[1-15] Gabby's Song

Writers: Jeff Lowell & Tim Hobert
Producers: Jeff Lowell & William Barnett
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel

Episode Length: 22:02
Guest Stars:

Constance Marie: Gabby

Faith Prince: Claudia

Taylor Stanley: Karen

Jared Johansen: George

Tim Shillue: Man in Hall

Rating:# million viewers rating share (n/a)

Rating: TV-PG

First Broadcast: January 28, 1997

Opening sound: Jail door slamming shut

Storyline #1: A Rivalry Begins
It seems that Speaker Rosen, that oft mentioned but little seen chairman of the city council, has let go of his Chief of Staff. Apparently, there was a little scandal potential. Anyway, the Speaker has already hired a Spanish woman by the name of Gabriella Sanchez. Mike decides he needs to get a leg up on his new competition by attempting to bribe and intimidate the rookie. However, it seems that she can hold her own. From resisting his taunts to setting up her own private meetings with the Mayor without consulting Mike, it seems she is on top of Mike's game. Even when he changes the locks on her office, she gets back by doing the same. Eventually however, we get to the bottom of the story when Gabby's son tells Mike that Gabby is scared of her, Gabby's first visible chink in her armor.

Storyline #2: Stayin' Alive
It seems that Paul has taken a romantic liking to the President of his Fan Club, Claudia. They seem to have been going out for a month now. (even though she was only introduced 2 weeks ago.) However, Paul starts to feel uncomfortable when he feels that Claudia is pressuring to sleep with him. He confides in Carter (and unwillingly Stuart) that he hasn't slept with a woman in over 4 years. When Paul goes over to her apartment for lunch, he gets more than he bargains for when she puts the moves on him. He is at first reluctant but in the next scence, we see Paul strutting around the Hall with gusto as he moves to a song from "Saturday Night Fever". He spends the rest of the episode wondering why she doesn't call. When she does show up, he explains that he called her parents trying to find her. Finally, they check out and run out of work early, presumably to repeat yesterday's excursions.

Storyline #3: Brand New Job
It seems that Karen, the lovable college intern, has been out of school for the past two months. With times now tough and no longer being able to live in the dorm, Karen spends most of the episode trying to ask Mike to put her on the staff full time. Finally, at the end of the episode, he agrees.

Review: Gabby's Song

Overall, a hillarious episode. There were more outstandingly funny lines than usual as you can see below. These three storylines show that the rest of the season will probably be spent developing characters and less on individual-story episodes. I'm not sure what to make of the Mike-Gabby story. The story didn't seem to complete itself. It's possible that the two are being set up romantically. Is Gabby going to fill Ashley's shoes? (She certainly was wearing an outfit of Ashley's. If you can go back to the first episode and see if Ash wasn't wearing the same blue blouse with black suit jacket.) Paul and Claudia's storyline seems to have stretch itself out another week. Since Claudia didn't dump him this week, expect Claudia to be back for some more episodes. As for the Karen story, this is only a good sign if Karen becomes a regular like Nikki, Stuart, and the rest. (Maybe she will fight over James w/ Nikki.) If all it was was a stunt to get Karen some more lines than she usually does, I will be upset.

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.5

Did you notice ...

Speaker Rosen's former Chief of Staff was named Dave Nelson, the manager of WNYX on "NewsRadio"? However, the Speaker's Chief of Staff in The Competitiors was named Frank.

Gabby was a law professor at Columbia? (possible ex-teacher of James.)

Gabby has a tattoo of a rose on her left shoulder?

Nikki has a tattoo of a dolphin on her butt?

Paul did not grab his chin when he lied as he did in The Great Pretender?

"Turn and Push" was written on Paul's door?

Mike drank coffee out of a NY Ranger mug?

Councilman Shelly loves to play tennis?

Lobbyist Sal Volletta and Harvey are seen?

the custodian is mentioned? (Skippy?)

Top 15 Lines

15. Paul: "To calm her down, I told her we had sex."

14. Stuart: (to Paul) "Your mother was aware you were a boy?"

13. Stuart: "Hey Karen, while you're over there yaking, this coffee isn't brewing itself."

12. Paul: "I don't want her to think I'm the kind of guy who just hops into bed with every girl he meets."
Carter: "Paul, I think your record speaks for itself."

11. Mike: (on Mike's charm) "It's standard operating equipment. It comes with the suit."

10. Mike: "I'm not familiar with that expression. Is that a Spanish term?"

9. Gabby: "You always wrap your lunch up with a little bow?"
Mike: "I like suprises."

8. Stuart: "So, how goes our friendship farce?"
Mike: "Well, it's going pretty well. I hang out with you every once in a while. Seems to keep you happy."

7. Mike: "On a clear day, you can see my nipple."

6. George: "I'm much older now."
Mike: "What are you, 28? 29?"

5. Mike: "If you see him with someone who looks like his daughter, it's probably his wife. If you see him with someone who looks like his son, keep walking."

4. Gabby: "We all have our weaknesses."
Mike: "What's yours and how can I use it to my advantage?"

3. Paul: "Carter, what I'm about to tell you is very private so it really shouldn't go beyond these walls."
Carter: "You might want to turn off the microphone then."

2. The Mayor: "You must have had a boring childhood."

1. Stuart: (to Paul) "Have a nice day, Rusty."

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