Today is the first TV Retro Crash Thursday, and I want to explore one of my favorite TV shows. Now I am sorta cursed. When I find a television show I really like, a show of outstanding quality and intelligence that appeals to both my intellect and humor. A show that the rest of America can't wrap their brains around and gets cancelled after the third season (if I'm lucky). These are my kinda shows.
The John Laroquette show was dark and weird and funny and a little sad,but the problems of the lead character had never really been addressed on television before. The show was just as ground breaking as "All In The Family", but in the long run, we proved that Americans can love a cranky old white bigot, more than it can love a middle aged alcoholic looking to regain the semblance of a life. Apparently we prefer to vilify our recovering alcoholics.
This cast gave major breaks to some folks that I would consider serious troopers in the television industry. I'm not going to give you the IMBD 411 on everybody here in Retro-Crash Land. Isn't it bad enough that I steal from Wikipedia.
I recommend you check the cast out for yourself. The credits of Liz Torres,'Daryl "Chill" Mitchell , and Chi McBride are pretty badass
If you want to understand John Larroquette, you've got to remember one thing. When he finally got his own starring TV show in 1993, he played a recovering alcoholic named John Hemingway who was five hours sober when the series began.
And Larroquette served notice of his intentions by nailing an old amusement park sign on his office wall.
“This is a dark ride,” was the message for all to see.
The way I remember it, he believed the sign should be posted outside the Birth Canal as an immediate warning to all who intended to ride.
The links.
The first one is to the theme song of the show
The second is to a full episode. I believe it is of the second episode. It is of dubious quality, but still quite enjoyable.
Synopsis
John Hemingway, recovering alcoholic, has been appointed to the role of night shift manager of the St. Louis bus depot. He must deal not only with the intricacies of keeping the station running smoothly, but also the employees and other personalities that frequent the station, all while dealing with his own demons. This was highlighted in the first episode, with a running gag of every character offering to buy him a drink upon his meeting them.
Much of the first season dealt with John's attempts to stay sober, with episodes representing each of the AA program's Twelve Steps. John constantly struggled to maintain control of the station, with regular conflicts with his secretary, Mahalia, the janitor, Heavy Gene, and most strongly with sandwich bar attendant, Dexter, who had been turned down for the position to which John was appointed. Adding sexual tension to John's life was high class escort Carly, who was a friend of Dexter.
Cast
The show was unusual for having a multiracial cast, unlike most American sitcoms in the 1990s.
John Larroquette as John Hemingway
Liz Torres as Mahalia Sanchez, John's secretary
Gigi Rice as Carly Watkins, a high class escort and friend of Dexter's
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell as Dexter Walker, the depot's sandwich bar attendant and John's rival
Chi McBride as Heavy Gene, a janitor at the depot
Lenny Clarke as Officer Adam Hampton
Elizabeth Berridge as Officer Eve Eggers
Alison LaPlaca as Catherine Merrick (1994–1996)
John F. O'Donohue as Max Dumas (1993–1994)
Bill Morey as Oscar (1994–1996)
Jazzmun as Pat (occasional, 1993–1995)
Guest stars
David Crosby as Chester
http://youtu.be/1-9f8pKYBg4 This is a link to a really cool song written and performed by the legendary David Crosby.
David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, was just as famous for being an addict as he was a musician. This show was a testament to his resolve to get clean
Omri Katz as Tony Hemingway, John's son. Katz would be replaced in an unaired fourth season episode with Ryan Reynolds.
Mayim Bialik as Rachel, John's daughter
Ted McGinley as Karl Reese, Carly's boyfriend and future ex-husband
Mayim Bialik as Rachel, John's daughter
Ted McGinley as Karl Reese, Carly's boyfriend and future ex-husband
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