[1-3] The Apartment

Writer: Bill Lawrence
Producer: Walter Barnett
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel

Episode Length: 21:58

Guest Stars:

Victoria Dillard: Janelle

Michael Goldfinger: First Union Guy

Sam Stern: Second Union Guy

John Scurti: Reporter

Avery Glymph: Second Reporter

Eric Slovin: Man in Hallway

Rating:#7 22.9 million viewers 15.8 rating 25 share

First Broadcast: October 1, 1996

Opening sound: Rattling trash cans

Storyline #1: Garbage Strike, Part Deux
This storyline is a continuation of the thread from the pilot episode involving the strike by the member's of the garbage union. When the episode opens, trash is piling up in cans around the city. Later on, we get a glimpse of the ongoing negotiations, the main sticking points be that the garbage men want badges and they want a pay increase of 8.3% while the city is only willing to give 8.29%. These negotiations are keeping Mike and Ashley apart before they can finish moving into their new apartment. Even Paul is left speechless as he struggles to find ways to think up something different each day as the strike rages on. After not being able to see each other for about a week, Mike and Ashley become desparate. Never fear, however, as the two sides finally agree to a compromise, 8.29999%. While the rest of the city celebrates, Mike and Ashley finally get to spend a quiet night alone together.

Storyline #2: The Taming of the Stuart
Due to the ongoing garbage negotiations, Mike must concentrate on the barganing table. So, he leaves Stuart to fill the shoes of Deputy Mayor during the duration. After botching a motivational speech from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Mike comes in and diagrams a play to get everyone working. But Stuart's only contribution is to schedule The Mayor to make a speech at a dump site currently filled with garbage due to the strike. During the speech, The Mayor faints and vomits. At first, Mike wants to fire Stuart but later has a change of heart and lets Stuart fill in for him at the congratulatory press conference while Mike heads home to Ashley.

Review: The Apartment

Overall, a nifty episode. Lots of staff time, little home life, although it was a plot device. Much of the show was developing Stuart, a suck-up buying his time, and Carter, the witty homosexual. The show got a little slow at the end tring to wrap up loose ends. The forgiving of Stuart was a little contrived and the end of the strike came out of nowhere. However, the episode was a great example of the show's potential. If the show continues on this trend, the show has a great future.

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.5

Did you notice ...

this episode was a continuation of the pilot?

Paul's last name is Lassiter?

Mr. Sabatino, so prominently mentioned in the pilot, was nowhere to be found?

the signs at the speech read "Fair Wage Increases" & "Wage Increase Now!"?

Top 10 Lines

10. Paul: "Put me in Mike!" (to the diagramed play)

9. Mike: "That's food. That's good for you. That's fiber. Eat it."

8. Mike: "Concerned Citizens?"
Carter: "Schmoozed and Snoozin'."

7. Paul: "We are extremely 'hopetamistic'."

6. James: (when Mike asks for his report) "Do I have to go after Carter?"

5. Carter: "Very attractive woman, if you're into that sort of thing."

4. Carter: "I'm over here in the Circle of You've got to be Kidding Me."

3. Mike: "We even countered our own offer."

2. Second Union Guy: "We don't want people passing themselves off as garbagemen.

1. Mike: (to Carter) "Tell me you don't have to listen to 'How's my outfit?' and I'm switching sides."

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