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» » The John Larroquette Show Pilot (1993–1996)

Short summary

John makes a short speech at AA and reveals he is the new manager at a bus station in St Louis. He goes in, meets the various characters at the station including miserable employees and eccentric customers. He also finds the previous 6 managers were alcoholics and either murdered or suicidal. The whiskey in his desk temps him the whole night while he deals with the angry cafe cook, lazy janitor, sarcastic assistant, dumb security guards, con artists, hookers, lost glass eyes, cross-dressers, women going into labor on a bus, drunken squatters, muggers, lack of cash, and suicidal thoughts. He manages to make it to the end of shift with his sobriety and health intact.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Jeronashe
    This episode sets the stage for a very insightfully written show with a stellar cast. Plenty of laughs, but enough intelligence to explain why the show never fit into the normal "turn off your IQ" sitcoms of broadcast TV of the era. Laroquette brings an intriguing subtlety and vulnerability to the show's lead character. The JLS teases you with stereotypes and then busts them to surprising delight. Chill Mitchell plays the show's odd moral center with a reverse racist twist. Gigi Rice, underplayed in the pilot, is a gem with an understated performance. Would have loved to see what would happen to the show's development if hadn't made deliberately desperate cast changes and lightened writing tone to generate improved ratings. Though mildly similar in wit to "Seinfeld", this show was well before it's time.
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    John Larroquette John Larroquette - John Hemingway
    Liz Torres Liz Torres - Mahalia Sanchez
    Gigi Rice Gigi Rice - Carly Watkins
    Daryl Mitchell Daryl Mitchell - Dexter Walker
    Chi McBride Chi McBride - Heavy Gene
    Lenny Clarke Lenny Clarke - Officer Adam Hampton
    Elizabeth Berridge Elizabeth Berridge - Officer Eve Eggers
    Christine Dunford Christine Dunford - Con Woman
    Eric Christmas Eric Christmas - Man in Phone Booth
    Doris Roberts Doris Roberts - Mrs. Shenker
    Deezer D Deezer D - The Robber
    John Bellucci John Bellucci - Mike
    John F. O'Donohue John F. O'Donohue - Max Dumas
    Jonathan Schmock Jonathan Schmock - Customer in Men's Room
    David Shawn Michaels David Shawn Michaels - Transvestite
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