NewsRadio (1995)

No, This is Not Based Entirely on Julie's Life

Beth asks Dave whether or not to send her boyfriend naked pictures of herself, which brings out curiosity from Lisa on knowing Dave's sexual fantasies. Unfortunately, Beth's photos get mixed up on the photo lab and she has to take polaroids instead, which she does using a brown paper bag on her head. Meanwhile, Mr. James is on vacations and spends time bumming around the office, while Joe tries to catch the thief who's been taking his ice cream from the fridge, using multiple thief-catching devices that always end up blowing up on Matthew's face.

Goofy Ball

The photograph studio upstairs is shooting a catalog and several models can be seen riding the elevator. Joe and Dave act like dorks whenever the elevator stops and there are models inside, and Joe won't let Dave quiet until he fixes him up with one of the models. That doesn't look too good for Lisa, who's getting tired of having to hide their relationship. They finally tell the truth to Mr. James, who refuses to believe it. Meanwhile, Bill thinks someone's after him and buys a stun gun made by Joe that leaves him paralyzed for hours. Matthew and Beth can't stop throwing around a goofy ball, a toy from one of Jimmy James newest company acquisitions.

Rat Funeral

The office is being set up with mousetraps, but the staff asks Dave to get rid of them in order to spare Mike, the office's rat mascot. At first disgusted with the idea of keeping a rodent around the office, Dave eventually agrees with them. Unfortunately he's got bad timing: while announcing that Mike would be spared, the mousetrap catches a rat, supposedly Mike. The staff is overly sentimental about the loss of a rat, and accuse Dave of being insensitive. But when several other rats start showing up at the office, everyone just wants to get on with their lives, while Dave finally feels saddened by the deaths.

The Breakup

Dave and Lisa are having relationship problems because during an argument Dave called Lisa the ‘b' word, and Beth can't take the pressure of having to cover up their lies so their relationship can be maintained a secret from the rest of the office. When she gives them an ultimatum ("you tell them or I did"), saying that everyone already knows but they're just acting like they didn't, Dave and Lisa decide to reveal the truth once and for all. Surprisingly, nobody knew, it was all Beth's bluff, and now they have to take all the jokes. Meanwhile, Catherine is angry at Bill for revealing her age on the air, and tries to get back at him. Matthew tries to celebrate her birthday, which only upsets her even more, until he gets her Bill's birth certificate as a present, where Catherine finds out Bill's birthday (June 19th) and his real first name – Evelyn (which is pronounced "Eve-elyn")

The Shrink

Dave tries to talk with his staff about what's bothering them, but no one feels like sharing their feelings. To make things even worse, Bill has bought a cubicle for his desk, isolating him from the rest of the office. Jimmy suggests Dave gets Dr. Frank (a famous psychologist well known by the staff) to give the employees some counseling. At first reluctant, Dave accepts Jimmy's idea after seeing how much everyone likes this Dr. Frank. Soon he finds out he was Lisa's professor in college and that they slept together, which causes a great deal of stress on him. When he confronts Dr. Frank, he feels a lot better and ends up serving as Dr. Frank's counselor for his sexual addiction problem.

Friends

Beth and her copycat friend fight for Matthew. Bill is plagued by security guards who refuse to let him enter the building without his ID.

Bill's Autobiography

Bill has signed a book deal to write his own biography, and asks Dave for permission to do outside work. Dave comments on it with Lisa, who spreads the word around the office, just exactly what Bill didn't want to happen since he's having writer's block and can't come up with anything decent to write about himself. He acts as if his book is almost ready to everyone, but when the truth comes out the staff of WNYX shows some support for their friend Bill, except for Dave, who decides not to sign the permission papers. But it was all acted out so Bill could quit writing his book and still maintain his dignity in front of everyone.

Negotiation

Dave gives Matthew a in-name-only promotion to coordinating producer. Lisa looks for a temporary job as an MTV news anchor. Jimmy announces he's getting married and asks for help finding a wife.

The Cane

Bill's new cane, which he carries for no particular reason, annoys Dave. After it's stolen, Dave is the target of Bill's wrath. Jimmy's all-night office brainstorms stokes Dave and Lisa's competitive fires. Matthew and Joe get on each other's nerves.

Xmas Story

Matthew is upset when he realizes Mr. James gave everyone except him a new convertible for Christmas. Meanwhile Bill is stalked by a homicidal Santa Claus.

Station Sale

Jimmy is searching for a bride, and while he's doing so he announces to the staff of WNYX that he's selling the station. Panic takes over the office, with everyone worrying about the future of their jobs. While Matthew starts a protest by handcuffing himself to a chair and Bill tries to save his ass by showing to the Robertson Corporation owner/CEO, Jimmy reveals to Dave that he's just doing that to open a communication channel with Jane Robertson. The news calms everybody down, until Jane makes an offer Jimmy just can't refuse. The staff desperately tries to convince him not to sell the station, and it's Beth who succeeds when she gives Jimmy all her money. Later he confesses to Dave those people are like family to him.

Bitch Session

Dave becomes incredibly hurt when he accidentally overhears the staff making fun of him behind his back and starts to think maybe no one there really likes him. Jimmy calls for a staff meeting at his office where he announces he's firing Dave, and they all interfere saying how great Dave is. Of course, Dave was listening to the entire thing behind the curtains so he could gain his self-confidence back. Meanwhile, Joe refuses to buy Bill a voice alternator machine and tries to pull a MacGyver and build one with his own resources.

In Through the Out Door

Matthew wants to learn how to be a gambler so he can be one of the guys, and Joe tries to teach him a lesson but ends up taking all his money because Matthew is the absolute worse when it comes to betting. Meanwhile, Jimmy passes on to Dave the "honor" of introducing Bill on a broadcasters society event. While Dave is scared of giving a speech in public, Bill wants to make sure he does it properly and ends up losing his voice.

The Song Remains the Same

Mr. James disrupts the office with his early April Fools' Day practical jokes. Bill is interviewed by a Wall Street Journal reporter. Lisa and Matthew compete for the right to cover the New Hampshire primary.

Zoso

Bill enlists Joe and Matthew's support to try to convince his girlfriend that he's British. Beth tries to sell 'Fat Albert'-style hats to a department store. Lisa uses Mr. James negotiating tips to ask Dave for a raise.

Houses of the Holy

Joe does an admirable job filling in for an ill Catherine, much to Bill's dismay. Beth dates Mr. James' nephew who is a depressed motivational speaker, in a form of a magician.

Physical Graffiti

Dave can't stand the fact that Lisa is still so close to her ex-boyfriend Stewart. She says he's jealous, and he defends himself saying she's giving the guy false hopes. Lisa schedules a dinner with Stewart and Dave, and after Dave returns from the bathroom Lisa tells him Stewart left after proposing they got back together. Dave and Lisa fight and break up in the office. Meanwhile, Bill and Catherine have a feud sponsored by Joe, who is getting back at them for eating his sandwich 5 months ago.

Led Zeppelin

Dave and Lisa announce they're breaking up. Lisa insists any further communication be done in memorandum format. Dave tries to keep his 24-page memo private. Mr. James continues his wife search.

Presence

Jimmy loses Bill in a poker game. Lisa competes in Jimmy's place to win him back. Joe uses a hidden camera inside a Boba Fett action figure to keep up with the action.

Coda

Matthew unsuccessfully tries to get everyone to rent a house for the summer on the Hamptons. Nobody wants to be the first to pay, everyone wants the big room and plus Beth doesn't have the money for it, so they'd either have to cover for her or let her bring 20 friends. Meanwhile, Lisa and Beth help Joe study for an electrician test he has failed 7 times, out of pure stubbornness. Dave, Bill and Mr. James spend the entire day going over Bill's baseball promo only because Jimmy wanted to teach everyone a lesson.

Led Zeppelin II

A fire in the building sets everyone's nerves on edge. Bill tries to escape. Dave and Lisa get back together. Mr. James continues his wife search.

President

Mr. James announces his candidacy for the presidency. Lisa tries to bring him down. Meanwhile, Matthew grows a hideous moustache.

Review

Matthew quits when his Dilbert obsession interferes with his work. A poor magazine review of the station grates the entire staff.

Massage Chair

Bill leads a revolution when Mr. James eliminates free snacks in the break room. Joe gives Catherine a variety of electronic gadgets to ingratiate himself with her. Bill buys a massage chair.

Arcade

Dave worries that the past will repeat itself when an arcade game, Stargate Defender, is installed in the hallway. Lisa and Dave take the SATs to prove they're not getting dumber. Bill is obsessed with the stale, plastic, leathery sandwiches from a vending machine.

Halloween

Mr. James requests that the reticent staffers wear costumes to his Halloween party. Lisa convinces everyone to dress up by promising that Dave will wear the most outlandish costume ever. A psychic tells Bill the exact date of his death..36 years in the future.

Awards Show

Dave believes WNYX will overcome its jinx and finally win the local broadcasting awards. Matthew believes the office is infested with ants.

Daydream

The thermostat in the radio station is broken, and while Joe tries to fix it the entire staff suffers with weird daydreams that include: Bill having all hot women fall for him; Lisa finally beating Dave; Joe controlling all the staff as if they were androids; Catherine working at a more minority-friendly place; Beth being tormented by horror movies monsters, among other things.

Movie Star

James Caan arrives on the station to observe Bill work in a research for his next movie, but Bill's more interested on telling his life story than actually helping James, who becomes more interested on Matthew, whose awkwardness around celebrities makes him act very foolish. Meanwhile, Dave tries to convince Lisa to buy a television, something she hasn't had since high school. Lisa is reluctant to accept Dave's gift (with the excuse that television alienates people), but changes her mind after discovering C-Span 2. And Jimmy has two extra tickets to the Knicks game, for which Beth and Catherine compete to win. At the game, they are very embarrassed by Jimmy's behavior on the stadium.

Stocks

Matthew returns from a Japanese vacation bearing gifts, including a katana for Dave. Mr. James teaches Beth the intricacies of the stock market.

Christmas

It's Christmas and everyone is trying to get out earlier so they can spend time with their families. Dave is sympathetic of everyone and ends up having to do all the work he assigned his employees, which results on him and Lisa getting to Wisconsin so late they can barely spend any time with Dave's family (who went to Chicago for the holidays, leaving an empty house for them). Meanwhile, Matthew helps Jimmy pick up gifts for his eccentric billionaire friends who have everything, and Beth is offered a chance to do some voiceover work with Bill, but ends up losing her voice after ruining the taping when Bill got bumped for another guy.

The Trainer

All of WNYX is up in arms when they discover Dave is actually a Canadian, not a mid-westerner. Bill joins a health club. Dave tries to teach Jimmy table manners for his upcoming dinner with the president.

Rap

Bill is shocked to learn that rap music has actual lyrics, and decides to read on the McNeal Perspective his protest against rap. But his position quickly changes once Jimmy has rapper Chuck D drop by at the station, because Bill is a major suck up to celebrities. Meanwhile, Lisa is asked to do some photos after being elected cutest reporter on New York. Embarrassed, Lisa finally agrees on it after receiving a lecture from Jimmy and invites Beth and Catherine to join her – and they end up having a lot more fun at it than Lisa herself.

Led Zeppelin Boxed Set

Matthew, in his own mind, becomes the 'King of the Office' when he loses his temper and punches Bill. Matthew's reign of terror, including ordering various staffers to fetch his lunch, alienates the entire office. Meanwhile, Jimmy tries to best a Three Card Monte dealer at his own game.

Complaint Box

Mr. James is going fishing on his vacations, but decides to leave a voice box made by Joe in the office so he can keep track of what goes on at the radio while away. Beth manages to lose the box and Jimmy ends up with some stranger at the movies. Meanwhile, a complaint box is installed at the office, but everyone seems to use it for joking purposes only. Unfortunately, the jokes go too far and Dave ends up having an audience with Jimmy's lawyers on the use of abusive words such as "bitch" and "jackasses". And Joe spends the entire day trying to find the source of a noise that is coming from the machine he created to use with Catherine.

Rose Bowl

WNYX staffers evaluate their co-workers, leading to problems based on Matthew's belief that Bill is a God. Jimmy buys fake movie memorabilia, unaware that the sled from Citizen Kane was named 'Rosebud' not 'Rose Bowl'. Joe represents Jimmy in a lawsuit against the man who sold the items.

Kids

Jimmy implements a program allowing kids into the station to learn about radio, but ditches the students to hit on their teacher. Dave searches for a stash of dirty magazines.

Airport

Bill and Dave are stuck in St. Louis due to heavy snow, and while there Dave tries to teach Bill the good side of being polite to people, while Bill tries to prove to Dave that rudeness can get them anything. Back in NY, Lisa is put to test when Jimmy asks her to stop Catherine and Joe from going out on a date without giving her a logical explanation for it. And Beth and Matthew adventure themselves in a weird apartment which they think it's Bill's, filled with sex toys and erotic environment. But they overhear the machine go on with Bill leaving a message to his male prostitute neighbor, showing Beth and Matthew that maybe those are not Bill's plants they're watering...

Twins

Matthew's 'identical' twin brother visits. Most of WNYX's furniture is repossessed when the budget is drastically slashed to accommodate a staffer's secret raise.

Office Feud

Joe engages in office warfare with the new noisy environmentalists upstairs. Catherine takes offense at Bill's newest sponsor, Rocket Fuel Malt Liquor. Lisa covers a White House Easter Egg hunt.

Our Fiftieth Episode

Bill is committed to an asylum when he's judged mentally incompetent. Lisa is forced to do the 'McNeal Perspective' with Joe in Bill's absence.

Sleeping

Jimmy suffers a heart attack. His lawyer insists Jimmy stay in the break room while recovering from his coma. Lisa realizes she hasn't completed all her goals in life, and decides to have a baby.

The Real Deal

When Bill and producer Lisa's new show 'The Real Deal' is on the verge of cancellation, they do everything in their power to recruit Jerry Seinfeld to appear. Matthew reveals that he's never gone 'all the way' before.

Mistake

Matthew is no longer the weirdest person in the office, when a strange temp comes in. Dave is featured in a national magazine where he inexplicably insults each staff member...and reveals his passion for tap dancing.

Space

NewsRadio in Outer Space. The year is 2228, humankind is nearly extinct and those who remain are constantly on the run from killer robots. Matthew dates an android. Dave and Lisa discuss moving in together after 93 years dating. Joe, after living in suspended animation for 83 years, tries to fix the life support system.

Injury

When Matthew hurts himself badly while goofing around at the office and is taken to the hospital, Dave is convinced to talk Matthew into lying about how he got himself injured to avoid being billed 14,000 dollars for not having medical insurance. Mr. James becomes suspicious of it, while Matthew finds himself on a moral dilemma about lying. When Jimmy's lawyer confronts Matthew about the veracity of his resume, Matthew gives in and lies about his injury to the OSHA guy. Meanwhile, Bill takes offense at a rival station's use of the word 'penis' and air several "McNeal Perspective" reports using the same word.

Jumper

Bill tries to get an exclusive on-air story when a suicidal man is perched outside Dave's window.

Planbee

Jimmy hires Andrea, an efficiency expert, when the station needs to cut funds. The staffers rally around an inept Matthew to try to preserve his job. Bill auditions for a television job.

The Public Domain

Dave tries to get Matthew rehired amidst chaos. Andrea hires a man to share Dave's Job, Jimmy brings a camera crew into the office to film a documentary, and Bill prepares for a new career as a singing political satirist a la Mark Russell.

Super Karate Monkey Death Car

Andrea forces the staff to take lie detector tests. Lisa fears she will not pass the test due to her extensive criminal past. Jimmy has his book, which failed in the U.S., translated into Japanese then back into English.

French Diplomacy

Dave and Lisa breakup. Bill gets himself into trouble when he advocates the beating of foreign diplomats. Matthew opens his own dentistry practice.

Pure Evil

Catherine Moves On

Each staffer offers up a very different version of events of the day Catherine announces she's leaving WNYX. Joe realizes that Catherine's always yearned for him.

Stupid Holiday Charity Talent Show

Dave unveils a previously hidden talent to compete in a charity talent show. If a WNYX staff member wins, Mr. James will re-hire Matthew in this incredibly hilarious episode.

The Secret of Management

Bill hire's a gentleman's gentleman, Cadbury, to oversee his life. Mr. James teaches Lisa 'The Secret of Management'. Matthew feels left out when Bill doesn't congratulate him on being rehired.

Look Who's Talking

Bill announces plans to adopt a child. Beth and Joe attend a charity bachelor auction, with Beth impersonating a duchess and Joe playing her homosexual bachelor friend, to bid on Mr. James.

Chock

Dave finds it hard to say no when his old college acapella singing group 'Chock Full o' Notes' reunites for Dave's 32nd birthday, hoping to take the pop charts by storm. Meanwhile, Lisa tries to motivate Matthew without reducing him to tears. Joe has a beef with one of Dave's friends.

Who's the Boss? (1)

After Bill pesters Lisa once again, Dave and Lisa hatch an evil plan to make Bill the boss to teach him a lesson. Bill's reign is eerily efficient. Joe goes on a sympathy strike to support another of Mr. James companies.

Who's the Boss? (2)

Mr. James announces an election for station manager, which neither Dave nor Lisa want to win. Joe's dysfunctional brothers visit the station to plan a surprise party for their parents. Matthew runs for floor fire marshal.

Security Door

Dave struggles vainly to get the staffers to properly use the recently installed security door. Bill enlists Lisa to do the negotiating when he's offered a job in a blue jean's commercial.

Big Brother

Matthew is assigned a Big Brother, who makes eyes at Beth; Joe, Jimmy, and Bill try to uncover Lisa's love life.

Beep, Beep

Jimmy begs Dave and Lisa to get back together, saying that their affection makes them more efficient workers.

Balloon

Jimmy plans to go around the world in a hot air baloon, until Dave finds that he is full of "hot air".

Copy Machine

The office mourns the loss of Ted, from accounting, until Dave realizes that nobody knew him, at all.

Monster Rancher

Bill dislikes the new office intern; Matthew tells his true feelings for Lisa.

4:20

Jimmy gets Joe and Matthew to appear in a charity boxing match; Walt thinks about asking Lisa out; Bill tries to uncover a secret office romance.

Jackass Junior High

Beth calls in sick, leaving Lisa to be the only woman in the office.

Sinking Ship

The episode spoofs the movie Titanic, where Walt and Dave sketch Lisa nude and give her heart shaped necklaces. Soon, though, the ship starts to sink...

Bill Moves On

The episode opens when the staff of WNYX returns from Bill's funeral. The air is heavy, and Matthew laments that Bill died of a heart attack. The staff has a hard time coming to turns with it, except Matthew, who doesn't belive Bill is really dead. Thoughout this powerful episode Dave is trying to rewrite his euology, which the whole staff admits was horrible. Joe, Jimmy James, Beth, Matthew, and Lisa admit what they did when they heard about Bill. The staff teases Lisa because she admits she was drunk for about a week. They're convinced she's still drunk, while she denies it. Catherine Duke (Khandi Alexander) returns, apologizing she missed the funeral. The Staff gathers in Dave's office to read letters Bill wrote them in case something happened to him. It is then that Matthew finally consents to the idea that Bill has moved on when Bill tells him in his letter. The episode ends with the various staff members taking things from Bill's desk in symbolic gestures. Dave asks Lisa if his eulogy was really *that* bad, when she admits that she's still drunk.

Meet The Max Louis

Jon Lovitz joins the cast as Max Louis, hired because of a connection to Bill. The idea of "Y2K" wreaks havoc at the office.

Lucky Burger

It comes out that Max doctored his resume; Lisa goes undercover at a restuarant.

Noise

Dave learns he has high blood pressure, causing Joe to install a sound machine. Matthew becomes motherly toward Max, after a conversation with Beth.

Flowers for Matthew

Joe creates a "smart drink", with extreme results; Lisa becomes Max's confidante.

Jail (1)

After a case of mistaken identity, Jimmy is sent to jail. His vice president, Johnny, takes over.

The Lam (2)

Lisa admits her attraction to Johnny; Dave must exploit their relationship to protect Jimmy.

Clash of the Titans (3)

Jimmy is freed from prison, to realize that Johnny has stolen his empire.

Boston

Dave tries to tape a message for students at his alma matter; Lisa tries to cure her speech impediment.

Spooky Rapping Crypt

Beth wants to start profit-sharing; Matthew thinks of abuse after undergoing hypnosis.

Stinkbutt

Dave fights to hang Joe and Beth's strange painting in the lobby; Matthew starts dressing like Lisa.

Apartment

Dave and Lisa fight for an apartment, which Max decides he wants; Joe and Beth "fix-up" the show's website.

Towers

Matthew's 30th birthday causes him to adopt the persona of an 18 year old. Lisa protests Jimmy's plan to build a 200 story skyscraper.

Hair

Jimmy's fear of hippies causes him to blow a big deal; Max and Beth spoil Lisa's dog.

Assistant

Lisa's new assistant turns Joe and Dave into rivals; Max complains about the lack of sofa in the men's room.

Wino (1)

Johnny Johnson, a homeless wyno, visits the station and proposes to Lisa.

Wedding (2)

Lisa gets married to Johnny, despite Dave's attempt to talk her out of it.

Ploy

Max quits, but Beth suspects it is a ploy for her to go out with him; Lisa decides to hyphenate her name with Jommy's.

Padded Suit

A request for job descriptions leaves everyone but Lisa dumbfounded; Dave wants to fire someone.

Freaky Friday

Jimmy and Matthew switch places for a day, with life altering results. Dave bans max from the breakroom.

Retirement (1)

Jimmy announces his retirement.

New Hampshire (2)

Jimmy returns to finalize the sale of the station and tries to persuade one staff member to relocate to New Hampshire with him.