“Eight Crazy Nights,” a celebration of Hanukkah-themed episodes, continues.
Night No. 5: December 14, 1987, when CBS aired the “Season’s Greetings” episode of its much-too-short-lived comedy-drama “Frank’s Place.”
In the story, when college-professor-turned-New-Orleans-restaurateur Frank Parrish (Tim Reid) expresses his fascination with Jewish holiday customs, his friend Bubba Weisberger (Robert Harper) invites him to accompany him to his mother’s home for a Shabbat dinner.
“There’ll be the traditional prayers, the lighting of the candle, the meal. Then we’ll all sit around and talk about why I’m not married. That, too, is an ancient ritual,” Bubba jokes.
Sure enough, Bubba’s mother (guest star Nan Martin) spends dinner berating him for not settling down. Frustrated, Bubba announces that he and Frank are lovers, practically sending her – and Frank – into cardiac arrest.
Gregory Itzin – “24’s” weaselly President Logan – plays Bubba’s brother-in-law.
In a touching subplot, John Witherspoon, known for his buffoonish roles on “The Wayans Bros.” and in Ice Cube’s “Friday” movies, appears as Frank’s worldly Uncle Ray, whose life isn’t as glamorous as it seems.
“Season’s Greetings” was seen in 11.3 million homes, ranking 44th in the weekly ratings.
See for yourself: Sadly, “Frank’s Place” isn’t online or on video. “Eight Crazy Nights” will continue tomorrow.
On TV
Here’s the prime-time lineup for Monday, December 14, 1987:
8: “MacGyver” (ABC), “Kate & Allie” (CBS), “ALF” (NBC)
8:30: “Frank’s Place” (CBS)
9: “Monday Night Football” (ABC), “Newhart” (CBS), “Motown Merry Christmas” (NBC)
9:30: “Designing Women” (CBS)
10: “Cagney & Lacey” (CBS), “Secrets Women Never Share” (NBC)
The Record
For the week of December 13, 1987:
Top novel: “The Tommyknockers” by Stephen King
Top song: “Faith” by George Michael
Top movie: “Throw Momma From the Train”
Top TV show: “The Cosby Show” (NBC)
In the news: NBC considered leaving Rockefeller Center for New Jersey!
Captions: “Frank’s Place” cast members, from left, Robert Harper, Tim Reid, Frances E. Williams, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Tony Burton and Francesca P. Roberts in a photograph from TV Guide’s September 12, 1987, fall preview issue (top, photo by Mario Casilli); CBS’s advertisement for the “Season’s Greetings” episode, from the magazine’s December 12, 1987, edition (bottom).
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