Television

In this made-for-cable TV drama, Lt. Jake Robbins (Kris Kristofferson) was presumed to have been killed in action during the Vietnam War. His wife, Sarah (JoBeth Williams) and his son were forced to get on with their lives; however when Jake turns up in Thailand many years later with a Cambodian wife and two children, the two families must struggle to deal with this complication. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

The first season of The Dick Van Dyke Show finds all the familiar ingredients firmly in place, even if they haven't completely jelled yet. Dick Van Dyke is given ample opportunity to show off his genius for physical comedy in the role of Rob Petrie, head writer for TV's "The Alan Brady Show." Morey Amsterdam is already delivering a fully-rounded characterization as Rob's coworker, "human joke machine" Buddy Sorrell, while Rose Marie has got a lock on her character as Rob's other coworker, bachelor gal Sally Rogers, a heady combination of salty sarcasm and wistful pathos (especially in her efforts to land the "perfect fella"). Additionally, Larry Mathews is as good as he'll ever be as Rob's son, Ritchie Petrie. Curiously, Mary Tyler Moore plays the role of Rob's wife, Laura, as a much younger, more petulant and less mature character than she'd be in subsequent seasons, as indicated by the fact that Rob refers to her as "Laurie" in many scenes. Also, she isn't given much of an opportunity to display her own considerable comic prowess -- with the spectacular exception of her riotous performance in the episode "The Blonde-Haired Brunette," in which she goes into hysterics while trying to explain to her husband why her hair has been dyed half-blonde, half-brown. (Significantly, Mary Tyler Moore has cited this as her favorite episode.) And to a lesser extent, Laura Petrie is showcased in "The Curious Thing About Women," wherein she comes to grief by trying to peek into a mysterious package that has been delivered to Rob (it contains an inflatable life raft).

Interestingly, in the last-mentioned episode, semi-regular Ann Morgan Guilbert (as Millie Helper) is very obviously pregnant; however, nothing is ever said again about her condition or its possible outcome. Like Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Deacon hasn't completely gotten a handle his character, "Alan Brady Show" producer Mel Cooley during season one. In fact, he comes off as something of a comic villain, superciliously putting down the literary efforts of the writing staff, and thus fully deserving of the insults laden upon him by quick-witted Buddy Sorrell. In later years, Mel would mellow into a more likeable character, as the role of heavy was shifted to boss Alan Brady (who is never seen full-face during the first season, though he is obviously being played by series creator Carl Reiner). Of the series' first 30 episodes, several stand out, most notably "I Am My Brother's Keeper" and "The Sleeping Brother," which comprise a two-part story introducing the character of Rob's neurotic brother Stacey Petrie -- played by Dick Van Dyke's brother Jerry Van Dyke. Literally dying in a suicidal Tuesday-night slot opposite Laramie and Bachelor Father, The Dick Van Dyke Show might have completely disappeared from view after its first season had not one of its sponsors picked up the series for a second year -- and in the bargain, insisted that CBS locate a better time slot. (Which it definitely did!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A struggling human interest columnist finds a simple scrap of paper with a profound message may be the key to saving her column from cancellation in this inspirational, made for television drama starring Genie Francis and Ted McGinley. Peyton MacGruder (Francis) is the "Heart Healer" columnist for the local Middleborough Times newspaper. It's Christmas time, and just as the crew of Flight 848 reports a minor electrical problem, Peyton is summoned to her editor's office for a serious discussion about the future of the "Heart Healer" column. According to the results of a recent reader's survey, the "Heart Healer" column was voted the least interesting item that the paper had to offer, and as a result Peyton is about to get the axe. Just as Peyton's editor warns the writer to improve her standing with readers of hit the pavement, word breaks in the newsroom that Flight 848 has crashed, killing everyone aboard. King Danville, Peyton's friend and colleague at the paper, has lost a dear friend in the crash. Pondering whether or not the passengers realized they were going to die while drowning his sorrows at the local sports bar, King wonders aloud whether they had time to say goodbye to their loved ones, half-jokingly suggesting that Peyton work the concept into her failing column. The following day, Peyton is jogging along the beach when she spies smarmy television reporter Truman Harris interrupting a memorial service for the victims, all the while struggling to find an angle that doesn't seem exploitative. That angle arrives in the form of a note that Peyton finds during another walk along the coast. Sealed inside a small plastic bag half filled with cookie crumbs is a note to "T" from "Dad." Peyton is deeply moved by the heartfelt note, and vows to use the "Heart Healer" column as a means for getting the note to its intended recipient. In order to do so, however, Peyton will be forced to contend with her television counterpart Harris, a tactless reporter whose penchant for sensationalizing a story is only matched by his willingness to resort to underhanded tactics in order to take sole credit for all of Peyton's hard work. And while tracking down "T" proves no easy task, Peyton quickly discovers that her latest story truly resonates with readers upon being informed by her publisher that her "Heart Healers" column has gained a loyal following across the country. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

While Terry is out walking Ace, Bruce Wayne's dog, Ace savagely attacks a suspicious-looking man on the street and then runs away. When Bruce traces the serial number on the man's gun, he discovers the man is none other than Ronny Boxer, a longtime purveyor of illegal sports, including dog sports. Boxer is also Ace's former owner; Bruce took him in when Boxer's dog-fighting ring was busted by the police. While Terry goes undercover to get close to Boxer, Bruce looks for Ace, all the while wondering exactly what Boxer did to Ace in the past. (Original air date: August 19, 2000.) ~ Emru Townsend, All Movie Guide

Jared's stepfather, Jim "Big Jim" Tate, is a top weapons designer who likes to splurge his considerable salary on his family. When he's laid off from Wayne-Powers and hard up for work, he starts designing new weapons illegally for foreign governments. In order to steal the plans and parts he needs, he puts an array of untested weapons and his Special Forces training to use and becomes an unstoppable one-man army: Armory. Original air date: March 11, 2000. ~ Emru Townsend, All Movie Guide