[1-6] A Star is Born

Producer: Walter Barnett
Writer: Kirk J. Rudell
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel

Episode Length: 22:04

Guest Stars:

Victoria Dillard: Janelle

John Bradford Lloyd: Dr. Bronstein

Bill Boggs: Talk Show Moderator

Syvia Kanders: Roberta

Lisa Louise Langford: 1st Reporter

Rating:#22 18.0 million viewers 11.8 rating 18 share (bad ratings due to baseball)

First Broadcast: October 22, 1996.
Alternate Version first shown: January 21, 1997.

Opening sound: School Bell

Storyline #1: High Time for a Scandal
The NY Public Schools Chancellor is stepping down and it is time to apppoint a new one. Good thing too because the approval ratings are in the toilet. So nominating Joel Bronstein was supposed to be a walk in the park. That is, until it comes out that he was caught on tape smoking a joint at a Greatful Dead concert many years ago. Mike wants to cut him loose but James wants to fight it since James is good friends with Bronstein. Finally, after much deliberation and making the Mayor shorter (polling data), Mike decides to let Bronstein go. At first, this causes James to rebel by trying to imitate Mike. Later, however, they go to a bar and make up.

Storyline #2: Honey, You're on TV!
Ashley gets the opportunity of a lifetime: a shot at TV reporting. At first, she puts an excellent showing on on a Sunday morning roundtable show. But when she auditions for anchor, she finds it hard to speak on air, leaving Mike at a loss for words as to whether she should continue this venture or return to the paper. Finally, she learns how to speak on the air. Mike loves it and shows his appreciation as only a single man can.

Review: A Star is Born
Overall, a decent episode. This was the second in a series of mentor shows: last week, The Mayor. This week, James. We learn a lot about his background but that's about it. The ending becomes a little predictable. Stuart wins the battle over Carter this week as Funniest Staff member. All Carter gets to do this week is make funny noises. Not too much substance. A lot of pot jokes, then make up with James. Hopefully, we won't have too many more mentor shows.

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 3.0

Did you notice ...

Ashley works for Channel 10?

"The Lion King" was mentioned, just weeks before ABC was to show it?

Skippy the Janitor makes another brief appearence?

the retiring chancellor was Ramon Rodriguez? (would have been cooler if it was Jesus.)

James's sister has been married several times?

Mike's first job was working as an intern for a state senator from Brooklyn?

James is from Wisconsin & went to Columbia?

Top 10 Lines

10. Nikki: "Stuart, one day you're going to make a woman very , very, unhappy."

9. The Mayor: "Hey Randy, go backdoor."
Mike: "I assume that was your coach."

8. Mike: "Look at Dick Clark. Not a grey hair on his head and he's as popular now as he was 100 years ago."

7. Carter: "I'd like to make a silly noise too but I don't know what these numbers mean."

6. Mike: (to a disgruntled caller) "You do drive a car ma'am?"

5. Mike: (a potential PSA) "Stay off drugs. Take it from someone who's been there."

4. Mike: "But wouldn't you know it, no one thought to ask the question 'Have you ever smoked a doobie on film?'"

3. Stuart: (to James) "Jumpin ship, egg boy?"

2. The Mayor: " Are you sure they have the right Randall Winston?"
Mike: "Actually Sir, they prefer Randy."

1. Mike: (reading James's speech) "As you shuffle down into this gaping hole, to be thrown into a dark abyss, try not to be overwhelmed by the insignificance of your life."

Alternate Version

Cut Scences:

Opening Sequence: Ashley fills in on a Sunday talk show.

Press Conference: Ashley asks a question of the prospective school Chancellor.

Hallway Conversation: Ash & Mike talk of "the doobie line", and what Ash will wear for her interview.

Apartment Scene: Ash & Mike view Ash's tryout tape.

Ending Sequence: Mike & Ash make out off camera after viewing Ash on TV.

Added Scences:

Opening Sequence: Nikki & Carter bet on the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.

Press Conference: A Second Reporter asks Ashley's question.

Hallway Conversation: Mike tells Stuart "the doobie line".

Focus Group Meeting: Nikki & Carter drool over the same guy.

Guy Callback: Guy, the name of said hunk, is called back so Nikki & Carter can decipher whether he is gay or not.

Ending Sequence: Guy admits he's gay but has no interest in Carter.

Extra Guest Stars:

Nathan Fillion: Guy

John Bland: Second Reporter

Opening Noise: Football Sounds

Assorted Notes on extra stuff: Not too bad for being a splice job. It will be interesting to see whether or not the result of Nikki's & Carter's Super Bowl bet is brought up. PS (They didn't win.) I was unimpressed on their hidden knowledge of the game and playing down to their stereotypes in front of Mike. However, it was a good sign to see the kitty again. (See Pilot.) As for the other Nikki & Carter plot, I was dissapointed. This could have been done much better, bringing in the rest of the staff to chime in on how they feel. I hope that if they continue to reshoot each Ashley episode, they will have better writing than this week.

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