- NewsRadio (season 4)
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NewsRadio Season 4 Country of origin USA No. of episodes 22 Broadcast Original channel NBC Original run September 23, 1997 – May 13, 1998 Season chronology ← Previous
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NewsRadio (season 5)This is a detailed list of NewsRadio episodes from the fourth season. See List of NewsRadio episodes for a complete list of all NewsRadio episodes.
Episodes
# Title Directed by Written by Original air date Prod. code 54 (1) "Jumper" Tom Cherones Paul Simms September 23, 1997 401 Bill tries to save a suicidal man standing on the ledge outside of Dave's office. Guest stars Jon Lovitz as Mike Johnson, and Ivan Allen, Jr. as Newsman.
Note: This is the second appearance of Jon Lovitz on NewsRadio. He played the part of a mental patient in season three's Our Fiftieth Episode.55 (2) "Planbee" Tom Cherones Brian Kelley September 30, 1997 402 Mr. James brings in Andrea, an efficiency expert, to bring some order to WNYX. The staff tries to protect Matthew from being fired. Bill auditions for a television news anchor job. Guest stars Scott Valentine as Producer, Charlotte Booker as Makeup Artist, John Vosler as Painter. Returning characters Lauren Graham as Andrea, and Michael Kostroff as Carl.
Note: NBC asked the producers of NewsRadio to bring in another female character, in order to "spice up" the show, and they hired Lauren Graham to do four episodes.56 (3) "The Public Domain" Tom Cherones Joe Furey October 29, 1997 404 Andrea tries to replace Dave with a bland, laconic executive named Steve. Bill decides to embark on a piano act, performing satirical songs about politics and angering Dave in the process. Mr. James brings a documentary crew to the station. Matthew continues to lobby Dave for his old job. Guest stars Paul Gleason as Steve Johnson, Peter Spellos as Camera Guy, and Cheryl Kirby as Passenger. Lauren Graham returns as Andrea.
Note: As revealed in this episode's DVD commentary, this episode is entitled "The Public Domain" because the songs Bill played on the piano were all in the public domain: When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again; Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star; Row, Row, Row Your Boat; etc.
Note: Also in the commentary, the producers and writers noted that "The Public Domain" marked the point where NewsRadio lost all connection with reality and more or less became a cartoon.
Note: It was also revealed in the commentary that Phil Hartman (Bill McNeal) could not play the piano.57 (4) "Super Karate Monkey Death Car" Tom Cherones Josh Lieb November 4, 1997 403 Mr. James hosts a bookstore reading of his newly-republished autobiography, which he had translated back into English because it was a bestseller in Japan; but he finds that Jimmy James: Capitalist Lion Tamer is now titled Jimmy James: Macho Business Donkey Wrestler and is full of bizarre turns of phrase. Andrea subjects the staff to polygraph tests, which leads to Lisa revealing her extensive criminal record. Guest stars Dave Allen as Lackey, Mark Conley as Pilot, Zuhair Haddad as Maitre d', Brian Posehn as Fan, Ron Jeremy as Fan, and Michael Raysses as Technician. Lauren Graham returns as Andrea. 58 (5) "French Diplomacy" Tom Cherones Drake Sather November 11, 1997 405 Bill's editorials become more than Lisa can handle. Dave breaks up with Lisa because he thinks the relationship will hurt them at work. Andrea, who is hurt that she didn't know about the relationship, helps Lisa get revenge by making her the boss and making Dave Bill's producer. Guest stars Nancy Bell as Brandi, and Edith Barnes as Mrs. Barnes. Lauren Graham returns as Andrea.
Note: This is Lauren Graham's last appearance on NewsRadio.59 (6) "Pure Evil" Tom Cherones Teleplay by: Paul Simms
Story by: Brian Kelley & Lewis MortoNovember 18, 1997 407 Dave plots against Lisa to get his job back by goading Bill to do fake interviews of President Clinton on the air. Matthew starts sleeping in Lisa's office. Guest stars George Dobesh as Senator, and Grace Morley as Cindy.
Note: Phil Hartman had previously impersonated Clinton on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.60 (7) "Catherine Moves On" Tom Cherones Josh Lieb & Paul Simms November 25, 1997 408 Catherine announces she is leaving WNYX. The rest of the staff offer Mr. James their versions of how Catherine quit and why, colored by their own perceptions. Joe makes one last attempt to get with Catherine. Note: This episode features the Hamburglar character (the Sneaky Thief) that is referenced so often in DVD commentaries. This episode also features the "Matthews Dream/Big Mudd" scene, where Matthew's retelling of the events turns into a dream he recently had, where he and Bill were floating down the Mississippi river, fishing for Dave.
Note: The opening titles of the show have been re-edited so that Catherine is featured with everybody. She is shown slapping various male members of the cast in the face.61 (8) "Stupid Holiday Charity Talent Show" Tom Cherones Alan J. Higgins December 16, 1997 409 Mr. James offers to give Matthew his job back if WNYX wins the New York Holiday Charity Talent Show, so that he can win a bet with Ted Turner. Dave reveals a new talent - knife-throwing. Bill plays piano for Beth while she sings "Makin' Whoopee", and attempts to coach her in her singing. Ultimately, Matthew takes the stage as a ventriloquist, and his pathetic act wins him the contest on a sympathy vote, getting him his job back. Guest stars Kevin McDonald as Throwdini, and Tom Parks as Emcee.
Note: In the commentary for this episode, Dave's hidden talents are discussed. Some of them are: Tap Dancing, Knife Throwing, Ventriloquism, Stargate Defender, Jelly making, Animal Husbandry, Star Wars Trivia, and U.S State Trivia.62 (9) "The Secret of Management" Tom Cherones Lewis Morton January 1, 1998 406 Bill hires a butler. Lisa asks Mr. James to teach her "The Secret of Management". Matthew is depressed. Guest stars Ian Abercrombie as Cadbury, and Mary Lynn Rajskub as Waitress. Note: The background of the opening credits is replaced by a scene where Matthew gets in a fight with a security guard outside The Today Show window.
Note: Bill's butler is named Cadbury, which is also the name of Richie Rich's butler.
Note: The walk-around characters at Petey the Pirate's Funtime Pizza Palace are Bumblelion and Moosel from the Disney Channel series The Wuzzles.63 (10) "Look Who's Talking" Tom Cherones Joe Furey January 6, 1998 412 Bill decides that he wants to adopt a child. Lisa grows jealous because Bill has a natural rapport with children which she lacks, but Dave comes to think Bill will be a great father. Mr James takes part in a bachelor auction for charity, and rents a duchess title for Beth so that she can bid on him. Joe accompanies her, acting as her homosexual limo driver. Guest stars Denise Dowse as Adoption Agent, Judy Geeson as Auctioneer, Lynn A. Henderson as Mother #1, Clarinda Ross as Mother #2, Patricia Place as Rich Woman, Logan Craig O'Brien as Charlie, Jim Hanna as Husband, Kate Gladfelter as Wife, and Reed Rudy as Rich Guy. 64 (11) "Chock" Tom Cherones Sam Johnson & Chris Marcil January 13, 1998 410 It is Dave's 32nd birthday, and the other members of his college a cappella group show up at WNYX to reform the group. Guest stars Bob Odenkirk as Bob, David Cross as David, and Brian Posehn as Brian.
Note: Odenkirk, Cross, and Posehn were all cast members and writers on Mr. Show, which was still on the air when this episode aired. All three had previously appeared on the show in separate episodes as different characters.65 (12) "Who's the Boss? (1)" Gregg Heschong Josh Lieb January 20, 1998 411 Lisa is tired of being the boss and Dave doesn't want the job. They decide to "punish" Bill by making him the boss in order to teach him a lesson after his insubordinate behavior. Most of the office comes to believe Bill is a great boss after he gives pointless tasks to Matthew and Beth. 66 (13) "Who's the Boss? (2)" Tom Cherones Brian Kelley February 3, 1998 413 Mr. James decides to let the staff vote between Dave and Lisa to determine who will be the boss, though they are both open about not wanting the job throughout the entire election. Matthew runs for floor fire marshal. Joe's brothers show up and create mayhem. Guest stars Bryan Callen as Russ Garreli, Nick DiPaolo as Jack Garreli, and Robert Hegyes as Sal Garreli. Michael Kostroff returns as Carl.
Note: Nick DiPaolo also appears on Joe Rogan's comedy album I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday. He plays Mikey in the "Getting Pumped" skit at the beginning of the album.67 (14) "Security Door" Tom Cherones Teleplay by: Sam Johnson & Chris Marcil
Story by: Joe Furey & Lewis MortonFebruary 24, 1998 415 Dave has a security door installed at the station. Everyone immediately circumvents the door. 68 (15) "Big Brother" Judi Elterman Lewis Morton March 3, 1998 414 Matthew gets involved in a mix-up at the Big Brother program. Bill tries to get Dave jealous by telling him that Lisa is dating somebody else. Guest stars Michael Buchman Silver as Danny, and Mike Colt as Guard. 69 (16) "Beep, Beep" Tom Cherones Alan J. Higgins March 18, 1998 416 Mr. James gives Matthew a small battery-powered car for his birthday, and tries to get Dave and Lisa back together so that they can be more productive. Guest stars Antoinette Valente as Mary. 70 (17) "Balloon" Tom Cherones Teleplay by:Josh Lieb
Story by: Joe Furey & Paul SimmsMarch 25, 1998 417 Mr. James decides that he needs to fly around the world in a hot air balloon in order to prove his machismo to the other billionaires. Guest stars Dave Nemeth as TV Anchor. 71 (18) "Copy Machine" Joe Furey Drake Sather April 8, 1998 418 Ted from accounting is killed by the copy machine and Joe feels responsible. Dave has trouble dealing with his grief over the death even though he didn't know Ted, and Ted's former college roommate comes to the office to talk to the staff about their memories of Ted, in preparation for his eulogy. Guest stars Tom Gallop as Jack, and Christopher Randolph as Paramedic. 72 (19) "Monster Rancher" Tom Cherones Teleplay by: Sam Johnson & Chris Marcil
Story by: Brian Kelley & Lewis MortonApril 15, 1998 419 Mr. James makes Dave hire his nephew Walt. Dave resents it at first, but Walt is genuinely interested in radio, and has been obsessed with Dave's radio career since seeing him speak in junior high. Dave is touched and begins to give advice to Walt, which soon backfires when Walt reveals his crush on Lisa. Bill feels threatened by Walt's youth and good looks. Matthew asks Lisa out on a date, and she has trouble not hurting his feelings. Brad Rowe returns as Walt. 73 (20) "4:20" Judi Elterman Paul Simms April 28, 1998 420 Mr. James invites the WNYX staff to a smoker at his men's club, where Matthew and Joe will participate in a no holds barred Ultimate Fight. Walt's crush on Lisa bothers Bill more than it does Dave. Guest stars David Dunard as Referee, and Brad Rowe returns as Walt. 74 (21) "Jackass Junior High" Tom Cherones Teleplay by: Joe Furey & Alan J. Higgins
Story by: Drake Sather & Paul SimmsMay 6, 1998 421 Beth is out sick and Lisa is the only woman working in the station. The guys see this as a license to be vulgar, because they think of Lisa as "one of the guys". Bill becomes worried the people don't think he is funny. Mr. James discovers a tax loophole and turns the station into a historic landmark, as long as they host six tours a day. Guest stars Mark Jonathan Davis as Himself, Jonelle Kennedy as Cheryl, Michelle Benes as Tour Woman, Doug Gochman as Tourist #1, Allan Murray as Tourist #2, Grady Hutt as Teenager, and Mathew Weiss as Kid. Brad Rowe returns as Walt.
Note: Vicki Lewis was not in this episode; she was away working on Godzilla.75 (22) "Sinking Ship" Tom Cherones Teleplay by: Joe Furey, Brian Kelley, Josh Lieb, & Sam Johnson
Story by: Chris Marcil, Lew Morton, Drake Sather, & Paul SimmsMay 13, 1998 422 Another "what if" episode that places Newsradio on the Titanic. Guest stars Emil Alexander as Porter, and Brad Rowe returns as Walt.
Note: Vicki Lewis does not appear in this episode, and she is not included in the specially-created opening credits. Her absence was noted at the end of the show, when the audience is told that she was in Toronto working on Godzilla. She does, however, appear on the DVD commentary.
Note: The show's producers were always concerned that NBC would not pick up NewsRadio for another season, so they felt that "Sinking Ship" was an apt title for the season finale.
Note: This episode was Hartman's final appearance on the show. He was killed by his wife two weeks after this episode aired.Paul Simms · Episodes Categories:- 1997 television seasons
- 1998 television seasons
- Lists of sitcom television series episodes
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