FIFTH SEASON - 1981-1982
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)
Cliff Potts (Ted McCovey)
Lance Guest (Lance)
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 91 - Wedding (2 November 1981)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Alexander Singer
SYNOPSIS: Billie accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, baseball scout Ted McCovey. Lou tries to patch things up with his youngest daughter, but his plans for a family reunion are scuttled by problems at the paper.
GUEST CAST:
Cliff Potts (Ted McCovey)
Parley Baer (Carlton Stiefel)
Barbara Dirickson (Janie)
Arthur Rosenberg (Chetwynd)
Michael Griswold (Tyler)
Joe Rassulo (Lvoff)
Art Kimbro (Speakes)
Joanna Gallegos (Rodriguez)
Fran Bennett (Chaney)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Ann Sweeny (Ellen)
Jeff Severson (Minister)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 92 - Execution (9 November 1981)
Written by: April Smith; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: Rossi profiles a young woman on death row who killed a Tribune reporter in an armed robbery.
GUEST CAST:
Terri Nunn (Kitty Larsen)
George Wyner (Jeff Benedict)
Christopher Cazenove (Peter Witter)
Mariclare Costello (Louise Larsen)
Sharon Spelman (Jeanette Pepper)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
William Edward Phipps (Spence)
Kres Mersky (Lee)
Sheila Frazier (Beth MacDougall)
Matthew Faison (Mario Varari)
Bill Baldwin (Judge)
Troy Evans (Tom Pepper)
Michael Leon (Jimmy Lee)
Patrick Pankhurst (Phil Morgan)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
John C. Colton (Bartender)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 93 - Reckless (16 November 1981)
Written by: Steve Kline; Directed by: Alexander Singer
SYNOPSIS: Lou is arrested for drunk driving; meanwhile, Charlie leads the paper to set up a crime-tip hotline that will supposedly help the Tribune get scoops on crime stories.
GUEST CAST:
Michael McGuire (Roger Sandler)
William Schilling (Bob Jurgenson)
Michael Tucci (Marvin)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Chip Lucia (Cop)
Mary Betten (Mrs. Brown)
Milt Kogan (McElwain)
Ed Griffith (Richards)
Danil Torpe (Mechanic)
East Carlo (Judge)
Kate Fitzmaurice (Woman)
Linda Montana (Operator)
Sandra de Bruin (Waitress)
Lisa Donaldson (Secretary)
Marland Proctor (Truck Driver)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 94 - Hometown (23 November 1981)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Gene Reynolds
SYNOPSIS: Lou returns to his hometown to settle his aunt's estate and gets involved with economic development activity in the flagging community, and he also meets up with an old flame.
GUEST CAST:
Robert Prosky (Paul Policzinski)
Georgann Johnson (Carol Kuzik)
Kenneth Kimmins (Howard Cutler)
Sandy Ward (Skip Rogers)
Anthony Costello (Tim Switzer)
Stacy Keach, Sr. (Hap Constable)
Thom Bray (Len Holland)
Hal Landon Jr. (Frank Blankenship)
Sandra McKnight (Margie McIntyre)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Kenneth Patterson (Ray Hoyt)
Bobs Watson (Pete Trumbull)
Michael Irving (Jayson)
Jonathan Woodward (Eric Kuzik)
Katie McClain (Amy)
J.W. Talirowski (Max)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 95 - Risk (30 November 1981)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Allen Williams
SYNOPSIS: Police work the Tribune from several angles when a reporter refuses to divulge the identity of a young girl being exploited for child pornography. Donovan jumps out of a helicopter to prove a point to a new photographer.
GUEST CAST:
Lynne Moody (Sharon McNeil)
Michael Alldredge (Lieutenant McPhee)
Kario Salem (Mike Schrader)
J. Jay Saunders (Frederick Gibbs)
Ken Smolka (Larry Hockney)
Sandy Martin (Gloria)
Kate Zentall (Maggie Stayskal)
Lance Guest (Lance)
George Ball (Phil Denton)
Gary Allen Poe (Mrs. Pine)
Wendy Lynne (Connie)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 96 - Double-Cross (7 December 1981)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: Billie pursues a story about the legacy of a gold cross being excavated from a time capsule.
GUEST CAST:
Linwood McCarthy (Alex Matheson Sr.)
Barbara Cason (Jinx Matheson)
Nigel Bullard (Michael Shepherd)
Jeff Lester (Alex Matheson Jr.)
Roger Kern (Brad Matheson)
Peter Fox (Ed Matheson)
Lynne Thigpen (Mrs. Dupree)
Lou Fant (Von Hauser)
Jon Lormer (Max Matheson)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Stanley Waxman (Dr. Geiler)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: It is fairly obvious that this episode (left over from the previous season) was made before Billie got married.
EPISODE 97 - Drifters (14 December 1981)
Written by: Bud Freeman; Directed by: Peter Levin
SYNOPSIS: Charlie's nephew comes to stay with the Humes, and the man's disturbed mental condition soon becomes apparent. The paper works to find an escaped zoo bear.
GUEST CAST:
W.K. Stratton (Scott Hume)
Tom Atkins (Dr. Sorenson)
James Callahan (Steve Hume)
Peggy McCay (Marian Hume)
Conchata Ferrell (Myra Wexler)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Bruce Gray (Professor Kreiger)
Emilio Delgado (Castillo)
Laurence Haddon (Foreign Editor)
Charlie Stavola (Dave Razulo)
Michael O'Guinne (Diskant)
Margaret Bacon (Waitress)
Michael Chierio (Vagrant)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The bear story seemed to be generic enough and lacking in actual footage that it could be tacked onto any episode needing a subplot.
EPISODE 98 - Friends (28 December 1981)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Seth Freeman
SYNOPSIS: Rossi deals with conflicts of interest when a friend becomes a political candidate.
GUEST CAST:
Larry Breeding (Burton Cary)
Logan Ramsey (Jerry Hollister)
Paul Kent (Ralph Shillitoe)
Dick Anthony Williams (Tyler Humphries)
Murphy Dunne (Price Townsend)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Jill Jaress (Bella (uncredited))
Jennifer Holmes (Noelle Kilmen)
Jean Howell (Claire Szabo)
Emilio Delgado (Castillo)
Michael Irving (Jayson)
Carmen Argenziano (Morton Tracy)
Robert Rothwell (Keach)
J.P. Bumstead (Carl)
Harry Beer (Kenny Geibel)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 99 - Jazz (4 January 1982)
Written by: Rogers Turrentine; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: Rossi reunites a famous jazz quartet. Meanwhile, the Tribune investigates a corrupt politician but a vacancy soon arises on the investigative team.
GUEST CAST:
Todd Susman (Jed Crosley)
Richard Erdman (Gary Banks)
Med Flory (Ron Rickell)
Joe Williams (Sonny Goodman)
Louis Bellson (Johnny Albert)
Ray Brown ()
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Danny Wells (Vince)
Paul Hampton (Ray Rumbo)
Paula Shaw (Anita)
Marte Boyle Slout (Mrs. Bains)
Toni Sawyer (Mrs. Garbers)
Michael Salcido (Dishwasher)
Ernie Orsatti (Crandall)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 100 - Ghosts (11 January 1982)
Written by: April Smith; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: Billie tries to get to the bottom of an unexplained death in house believed to be the site of paranormal activity.
GUEST CAST:
Jacqueline Brookes (Dr. Haas)
Milton Selzer (Claude Cunningham)
Penelope Windust (Josephine)
Lionel M. Smith (Sergeant Roche)
Peter Maloney (Alex Conrad)
Paul Comi (Howard Kraft)
Pat Finley (Constance Kraft)
Ellen Blake (Rose)
Jane Davis (Emily)
Jim Calver (Walter)
Mark Wellman (Danny)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
Anita Jesse (Emily's Mom)
Deirdre Hepburn (Teenager)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 101 - Cameras (25 January 1982)
Written by: David Lloyd; Directed by: Peter Levin
SYNOPSIS: A hostage situation at a fast-food restaurant provides the backdrop for an episode about the role of television in making news and influencing the outcome of criminal trials. Billie is miffed when Lou makes changes to her copy.
GUEST CAST:
Marcia Rodd (Vivian Hamlin)
Jack Collins (Judge Strohmeyer)
Robin Rose (Peggy Daye)
Corinne Michaels (Prosecutor)
Kenneth Tigar (Defense Attorney)
Vincent Caristi (Angelo)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Emilio Delgado (Castillo)
Kevin Breslin (Jake)
Neil Flanagan (Dr. Lucius Vandenberg)
Lisa Blake Richards (Mrs. Frazier)
Will Hare (Driver)
Danny Borshell (Rickie)
Read Morgan (Lieutenant)
Terry Wills (Stranger)
John Blyth Barrymore (Harold)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
Roberto Ramirez (Counterman)
Michelle Walker (Amy)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 102 - Review (8 February 1982)
Written by: Jeffrey B. Lane; Directed by: Neil Cox
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune is called before a media-review board, and the staff is puzzled by the overt hostility of one of the board members to the Tribune; meanwhile, Billie works to ghostwrite a piece for Mrs. Pynchon.
GUEST CAST:
Margaret Hamilton (Thea Taft)
Karen Carlson (Meredith Hall-Sutton)
Diana Douglas (Carole Fuller)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Emilio Delgado (Ruben Castillo)
Yolanda Márquez (Amalia Castillo)
Don Plumley (Frank Laven)
James Hardie (Steve)
Mary Ann Gibson (Bebe)
Ted Moose (Sheriff)
Larry Vigus (Press Photographer)
Charles Bracy (Leon)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 103 - Immigrants (15 February 1982)
Written by: Steve Kline; Directed by: Alexander Singer
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune looks at issues of Vietnamese immigrants in Southern California, including one of its own photographers. Lou ducks visiting relatives.
GUEST CAST:
Raleigh Bond (Cy Wood)
John Carter (Gunther Larson)
Kieu Chinh (Anh)
Doan Chau Mau (Colonel Eyen Van Long)
J.D. Hall (Norman Diggs)
Le Tuan (Tam)
Antony Ponzini ()
Gregory Sierra (Hector)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
William Bronder (Lester Pauley)
Nguyen Cu (Tran)
Ron Joseph (Oscar Franco)
Drew Katzman (Sherm Bowman)
Tran Thi Phuong (Grandma)
Phyllis Applegate (Clerk)
D.J. Sydney (Mother)
Phan Hui Bao (Tuan)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The series came close to implausibility here, with Tam getting a retention bonus only hours after nearly being fired for unreliability.
EPISODE 104 - Hunger (1 March 1982)
Written by: Gene Reynolds; Directed by: Peter Levin
SYNOPSIS: Rossi bets Lou that he can make a story out of any person Lou picks at random on the street, and the woman Lou points to turns out to be the tireless head of a soup kitchen who leads Rossi to investigate hunger at home and abroad. Meanwhile, Mrs. Pynchon nitpicks to cut costs.
GUEST CAST:
Uta Hagen (Sister Louise Frawley)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Ivan Bonar (Phil Springerman)
Stanley Grover (Charles Keefer)
Alan Haufrect (Chope)
Tonyo Meléndez (Juan)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
Georgia Schmidt (Mrs. McLean)
Carmen Filpi (Mr. Brubaker)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 105 - Recovery (8 March 1982)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Roger Young
SYNOPSIS: Rossi pursues a story about land claims by Japanese-Americans who sold cheaply prior to their forced internment during World War II, but Lou and Charlie try to stop him from following through with a key source. Billie traces a scam to a politician.
GUEST CAST:
Clyde Kusatsu (Ken Watanabe)
Pat Morita (Ike Tatsumi)
Clint Howard (Jerry Kovacovich)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Eunice Christopher (Iris Rooney)
Lee McDonald (Leland Willoughby)
Arthur Taxier (Dale Tollifer)
Peggy Frees (Receptionist)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: The best episode of this season.
EPISODE 106 - Obituary (22 March 1982)
Written by: April Smith; Directed by: Paul Stanley
SYNOPSIS: At the last minute, Billie is pulled from a plane that crashes. She writes the obituaries of four Tribune staffers killed. Animal has to face the dilemma of reporting the impending extinction of a moth without tipping bug collectors to its location.
GUEST CAST:
Rae Allen (Helen Patterson)
Simon Oakland (Colonel Taylor)
William Jordan (Pomeroy)
Michael Bond (Keith Wilbert)
Peter Michael Goetz (Bob O'Brien)
Barney Phillips (Jerry Ellison)
Lance Guest (Lance Reinecke)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Ward Costello (Aldous Whitmore)
Shelby Leverington (Denise Pomeroy)
John Dukakis (Parker Paterson)
Larry Flash Jenkins (Lionel)
Susan Barnes (Jacqui Oswell)
Howard Vann (Sam Egan)
Buddy Farmer (Danny Evanston)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 107 - Blacklist (5 April 1982)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: One of the paper's many requests under the Freedom of Information Act leads Rossi to pursue several angles about the effects of blacklisting of Communists and suspected Communists during the 1950s. The Tribune is picketed by people opposed to its carrying a syndicated sex-advice column.
GUEST CAST:
Freddye Chapman (Abby McCann)
William Schallert (Frank Obler)
Graham Brown (Price McCann)
Jeff Corey (Larry Hill)
Helen Stenborg ()
Rick Lenz (Sam Valentine)
Lance Guest (Lance)
Sam Weisman (Mike Pearson)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Barbara Tarbuck (Mother)
Frank Dent (Bryan Dunne)
Camila Ashland (Rita Cooley)
Ivan Bonar (Foreign Editor)
David J. Bowman (Father)
Tony Perez (National Editor)
Charles Bracy (Leon)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 108 - Law (12 April 1982)
Written by: Steve Kline; Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
SYNOPSIS: The proliferation of litigation on various fronts is pursued: Billie's story on a political recall movement leads to people she named in her story being sued by the target of the recall; Lou hires Animal's brother to represent him in legal action against a crooked plumber; meanwhile, the Tribune considers switching law firms.
GUEST CAST:
Charles Cioffi (Councilman Garbers)
Harold J. Stone (Fred Gruber)
Charles Hallahan (Chuck)
Sally Kirkland (Vicky Doppler)
Bartlett Robinson (Jacob Bauman)
James Canning ()
Mary Louise Wilson (Elvira Wissler)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Richard Sarradet (Ryan Lindstrom)
Fredd Wayne (Charles Bolsa)
Ivan Bonar (National Editor)
Angelina Estrada (Anna Ortiz)
Ann Nelson (Neighbor)
Joel Lawrence (Chester Barclay)
Barbara Mealy (Woman)
Maurice Hill (Whitney)
Dan Priest (Man)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 109 - Fireworks (19 April 1982)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Jeff Bleckner
SYNOPSIS: Billie covers a story about a fireworks bill from the Tribune's Sacramento bureau where she encounters her ex-husband, who is now an aggressive lobbyist on behalf of the fireworks industry. Meanwhile, Lou raises ethical questions about the sponsor of an award for which the Tribune is nominated.
GUEST CAST:
Vincent Baggetta (Greg Serantino)
Parley Baer (Ray Elders)
Sandy McPeak (Matt Lupton)
Lance Guest (Lance Reinecke)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Emilio Delgado (Ruben Castillo)
Kale Brown (Chris Maitland)
Belita Moreno (Cathy Short)
Thomas H. Middleton (Bob Cage)
Stephanie Blackmore (Christine)
James R. Winker (Howie Peyser)
Conrad Bachman (Gunderson)
Ken Letner (Boyel Kleman)
Charles Bracy (Leon)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 110 - Unthinkable (3 May 1982)
Written by: April Smith; Directed by: Allen Williams
SYNOPSIS: As the Tribune covers the fate of a girl being treated in a burn unit, the possibility arises that a confrontation in the Middle East will lead to a nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and the burn unit is mobilized.
GUEST CAST:
Lane Smith (Dr. Lawrence)
Peggy McCay (Marian Hume)
Warren Kemmerling (General Sutherland)
Bonnie Bartlett (Claire)
Dean Santoro (Dvorak)
Michael Fairman (Senator)
Lily Mariye (Judy)
Ivan Bonar (Foreign Editor)
Lee Kessler (Cynthia Termick)
Emilio Delgado (Ruben Castillo)
Matthew Faison (Moffatt)
David Wiley (Mr. Bouf)
Gregory Itzen (Young Reporter)
Iva Lane (Sarah)
Mitchell Edmonds (TV Announcer)
Betty Bridges (Reporter)
Marc Jordan (Businessman)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
ERROR! During the scene where Claire lectures Charlie and Marian at 2:30 a.m., someone else's voice has clearly been dubbed in for Claire.
EPISODE 111 - Suspect (17 May 1982)
Written by: Seth Freeman; Directed by: Alan Cooke
SYNOPSIS: A rookie reporter gets in over his head when covering the death of an environmental agitator that might not have been accidental; meanwhile, Lou dates an unfaithful woman.
GUEST CAST:
Lance Guest (Lance Reinecke)
Dixie Carter (Jessica Lindner)
Ren Woods (Karly)
Christina Pickles (Elsa)
Roxanne Reese (Delia)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Ron Recasner (La Pierre)
Ron Vernan (Gerhardt)
Maurice Woods (Tenney)
Drew Katzman (Police Officer)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 112 - Beachhead (24 May 1982)
Written by: Gene Reynolds; Directed by: Roy Campanella
SYNOPSIS: The Tribune is blamed for inflaming rivalries between surfer gangs. Billie and Ted differ on the place of a group home in their neighborhood.
GUEST CAST:
Cliff Potts (Ted McCovey)
Michael Constantine (Joe Lombardi)
Robert Pierce (Panface)
Bill Ostrander (Moose)
K Callan ()
William Traylor (Chairman)
Marc Vahanian (Stuart)
David Graf (Russ)
Al Fann (Jesse)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Emilio Delgado (Castillo)
Paul Stolarsky (Hammer)
Lillian Garrett (Nunez)
Tim Clark (David)
Rich Smith (Johnny)
Joe Sagal (Young Man)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: Not a bad episode, but it was the second time in as many years the show had used a gag about someone being accidentally sprayed by a sprinkler.
ERROR!? In every episode where Lou's home has been discussed, it has been north or northeast of Downtown L.A.: Eagle Rock, South Pasadena, Echo Park. So why was Lou jogging on the beach ... twenty miles from his home?
EPISODE 113 - Victims (30 August 1982)
Written by: Steve Kline; Directed by: Peter Bogart
SYNOPSIS: Lou is shot in an armed robbery in a parking lot, and the robber is soon killed by a police officer who has trouble dealing with his actions.
GUEST CAST:
Steve Marachuk (Vince DeMayo)
Barry Primus (Sergeant Stapler)
Bruce Kirby (Captain Shackley)
Lincoln Kilpatrick (Dr. Turner)
James Gallery (Dave Rabowsky)
Ann Sweeny (Ellen)
Kate Zentall (Ginny DeMayo)
Wyn Saunders (Leslie Heart)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Bill McLaughlin (Felker)
Michael Mitz (Timothy)
Bob Larkin (Benny)
Bruce Wright (Man)
Amy Kirkpatrick (Carla)
Barbara Jane Edelman (Linda)
Don Dolan (I.O. Cop)
Kirk Cameron (Joey)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW:
EPISODE 114 - Charlie (13 September 1982)
Written by: Michele Gallery; Directed by: Seth Freeman
SYNOPSIS: A bad day for Charlie involves firing misfits and dealing with static from reporters over their assignments; meanwhile, Donovan suspects his girlfriend is pregnant.
GUEST CAST:
Lance Guest (Lance Reineke)
Freddye Chapman (Abby McCann)
Betty Kennedy (Cheryl)
Joanna Cassidy (Barbara Costigan)
Macon McCalman (Dolph Masterson)
Richard Lineback (Dory)
Allen Williams (Adam Wilson)
Virginia Bingham (Sandra Plitt)
Wayne Grace (Perkins)
Ronald Spivey (Chub)
Ian Patrick Williams (Gilroy)
Robert Gribbin (Brian's Dad)
Robert Rothwell (Foster)
AUTHOR'S REVIEW: This episode was a horrible ending to TV's greatest dramatic series. EVERY CHARACTER (except Animal) is shown in a negative light in this "bad day" episode.
Filmography links and data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.