Buffalo Bill
Bill Bittinger is the egotistical host of a local daytime talk show on WBFL in Buffalo, New York. He's unhappy at being a big fish in a small pond, but unable to break into the big leagues. He makes life miserable for his crew and guests, and especially his station manager Karl Shub, who is constantly dodging lawsuits resulting from Bill's behavior. The one person Bill is unable to bully is his director and on/off lover, Jo Jo White.
- 1983-1984
- 2 seasons
- NBC
- Comedy
Bill Bittinger is the egotistical host of a local daytime talk show on WBFL in Buffalo, New York. He's unhappy at being a big fish in a small pond, but unable to break into the big leagues. He makes life miserable for his crew and guests, and especially his station manager Karl Shub, who is constantly dodging lawsuits resulting from Bill's behavior. The one person Bill is unable to bully is his director and on/off lover, Jo Jo White.
Season 2 Episode Guide
14 Episodes 1983 - 1984
Episode 1
Hit the Road, Newdell
Thu, Dec 22, 1983 30 mins
Newdell pans a recent segment of the show. Bill pulls rank on him and wants him fired, so he quits. But there's concern that he might sue, in which case Bill needs to pay him big money to settle the possible lawsuit.
Episode 2
Jerry Lewis Week
Thu, Jan 5, 1984 30 mins
While Jerry Lewis impersonators overrun the studio, Karl is depressed at not being able to stand up to Bill--until he discovers and implements a method of exacting revenge. Then things really get hot in the studio.
Episode 3
The Interview
Thu, Jan 12, 1984 30 mins
TV news reporter LeeAnne Cook goads the staffers into sharing their true feelings about Bill, who fumes that she is late interviewing him. Bill then invites the staff over to watch the completed interview on television.
Episode 4
Company Ink
Thu, Jan 19, 1984 30 mins
Karl has news for everyone: Mr. Wilkinson has sold the station to Hayden Stone, Bill's former boss, who fired him from a previous job after catching him sleeping with Mrs. Stone. Hayden has neither forgiven nor forgotten.
Episode 5
Jo Jo's Problem: Part 1
Thu, Jan 26, 1984 30 mins
Wendy is collecting money for a long-time boom man who is retiring due to ill health; Newdell Spriggs takes steps to move up at WBFL; Jo Jo is suddenly lashing out at people for a reason involving her future with Bill.
Episode 6
Jo Jo's Problem: Part 2
Thu, Feb 2, 1984 30 mins
Finding out that the staff knows about Jo Jo's problem only adds to her frustration. Bill seems happy about the news, then goes on the air and delivers a preachy lecture about the dangers of promiscuity.
Episode 7
Miss WBFL
Thu, Feb 9, 1984 30 mins
Competitors for the Miss WBFL beauty contest include Wendy, Melanie, and local baton twirling champ Sherry Posnick. Tony steps up to the plate when Jo Jo refuses to direct the segment and even circulates a petition against it.
Episode 8
The Big Freeze
Thu, Feb 16, 1984 30 mins
Despite strenuous objections from Bill, Karl, and Jo Jo, Wendy prepares an hourlong segment covering the nuclear-freeze initiative, and Newdell encourages her to use her feminine wiles to make the planned segment come to fruition.
Episode 9
The Girl on the Jetty
Thu, Feb 23, 1984 30 mins
During a cold winter, Karl's wife kicks him out for bringing his work problems home with him. Compasssionate Jo Jo consoles him by fixing him a fancy home-cooked meal. Romantic sparks fly. Then Bill finds out.
Episode 10
Buffalo Bill Versus the Kremlin
Thu, Mar 1, 1984 30 mins
During an on-air chat with computer gurus, Bill callously accuses his guests of smuggling American computer technology into Communist countries. During a commercial break, they threaten Bill, and his paranoia skyrockets.
Episode 11
A Hero
Thu, Mar 8, 1984 30 mins
Karl is powerless to deal with his rebellious teenage son, who idolizes Bill. So Junior gets a job at WBFL. Meanwhile, Bill publicly derides a local businessman for selling defective products, and the vendor shows up seeking revenge.
Episode 12
The Tap Dancer
Thu, Mar 15, 1984 30 mins
Bill wants to book the Alexandria Brothers Tap Dancers on the show, but two of them have died. Lone survivor Tom appears on the show, tap dances, and expires during his big finish. Bill is upset enough to rant about the evils of television.
Episode 13
Have Yourself a Very Degrading Christmas
Thu, Mar 22, 1984 30 mins
Bill refuses to wear a Santa Claus outfit on the Christmas Day segment of his show, until the Brazilian actress who is guesting changes his mind by offering him a one-night stand if he wears it. Is this Bill's lucky day?
Episode 14
Church of the Poisoned Mind
Thu, Mar 29, 1984 30 mins
After injuring his hand during an on-air martial-arts stunt, Bill accuses his next guest, a Roman Catholic priest who is raising funds for a youth center, of sexual misconduct, and the audience sees Bill's true colors.