Writer: Gayle Abrams
Director: Andy Cadiff

Episode Length: 21:46

Guest Stars:

Rating: n/a

Rating:  TV-PG-D

First Broadcast: October 15, 1997

Storyline #1: Why Can't We Be Friends?
Picking up where we left off last week, Laurie is shocked at Mike's "I love you" revelation.  And since she isn't willing to commit to Mike, they feel they must break up.  However, since they've decided to remain friends, the rationalize that they can remain sleeping together.  It works for a while, until Laurie admits she would be willing to commit, to the right guy.  Mike takes this to mean that Laurie wants to commit, just not to him.  He takes it as a slap in the face.   Later on, Laurie comes by to apologize and make up.  But when she finds Jennifer at Mike's, (See Storyline #2), she storms out and leaves him.  At the bar later on, she says her good-byes to the Staff and claims that she might want to commit to Mike later.  But when Mike arrives, the Staff says that his name didn't come up in any conversations.

Storyline #2: A Mayor's First Date
In an attempt to get over his divorce, the Mayor has decided to take up dating.   For his first outing, he chooses the much younger Jennifer to go out with.   The Mayor asks advice on dating from James and Paul, but decides to merely woo her as best he can.  However, once Jennifer meets Mike, she starts to fall for the Deputy Mayor and Mike must deflect her passes in respect for the Mayor.   However, after Mike fights with Laurie, he sits alone and drunk in a limo when Jennifer surprises him with a kiss.  Jennifer makes more of the moment and shows up at Mike's later wearing nothing but lingerie and a trenchcoat.  The Mayor catches Mike with Jennifer and sulks until the new secretary (See Storyline #3) convinces Mayor Winston that he's not so old.

Storyline #3: In-Human Resources
Now that Jannelle is Mayor Winston's secretary, Mike is without one.  Paul fills in less than admirably and is somehow chosen to interview candidates for the position.  (Stuart was in the running but was removed by Mike for obvious harassment reasons.)  A qualified candidate shows up in Stacey Paterno, but Paul tries to nit-pick her so he can remain in the position.  She has impeccable credentials (90 WPM, previous job references, a letter from Al Pacino), and shows up early to schedule a follow-up interview with Paul.  Only when she sweet talks The Mayor and makes Mike coffee does she get the job.

Review: The Goodbye Girl

Overall, a frilly episode.  For the second time in 2 years, Mike says goodbye to a steady flame.  It's a shame that the writers can't think up any new ideas.  This was a much better send-off episode than Criss Cross was with Carla Gugino's departure.  It was also a nice touch with the bar scene at the end where the Staff is sucked into ending the relationship for Mike by not telling him how Laurie feels.  We were able to see how both sides felt, as well as how the Staff reacted.  Easily, the most compelling scene of the year.

Also memorable was the scene in Mike's apartment with everyone showing up and not calling beforehand.  Michael J. Fox once again shows why he's one of the great comedic actors of his generation.  Seeing him stress out over all his visitors and complain about their lack of courtesy was priceless.  Also turning in a fine performance was Barry Bostwick as Mayor Winston.  Usually, he bumbles around and is made to be a bit of a flake.  This outing, however, he had feelings and showed his emotions really well.   His speech about Woolworth's and his "You're not wearing any pant's" were some of Bostwick's best work in the series.

Is it just me, or is Paul getting way too much screen time?  For the fourth week in a row, Paul has had a prominent storyline.  Sure, Richard Kind is funny.  But I'd like to get a glimpse of the rest of the cast as well.

As for the new secretary, I'm sure she will be responsible (along with the new, glammed-up Nikki) to bring up the chick quotient of the show.  Her sly, tough, Brooklyn-laced character is sure to be abrasive and fit in well with the rest of this off-the-wall cast.   Here's hoping that Jannelle finds the time to come back to her old office and say some lines!!!

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.5

Did you notice ...

Top 10 Lines

Back to Episode Guide
Go back to the Spin City Homepage
While you're here, stop in at The Geocities Homepage
Send email to The Spin City In-Box if you like.