While I do believe that many will find Kirstie Alley difficult to stomach, taking a shot at her performance here, I think it should be taken into account that her character is purposely offensive, off-putting, and repulsive. She's one of those rag-hounds who will do anything despicable, irredeemable, and inexcusable if it means getting a front page story/headlines needed to secure a mink coat and make it into the big-time as a major league tabloids-journalist. Right out of the chute we see her behind the bushes with her guilt-ridden photographer, Hodie (Andy Summers, who I think properly parlays the grueling professional toll and internal struggle one faces in an industry that requires using your talents to besmirch, destroy, or degrade celebs and pop culture stars), peeping into the personal affairs (sexual, in this case) of a tabloid darling and uncovering a scandalous, incestuous affair. Their morally irresponsible work results in the man's wife committing suicide. Instead of being bothered by the suicide itself, Alley's Jane L has a hissy fit because she didn't break the story of the dead first herself! When Jane L realizes Hodie may have photos of his idol--an acid rocker from the 60s who it was assumed died from a gut shot wound injury while performing on-stage--she's more than a bit excited about a potential story of the rock star staging his death so that his records would soar and thrive because of the notoriety. Instigating an intrusion into the mansion of this rocker will lead her and Hodie to discover what they think is the legendary Billy B (Brad Dourif, doing what he does best, taking the episode clear away from the star when he shows up), but it is in fact his son. Dourif even has an exact replica of the hotel room trashed by Billy B attributable to his last night on stage! Dourif carries on with them as if he were his pops, but this charade doesn't fool Hodie who soon proves he's a fraud, using taped music to mimic Billy B. The rest of the episode has Dourif and his muscle, Watchman (John 'Bear' Curtis) making sure their "visitors" (intruders) are kept from dishing the dirt to a public that would feast on such wacky details as an old man kept alive but unable to truly live thanks to the inability to function without drugs, unable to speak or really coherently carry on a conversation (trust me, Jane L tries to get him to talk!). What awaits Jane L (and Hodie, for that matter, although, in my mind, he got off easy compared to what his employer will continue to suffer) is quite grim indeed. The ending, while a bit off-the-wall, is fitting for the lech that is Jane L.
Review of The Legendary Billy B.
