EPISODES: SEASON FIVE, EPISODE TWO (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about a pair of British television writers trying to make it in Hollywood with the help – and hindrance – of a famous American actor. In this episode, Helen is horrified when the explicit footage of Matt's "encounter" with "The Box" contestant Danika goes viral, and Merc, feigning outrage, declares that Matt should be fired to appease the sponsors and the FCC. Sean shows Beverly the embarrassing clip, and Helen finally gets in touch with Roger, who admits that he has not yet talked to Matt about the problem. Beth finally gets through to Matt, who is characteristically slow on the uptake, and tries to advise him on damage control, while elsewhere Carol frantically tries to hide from her maid, Rosa, whom she has not paid in several weeks. Roger informs Matt that he may have violated the "morals clause" in his contract and cannot afford to lose the job, and Matt ignores Roger's pleas and decides to contact Elliot Salad directly.
Carol ends up "bonding" with Rosa as she despairs over the glory days of her fancy Hollywood career, and though Elliot seems to express understanding about Matt's boorish behavior, he quickly decides to fire him all the same. Elsewhere, Beverly and Sean are frustrated when Tim brings in Anthony Powner Smith, still temporarily paralyzed from his kickboxing incident, to read for a thoroughly inappropriate role on the show. Merc gloats over Matt's firing, happily revealing that he was the one to switch the camera feed, and Matt seeks solace with Beverly and Sean, upset that he will be remembered for this one incident above all else. Merc opens the new episode of "The Box" with a sanctimonious disclaimer, assuring the audience that Matt does not represent the show's aim of "good, clean fun" – but the episode achieves record-high ratings thanks to Matt's scandal, and he is immediately rehired. Seeing his opportunity, Matt agrees to return only if his demands – including a new dramatic series and an office window – are met, much to Merc's anger.
Details
- NETWORK: Showtime
- DATE: November 30, 1999 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:29:12
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 130837
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Television writers; Show business
- SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV series, 2011-2017
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jimmy Mulville … Executive Producer
- David Crane … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Jeffrey Klarik … Executive Producer, Created by, Director, Writer
- Mark Kinsella … Co-Producer
- Andrew Balek … Associate Producer
- Jules Kovisars … Line Producer
- Oli Julian … Music by
- Mark Thomas … Music by
- Matt LeBlanc … Cast, Matt LeBlanc
- Tamsin Greig … Cast, Beverly Lincoln
- Stephen Mangan … Cast, Sean Lincoln
- John Pankow … Cast, Merc Lapidus
- Kathleen Rose Perkins … Cast, Carol Rance
- Mircea Monroe … Cast, Morning Randolph
- Andrea Savage … Cast, Helen Basch
- Joseph May … Cast, Andy Button
- Daisy Haggard … Cast, Myra Licht
- Roger Bart … Cast, Roger Riskin
- Max Curnin … Cast, Kenny
- Rochelle Neil … Cast, Jessica
- Rosie Sansom … Cast, Kelsey
- Sarah Armstrong … Cast, Danika
- Callum Adams … Cast, Jonathan
- Dinesh Sundran … Cast, Rafe
- Sally Tatum … Cast, Lily
- Michael Brandon … Cast, Elliot Salad
- Ella Kenion … Cast, Beth
- Bruce Mackinnon … Cast, Tim Whittick
- Jenna Augen … Cast, Amanda
- Alana Hood … Cast, Writer #1
- Dominic Coleman … Cast, Writer #2
- Peter Hobday … Cast, Writer #3
- Paola Berta … Cast, Rosa
- Christy Meyer … Cast, Casting Director
- Rufus Jones … Cast, Anthony Powner Smith
- Tom Bates … Cast, Stage Manager