[1-9] Meet Tommy Dugan

Writer: Tim Hobert
Producers: Walter Barnett & Jeff Lowell
Director: Lee Shallat Chemel

Episode Length: 21:58
Guest Stars:

Woody Harrelson: Tommy Dugan

Lisa Landon Langford: 1st Reporter

John Bland: 2nd Reporter

David Carlson: 3rd Reporter

Rating:#23 17.5 million viewers 11.8 rating 18 share

First Broadcast: November 12, 1996

Opening sound: The Press

Storyline #1: Kid for the Ages
With the press hammering on the administration for budget cuts, Mike decides to bring in the winner of the public school's "Mayor for a Day" contest. Needless to say, they are surprised to find that the winner is actually a janitor from one of the schools and they are stuck with a grownup. While originally seen to be a problem, "Little" Tommy wins over the press with his personality. All is fine until the budget cuts are announced and Tommy decides to disagree with the cuts which leads to a mess in front of the press. On the other hand though, Tommy continues to win over Nikki and asks her out.

Storyline #2: Point Well Taken
In an ongoing effort to respond to those darn focus groups, The Mayor decides to make some changes in his delivery. He drops his incessant pointing in favor of a soft chop away from the body. And to combat that messy thing about height, a special podium is erected. Unfortunately, Mike cannot use it since it covers him up. Eventually though, Mayor Winston lectures the press on who he is, how he conducts himself, and the confidence in his decisions.

Review: Meet Tommy Dugan

Overall, a "cheery" episode. [By the way, next week on Spin City: Cliff the mailman!!!] Just kidding. Woody Harrelson was tons better than George Wednt but I hope the gang from Boston decides to stop holding reunions on the show. Seriously though, this week's script (Laugh at the dumb guy) turned out to be a whole lot better than last week's. (Be mean to the evil guy.) Not too much in the way of a second storyline, but the enitire episode flowed well. Nice job.

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 3.5

Did you notice ...

there were more sight gags than usual? (Nikki's signs, the podium)

the focus groups from a A Star is Born return?

Tommy is from PS 423 in Brooklyn?

the reporters used in the press room are the same as in previous episodes?

Paul thought up a program called "Muffins with the Mayor?"

Top 10 Lines

10. Tommy: "God, he's a tall one isn't he?"

9. The Mayor: (to a reporter) "That wasn't a question."

8. Tommy: (on his proposals) "Disregard the mandatory 40% tip for bartenders. It was late and I was getting free drinks."

7. Mike: "According to this, next he's got a City Hall guided toor, hand then a pony ride, then a nap."

6. Mike: "Trust us. You'll get your certificate. You'll get that photo of you on the Mayor's lap."

5. Mike: "We'll parade him in front of the press, get a few photo ops, and we'll release him back into society while on his way to becoming a cynical, dissolusioned adult."

4. The Mayor: "I'm not making any promises."
Mike: "They like that about you."

3. Tommy: "How would you like to tell all these reporters they don't have to come in tomorrow?"
Mike: "Oh Tommy. If only I had the power."

2. Tommy: "This is a bum deal, even if they do get to keep the orange vests."

1. Nikki: "Is our Mayor for the Day married?"
Mike: "I don't know. Paul, maybe that's a good one for next year's questionaire. Right after 'Are you a grown man?'"

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