Spin City
In this sitcom, Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty (Michael J. Fox) and his City Hall staff must stop the dim-witted Mayor Randall Winston (Barry Bostwick) of New York City from embarrassing himself in front of the media and the voters. The staff consists of Caitlin Moore (Heather Locklear) the Communications Director, Carter Haywood (Michael Boatman) the head of Minority Affairs, Stuart Bondek (Alan Ruck) the Chief of Staff, Paul Lassiter (Richard Kind) the Press Secretary, James Hobert (Alexander Chaplin), the Mayor's Speech Writer, and Nikki Faber (Connie Britton) accountant. In the final two seasons of the show, Mike was replaced by Charlie Crawford (Charlie Sheen).
- Metascore72
- 1996-2002
- 6 seasons
- ABC
- Comedy
- TV-14
In this sitcom, Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty (Michael J. Fox) and his City Hall staff must stop the dim-witted Mayor Randall Winston (Barry Bostwick) of New York City from embarrassing himself in front of the media and the voters. The staff consists of Caitlin Moore (Heather Locklear) the Communications Director, Carter Haywood (Michael Boatman) the head of Minority Affairs, Stuart Bondek (Alan Ruck) the Chief of Staff, Paul Lassiter (Richard Kind) the Press Secretary, James Hobert (Alexander Chaplin), the Mayor's Speech Writer, and Nikki Faber (Connie Britton) accountant. In the final two seasons of the show, Mike was replaced by Charlie Crawford (Charlie Sheen).
Season 2 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 1997 - 1998
Episode 1
Paul Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Wed, Sep 24, 1997 22 mins
Claudia has trust issues, and the press questions Paul's sanity, after his impulsive trip to Florida. Mike handles Randall's divorce and falls for the opposing lawyer. Carter spies on neighbors and is accused of heterophobia.
Episode 2
Porn in the U.S.A.
Wed, Oct 1, 1997 22 mins
Paul's mom shocks his co-workers when she visits the office and turns out to be a real hottie. The Mayor is in a pickle when he visits an X-rated video store and is caught on camera. Mike saves the day by putting his classic spin on the situation.
Episode 3
Wonder Woman
Wed, Oct 8, 1997 22 mins
Mike's new girlfriend Laurie wants no commitment. Janelle applies for a raise. Stuart and Carter try to find out what James' new hobby is.
Episode 4
The Goodbye Girl
Wed, Oct 15, 1997 22 mins
Mike discourages Randall from pursuing a young woman two weeks after his divorce, for fear of a media frenzy. With Janelle's promotion to Randall's personal assistant, Mike needs a new one and Stacey Paterno applies for the job.
Episode 5
In the Heat of the Day
Wed, Oct 22, 1997 22 mins
Carter goes jogging to plug Randall's fitness program but gets mistaken for a mugger and publicizes the arrest to soothe his outrage. Paul accidentally insults a Mexican councilman. Stacey and Nikki coach James on wooing the supply girl.
Episode 6
Radio Daze
Wed, Oct 29, 1997 22 mins
Mike and Randall clash repeatedly with an obnoxious deejay. Paul tries to write an objective critique of Randall's autobiography. The female staffers fantasize about the handsome man who delivers bottled water to the building.
Episode 7
The Thirty Year Itch
Wed, Nov 5, 1997 22 mins
Everyone struggles to figure out what to give Mike for his 30th birthday, as he prepares to meet with a high school girlfriend atop the Empire State Building. Meanwhile, the mayor asks Carter to find out whether the mayor's nephew Stephen is gay.
Episode 8
My Life Is a Soap Opera
Wed, Nov 12, 1997 22 mins
Mike dates Lisa, a writer for "All My Children", then sees details of their romance played out on episodes of the show. A newspaper photo's caption names Stuart as Carter's boyfriend, so Stuart uses the ruse to get dates.
Episode 9
Family Affair
Wed, Nov 19, 1997 22 mins
Winston is accused of paying a call girl, and Mike sets out to prove it false. But Winston was with Mike's visiting mother at the time. Nikki dates a shy ventriloquist. A panicky security guard shoots Paul by mistake.
Episode 10
Family Affair: Part 2
Wed, Nov 26, 1997 22 mins
Mike's mom can save Randall from scandal by revealing their tryst. Carter's planned trip to the Bahamas goes awry when co-workers want to join him. Paul hires Stacy to represent him when he faces off against Hank on The People's Court.
Episode 11
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Wed, Dec 10, 1997 22 mins
The Mayor's daughter, Meg comes for a visit. But they are not exactly close. And when the Mayor goes to an event for hansom cabs, she shows up riding on a horse naked as a protest. Mike tries to talk to her and deduces this is all about getting her father's attention. Mike tries to tell the Mayor that but he's afraid to approach her. But they can't find her so they lean on James whom she's been hanging around with, to find out where she is. And Paul meets his mysterious pen pal.
Episode 12
Miracle Near 34th Street
Wed, Dec 17, 1997 22 mins
Randall accidentally tells the public that there is no Santa Claus, and sets off a chain of mishaps during the Christmas season.
Episode 13
Same Time Next Year
Wed, Jan 7, 1998 22 mins
Randall hosts a New Year's party, where Nikki's boyfriend dumps her for the catering girl, Carter helps Stuart grieve over a deceased house pet, everyone suggests resolutions for each other, and several people drink way too much alcohol.
Episode 14
The Paul Lassiter Story
Wed, Jan 21, 1998 22 mins
Randall has a tight deadline for writing a book but can expect no help from close-mouthed Mike, whose recent doctor visit hints that he may have cancer. And several staffers try to obtain new office chairs from a snooty supply technician.
Episode 15
Gentleman's Agreement
Wed, Jan 28, 1998 22 mins
Mike tries to talk Mayor Winston out of joining a private club that prohibits women, but his efforts lead to both of them and several other staffers being trapped in the club steam room by a muckraking reporter. Meanwhile, Stuart tries to join the women's book club at the office and Paul tries to help when James is swindled by a local card shark.
Episode 16
Deaf Man Walking
Wed, Feb 25, 1998 22 mins
Randall has hearing problems; Stuart gets a new office upstairs; Stacey wants to move out of the family household, so her grandmother blames Mike and puts a curse on him.
Episode 17
The Marrying Men
Wed, Mar 4, 1998 22 mins
Paul chooses an engagement ring for Claudia, but Mike pays for it and keeps it until Paul can reimburse him. When Laurie finds the ring in Mike's pocket, she thinks Mike is proposing to her. Meanwhile, Stuart and Stacy go on a date.
Episode 18
One Wedding and a Funeral
Wed, Mar 11, 1998 22 mins
Mike and Laurie plan their wedding with Randall as best man; Paul gets cold feet about marrying Claudia; Nikki is the first to fantasize about what it would be like being married to Mike.
Episode 19
A River Runs Through Me
Wed, Mar 18, 1998 22 mins
As a preemptive strike against illegal drug use, Mike mandates that the staff will undergo mandatory drug testing, then accidentally ingests peyote during a visit with Native American constituents.
Episode 20
The Pope of Gracie Mansion
Wed, Apr 1, 1998 22 mins
The Pope's visit to New York City inspires Randall to mix politics with religion; Paul's pet turtle goes missing; Nikki and Stacy both date Carter's friend Daniel; and Mike and Stuart work to avert an MTA strike.
Episode 21
Bye, Bye, Birdie
Wed, Apr 29, 1998 30 mins
The staffers throw prenuptial parties for Paul and Claudia, but Stuart plays a prank on the women by changing the planned entertainment for Claudia's party; an offensive statue turns up on display in City Hall.
Episode 22
The Lady or the Tiger
Wed, May 6, 1998 30 mins
Mike's clingy girlfriend Kaari is a magician who doesn't take kindly to his rejection; Stuart and Carter open their own bar; James loans money to Randall and then tries to get reimbursed.
Episode 23
Single White Male
Wed, May 6, 1998 30 mins
Stuart wants to become Carter's new roommate so that both of them can have lower rent; animal lover James objects when Paul brings his cat to kill the rat that's on the loose in Mike's office.
Episode 24
The Paul Bearer
Wed, May 20, 1998 30 mins
Paul and Claudia's wedding day is fraught with problems: Randall suddenly suffers from a speech impediment and best man Mike learns that the church is double-booked with a funeral.
