[2-2] Porn in the USA

Writer: Jeff Lowell
Director: Andy Cadiff

Episode Length: 21:30

Guest Stars:

Raquel Welch: Abby

Paula Marshall: Laurie

Peter Jacobsen: Greg

Blance Cannacho: Flower Woman

Rating: n/a

Rating: TV-PG-D

First Broadcast: October 1, 1997

Storyline #1: The XXX Files
Mike is looking for a family values to latch onto and ride for some publicity. He believes he's found it by attacking Local Access Porn. The Staff watch some "out-takes" and Mike gives Stuart a copy as a gift. However, the Administration's credibility is severely hampered when The Mayor is accidentaly browsing in the Porn section at a local video store. A representative of the Porn Industry gets ahold of the tape and threatens Mike to back off of their attacks, or the group will release the tape to the Media. Mike sulks because he's being blackmailed but finds a way out. First, he sends Stuart to distract the Porn Representatives while The Mayor shows the video at a press conference in an attempt to show that video stores should be regulated as well as Local Access Cable. When the "Porn People" arrive, The Mayor has handed out copies of the infamous tape and Mike wins again.

Storyline #2: Fighting For Attention
It seems that Laurie is still going out with Mike. In fact, the episode opens with them returning from their third date. Unfortunately, Mike has a commitment that evening and tries to recruit Nikki to stand in for him. Reluctantly, she agrees. On the date, Nikki is clearly bored and feels out of place until Mike beeps himself and leaves. Then, Nikki and Laurie start to hit it off and become best buds. From there on in, Mike and Nikki vie for Laurie's time as they constantly try to one-up the other in order to spend more time with Laurie. Laurie takes it all in stride, rather grateful for the attention. However, the situation causes tension between Mike and Nikki. The matter is left somewhat unresolved when Laurie goes with Nikki to see "Rent" while Mike stays home cooking.

Storyline #3: Oedipus Paul
Paul has moved back in with his mother since Claudia has kicked him out of his apartment. But when the staff gets a look at Paul's mom (Raquel Welch), they want to move in too. The Staff gives tours to Ms. Lassiter and even goes over to her house for dinner. Paul is unaware of the extra attention, but discovers just how much of a hottie his mom is when confronted by Carter. Paul and Abby later sit down and have a heart-to-heart after Paul's revelation and admits to himself he always knew.

Review: Porn in the USA

Overall, a silicone-injected episode. Both Storyline #2 and Storyline #3 were pretty lame, but the first made up for it. Stuart's dream assignment come true (stalling Porn Actresses) was amazing, and The Mayor actually turned his bumbling into a positive. On the other hand, it left James and Carter with little to do.

Mike's new flame, the aforementioned Laurie, is certainly trying to win her way on the show. As stated in the review for last episode, I feel that Paula Marshall and Michael J. Fox do have chemsitry. However, this lame little story does nothing but give Laurie some interaction with another character. I highly doubt if this remains an issue, even though it went unresolved. Apparently, The Mayor's divorce is final, since the two are going out know. How long will Laurie last? My guess is only a few more weeks. After all, she's not been promoted to a full-time cast member yet.

Speaking of, they really should give Jannelle more to do. Sure, she's a full-time cast member now. But her face-time and storylines haven't changed. If I were Victoria Dillard, I'd demand to give me something to do.

Yeah, Richard Kind is a funny guy. But 3 episodes in a row where Paul is heavily featured? That's a little too much Lassiter for anyone to take. Please find something else for him to do.

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.0

Did you notice ...

ESPN was plugged again, while Comedy Central was not? (The name of the other channel was Comedy Channel.)

Mike has a picture of his mom on his desk?

two of the Porn titles mentioned in the episode?

Woodworking With Bill
Add Momma to the Train

the kids that always hid at Abby's house?
Scotty
Timmy
Frankie
Frankie's Dad
Frankie's Older Brother
Frankie's Clarinet Teacher

Top 10 Lines

10. Stuart: "The Porn People are coming! They're running down the hall. You really should see it. It's amazing!"

9. Nikki: (to Paul) "I can't get from ESPN to the Comedy Channel without some big penis waving in my face."
James: "Where are you watching television?"

8. Mike: "I would think one of the first rules of a power sander is 'Don't do it nude.'"

7. The Mayor: (reading cue cards) "I just want to make sure that material with graphic sexual content is available and seen... (turns card) ...only by those people who specifically want to see it."

6. Stuart: (pleading with 5 porn actresses) "Amber! Tiffany! Amber! Amber! Amber!"

5. Laurie: "If you're gonna get competitive here, the best way to handle this is to buy me gifts."

4. Mike: (to the porn actresses) "I'm Deputy Mayor Michael Flahrety, and I'm going to pretend I don't know who any of you are."

3. Mike: "I have a penis."
Nikki: "Don't make me get my purse."

2. Carter: "Can't you tell if a man is handsome?"
Stuart: "Huh, nice try."

1. Mike: (on the porn industry) "Is lack of exposure really a problem for them?"

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