"Spin City" (1996) TV series 1996-2002

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Creators:

Gary David Goldberg
Bill Lawrence

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

17 September 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

In this sitcom, Charlie, who takes Mike Flaherty's place in later years, is the Deputy-Mayor of New York City, and his team of half-wits must constantly save the Mayor from embarrassment and the media.

Plot Keywords:

Mayor | New York City | Sitcom | Gay | Satire

Awards:

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 31 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 13	12:00 PM	FX	Toy Story	#5.10
Mon. July 13	12:30 PM	FX	The Perfect Dorm	#5.11

Cast

Richard Kind	...	Paul Lassiter / ... (145 episodes, 1996-2002)
Michael Boatman	...	Carter Heywood / ... (145 episodes, 1996-2002)
Barry Bostwick	...	Mayor Randall M. Winston Jr. / ... (145 episodes, 1996-2002)
Alan Ruck	...	Stuart Bondek (141 episodes, 1996-2002)
Michael J. Fox	...	Mike Flaherty (103 episodes, 1996-2001)
Connie Britton	...	Nikki Faber / ... (86 episodes, 1996-2000)
Alexander Chaplin	...	James Hobert (81 episodes, 1996-2000)
Heather Locklear	...	Caitlin Moore (71 episodes, 1999-2002)
Victoria Dillard	...	Janelle Cooper (69 episodes, 1996-2000)

Also Known As:

"Spin" (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (145 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

In the final episode from last season, another "Family Ties" (1982) reference was that the Michael Gross character told Michael J. Fox's character to pay his secretary, Mallory, on the way out. Mallory was Alex P. Keaton's sister on "Family Ties" (1982).

Quotes:

Deirdre: [to Carter] I have three words for you: Dog. Butt. Firecracker!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: The Rock/AC/DC (#25.15)" (2000)

A barrel of laughs!

Another one of the few sitcoms on TV I find very funny and quite witty. The cast is packed with talented performers. Now, don't get me wrong, Michael J. Fox was great in the role of Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, but Charlie Sheen does just as good a job at replacing the lead role as Deputy Mayor Charlie Crawford. Rarely, do I watch a show where a lead character is replaced by another actor, and that actor is just as good as his/her predecessor. I have nothing against Charlie Sheen, I really appreciate him as an actor. But I was very pessimistic about him filling Fox's shoes. Well, he succeeded with flying colors!

Anyone who has seen "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (one of my all-time favorites) should be familiar with Alan Ruck--who played Cameron Frye, Ferris's anal retentive best friend. He pretty steals the show as the witty, perverted Stuart Bondek. I guess I would say he's my favorite on the show. He definitely brings in the biggest laughs! That episode was classic where he was hired as a screenwriter for porno films. Every time someone would utter any sort of sexual innuendo, he would jot it down on his typewriter. Ruck is a superbly talented comic actor. His facial expressions alone, which reveal exactly what he's thinking, just make you want to crack up.

Michael Boatman is funny in sort of straight role--which is a very ironic statement, being that he's playing a gay character. He never tries too hard for a laugh, yet knows exactly the right timing and delivery. But I did notice a plot hole, concerning his character. In one episode, he's trying desperately to quit smoking. Yet they never showed him smoking in previous episodes. That should be listed in the "goofs" section.

Richard Kind has the goofiest role as Paul, the bumbling speechwriter. I can't imagine anyone playing the part better than him.

Barry Bostwick is also quite funny as the Mayor. His deadpan delivery makes his dialogue all the more funnier.

I have to admit, sometimes the show gets too farcical and out of control. Virtually all sitcoms suffer from this--the characters end up saying or doing something ironic for a cheap laugh, even if it doesn't make sense.

But even though the show has its share of lame gags, I'm often dying with laughter every episode. As goofy as it gets, as senseless as it gets, "Spin City" never fails to make me laugh. The cast is excellent and the writing is often sharp. There's not much more I can ask for. I hope the show continues to be a success and lasts about five more seasons!

My score: 8 (out of 10)