The Critic/Siskel and Ebert and Jay and Alice

Siskel and Ebert and Jay and Alice
Season 2, Episode 2
Airdate	March 12, 1995
Written by	Jon Vitti
Directed by	L.H. MacMullan
← 2x01 Sherman, Woman and Child	2x03 → Lady Hawke
The Critic — Season Two

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Siskel and Ebert and Jay and Alice is the second episode of the second season of The Critic, and the fifteenth episode overall.

Starring: Jon Lovitz (Jay Sherman), Nancy Cartwright (Margot Sherman), Christine Cavanaugh (Marty Sherman), Gerrit Graham (Franklin Sherman), Doris Grau (Doris), Judith Ivey (Eleanor Sherman), Nick Jameson (Vlada Veramirovich), Maurice La Marche (Jeremy Hawke), Charles Napier (Duke Phillips), Park Overall (Alice Tompkins), Kath Soucie (Various), Russi Taylor (Penny Tompkins)

Special Guest Voice: Roger Ebert (Himself), Gene Siskel (Himself), Rex Reed (Himself), Gene Shalit (Himself)

Plot Overview

Jay takes Alice to the Oscars; Franklin agrees to take care of Penny and entertains her by wrecking several notable pieces of art in creative ways. Jay meets Siskel and Ebert, who offer to share a ride with him; he rebuffs them for a more interesting mode of transportation. After a disagreement over the in-flight movie on the way back home, Siskel and Ebert both search for a new partner; Jay decides to seize the opportunity to move up the movie criticism ladder, which doesn't please Duke very much. Neither Siskel nor Ebert are thrilled by their prospects for new partners, but eventually both decide to hire Jay. Jay tries to fit in with first Siskel and then Ebert, but realizes that instead of advancing his career he must reunite the two; after successfully reuniting the pair, Duke gladly takes him back into his arms.

Trivia

The Show

• Opening Alarm Radio Blurb: "This just in: New York's cockroaches have just hired a prominent ad agency to change their image. They will now be called 'Hug-a-bugs'!"
• Opening Movie Parody: Nixon stealing Forrest Gump's wallet while simultaneously giving him an award
• Closing Theatre Shot: "I'm stuck in the chair!"

Behind the Scenes

• Story Idea: The idea for this episode came from James L. Brooks who specifically wanted them to try to do an episode with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert since they were the most recognizable film critics at the time. The two had actually reviewed the series on At the Movies and given it a lukewarm but somewhat positive review. The creators commented that whenever they cast critics to voice themselves, they were willing to do everything they were asked without hesitation. Reportedly, they were particularly proud of their musical number.

• Cuts: This episode wound up being much longer than anticipated, so the producers were forced to cut or shorten several scenes. Doris's stint as host of Jay's show was the biggest cut, which included an elaborate dance number. Also shortened was the criticism of the episode done by Siskel and Ebert at the end.

Allusions and References

Movie Parodies

• Children of a Lesser Godzilla: Godzilla communicates via sign language
• Planet of the Dogs: Parody of Planet of the Apes
• Snowman: Parody of Rain Man
• Frau Doubtfire: Parody of Mrs. Doubtfire
  • The interviewee's reaction is a reference to Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• Yo, Goudeau, I'm Waitin' Here!: Starring Sylvester and Frank Stalone (not actually seen, just referenced)