"On The Air" Episode Guide "On The Air" was a short-lived sitcom on ABC, produced by Lynch/Frost Productions (producers of "Twin Peaks"). Three episodes were aired in the summer of '92, out of seven total episodes produced, and ABC did not pick up the series. All seven episodes were released on VHS videotape: Worldvision catalog no. 5065. All seven episodes were also released on a Japanese laserdisc: - Amuse Video, Inc. (Japan) - catalog no. ASLF-5021 (2 discs) - CLV - 161 minutes (total), each episode 23 minutes - Japanese subtitles - price: 6,700 yen (approx. $US 50) Set in New York City in 1957, "On The Air" concerns a weekly television variety show on the fledgling Zoblotnick Broadcasting Company. "The Lester Guy Show" is hosted by a has-been movie actor (Ian Buchanan, who played Dick Tremayne on "Twin Peaks"). Also featured on the TV show is Betty Hudson (Marla Jeanette Rubinoff), a dim-witted blonde. The show is directed by Vladja Gochktch (David L. Lander), a relative of network president Ivan Zoblotnick. Both Gochktch and Zoblotnick have limited fluency in English. Aiding Gochktch are his assistant (and translator) Ruthie (Nancye Ferguson) and ever-nervous producer McGonigle (Marvin Kaplan). Representing the network on the set is the penny-pinching Buddy Budwaller (Miguel Ferrer, who played FBI forensics expert Albert Rosenfeld on "Twin Peaks"), and his assistant Nicole Thorn (Kim McGuire). Nicole and Lester are secretly having an affair, and plotting how to get the ever-popular Betty removed from the show. Rounding out the cast are staff writer Bert Schein (Gary Grossman), and Mickey (Mel Johnson,Jr.) and Blinky Watts (Tracey Walter), the sound and light men. Blinky is affected with "Bozeman's Simplex", which causes him to have hallucinatory vision at all times. Having cameo roles in each episode are Shorty, the stagehand (Irwin Keyes); the small messenger man Buddy Morris (Buddy Douglas); the announcer (Everett Greenbaum); and the siamese "Hurry Up" twins (Raleigh and Raymond Friend). Each episode deals with the comic consequences of putting on a live TV show every week, exacerabated by the backstage antics of the cast and crew. Cast: Ian Buchanan . . . . . . . . Lester Guy Nancy Ferguson . . . . . . . Ruthie Miguel Ferrer . . . . . . . . Buddy Budwaller Gary Grossman . . . . . . . . Bert Schein Mel Johnson, Jr. . . . . . . Mickey Marvin Kaplan . . . . . . . . McGonigle David L. Lander . . . . . . . Vladja Gochktch Kim McGuire . . . . . . . . . Nicole Thorn Marla Jeanette Rubinoff . . . Betty Hudson Tracey Walter . . . . . . . . Blinky Watts ----------------------------------------------------- Irwin Keyes . . . . . . . . . Shorty the stagehand Everett Greenbaum . . . . . . Announcer Susan Russell . . . . . . . . Announcer's assistant Buddy Douglas . . . . . . . . Buddy Morris Raleigh Friend . . . . . . . Hurry Up Twin Raymond Friend . . . . . . . Hurry Up Twin Episode synopses: Episode 1 Broadcast June 20, 1992 Writer: Mark Frost and David Lynch Director: David Lynch Tensions are high as the cast and crew prepare for the premiere of "The Lester Guy Show". Technical problems plague the live broadcast. Guest cast: Angelo Badalementi (Piano Player) (Badalamenti did the music for both "Twin Peaks" and "On The Air") Episode 2 Not broadcast Writer: Mark Frost Director: Lesli Linka Glatter After Betty is flooded with fan mail (for saving the first show), Mr. Zoblotnick invites her to dinner. Lester, Buddy, and Nicole, fearing for their jobs, try to sabotage the evening. Guest cast: Sydney Lassik (Ivan Zoblotnick) Episode 3 Broadcast June 27, 1992 Writer: Robert Engels Director: Jack Fisk A rigged game show is featured, pitting Betty and her grade school teacher against "the man with the highest IQ ever measured". Meanwhile, McGonigle is suffering from allergy-induced visions. Guest cast: Diana Bellamy (Ethel Thissel) Richard Riehle (Dr. Winky) Charles Tyner (Prof. Right Answer) Episode 4 Not broadcast Writer: Scott Frost Director: Jonathan Sanger A famous stage and screen actor guest stars on the show, but is not used to the constraints of the small screen. Meanwhile, Betty makes a pet of one of the ducks to be used in a skit. Guest cast: Freddie Jones (Stan Tailings) Episode 5 Broadcast July 4, 1992 Writer: Mark Frost Director: Lesli Linka Glatter Ex-movie star Sylvia Hudson (Betty's estranged sister and Lester's old flame) guest stars with the children's puppet "Mr. Peanuts". Lyrics to the "Mr. Peanuts" song: Wherever you go It's sure nice to know You have a little friend He's salty and sweet His clothes are so neat He's loyal to the end What's his name? you say We stop and we say Hey nuts! It's Mr. Peanuts. Mr. Peanut's the guy To go to when you cry He can take a frown And turn it upside down (Even if he doesn't have an upper lip) He's a friendly little fellow His smile's your umbrella If someone gives you trouble And they try to burst your bubble You just say Hey nuts! It's Mr. Peanuts. Guest cast: Anne Bloom (Sylvia Hudson) Chuck McCann (Wally Walters) Episode 6 Not broadcast Writer: Robert Engels Director: Betty Thomas The Great Presidio, a has-been magician, appears on the show to perform his world-famous "Gypsy Traveler" trick. Guest cast: Robert Costanzo (Mr. Plumber) I.M. Hobson (Presidio) Episode 7 Not broadcast Writer: David Lynch and Robert Engels Director: Jack Fisk Lester invites a group of Beatniks to be on the "tribute to summer" show, while his and Nicole's attempt to sabotage Betty using a "voice disintegrator" backfires. Guest cast: John Quade (Billy "The Ear" Mulkahey) Bellina Logan (Woman With No Name) Sydney Lassik (Ivan Zoblotnick) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Jim Pellmann (jgp@Rational.COM)