SPIN CITY: DEAD DOG TALKING {THIRD SEASON PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about the Deputy Mayor of New York City and his co-workers at City Hall as they deal with problems both professional and personal. The mayor is running for re-election and wants to hold a speech at the Central Park Zoo. Paul has a foot injury which necessitates he take time off, but he reveals to Stacey that he's faking it and repeatedly taunts her with how he'll never be caught. Carter arrives with his 19-year old family dog Rags, whom Carter refuses to put to sleep despite the dog's advanced age. Rags repeatedly attempts to commit suicide. At the zoo, Michael notices a baby carriage rolling into the sea lion exhibit and attempts to stop it, only to end up in the exhibit himself. A nameless stranger stops the carriage, but he doesn't want attention and flees, leaving the baby's mother and the surrounding reporters to believe that Michael saved the baby. Michael is proclaimed a hero by the newspapers and revels in the newfound attention and praise. James expresses a personal respect and hero-worship for Michael, which makes Michael feel guilty about the whole thing. Carter and Stuart get into an argument over one of Stuart's posters and he claims it is the last straw and he is leaving. Michael shows up at their place drunk and desperately seeking assurance from them. He helps Carter realize that he doesn't treat Stuart as an equal and Carter goes after him. Michael is left alone with Rags, who apparently speaks to Michael, asking him to assist in his suicide. Rags also advises that Michael tell the truth about the incident with the baby carriage. At a press conference, Michael reveals the truth and defends his actions. Stacey takes away Paul's crutches and nearly exposes his charade, but in desperation Paul deliberately injures his foot. Michael speaks to the mayor later about the incident with the baby carriage and notes that, while comfortable in his job "behind the scenes," he often wonders what it would be like to pursue other things. Michael seemingly learns his lesson, but the mayor gets him in a publicity photo with Heidi Klum, which goes awry. The episode ends as Carter and Stuart compromise with each other and Rags makes another suicide attempt. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 22, 1998 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:54574
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; LGBT Collection
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1996-2002
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV – Commercials – "Antz" motion picture
- TV – Commercials – "Holy Man" motion picture
- TV – Commercials – "Practical Magic" motion picture
- TV – Commercials – AT&T networking
- TV – Commercials – Carl's Jr. restaurants
- TV – Commercials – Children's Advil pain relief
- TV – Commercials – Crest toothpaste
- TV – Commercials – Frosted Cheerios breakfast cereal
- TV – Commercials – J. C. Penney department stores
- TV – Commercials – Kraft foods
- TV – Commercials – Pantene Pro-V hairspray
- TV – Commercials – Pentium computer processors
- TV – Commercials – Philips television
- TV – Promos – "20/20"
- TV – Promos – "Cupid"
- TV – Promos – "Dharma & Greg"
- TV – Promos – "Executive Decision"
- TV – Promos – "Sports Night"
- TV – Promos – "The Drew Carey Show"
- TV – Promos – "Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place"
CREDITS
- Bill Lawrence … Executive Producer, Created by
- Michael J. Fox … Executive Producer
- David Rosenthal … Co-Executive Producer
- Steve Rose … Producer
- Amy Cohen … Producer
- Michelle Nader … Producer
- Tom Hertz … Co-Producer, Writer
- Gayle Abrams … Co-Producer
- Brian Buckner … Co-Producer
- Sebastian Jones … Co-Producer
- Tim Hobert … Co-Producer
- Kirk J. Rudell … Co-Producer
- Randall Winston … Associate Producer
- Andy Cadiff … Supervising Producer, Director
- Stephen Godchaux … Supervising Producer
- Danelle Black … Consulting Producer
- Gary David Goldberg … Created by
- Shelly Palmer … Music by
- Spin Doctors … Theme Music by
- Michael J. Fox … Cast, Michael Flaherty
- Richard Kind … Cast, Paul Lassiter
- Alan Ruck … Cast, Stuart Bondek
- Michael Boatman … Cast, Carter Heywood
- Connie Britton … Cast, Nikki Faber
- Alexander Chaplin … Cast, James Hobert
- Victoria Dillard … Cast, Janelle
- Jennifer Esposito … Cast, Stacey Paterno
- Barry Bostwick … Cast, The Mayor
- Heidi Klum … Cast, Herself
- Conan O'Brien … Cast, Conan
- Stewart J. Zully … Cast, First Reporter
- Sue Jin Song … Cast, Second Reporter
- Lannyl Stephens … Cast, Mother