LOVE & WAR: LOVE IS HELL {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The first in this comedy series about the staff and regulars of the Blue Shamrock, a Manhattan restaurant. In this episode, opinion columnist Jack Stein sports a bloody nose, souvenir of a reader displeased with his article about the superiority of Japanese technology. He chats with Shamrock regulars Meg and Ray, and they, along with the grumpy bartender Ike, are surprised when an upscale-looking woman, Wallis "Wally" Porter, enters the bar. They speculate about her story and Jack attempts to hit on her, though she is not impressed, revealing that she is very newly single and just lost her uptown restaurant in the divorce. She knows of Jack's column and declares that she could turn "this dump" around if she purchased the place, and to the patrons' great surprise, Ike begins haggling with her and quickly sells her the restaurant. In the morning, Wally is horrified at her impulsive actions, particularly when Ike outlines all the restaurant's problems, and she agrees to keep him on as a consultant of sorts for a fee.
Jack arrives with flowers, admitting that he is intrigued by Wally, and ends up asking her to dinner at his place later that night. Despite her reservations, she agrees, and later that night, he cooks as she hovers outside his apartment, both of them nervous. Matters progress awkwardly at first, but they find they have more in common than they previously thought, and they discuss their former relationships. Jack is particularly appalled that Wally married an actor, and he admits that he has never been married before they share a kiss. Wally then spontaneously proposes sex, which flusters Jack, but after some clumsy discussion of prophylactics, during which she also reveals that her husband had an affair, and they decide to end the date early instead. Jack, however, admits that he is "crazy about her." Later, Wally attempts to fix up the Blue Shamrock, and the regulars worry about the new changes she is bringing to their favorite haunt. Meg comments on Wally's date with Jack so soon after her divorce, and Kip, Wally's ex, suddenly appears looking for her. He reveals that he landed the coveted role of Stanley Kowalski and wanted to tell her, though she is skeptical. He attempts to reunite with her and they reminisce briefly about their good times together, but Kip then asks to borrow money and Wally grows frustrated with him again. He leaves just as Jack arrives, saying that Wally never called after their disastrous first date, and he suggests that they should start anew and dance together to test their chemistry. When they do, sparks seem to fly between them. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: September 21, 1992 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:43:30
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:49921
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Restaurants; New York City - Restaurants
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1992-1995
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Joel Shukovsky … Executive Producer
- Diane English … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Deborah Smith … Producer
- Jay Sandrich … Director
- Jonathan Tunick … Music by
- Susan Dey … Cast, Wallis 'Wally' Porter
- Jay Thomas … Cast, Jack Stein
- John Hancock … Cast, Ike Johnson
- Joel Murray … Cast, Ray Litvak
- Michael Nouri … Cast, Kip Zakaris
- Suzie Plakson … Cast, Mary Margaret 'Meg' Tynan