[1-1] Pilot
Up [1-1] Pilot [1-2] The Great Pretender [1-3] The Apartment [1-4] Pride & Prejudice [1-5] The Rivals [1-6] A Star is Born [1-7] Grand Illusions [1-8] The High and the Mighty [1-9] Meet Tommy Dugan [1-10] The Competitors [1-11] Dog Day Afternoon [1-12] Criss Cross [1-13] Bye Bye Love [1-14] Starting Over [1-15] Gabby's Song [1-16] Kiss Me, Stupid [1-17] An Affair to Remember [1-18] Snowbound [1-19] Striptease [1-20] Deaf Becomes Her [1-21] Hot in the City [1-22] Bone Free [1-23]The Mayor who came to Dinner [1-24] Mayor over Miami

Writers: Gary David Goldberg & Bill Lawrence
Producer: Linda Nieber
Director: Thomas Schalmme


Episode Length: 23:00
Guest Stars:

Taylor Stanley: Karen
Victoria Dillard: Janelle

Rating:#6 25.88 million viewers 17.9 rating 25 share

First Broadcast: September 17,1996

Opening sound: n/a

 

Storyline #1: Drunken Fools
While giving a mini-press conference on the impending garbage strike, TheMayor lets loose a soundbite that haunts Mike & the staff. Challenged by the Mayor's slighting of the gay community, Mike must find a gay member of the staff. Originally, Mike wants James to "play gay." However, AIDS Activist Carter Heywood catches Mike's eye while giving a press conference. Mike then procedes to hire Carter in order to put out the publicity fires.

Storyline #2: Living Arrangements
While spending a quiet night at home, Ashley informs Mike that she hasgiven up her apartment and more or less moved in. Mike had no idea. He resonds, "So, ... We live together?" Obviously, he is distraught over this new-found commitment which leaves him speechless. Through the course of the show, Mike goes on to give up his apartment as well and the couple decide to start over in a new place.

 

Review: Pilot

Overall, a fine beginning. I would have enjoyed a better introduction to the staff than simple names and jobs, but considering the circumstances, I understand. Great technichal production of the show. The constant trips through the "halls" symbolized the constant, hurried pace of politics. Another nice feature was only sparse views of the Mayor. This gave Mike more control, both in time and possibly substance. Only time will tell. Another possible story to watch. The Mayor referrenced that he "bird-dogged" a little in his day. A future sex-scandal? I'm sure if it is, we'll see it during sweeps week. Another question: Who are all the people in Mike's office at the beginning? I hope all of those people don't become characters.

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.5

 

Did you notice ...

the janitor was named Skippy? (old character on Family Ties)
the Associate Producer of the show is Randall Winston, namesake of the Mayor?
there was no intro noise during the opening?
there was no intro music into the Third Act?
when re-aired, the last scene, with Mike and Ashley on the couch, was ommitted?

 

 

Top 10 Lines

10. The Mayor: (the infamous soundbyte)  "What are you drunk?"
9. Mike: (to Ashley)  "We live together?"
8. Mike: (answering the garbage question) "We're #1!"
7. Mike: (to Ashley)  "Where do I live?"
6. Mike: (to Carter) "What can I say? You're hired!"
5. Mike: (after telling Paul the truth)  "$10 in the kitty, James."
4. Mike: "Anyone who tells Paul the truth puts $10 in the kitty."
3. Mike: "Do not have the unmitigated audacity, two very big words,..."
2. James: (after line #10) I didn't write that Mike."
1. Mike: "Tap into your dark side where violence reigns and terror cracks the whip."
    Karen: "Okee-dokee."

 

 

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