman is an IRS agent who is auditing him. Meanwhile, Kramer is dating Elaine's roommate and the two end up getting an eye-full of each other in their birthday suits. Originally airing September 25, 1991, "The Truth" was the second episode of the show's third season and featured Saturday Night Live's Siobhan Fallon guest starring as Tina, a role she originate in season two's "The Deal." ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 1991
When Jerry sets up a tape recorder next to the stage to record his act, he's shocked to later discover that a mysterious woman filled the tape with a sexually explicit monologue. After Elaine confides in George that it was she who made the recording, George develops a crush on her. The situation goes haywire when an expensive and foul-smelling Chinese baldness cure is thrown into the mix. Meanwhile, Kramer continues his obsession with the infamous jacket. John Apicella, Ping Wu, and Norman Brenner guest star. Originally airing November 13, 1991, "The Tape" was the eighth episode of the show's third season. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 1990
This salute to the famous comedy team of the Marx Brothers is narrated by actor/director Gene Kelly. Shown are clips from many of their best-known films, including Duck Soup, Horse Feathers and Animal Crackers. Also shown are rare outtakes from their films and interviews with them, in addition to reminiscences and tributes by Dick Cavett, Robert Klein, David Steinberg and others. ~ Brian Gusse, Rovi
One of the most expensive of Don Bluth's animated cartoon features, All Dogs Go to Heaven was also among the most successful. Set in late-'30s New Orleans, the story centers upon a roguish German shepherd named Charlie B. Barkin (voice of Burt Reynolds), who is killed early in the proceedings by his business partner, Carface (voice of Vic Tayback). Charlie travels to Heaven, and is promptly warned that if he heads back to Earth, he can never return; he does decide to go back to Earth, however, to exact revenge on Carface, who has kidnapped Anne-Marie, a little orphan girl who can talk to Animals.
The film also includes the vocal skills of Dom DeLuise, Charles Nelson Reilly, Vic Tayback, Melba Moore, Loni Anderson, and a host of others. All Dogs Go to Heaven was the first production of the Dublin-based Sullivan Bluth Studios. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The film also includes the vocal skills of Dom DeLuise, Charles Nelson Reilly, Vic Tayback, Melba Moore, Loni Anderson, and a host of others. All Dogs Go to Heaven was the first production of the Dublin-based Sullivan Bluth Studios. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Burt Reynolds, Judith Barsi, (more)
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