THIRD SEASON - 1979-1980
REGULAR CAST:
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(Lou Grant) |
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(Joe Rossi) |
(Billie Newman) |
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(Charlie Hume) |
(Art Donovan) |
(Dennis "Animal" Price) |
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(Margaret Pynchon) |
OTHER RECURRING CAST:
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Emilio Delgado (National Editor)
Laurence Haddon (Foreign Editor)
Peggy McCay (Marian Hume)
Guide to the author's ratings
EXTRA! Special episode
Front page, above the fold
Regular coverage
Not quite as good as it should have been
Why did they make it? (n.b. no episodes are rated one star)
EPISODE 47 - Cop (17 September 1979)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: A mysterious murder on Lou's block leads him to take a special interest in the case. He becomes suspicious when a patrol officer is assigned to do some of the detective work. Meanwhile, the Tribune has to consider the ethics of naming the five people killed in a fire at a gay bar.
GUEST CAST:
Joe Penny (Mike Tynan)
Edward Winter (Robert Dennehy)
Mariclare Costello (Maxine Kintner)
Michael Alldredge (Ted McPhee)
Ron Max (Tony Stiles)
Emilio Delgado (National Editor)
Don Draper (Lester)
Bob Hackman (Danny Zaweski)
Michael Irving (Jayson)
Joe Medalis (Farrell)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Gene Bua (Slade)
Don Diamond (Harry)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
James Oliver (Russ Barrow)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The gay theme, so overdone today, was considered cutting edge back in 1979. Lou ought not to have edited the stories about the murder since he was personally involved with the story.
EPISODE 48 - Expose (24 September 1979)
Written by: David Lloyd; Directed by: Gene Reynolds
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune's coverage of the marital difficulties of a political candidate is called into question just as a sensational magazine does its own feature about the Trib newsroom. Lou takes on a pretentious young reporter.
GUEST CAST:
William Schallert (Mark Worth)
Louise Troy (Bonita Worth)
Richard Brestoff (Mike Norvette)
Julie Cobb (Barbara Benedict)
Ivan Bonar (Foreign Editor)
Steve Tannen (Officer Geer)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Georgia)
G.W. Bailey (Water Deliveryman)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The magazine subplot is much more interesting and memorable than the politician main plot.
EPISODE 49 - Slammer (1 October 1979)
Written by: Johnny Dawkins; Directed by: Alexander Singer
SYNOPSIS: Lou gets involved as the adviser to a group of prisoners working to put out a newspaper within the prison; meanwhile, Mrs. Pynchon is called for jury duty.
GUEST CAST:
Kene Holliday (J.D.)
Alan Fudge (Warden David Goffman)
J. Jay Saunders (Neil Turner)
Robert Davi (Hector)
Danny Glover (Leroy)
Rosana Soto (Angela Cariaga)
Eric Helland (Chris)
Gary Pagett (Trib Lawyer)
Lance Rosen (Union Lawyer)
Ken Letner (Arnold Lucas)
Art LaFleur (Ben)
Heshimu Cumbuki (Clark)
Phil Montgomery (Guard)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: Lou's jumping in to the establishment and maintenance of the prison newspaper is rather incredulous, but the strong script is carried off well.
ERROR! The defense is sitting at the table next to the jury box, which is reserved for the prosecution.
EPISODE 50 - Charlatan (15 October 1979)
Written by: Michael Vittes; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune's investigation into possible financial misdeeds in a church is hampered by the recitence of the paper's religion editor; meanwhile, Lou is called to testify on behalf of a pornographer who is trying to publish the identities of a group of drug enforcement agents.
GUEST CAST:
Meshach Taylor (Marcus Prescott)
Ruth Silveira (Agnes Carson)
Kenneth Tigar (Eugene Smithfield)
John Carter (Dr. Bunning)
Carmen Argenziano (Arnold Zinner)
Ellen Travolta (Pamela Bethune)
William Cort (Alan Bethune)
Michael Fairman (Dr. Chamberlain)
Charles Cyphers (Jerry Baldwin)
William H. Bassett (Alexander Crosley)
Ric Carrott (Jeffrey)
Ken Hill (Anton)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A clever script in which the two plots are made to converge by the preacher's mention of the contrast between attacking a religious leader and defending pornography.
EPISODE 51 - Frame-Up (22 October 1979)
Written by: Steve Kline; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: Billie's expose of efforts by a manufacturing company to win government concessions leads to a set-up -- and then a sting.
GUEST CAST:
Stephen McHattie (Curtis Folger)
Wendy Phillips (Nell Wheeler)
Paul Kent (Councilman Naughton)
Edward Marshall (Supervisor)
Bill Smillie (Shirley Hagen)
M.G. Kelly (TV Reporter)
Nigel Bullard (Aide)
Ray Oliver (Moving Man)
Emilio Delgado (National Editor)
Nina Wilcox (Foreign Editor)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Steven Kavner (TV Cameraman)
Shannon Eubanks (Secretary)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A rather far-fetched premise, but the cast carries it off well.
EPISODE 52 - Hype (29 October 1979)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Peter Levin
SYNOPSIS: Lou volunteers as a subject in a medical study, and he stumbles across a scandal in medical research at the university.
GUEST CAST:
Harold Gould (Dr. David Duncan)
David Huffman (Daniel Todson)
Craig Wasson (Michael Avenik)
Silvana Gallardo (Rita Silvera)
Paul Sparer (Damon Forrest)
Clarke Gordon (William Buchanan)
James Saito (Nakajima)
Robert Rothwell (Policeman)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: This episode suffers from being focused too much on the players in the story and not enough on the gathering of the story.
EPISODE 53 - Gambling (5 November 1979)
Written by: Bud Freeman; Directed by: Alexander Singer
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune staff explores several angles in the world of gambling, as Lou learns from a contact of a fixed horse race and Billie is taken in by a compulsive gambler.
GUEST CAST:
Charles Lane (Mort Farber)
Michael Shannon (Mac McIvor)
Sandy Kenyon (Eddie Talbert)
Alan Mason (Kingsley)
John Karlen (Ken Navaretti)
Donald Bishop (Landis)
Lorry Goldman (Doc)
John Aquino (Red Tash)
Alma Beltran (Rose)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Buck Young (George)
Judy Sardo (Marcy Preston)
Dorothy Meyer (Lady)
Grace Simmons (Teacher)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: Kind of a weak set of sketches not held together well.
EPISODE 54 - Witness (12 November 1979)
Written by: Gary David Goldberg; Directed by: Peter Levin
SYNOPSIS: Billie's investigation of the murder of a celebrity points to another celebrity, and Billie has to go into protective custody when she turns out to be the best state's witness. Meanwhile, Lou is sued by a drunken peddler and Mrs. Pynchon refers him to an elite lawyer.
GUEST CAST:
Richard Jaeckel (Dan Staley)
Peter Marshall (McQueen)
Charles Hallahan (Chet Wilke)
Bartlett Robinson (Bauman)
William Bryant (Robinson)
Raleigh Bond (Cy Wood)
Jack Lukes (Korkus)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Timothy C. Burns (Waiter)
Jack Lindine (Unknown)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A compelling plot, but probably better remembered for the subplot about the drunk falling on Lou's steps.
EPISODE 55 - Kidnap (26 November 1979)
Written by: Bud Freeman; Directed by: Alan Cooke
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune sends a large complement to cover the disappearance of a chartered plane loaded with high-school athletes; meanwhile, Mrs. Pynchon considers selling the paper again.
GUEST CAST:
Parley Baer (Sheriff Burkhardt)
Allan Nicholls ()
Jonathan Banks (Clay Starkes)
Jordan Rhodes (Schultz)
Stanley Kamel (Marty Niles)
Virginia Bingham (Patty Starkes)
Raleigh Bond (Cy Wood)
Michael Currie (Richardson)
Emilio Delgado (Ruben Castillo)
Read Morgan (Deputy Rutledge)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Gerry Black (Carl Dawkins)
Curt Wilson (John Fielding)
Susan McClung (1st Girl)
Dominique Dunne (2nd Girl)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: This episode is especially memorable for the funny dialogue about Billie's dress.
EPISODE 56 - Premonition (Andrew part 1) (3 December 1979)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: Donovan's cousin Andrew, freshly released from a mental institution, is revealed to be seriously disturbed. Donovan and his aunt ponder Andrew's desperate situation. Meanwhile, a city room staffer ghostwrites a torrid memoir of a movie critic.
GUEST CAST:
Bruce Davison (Andrew Raines)
Barbara Barrie (Edna Raines)
Joan Hotchkis (Dr. Teresa Myrdal)
Nita Talbot (Lana Barkley)
Ellen Regan (Terry Mills)
Robert Hirschfeld (Vern Eggly)
Nick Angotti (Sgt. Ackroyd)
Nocona Aranda (Officer Alvarez)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Eddy C. Dyer (Doctor)
Gail Bowman (Guard)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The first part of the only two-parter in the series suffers from being too much exposition for next week's episode.
EPISODE 57 - Trial (Andrew part 2) (10 December 1979)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Peter Levin
SYNOPSIS: Donovan's cousin Andrew is tried for the murder of a young female acquaintance. Donovan is put off by the Trib's coverage of the case and fears it may be jeopardizing Andrew's chances.
GUEST CAST:
Bruce Davison (Andrew Raines)
Barbara Barrie (Edna Raines)
Charles Aidman (Davis Mendelsohn)
Joan Hotchkis (Dr. Teresa Myrdal)
Michael McGuire (Bradley Gordon)
Mary Gregory (Claire Douglas)
Russ Marin (Dr. Sontag)
Ken Sansom (William Mills)
Sarah Miller (Cynthia Mills)
Jon Terry (Dr. Lockwood)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Pat Corley (Judge)
Nick Angotti (Sergeant Ackroyd)
Nocona Aranda (Officer Alvarez)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The script captures Donovan's conflict quite well.
EPISODE 58 - Hollywood (17 December 1979)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: Lou stumbles onto a 30-year-old murder at a Hollywood nightclub, and Rossi tries to win the confidence of the reclusive woman owner who lives above the long-shuttered space.
GUEST CAST:
George Chandler (Caretaker)
Laraine Day (Lauren Sinclair)
Howard Duff (Wild Man Moran)
Nina Foch (Mrs. Polk)
Margaret Hamilton (Thea Taft)
John Larch (Lt. Bill Bergin)
Paul Stewart (Kenneth Homes)
Dave Willock ()
Marie Windsor (Coral Mayberry (uncredited))
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The best episode of "Lou Grant." Production values are absolutely inspired. Unfortunately, cuts for syndication have rendered some of the most dramatically expressed lines to be mere bleats.
EPISODE 59 - Kids (24 December 1979)
Written by: Michael Vittes & Shep Greene; Directed by: Alexander Singer
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune focuses on children's problems as Billie pursues a story about a lawyer who works on children's rights and Rossi surprisingly misses a story about a child actor; meanwhile, Lou tries to connect with a single mother's pubescent son who is on the edge of trouble.
GUEST CAST:
Matthew Laborteaux (Mark Donner)
Nicholas Pryor (Al Mitchell)
Jenny Sullivan (Meg Donner)
Elizabeth Bliss (Carly Mitchell)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Barbara Hodges)
Melinda Cordell (Helen Mitchell)
Peggy Ann Garner (Dixie Collins)
Michael J. Fox (Paul Stone)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Gene Bua (Peter)
Gail Bowman (Teacher)
Hank Robinson (Umpire)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A fine treatment of the issues with three discrete parts.
EPISODE 60 - Brushfire (7 January 1980)
Written by: Allan Burns & Gene Reynolds; Directed by: Donald A. Baer
SYNOPSIS: A raging brush fire in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains occupies most of the Tribune staff, some of them personally. Animal is drawn into the center of attention of law enforcement, and Charlie and Marian reconsider the status of their marriage in the wake of their fight to save their house.
GUEST CAST:
Peggy McCay (Marian Hume)
Marshall Thompson (Paul Newman)
Jeff Corey (Mr. Bergman)
Brian Farrell (Sweeney)
Tony Perez (Mike Ramirez)
William Joyce (Fire Chief)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Michelle Downey (Jody)
Matthew Faison (Man)
Kurtwood Smith (Fire Captain)
Charles Bracy (Leon)
John Christy Ewing (Frank Taylor)
Kiva Lawrence (Woman)
Lloyd McLinn (Fireman #1)
Terrence E. McNally (Policeman)
Robert Rothwell (Man #2)
Gene Whittington (Fireman #2)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: One of the five best episodes. The anguish of the characters in the different crises is palpable.
EPISODE 61 - Indians (14 January 1980)
Written by: April Smith; Directed by: Ralph Senensky
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune looks at the problems facing American Indians in Los Angeles, and Animal takes a keen interest in a young boy and his uncle. Meanwhile, Billie looks at the troubled marriage of an Indian couple.
GUEST CAST:
Ned Romero (Howard Sweetwater)
David Yanez (Raymond White)
Tom Rosqui (Sam Duryea)
Ray Tracey (Gordon Davis)
Julie Carmen (Teresa Davis)
Alex Kubik (Ken Marks)
Henry Bal (Reindeer)
Ivan Naranjo (Joe Eaglefeather)
Paul Bryar (Parkins)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Laurence Haddon (Foreign Editor)
James Dale Ryan (Doctor)
Yvonne Blancaflor (Girl Art Student)
Ralph Branson (Bowler #1)
Ben Red Clay (Bob Marsh)
Steve Shemayne (Bowler #2)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A rather weak episode due to its focusing on social issues and awkwardly dropping the main characters into other people's lives.
EPISODE 62 - Cover-Up (21 January 1980)
Written by: Paul Ehrmann; Directed by: Gerald Mayer
SYNOPSIS: A teacher at a private school where Mrs. Pynchon serves on the board is falsely accused of sexual misconduct with a student; meanwhile, an investigation of corruption in the film industry is thwarted by other false accusations.
GUEST CAST:
Andrew Rubin (Jeff Lindsey)
David Hollander (Bryan Furniss)
Edward Power (Alex Brubaker)
Ross Bickell (Les Furniss)
William Jordan (Danzinger)
Ann Sweeny (Beth Furness)
Booth Colman (McClintock)
Viola Harris (Grace Bernard)
Augusta Dabney (Greta)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Ron Gilbert (Robustelli)
Ken Hill (Exley)
Robert Rothwell (Rudy)
David Cooper (Caldwell)
Arthur Hanson (Cavanaugh)
Billy Jacoby (Mike)
Seven Anne McDonald (Autumn)
Grace Simmons (Secretary)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A very strong script. The futility of the teacher's situation is made quite real.
EPISODE 63 - Inheritance (28 January 1980)
Written by: April Smith; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: Billie's investigation into the long-term effects of a discredited hormone treatment leads her to question whether her own mother took the drug. Rossi covers the story of an Armenian woman trying to contest her father's will; she was disinherited for marrying a Turk and her family still blames the Turks for their genocide against the Armenians.
GUEST CAST:
Allyn Ann McLerie (Betty Newman)
Marshall Thompson (Paul Newman)
Sands Hall (Jessica Downey)
Buck Kartalian (Leon Hartounian)
Carol Bagdasarian (Sarah Hartounian)
Keene Curtis ()
Arthur Space (Dr. Bradley)
Magda Harout (Lavenia)
Jean Howell (Nancy Downey)
James R. Winker (George Phipps)
Bill Baldwin (Judge)
Emilio Delgado (National Editor)
Michael Irving (Jayson)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Ed Vasgersian (Mr. Boyan)
Gregory Rozakis (Jamal)
Ted Lehmann (Doctor #1)
John Alvin (Dr. Eastwick)
Jerry Anello (Doctor #2)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: Another strong episode in which both the main plot and the subplot are quite memorable.
EPISODE 64 - Censored (4 February 1980)
Written by: Joanne Pagliaro; Directed by: Alexander Singer
SYNOPSIS: Rossi probes widespread censorship and intimidation in a small town, and Lou is dismayed to learn the source of it; meanwhile, the Tribune contemplates removing a controversial comic strip.
GUEST CAST:
Richard Dysart (Mitchell Webster)
Laurie Heineman (Marilyn Keefer)
Paul Lambert (Senator Fleming)
Dan Spector (Ernie Rasmussen)
James Gallery (Hank Selby)
Karen Ingenthron (Irene Teel)
Pat Finley (Mrs. Wilke)
Vernon Weddle (Bob Rosko)
Flora Plumb (Mrs. Alden)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Michael Irving (Jayson)
Emilio Delgado (Foreign Editor)
Brent Davis (Ray Grizzard)
Lindsay Workman (Mr. Arnette)
Jon Terry (Chairman)
Susan McClung (Sharon)
Clete Keith (Rich)
Marte Post (Sandy)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: An interesting and well-paced episode. The characterization of some of the small-town people is extreme, however.
EPISODE 65 - Lou (11 February 1980)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: A bad day at the paper leads the staff to question the level of stress Lou has been undergoing. A Tribune staffer is discovered to have plagiarized a story from a college paper. Columnist Jack Towne quits in a huff.
GUEST CAST:
Richard B. Shull (Jack Towne)
Elta Blake (Regina Kelly)
Michael Bond (Sam Huntington)
Ray Oliver (Wayne Burroughs)
Rae Dawn Chong (Adrienne Brundig)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
Daniel Chodos (Jayson)
Don Hanmer (Mick)
Billy Beck (Photo Editor)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: This episode really shows Lou getting pilloried but manages to lace it with humor.
EPISODE 66 - Blackout (18 February 1980)
Written by: Steve Kline; Directed by: Allen Williams
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune struggles to put out an issue as downtown Los Angeles is hit by a power blackout -- and Charlie has just alienated the person the Trib is most likely to turn to for help.
GUEST CAST:
Richard Evans (Walker)
Margie Impert (Marcy)
Paul Jenkins (Kirby)
Walter Brooke (Reggie Washburn)
Stanley Grover (Jarret Longworth)
Ray Oliver (Burroughs)
Lynn Seibel (Priest)
Lawrence Cook (Sgt. Williams)
Ivan Bonar (Doctor)
Drew Katzman (Radio Man)
Charles Bracy (Leon)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: Compelling treatment. The blackout provides a story within a story.
EPISODE 67 - Dogs (3 March 1980)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: Rossi's investigation of the disappearance of Barney, Mrs. Pynchon's beloved Yorkie, leads him to a large-scale interstate dog-fighting ring.
GUEST CAST:
Geoffrey Lewis (Jim Lawrence)
Alan Vint (Len Huskie)
Michael Jeter (Max Galt)
Eric Server (Sergeant Oguns)
Pat Corley (Organizer)
Sam Edwards (John Gill)
Read Morgan (Fred Costello)
Grant Owens (Ken Fuller)
John Blyth Barrymore (Marc Pauley)
William Bronder (Man at Dog Show)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A very memorable episode. The new dog was never as popular as Barney. Note how Lou feels Mrs. Pynchon's loss enough to give Rossi carte blanche on the story.
ERROR! Rossi claims to be unfamiliar with the pit bull breed, but in Episode 6, "Aftershock," he asked Billie to check in on his pit bull.
EPISODE 68 - Influence (10 March 1980)
Written by: April Smith; Directed by: Gene Reynolds
SYNOPSIS: Mrs. Pynchon attends meetings of a group of business insiders determined to sway an airport project to benefit their interests; meanwhile, Adam's drinking problem becomes an issue of concern in the city room.
GUEST CAST:
James Whitmore Jr. (Nick Boyer)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Bartlett Robinson (Dutch Van Deusen)
Sheila Larken (Rosalie Wilson)
Al Ruscio (Carmine Rossi)
Fred Beir (Gig Montgomery)
Ivan Bonar (Foreign Editor)
Michael Irving (Jayson)
Barry Cahill (Steve Lyons)
Arthur Batanides (Jesse Ryan)
John Alvin (Fred Clark)
John Holland (John Roberts)
Bernadette Pelletier (Julie)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: Could "Dutch Van Deusen" be a subtle swipe at a contemporary presidential candidate?
EPISODE 69 - Guns (17 March 1980)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Bob Sweeney
SYNOPSIS: Lou is stunned when a man celebrated at McKenna's, the unofficial Tribune watering hole, is accused of running stolen arms to terrorists in the Emerald Isle.
GUEST CAST:
Rue McClanahan (Maggie McKenna)
Redmond Gleeson (Francie Fitzgerald)
Michael Alldredge (Lieutenant McPhee)
Jack Dodson (Walter Parrott)
John Considine ()
Deirdre Lenihan (Deirdre)
Kate Zentall ()
Kenneth O'Brien (Mick)
Bob Hastings (Monaghan)
Sandy McCallum (Man)
Kurtwood Smith (DeRopp)
Nigel Bullard (Pevelor)
Naomi Caryl (Maud Stiers)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: This episode shows what went wrong when the show lost its sense of humor and tried to be too political.
EPISODE 70 - Hazard (24 March 1980)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: Rossi considers whether to pay off a source to get an exclusive story about a company determined to ignore the safety failures of its cheap motorcycles; the Tribune pays a large sum to serialize the memoirs of a convicted former politician. Charlie fires an editor rumored to be a contender for his job.
GUEST CAST:
Phillip R. Allen (David Marcus)
Tom Rosqui (Kramer)
Ed Harris (Rick Reiner)
Elizabeth Berger (Mary Gianni)
Carl Lumbly (Beutel)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Betty Gurian)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Clete Keith (Kid)
Michael Irving (Jayson)
Edward Bell (Talbot)
Laurence Haddon (Foreign Editor)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: A fairly decent episode, although the plot is fairly predictible.
Filmography links and data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.