I have just started watching Spin City from the beginning on DVD. I figured I'd discuss the show as I go along. Since I've only seen the first season (I started season two but it's too early to discuss it) I'd make a thread about the '96-'97 debut season.

The Basics:
Cast: (episodes 1-24)
Mike Flaherty: Michael J Fox
Ashley Schaeffer: Carla Gugino (episodes 1-12)
Paul Lassiter: Richard Kind
Stuart Bondek: Alan Ruck
Carter Heywood: Michael Boatman
Nikki Faber: Connie Britton
James Hobert: Alexander Gaberman
Mayor Randall Winston: Barry Bostwick

Recurring Cast:
Victoria Dillard as Janelle Cooper
Taylor Stanley as Karen Palmieri
Faith Prince as Claudia Sachs

1. Pilot
2. The Great Pretender
3. The Apartment
4. Pride and Prejudice
5. Rivals
6. A Star Is Born
7. Grand Illusion
8. The High and the Mighty
9. Meet Tommy Dugan
10. The Competition
11. Dog Day Afternoon
12. Criss Cross
13. Bye Bye Love
14. Starting Over
15. Gabby’s Song
16. Kiss Me, Stupid
17. An Affair to Remember
18. Snowbound
19. Striptease
20. Deaf Becomes Her
21. Hot in the City
22. Bone Free
23. The Mayor Who Came to Dinner
24. Mayor Over Miami

One thing that I found odd is that Karen was a temp for the first half of the season. Then they did an episode where she graduated and asked to be a full-fledged member of the staff. Mike hires her and that turned out to be her last episode. With no mention, she's just gone. I know that tends to be a trend in this series as some other cast members leave without explanation.

Something that pleasantly surprised me was the role (and exit) of Ashley Schaeffer. I thought she was in 5 or 6 episodes and left without explanation. I was glad to see she was in the first 12 episodes (that's literally half the season) and they not only mention her leaving but have an episode about it where Mike is having a hard time dealing with her absence.

I didn't think the first season was all hilarious but I liked it. I like the characters. Obviously, Michael J Fox is a great leading actor for a comedy series.

i liked the first season - particularily because of Carla Gugino

I watched Season 1 recently and the thing that really impressed me was the amount of physical comedy Michael J. Fox did on this show. I had not seen most of these episodes since they originally aired and of course that was before Michael J. Fox announced he had been battling Parkinson's Disease for years.


I was sad to see Ashley go, but I think the show got better after she left. The show became more defined and we got to know the other characters better.


My favorite episode from season 1 is 'Meet Tommy Dugan'. Woody Harrelson was basically playing the Woody Boyd character he played on Cheers, but he's so good he made it work. 'Dog Day Afternoon' and 'Hot in the City' are some other favorites.


Overall, great season, with a great ensemble cast. Not one weak character in the group. Great original writing too. :thumbsup:

I was sad to see Ashley go, but I think the show got better after she left. The show became more defined and we got to know the other characters better.


My favorite episode from season 1 is 'Meet Tommy Dugan'. Woody Harrelson was basically playing the Woody Boyd character he played on Cheers, but he's so good he made it work.

Yeah I think the Tommy Dugan episode is my favorite from the first season as well.

I wonder who's decision it was for Carla to leave the show. It seems like the show benefited from her leaving because it opened up Mike's dating life instead of him being with just one girl for the whole show. I was still sad to see her go, too and Fox did a great job in the scene where he was crying to Nikki about it.

I'm now well into season two and I think the show's getting better as it goes along.