The Terrible Catsafterme

SEASON 1 – NBC

Created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt

Theme music: “It’s Your Move” composed by Rik Howard and Bob Worth, performed by Mark Riddles

• 001. Pilot – 9/26/1984
  • Matthew Burton (Jason Bateman) is a teenage con artist of sorts, living with his widowed mother Eileen (Caren Kaye) and sister Julie (Tricia Cast). He is very loyal to his mother and often slips her money unbeknownst to her. Matt and his chubby sidekick Eli (Adam Sadowsky) are planning a term paper sale with his other friends, having hid the papers in the floorboards in the apartment across the hall. Building managers Lou Donatelli (Ernie Sabella) announces that he’s rented the apartment, and the renter turns out to be a fledgling write from Chicago named Norman Lamb (David Garrison). Matt tries to arrange for Norman to be out of the apartment by pretending to interview Julie so that Matt can retrieve the papers, but Norman ends up on a date with Eileen. Matt attempts to have Eileen’s suitor Mort Stumplerut propose marriage, but Matt accidentally nails him into Norman’s apartment, thinking that it is Norman. Matt’s last-ditch effort is to forge a letter from Newsweek offering Norman a job in New York, but Norman knows it’s a fake since Eli has misspelled a word. Matt agrees to let Norman continue to see his mother as long as he promises to be good to her and admits to forging a second letter from Atlantic Monthly indicating that Norman has sold an article, leading him to buy an expensive bracelet for Eileen, expecting the arrival of the check). River Phoenix appears as Brian. Beto Lovato is Manuel. 3/1/14 Read the rest of this entry »

SEASON 1 – ABC

Theme music: “The I’m Dickens – He’s Fenster March” by Irving Szathmary

• 001. A Small Matter of Being Fired – 9/28/1962
  • Harry Dickens (John Astin) and Arch Fenster (Marty Ingels) are somewhat inept carpenters for the McKendrick Construction Company. Harry’s wife Kate (Emmaline Henry) and Arch discuss Harry’s nervousness about the potential for him to be promoted to foreman of the crew. They head off to work on a house, and Harry gets upset because the boss Myron Bannister (Frank De Vol) cannot remember his name. Harry meets Arch’s new girlfriend Lorna (Vitina Marcus), and then realizes that his only competition for the job is Arch himself. Arch has no interest in the job, but Harry starts to talk bad about him about work. When Harry ultimately is promoted, his first job is to fire Arch because of all of the ‘rumors’ circulating…ones that Harry actually started. Arch voluntarily gives up his position, but Harry now goes to bat for him and admits that Arch is actually a better carpenter. The foreman position is then reconsidered based on the new info. Harry then finds out that Arch is now dating Hillary Bannister (Yvonne Craig), the daughter of his boss. Henry Beckman plays Mulligan, David Ketchum plays Mel Warshaw, and Noam Pitlik plays Bentley. 3/1/14 Read the rest of this entry »

SEASON 1 – CBS

Created by Ed James.

This series is a continuation of the radio show of the same name that aired between 1949-1954. The show’s pilot was part of “The Ford Television Theatre” in an episode entitled “Keep It in the Family”

Theme song: “Waiting” by Don Ferris and Irving Friedman. Unused lyrics were written by Leon Pober. Rod O’Connor is the announcer.

• 001. Bud Takes Up the Dance – 10/3/1954
  • Jim Anderson (Robert Young) is a middle-class insurance agent living with his wife Margaret (Jane Wyatt) and children Betty (Elinor Donahue), Bud (Billy Gray), and Kathy (Lauren Chapin) in the town of Springfield. Jim is ready for a nice quiet evening at home, when he hears commotion going on in Bud’s room. Bud is teaching himself to dance from an antique dancing book but is embarrassed to tell anyone. Betty finds out and spills the beans to her parents, but they are concerned that bud is taking a girl named Marcia (Susan Whitney) who is known by the nickname “Dynamite.” Jim goes to visit Kathy and her grandmother (Claire Meade) and finds out that Kathy is just as shy about admitting that she can’t dance. Her nickname comes from her explosive nature on the debating team. Jim offers to teach her to dance, and then goes home and insists that Bud leave the basement, where he hides away when embarrassed, and let Betty teach him to dance. Jim and Margaret chaperone the dance, and Margaret notes that Bud and Marcia’s dancing seems to have come from the same source. 3/1/14

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SEASON 1 – CBS

 Theme song: “Everybody Loves Raymond Theme” by Rick Marotta

• 001. Pilot – 9/13/1996
  • Ray Barone (Ray Romano) is a sports columnist for New York Newsday living in Long Island with his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) and his daughter Ally (Madylin Sweeten) and twin toddler sons Matthew and Gregory (Drew, Justin, and Amber Ferreira). His parents Frank (Peter Boyle) and Rose “Marie” (Doris Roberts) and brother Robert (Brad Garrett) live across the street. Debra’s birthday is coming up and she would prefer to spend it alone with her family and not with Ray’s parents, whom she sees as intrusive. This feeling is further solidified when she finds out that while she was at the movies with a friend, Ray left the babysitting duties with his family while he went out for pizza with his friend Leo (Stephen Lee). Instead of telling him parents the truth, he tells them that he is taking Debra to Bear Mountain. When they come over to the house when Ray and Debra are supposed to be gone, Ray is forced to tell them that they need to be less invasive. His parents claim to understand, although Robert, who is often jealous of Ray, seems to be a bit hurt. Ray and Debra’s time alone is ultimately interrupted by Ally. 2/27/14 Read the rest of this entry »

SEASON 1 – FOX

Created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt

Opening theme song: “Love and Marriage” – music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. Performed by Frank Sinatra

• 001. Pilot – 4/5/1987
  • Al Bundy (Ed O’Neill) is a frustrated husband of fifteen years working as a women’s shoe salesman at Gary’s Shoes & Accessories in the New Market Mall in a Chicago suburb. At home are his lazy wife Peg (Katey Sagal), who doesn’t work, young teen children Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino), and their dog Buck. Al is irritated that Peg hasn’t gone out to get juice or any other food and heads off to work, where his co-worker Luke Ventura (Ritch Shydner) invites him to go to the basketball game. Al accepts but Peg won’t let him go because she’s invited over their newlywed neighbors Steve (David Garrison) and Marcy Rhoades (Amanda Bearse). Steve and Marcy’s relationship during their first two months has been amiable, but as soon as Peg starts questioning why Steve goes to bed so much later than Marcy, and Al tells Steve that his future son will be a sissy since Marcy doesn’t allow him to watch sports, the two end up bickering and heading home to re-define their relationship. Al and Peg, their work done, turn off the TV and head up to the bedroom. Diana Bellamy and Sue Ann Gilfillan plays Al’s customers. 2/15/15

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