Last Updated 09/10/99
The show Spin City appears in the USA on ABC.
It concerns the life and times of Mike Flahrety, New York Deputy Mayor.
The first 12 episodes included Carla Gugino who starred as Ashley Schaeffer, Mike's
girlfriend. She worked as a newspaper and TV reporter but was written out of the show
because her character was stagnating and Gugino wanted to try her hand at movies. Once she
left however, the attention turned away from politics and has turned more toward workplace
hyjinx.
Much of the second season dealt with Mike's on-again, off-again
relationship to Laurie Parres, The Mayor's divorce lawyer. It also featured Paul
Lassiter, the press secretary and his marriage to his biggest fan Claudia.
The third season has included even more storylines. First,
Mike's love life, from dating Heidi Klum, to doting on Nikki, to keeping his and Nikki's
relationship secret. Second, the show focused on comically mismatched roommates
Carter, the militant homosexual, Stuart, the militant sexist, and Rags, the suicidal
dog. An election was mentioned in passing throughout the year, but it was not
actually seen. This was also Jennifer Esposito's last season.
The fourth season promises a Senate run and the introduction of
election specialist Caitlin Bree, played by Melrose Place vet Heather Locklear.
After much blood, sweat and tears, I was able to re-install this site on the weekend of
Nov. 6th - 8th, 1998. The page was created with the help of Microsoft Front Page 98.
I'll spare you the gory details of installation. Needless to say, Geocities and Microsoft
are not immediately compatible.
Season 1 (1996-97): Tuesdays @ 8:30 CST.
Season 2 (1997-98): Wednesdays @ 7:00 CST.
Season 3 (1998-99): Tuesdays @ 8:00 CST.
Season 4 (1999-2000): Tuesdays @ 7:00 CST.
It's first year was spent in a protected slot between Home Improvement and NYPD
Blue. It moved to Wednesday in Year 2 to become a tent-pole show and helped to launch
Dharma & Greg. In Year 3, it returned to a later timeslot on it's
original night to lead the ABC schedule against a formidable NBC
lineup and narrowly beat it's high-profile competition in NBC's Just Shoot Me.
Next year, the show is moving AGAIN in ABC's attempt to own Tuesdays.
(Personally, I liked Spin City in it's later time slot and giving Dharma
the lead-off position. But then again, I'm not a high-paid network executive.)
Michael J. Fox:
Michael Flaherty, Deputy Mayor
A young, energetic Deputy Mayor who likes the ladies but meanders from being afraid of
commitment to being overly committive. Political slant was originally somewhat murky, but has become slanted toward the left as
the show has worn on. Has had 4 steady girlfriends during the show's run: Ashley in Year 1, Laurie in
Year 2, and Heidi & Nikki in Year 3.Has proven to be a loyal Deputy and often gets his boss out of jams. Work-a-holic.
Alan Ruck: Stuart
Bondek, office assistant 2nd in Command
Also likes the ladies, but in a different, more sexually boorish way.
Known to make wisecracks about everyone and everything. Favorite targets are Carter's
orientation and Nikki's love life.
Originally characterized as power-hungry, but has steadily turned into someone who
enjoys being in the background because he's afraid of responsibility.
Moved in with Carter at the end of Year 2, after both of them went broke in a bar
venture.
Comes from broken, bitter home, which explains his "healthy attitude towards the
chicks"
Richard Kind:
Paul Lassiter, press secretary
Most Obvious Characteristics include gullible and cheap.
Married to Claudia Sachs Lassiter, who he has been dating since the 1st season.
Originally supposed to be less dense, but character has become more of a cartoon over
the series.
Is often hurt. Has been on crutches, in a wheelchair, and worn an eyepatch.
Michael
Boatman: Carter Sebastian Heywood, Special Assistant on
Minority Affairs
Hired in the first episode as a scandal-quieter. Has since become a trusted voice, and
not as combative as before.
Currently lives with Stuart after their failed bar venture.
Very studious, but often overbearing.
Secretly adopts most gay stereotypes that he outwardly cries against.
Has become Mike's most trusted voice over the years.
Connie
Britton (formally Connie Albritton): Nicole Catherine Faber
(Nikki), Administration Accountant
The most lovelorn on the staff (with the possible exception of Mike); Much is made of
her (lack of) relationship exploits.
Has had an on-again, off-again crush on Mike that culminated in their relationship
starting in the middle of Year 3.
Has changed her hair the most since the show's inception.
Glammed up starting in the second season to fill the chick void left by Carla Gugino's
departure.
Alexander
Chaplin (formerly Alexander Guberman): James Leonard Hobert III, Speech
writer
The most naive member of the staff.
Born and raised in Wisconsin; Coming to New York has been his first taste of city life.
Had a crush on Nikki in the 1st season, although nothing ever developed.
Often serves as Mike's voice of reason on moral issues, even though he isn't Mike's
"go-to guy"
Barry
Bostwick: Mayor Randall Winston
Was supposed to face his first re-election in 3rd season.
Divorced from wife at end of 1st season. Has only been seen dating twice since then.
Often portrayed as somewhat dense, but with a heart of gold.
Started a relationship with Janelle at the end of Year 3.
Victoria
Dillard: Janelle Cooper, Mayor's Secretary, formerly Mike's Secretary,
formerly a recurring guest star. Now a full-time cast member.
The most undefined cast member by far, she is the only one without a last name.
The first season mainly consisted of her handing Mike papers. Since then, her role has
been expanded to handing papers to the Mayor and occasionally acting as sage to the other
girls in the office.
Dated The Mayor at the end of Year 3.
>
Heather Locklear: Caitlin Bree, Mayor's Campaign Manager
Other former and recurring characters include:
Carla Gugino: Ashley Schaeffer (Reporter, Mike's former girlfriend. Appeared in
Episodes [1-1] - [1-12]) Taylor Stanley: Karen (Office aide. Has not been seen since the first
season.) Faith Prince: Claudia Sachs Lassiter (Formally President
of Paul's fan club, Now Wife of Paul. Appears infrequently throughout the show's
run.) Jennifer Esposito: Stacy Paterno (Mikes New Secretary. Began work in 2nd season.
Left at the end of the 3rd season.)Heidi Klum: herself (Went out with Mike during the first of
3rd season. Returned at the end of 3rd Season to woo Mike.)Sam Robards: Arthur (Nikki's boyfriend for a time until
Nikki realized Mike loved her. Appeared during the middle of the 3rd season.)Beth Littleford: Deirdre (Went out with Stuart during the
3rd season. So politically incorrect, she turned off even Stuart.)
Michael J. Fox - You've got to be kidding me! If you must know...Family Ties (Alex P. Keaton)Back to the Future (Marty McFly, among others)Secret of My SuccessThe American PresidentCasualties of WarGreedy
Richard Kind
Mad About You
Alan Ruck
Ferris Beuller's Day Off (Cameron Frye)
Speed (Nervous Tourist)
Star Trek: Generations (Nervous Enterprise B Captain)
From the Earth to the Moon
Barry Bostwick
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Connie Britton
Brother's McMullen
Heather Locklear
Melrose Place
Dynasty
TJ Hooker
Victoria Dillard
Chicago Hope
Michael Boatman
Arli$$
Jennifer Esposito
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
Summer of Sam (Post Spin City Project)
Carla Gugino
Son-in-Law
Snake Eyes (Post Spin City Project)
Chicago Hope (Post Spin City Project)
Paula Marshall
Seinfeld (The reporter who "outed" Jerry)
Chicago Sons
Cupid (Post Spin City Project)
Snoops (Post Spin City Project)
For a detailed crew listing, go to The Production Listing.
1997 Peoples Choice Awards (tie w/ Bill Cosby) Favorite Male Performer in a New Comedy Series: Michael J.
Fox Favorite New Comedy Series
1997 Golden Globes
Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Michael J. Fox
1997 Emmys
Outstanding Male Lead in a Comedy Series: Michael J. Fox
1997 GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Association for Anti-Defamation
Best Comedy Series (Given out before Ellen's episode, obviously)
1997 Artios Awards
Best Casting for TV, Comedy Pilot (Bonnie Finnegan)
1998 Peoples Choice Awards
Favorite Comedy Series
Favorite Male Performer in a Comedy Series: Michael J. Fox
1998 Golden Globes
Best Performance By an Actor in TV Series Comedy/Musical: Michael J. Fox
Best TV Series Comedy/Musical
1998 Emmys
Outstanding Male Lead in a Comedy Series: Michael J. Fox
1998 Image Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Michael Boatman
1999 Peoples Choice Awards
Favorite Comedy Series
Favorite Male Performer in a Comedy Series: Michael F. Fox
1999 Golden Globes
Best TV Series Comedy/Musical
Best Performance By an Actor in TV Series Comedy/Musical: Michael J. Fox
1999 Screen Actor's Guild Awards
Best Actor in a Comedy: Michael J. Fox
1999 Emmys
Outstanding Male Lead in a Comedy Series: Michael J. Fox
Yes, Mr. Fox has indeed been diagnosed with this disease. He first noticed the
symptoms while shooting Doc Hollywood in 1990. From then on until the Fall of 1998,
he kept working while keeping almost everyone in the dark about his condition. Not
even the other cast members were told until his off-season surgery in the summer of 1998.
The surgery was to relieve some noticeable shakes on his left side. (If you
watch later episodes from Season 2, you can see Mike hide his left side fairly often.)
In his 20/20 interview the week he went public, Fox stated that he is taking
medication to relieve some of the symptoms and is actively pursuing research that will
lead to a cure. Other Parkinson's patients include Billy Ghramm and Muhammad Ali.
As for the show, he is committed for 5 seasons and has publicly stated his desire
to go 7. We wish him all the best and congratulate him on his perseverance.
(Note: Upon further review, [2-14] The Paul Lassiter
Story featured a story of Mike finding out whether or not he had cancer. One can
find many parallels from this story to his actual life if you look hard enough.)
Why yes, that was Carla Gugino in her first major studio movie since leaving Spin
City. As speculated on this page before, I would not rule out her returning to the
show occasionally as a guest star, since her leaving the show was quite amicable.
UPDATE: For those of you who were keenly watching, Carla "guest starred" by
giving her opinions about Mike in the 10/21/98 episode.
Also appearing in that episode were Tracy Pollan, Courtney Thorne Smith, Paula Marshall,
Heidi Klum, Daphne Zuniga, and Paula Abdul. (With the exception of Abdul, all had
played Mike's ex-girlfriends.)
Finally, all of you who have been asking, I have found out have you can get tickets.
Send a postcard to the following address:
Spin City Tickets
Mountie Productions LLC
Dreamworks
W. 23rd St. & Hudson River
Pier 62, Suite 204
New York, NY 10011
Be sure to include your name, address, and daytime phone #. You can also send your fan
mail here.
As most of you know, the first season's opening credits consisted of a twirling manhole
cover and a quirky sound that changed every week. For the subsequent seasons, the show
decided to hire the SPIN Doctors (get it?) to write and perform the new theme song. In
case you don't remember the early 90's, the Spin Doctors were a New York band that had a
couple of hits ("Little Miss Can't Be Wrong", "Two Princes") then
quickly fizzled.
Gaberman, the guy who plays James, got married between the first and second seasons. In
newfound marital bliss, Alexander decided to change his last name to Chaplain to match his
wife's.
His wife and children certainly hope not!
Starting in Season 3, Carter's character brought a pooch home to stay with him and
Stuart. The dog's stage name is Rags. In real life, the dog's name is Uncle
Wesley. He is a Brussells Griffon. (The astute observer will recognize the
same breed was used in As Good As It Gets.) And no, the dog doesn't
look like that in real life. Wesley has makeup put on him to make him looked aged.
The name of the band playing on the street corner is named The Churchills. The bass
player for the group, Brad Schoudel, also works as the Assistant Production coordinator on
the show. The name of the song being played was "Everybody Gets What They
Deserve". They haven't released any CDs nationally but they do play in around
the New York area. If you catch their show, I'm sure they'll let you buy something
from them.
Simply put, no. The site I'm on doesn't allow any "indecent" material to be
posted on my site. Besides, You're not supposed to be looking for that kind of smut
anyway. Shame on you!!!!
ABC
has a somewhat informative page on their site. Other than that, my main sources are Entertainment Weekly and Mr. Showbiz.Yes, I have noticed. No, I don't have a definitive answer why. If you want my guess,
it's that jokes about the workplace and relationships are timeless while politics is
fleeting. A joke about policy may become arcane between writing, taping, and broadcast.
Also, the "Network Execs" like shows that remind them of other shows.
It was hinted at that there would be an election at the end of the third season, but it
never came to pass. Whether or not it gets picked up next year remains to be seen.
I hate to be the one to tell you, but 99.9% of shows do not accept unsolicited scripts
and Spin City is no exception. They only accept scripts from members of the Screen
Writers Union. The producers can actually get into legal trouble just by looking at
unauthorized submissions. You can send fan mail to the address for tickets above,
but they will not accept any scripted material. Sorry.
Good Question! Wish I had a better answer than "I don't know." Often, I don't
see an episode until Thursday afternoon since my VCR is located at my grandparent's house.
Now that I've finished school, I'll be looking for a permanent full-time job. Once I
"settle down", I expect the updates to occur more frequently
The show's syndication rights have already been sold, and will begin appearing sometime
in Fall 2000. (The figure as well as the buyer escape me at the moment.) Neither a
schedule nor a list of stations has been assembled yet.
Again,
I have no idea, although I can relate for those who live in 3rd world countries. I
currently reside in Lousy-ana. (yes, pun intended.)
I am not, in any way, associated with either the network, UBU Productions, Lottery Hill, or Dreamworks SKG. I have never been to any tapings nor am close friends with anyone who works on the show. I'm just an ordinary guy trying to build an on-line resource to a pretty-darn-good TV show. I appreciate all who write, but please don't send me personal information to pass on to a cast member or write to me to threaten a boycott. I'm a fan, just like you. But thanks for asking.
Previous FAQ versions:
1.0---->10/15/96: 1.01--->12/05/96: added links to actor info. 1.02--->01/13/97: added awards info and link to production credits. 1.03--->01/23/97: added info about Ashley, tickets, previous FAQ
versions. 1.04--->02/26/97: added info about tickets and ABC non-affiliation. 1.05--->05/02/97: added info about Ashley, GLAAD, and Faith Prince. 3.0---->09/15/98: added a bunch of stuff. 3.01--->10/01/98: added script info,awards & links. 3.02--->10/22/98: added character descriptions & other stuff. 3.03--->10/30/98: redesigned FAQ page 3.04--->11/6/98: uploaded FAQ page3.05-->03/13/99: added awards and info on Mike/Nikki4.00-->09/10/99: numerous updates including Parkinson's,
Locklear, Rags, & Churchills
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