BROOKLYN BRIDGE: ON THE ROAD (TV)

Summary

One in this dramatic series about a middle-class Jewish family living in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1950ws.

In this episode, Sylvia prepares to take Alan to Greenwich Village to hear Jack Kerouac read from his new book at a coffeehouse. Sylvia admits that she hopes Alan will be inspired to become a writer. Nicholas, Benny, and the rest of the neighborhood regulars express their surprise at the excursion. Later, elderly neighbor Rose takes Sophie to task for allowing such a "dangerous" trip.

Once at the coffeehouse, Sylvia introduces Alan to her friends, all of whom are shocked to learn that it's Alan's first visit to Manhattan. Meanwhile, Rose's words haunt Sylvia, resulting in her convincing Jules to join her in retrieving Alan. Meanwhile, Jack cancels his appearance, after which Sylvia takes the spotlight to read her latest writing. She cajoles Alan onto the stage to play bongo drums, despite his lack of experience. The two finish their act just as Sophie and Jules arrive.

To see Sylvia's horror, her friend Madeline invites Jules and Sophie to stay, and they soon find themselves taking part in an in-depth debate about God, morality, and the nature of existence. Later, the discussion turns to American lynchings and Russian pogroms, inspiring Sophie and Jules to sing a Russian lament, ultimately making Sylvia proud of them.

Back in Brooklyn, Phyllis gets home from a screening of "Moby Dick" with Willie and Miriam. While Willy debates Gregory Peck's performance as the "villainous" Captain Ahab, Nathaniel tells his mother about the trek to Greenwich Village. As Nicholas makes matters worse with his talk of New York City gangsters, Sophie finishes her song at the coffeehouse, just as Jack makes a dramatic entrance. Jack compliments her, but Sophie simply chastises him for tardiness.

Later, the group arrives home and Sophie tells Phyllis of her follow-up conversation with Jack. Upon departing for her own apartment, Sylvia makes Sophie admit that she had fun. Finally, Alan asks Sylvia about her future. She admits to being scared since splitting up with Joel, but says that "feeling safe isn't all it's cracked up to be." Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: CBS
• DATE: February 5, 1992 8:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:21:37
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:86536
• GENRE: Drama
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Marriage
• SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1991-1993
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Gary David Goldberg … Executive Producer, Created by
• Seth Freeman … Supervising Producer
• Sam Weisman … Supervising Producer, Director
• Alice West … Producer
• Brad Hall … Producer
• Craig Zisk … Co-Producer
• Theresa Rebeck … Writer
• David McHugh … Music by
• Marvin Hamlisch … Theme Music by
• Alan Bergman … Theme Music by
• Marilyn Bergman … Theme Music by
• Marion Ross … Cast, Sophie Berger
• Danny Gerard … Cast, Alan Silver
• Louis Zorich … Cast, Jules Berger
• Amy Aquino … Cast, Phyllis Berger Silver
• Peter Friedman … Cast, George Silver
• Matthew Louis Siegel … Cast, Nathaniel Silver
• Jake Jundef … Cast, Benny Belinski
• Adam LaVorgna … Cast, Nicholas Scamperelli
• Natalie Nogulich … Cast, Aunt Miriam
• Alan Blumenfeld … Cast, Uncle Willy
• Carol Kane … Cast, Sylvia
• Wendy Gazelle … Cast, Madeline
• Scott Smith … Cast, Bobby
• K. Todd Freeman … Cast, Scoot
• Laurel Cronin … Cast, Rose
• Tom Kurlander … Cast, Jack Kerouac
• Jodie Markell … Cast, Phoebe
• S. Kyle Parker … Cast, James
• Gregory Peck