Reviews

I watched about half of it, fast forwarded to see the ending and seem satisfied with my decision. Anna Chlumsky was a real find considering what little acting she had done before this. In my opinion Macaulay Culkin looked totally out of his element doing a drama at that age. While Chlumsky was embodying her character in mesmerizing fashion, Culkin looked like someone off stage gave him his line reading and he walked out and said it like a kid in a school play. Dan Aykroyd seems miscast in a mediocre performance. Jamie Lee Curtis does a fine job but there is zero chemistry between her and Aykroyd. The plot seemed to meander. I wanted to like this film, I really did, but I couldn't do it.

A nasty burglar is robbing apartment buildings. A cat burglar he is not. In fact, he brazenly attacks and robs a couple of females. After killing the first one, he is forced to leave before killing the second one (Jan Smithers, in an early role). After drawing the case, Starsky realizes the second victim is an old middle school classmate. Once he and his partner Hutch find her and realize she is also on the missing person's list and has become a drunken mess due to some unfortunate bad luck in her life, Starsky cleans her up and hides her until they can find the killer. Not a lot of laughs in this one. Considering Jan Smithers is mostly known as a sitcom star, she turns in an impressive performance in such a dramatic role. The usual ill-fated romance ensues for Starsky while Hutch tries to encourage a young boy to continue with him in a Big Brother program. Bernie Hamilton gets to do the stereotypical over animated police captain routine. Cliche plot lines but overall pretty watchable.

Johnny, broke as always, considers sidelining as an afternoon Dance Show host for one of the local TV stations in town. Mary Frann (of future NEWHART fame) is the producer who cons Johnny into making him think he can play the same oldies on TV that he does on WKRP. When the show wants him to play disco, Johnny initially refuses but buckles under when he is reminded he is now under contract. In order to not alienate his radio listeners who are used to "the Doctor" and the music he plays, Johnny creates a new persona, Rip Tide, to get in the groove with his new audience. He becomes such a huge success that Herb wants to cash in on the new persona for WKRP. The underlining theme becomes a study of the pressure DJ's face to become a larger-than-life personality in order to increase their fame and bank account. Wolfman Jack was already doing it for a few decades, Casey Kasem had America's Top 40, Don Imus and Howard Stern were just coming on to the scene. And of course the man at the top of the Dance TV show format was Dick Clark with American Bandstand. So when Johnny feels the pressure to become the next big thing, he goes through a crisis of confidence and self doubt. It forces Johnny to think about who he really is and what he wants to be.

This episode is nothing new in terms of sitcom tropes. A lot of tv shows in the 70's and 80's came to a point where the writers are out of ideas for the week, or the actors come from a stage or music background and they want to show their talents. Or they want to have a "fun, feel good" episode where they put their characters in unordinary situations to spice things up. If it isn't a fantasy scenario, the kids usually form a band--something for the audience to say, "Hey, I didn't know they could do that!" In this case they do a talent show--again. Makes the public relations team's job easier in entertainment show interviews. Hey, if you like the idea of seeing your favorite characters play dress up for the week and put on a show, enjoy. It's lazy storytelling, but I'm sure it made the cast and crew happy for a week. So be it.

This episode is nothing new in terms of sitcom tropes. A lot of tv shows in the 70's and 80's came to a point where the writers are out of ideas for the week, or the actors come from a stage or music background and they want to show their talents. Or they want to have a "fun, feel good" episode where they put their characters in unordinary situations to spice things up. If it isn't a fantasy scenario, then the cast puts on a talent show, or the kids form a band--something for the audience to say, "Hey, I didn't know they could do that!" Makes the public relations team's job easier in entertainment show interviews. Sometimes when they do episodes like this, the smarter writers use it to explore an unknown aspect of a character's personality that plays a role in future episodes. Like the previous reviews have stated, this does none of that. You don't get any fresh perspectives, no new ideas to take the show in a new direction. Just a diversion from the norm. Hey, if you like the idea of seeing your favorite characters play dress up for the week and put on a show, enjoy. it's not bad, not really good, but hey, I'm sure it made the cast and crew happy for a week. So be it.

Herb and Bailey go to a charity auction sponsored by Carlson's church. Bailey feels she is too broke to really buy anything but falls in love with a painting there. Herb buys the painting, not out of love, but merely to show Carlson he is a team player and get some brownie points. After realizing Les {who was supposed to attend with him and go halfsies on something with him) ditched him to go visit his mother and didn't really want to participate, Herb just gives the painting to Bailey in frustration. After Jennifer tells him the painting was donated from a wealthy family and might be worth some real money, Herb tries to get the painting back. The rest of the episode is another character study for Herb Tarlek, exploring the lengths he goes to in order to make a buck. Both Bailey and Les end up teaching him a lesson in humility and compassion, which Herb has in short supply when money is involved. Sharp, funny writing as usual.

The heat is out in the building and Johnny is using the only means necessary to keep himself warm and still do his morning show--the bottle of brandy stashed away in the booth. Johnny also picks what could be the absolute worst time to pull this fireable offense, as Mama Carlson is wandering the halls waiting to see her son. She does the unimaginable--she lets it slide--as long as he gives up the bottle to her. Jennifer, who has already been sharing Johnny's heat source, continues to warm up with Lillian the same way in Arthur's office. Here we see a whole unknown side to Lillian, who tells Jennifer the story of how she met Arthur's father and how the radio station got started. The whole cast eventually enters the premises and discovers that the station owner is already there and seems not her usual self (in a good way). This is a sneaky good episode. In fact, in my opinion, one of their best. The whole cast shines with Carol Bruce taking the reigns of this episode wonderfully!

Les and Bailey attend a news conference from a Soviet Agriculture Delegation discussing Hog matters and such, so of course WKRP is the only news organization to attend. Bailey receives a note from one of the Soviets that he wants to talk with them about defecting to America. The comedy comes when they find an FBI agent that tells them they have to get the guy to Cleveland because Cincinnati doesn't have anybody qualified to do it there. Interesting perspective on how dire the circumstances were with Soviet citizenship versus living in America, even in the 70's and early 80's. Another contemporary issue WKRP takes on with intelligence and wit.

This is part two of the "Filthy Pictures" episodes. When Carlson comes to pick up the publicity photos, he stumbles on the nude photos the photographer took behind a two-way mirror of Jennifer. After the photographer claims the waiver clause Jennifer signed allows him to sell the pics, and the station's lawyers say there is basically nothing legally they can do to prevent the photos from being sold and published before they can stop them, Johnny has an idea. Why not break into the studio late at night and steal them? Why they don't just threaten to broadcast the sleazy acts of the photographer in order to shut him out of business doesn't occur to them, I don't know. When the burglary attempt is bungled, Johnny comes up with another scheme involving Bailey and him to pull a con job to get them back. This episode involves the whole cast and has more than a few laughs to go with the cringe moments.

The first part of a two-parter about a charity fundraiser Carlson sets up involving Andy and Jennifer. The two end up taking publicity photos for Carlson's Kiwanis club fundraiser in bathing suits. Jennifer smoothtalks a reluctant Andy into doing the shoot and notices a more bashful side of him rarely seen. The sleazy photographer Herb lines up to do the shoot has other plans for Jennifer, taking sly pictures of her disrobing. Jan Smithers (who really would have made more sense to me to be the one to do the photo shoot in the first place) has fun turning the tables on the usual sexist stereotypes by having Bailey tease Andy with the usual come-ons that women have to endure from men in these situations. Another great opportunity for WKRP to discuss the changes in modern society that were taking place in the 1970's.

Johnny gets a surprise visit from his 19-year-old daughter he hasn't seen in seven years. Evidently he never got a picture in the mail either because he doesn't recognize her when she pops into his DJ booth with Jennifer. Said daughter is fed up with Mom-in-Seattle's "my house my rules" edicts and takes off to Cincinnati with her deadbeat boyfriend to try her luck with Dad. So happy to finally spend some time with his daughter Laurie, he tells her he will be the cool parent that can call him Johnny and be best friends. That is until Laurie introduces her to the new man in her life and three becomes an unconventional crowd. This episode is Howard Hesseman heavy with little involvement with the rest of the cast. Not a ton of laughs but is good in terms of getting background on the character of Johnny Caravella.

The restaurant is booked for a wedding and the rehearsal dinner the night before. The groom turns out to be an ex-boyfriend of Cassie's, and confesses that he never got over their breakup, and is still in love with her. He considers leaving his bride at the altar in order to win Cassie back. The episode gives some backstory for Cassie. Evidently the two of them grew up together in Kansas before Cassie left for L.A. and changed her name (Katie Lou? and she grew up in Kansas even though Ann Jillian plays her like a tough New Yorker? oh well) Fans of Star Trek the Next Generation may recognize John de Lancie (who played Q), playing the groom. There's a funny little side story with Sonny and the bride's sister that gives the episode a little extra zing.

Laverne is tired of working at Cowboy Bills. When Rhonda considers a backup job at the Playboy Club as a Bunny, Laverne decides to apply. Carrie Fisher plays another applicant (Fisher must have had some time on her hands between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi). Hugh Hefner makes a cameo as, of course, himself. He is given the task of choosing between the two for the last spot on the staff. Considering Cindy Williams was gone, Fisher would have made an excellent stand-in. It definitely would have made the last season more bearable to watch. Fisher proves to be a fine singer as well (sort of expected considering who her parents were). Marshall delivers the best line of the episode when Hefner asks for a Pepsi to drink, "Would you like some milk with that?"

Laverne has always dreamed of dancing in a Broadway show and finds out about a casting call in Chicago for West Side Story. Against her father's misgivings, she makes the trip down there with Carmine as her dancing coach (who seems not to have an interest however). This episode gives Eddie Mekka a chance to shine with his dancing skills and Penny Marshall is no slouch either. It is a nice little episode about not knowing how good you are until you try.

Frank is arguing with Laverne again. This time it is not one of his irrational, overprotective rants. He has good reason to be hurt and disappointed in her. It seems that Laverne's dead mother has a birthday coming up and Frank wants to visit her grave with his daughter. There's one big problem. Laverne has never gone there since she died when Laverne was a child. The episode takes a break from the usual pratfalls and goofy jokes, and has an honest discussion about the death of a parent. Michael McKean (showing the underrated job he does as Lenny) has a nice little scene where he reveals to Laverne how his own mother left him on his birthday. This is one of their best episodes because it shows the audience that the cast is more than just joke machines and acrobats, but above average actors.

Shirley is Fabian's number-one fan and guess what? He's in Milwaukee for a concert, except her and Laverne can't get tickets. After lying and telling Rosie Greenbaum they have met him, Rosie, of course, tells them they are lying and makes a bet that they can't get a picture with him. So the girls pose as maids to get into his hotel room, and guess who walks in, but a 34 year-old Fabian! Um, what? So the sitcom takes place in the late 50's and Fabian was a teenager then, but it's okay for a twenty-year-older Fabian to play himself? Plus, if Shirley was obsessed with the teenage Fabian back then, she was well into her late 20's by then and this becomes way awkward. Anyway, once you shake all that off and go with it, the episode is pretty funny, with the highlight being a scene where they are trapped on a ledge outside the hotel room and have to figure out a way to get back in.

Laverne finds out that Carmine has been making the rounds of the ladies in Milwaukee and tells Shirley, who explains to her that they have an open relationship as long as nobody knows any details (basically the pass Shirley gives herself to hold out for a doctor, which Carmine has no designs on being). But now that the toothpaste is out of the tube, a fight ensues and the two break up. Shirley tells Laverne that to make up for starting all this, she needs to have her new boyfriend come up with a colossal date for her to make Carmine jealous. Instead, he shows up with the nerdiest guy they went to high school with--Eraserhead Warren. Shirley does her best to make lemons out of lemonade and gets Carmine to realize that she is not going to be a wallflower homebody. You can probably predict how this ends. The episode does give a good clarification of what the relationship of Shirley and Carmine is, and what it wants to be.

"A Date with Judy" is one of those throwaway titles that seems like the producers and director spent a whole 30 seconds coming up with, but the rest of the movie certainly isn't rushed. It's mainly about two 16-year-old best friends, Judy (Jane Powell) and Carol (Elizabeth Taylor), who navigate their love lives and argue with their parents, all the while organizing and performing at school functions. Scotty Beckett plays Carol's brother Ogden (or "Oogie", as he is awkwardly nicknamed), who has been dating Judy for some time but has been feeling like Judy's doormat lately. Carol suggests to Oogie that he not always be at Judy's beck and call so he can get some respect back, so he decides to stand Judy up at the next dance. Enter Robert Stack, who plays Stephen, the older man from out of state who comes to help out his uncle at the drug store soda counter for the summer. Because I guess in the forties it was perfectly natural for a man way out of high school to take a 16-year-old girl to a dance, the uncle asks Stephen to take Judy there to make her feel better. Stephen reluctantly agrees, and of course meets Carol. Kinda funny, but 16-year-old Jane is just a child to him, but 16-year-old Carol is just a two year holdout to romance. Granted, you have to check your remote when Elizabeth Taylor first hits the screen in this movie, because you'll swear that it automatically went to pause before you realize it is just you. MGM was obviously using this movie as a warmup for her more mature roles to come, but Taylor does play Carol as both worldly and naive. There is plenty of music and dancing throughout with Powell and Beckett, and you really have to be a fan of 40's crooner music to enjoy it, otherwise it can be tedious. Xavier Cugat and Carmen Miranda have smaller roles as performers at the main dance. Wallace Beery plays Judy's dad Melvin, who is old enough to really be Judy's grandfather, but is written into the script that he is an older Dad to hold down the eye rolling. There is a subplot where after being tired of not knowing how to dance, Melvin hires Miranda to teach him the Rhumba without telling his family. Beery seems to be having a blast with this part and it is a shame that this is one of his last films. The rest of the plot is really the same as most teen movies. If you had it on the beach and filmed it in the sixties, it would easily star Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. Will Judy and Oogie make up? Is Stephen really interested in Judy and Carol or is he just humoring them? Watch and see!

Elizabeth Taylor in the title role plays an overprotected 15-year-old who has lengthy bouts of illnesses seemingly due to a compromised immune system. She yearns to do normal teenage activities, but keeps having these setbacks related to her illness that constantly worry her parents (played by George Murphy and Mary Astor) and her doctor uncle (played by Gene Lockhart). Their strategy to prevent the illnesses from happening is to isolate her from her friends at school, have her come straight home, and forbid her from participating in school activities. Of course Cynthia is not going to be a wallflower forever, because this is a young Elizabeth Taylor here and the one thing she does not suffer from, even at 15, is awkward teenager syndrome compared to most. Noticing this right away is Ricky Latham (played by Jimmy Lydon, who was not the Zac Efron of the 40's, but somehow managed to play Taylor's love interest in "Life with Father" as well), who looks past the sicknesses and sees a beautiful, smart, charismatic young girl that just needs to get out of the house. Noticing this as well with jealousy is her cousin Fredonia (played by Carol Brannan), who has eyes on Ricky also, despite the fact she has a boyfriend of her own. Eventually, Cynthia's mother realizes that babying her will never teach her to overcome her problems, and hatches a plan with her daughter to get her to the Prom without Dad and Uncle knowing. Elizabeth Taylor shows her acting is beyond the capabilities of most other teenage actors of her day, but still displays the girlish charm of someone coming into her own. The movie has a fair amount of fretting and whining, but it does come out of it with some fine comedic scenes throughout the film and underrated performances from the supporting cast.

"State Fair" travels from Iowa to Texas for this remake. The main plot involves the romances that ensue with the Frake children and the people they meet at the State Fair in Dallas. There is also a B plot involving the parents where the father is entering his prize hog BlueBoy in the livestock competition, and the mother is entering her favorite mincemeat recipe (secret incredient--booze) in the cooking and baking competition. Pat Boone plays Wayne, who while registering his race car, meets Ann-Margret, a traveling singer and dancer who is performing one of the stage shows. Pamela Tiffin plays Margy, who while inexplicably has no friends from home at the same time as her, wanders boredly around the fairgrounds until she ends up being persued relentlessly by Bobby Darin playing a local TV host. The main plots involve the will-they-or-won't-they end up together scenario between the two couples. Pat Boone and Ann-Margret have a grand time with their singing numbers, and Margret gets another opportunity to show off her dance skills. Darin sings of course, as well as Tiffin, but in my opinion there is zero chemistry between them. Tom Ewell and Alice Faye do good jobs playing the parents, although Ewell "hams" it up a little too much when it comes to the scenes with the pig. I'll admit I got a creepy vibe from the Paul Bunyanesque Cowboy statue that greets fairgoers. A quick google search shows it's still there, albeit in a new outfit. The movie moves along well enough. The actors are attractive and personable. The music is entertaining. It's worth a trip back in time to see the fair of your youth.