NEWSRADIO: SINKING SHIP {FOURTH SEASON FINALE} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedies about the employees of WNYX, an all-news radio station in New York City. The episode opens with an introduction by Phil Hartman explaining that the following episode is a "what-if" story set on board the Titanic. Dave, the captain, continues to warn the crew about an iceberg warning, but no one takes him seriously, least of all Matthew, the ship's lookout. It's Lisa's birthday, and Walt says he has a present for her. Bill constantly objects to Walt's presence due to his lower social class. Dave discovers that Walt intends to sketch Lisa's portrait as a birthday present, and Bill is convinced that Walt intends to use it as a pretense to see Lisa nude. Dave gives Lisa a diamond necklace for her birthday; she appreciates it but thinks that it is excessive. Later, Bill and Dave believe they have caught Walt and Lisa in mid-coitus, but soon discover that it is merely Matthew setting up an improvised sauna. Suddenly the ship hits an iceberg in accordance with Dave's predictions. The ship begins taking on water and Joe frantically attempts to fix it. Dave tries to evacuate the ship but is sidetracked when Lisa talks to them about how she doesn't want to wear the necklace he gave her, as she is concerned people will think that they have gotten back together. Eventually only Bill, Dave, and Mr. James are left, although Bill leaves once he realizes that the ship sinking is not part of Dave's elaborate scheme. Lisa, floating adrift on a desk, runs into Dave, who decides to drown in the icy-cold water upon realizing Lisa has no coffee. Bill and Matthew join her, but she soon abandons them to swim for it. They contemplate eating each other. The episode ends as the cast appears out-of-character to wave goodbye. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: May 13, 1998 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:21:46
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:55391
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Radio broadcasting
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1995-1999
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Brad Grey … Executive Producer
- Bernie Brillstein … Executive Producer
- Paul Simms … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Joe Furey … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- Josh Lieb … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- Drake Sather … Supervising Producer, Writer
- Kent Zbornak … Producer
- Alan J. Higgins … Co-Producer
- Brian Kelley … Co-Producer, Writer
- Sam Johnson … Co-Producer, Writer
- Lewis Morton … Co-Producer, Writer
- Chris Marcil … Co-Producer, Writer
- Julie Bean … Associate Producer
- Jeffrey Goldstein … Associate Producer
- Orit Schwartz … Associate Producer
- Tom Cherones … Director
- Ian Dye … Music by
- Mike Post … Theme Music by
- Dave Foley … Cast, Dave Nelson
- Stephen Root … Cast, Jimmy James
- Andy Dick … Cast, Matthew Brock
- Maura Tierney … Cast, Lisa Miller
- Joe Garrelli … Cast, Joe Rogan
- Phil Hartman … Cast, William "Bill" McNeal
- Brad Rowe … Cast, Walt
- Emil Alexander … Cast, Porter