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List of Midnight Caller episodes

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Midnight Caller is a drama television series that aired on NBC. It was created by Richard DiLello, and was one of the first television series to address the dramatic possibilities of the then-growing phenomenon of talk radio.[1][2] The series ran 3 seasons from 1988 to 1991, airing a total of 61 episodes.

Series overview

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
117November 25, 1988 (1988-11-25)May 9, 1989 (1989-05-09)
221September 19, 1989 (1989-09-19)May 15, 1990 (1990-05-15)[3]
323September 28, 1990 (1990-09-28)May 10, 1991 (1991-05-10)[4]

Episodes

[edit]

Season 1 (1988–89)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected by [5]Written byOriginal air dateProd.
code [5]		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Conversations with the Assassin"Thomas CarterRichard DiLelloOctober 25, 1988 (1988-10-25)20106221.7[6]
Series pilot. After accidentally shooting his partner, policeman Jack Killian retires from the force and takes up a job as a late night radio talk show host. But Jack is soon pulled back into his former crime-fighting lifestyle when a female serial killer who calls herself "Angel", and is infatuated with Jack, begins calling the station and telling him about all of her murders. Guest stars: Jenny Wright, Kay Lenz.
22"12 Gauge"Robert ButlerDavid IsraelDecember 6, 1988 (1988-12-06)17740319.6[7]
Jack tries to stall a spurned lover calling his radio show, from committing a murder-suicide with his girlfriend while the police try to track the man down and rescue the woman. Guest stars: Ed O'Neill, Yvette Nipar.
33"After It Happened"Mimi LederStephen ZitoDecember 13, 1988 (1988-12-13)17740418.7[8]
Jack helps an old flame of his track down the man who impregnated her after a one-night stand...which also left her infected with HIV. Guest stars: Julia Montgomery, Richard Cox.
44"Payback"Kevin HooksDeborah ArakellanDecember 20, 1988 (1988-12-20)17740519.7[9]
When a friend of Jack's is wounded and her partner is killed in an undercover operation, they find comfort in each other's arms. But, he is caught in the crosshairs of the mob looking to silence the only witness to the crime.
55"Bank Job"Michael ZinbergStephen ZitoJanuary 3, 1989 (1989-01-03)17740718.7[10]
While trying to cash a cheque, Jack finds himself taken hostage in a bank robbery. Guest stars: Charles Cioffi, Matt Clark, Susan Walden.
66"The Execution of John Saringo"Reynaldo VillalobosRichard DiLelloJanuary 10, 1989 (1989-01-10)17740622.1[11]
Jack interviews death row inmate John Saringo (Joe Spano) just before he is executed.
Spano won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Saringo.
77"A Kiss for the Dying"Peter LevinDavid IsraelJanuary 17, 1989 (1989-01-17)44515822.5[12]
After his son is suspected of the death of a girl he was seen with, a newspaper publisher eyeing Jack for a job uses his influence to get his son off without charges, begins a smear campaign against the deceased girl, and even provides a witness who Jack interviews on his radio show. However, when Jack starts looking into the girl’s death, he makes a startling discovery. Guest stars: Peter Michael Goetz, Darrell Fetty, Richard Bradford, Suzanne Weber.
88"Trash Radio"Larry GrossCarol MendelsohnJanuary 31, 1989 (1989-01-31)44515919.9[13]
When Jack trades barbs with Kingston Rivers, another late-night radio host, Rivers goes to great lengths to prove Jack was involved in the theft of drugs from an evidence room. Guest stars: Mitchell Laurance, Alexa Hamilton, Robert Romanus.
99"No Exit"John PattersonRichard DiLelloFebruary 7, 1989 (1989-02-07)44515218.8[14]
A young runaway, forced into prostitution, turns to Jack via his radio show for help. Guest stars: Bud Cort, Heather Fairfield, Brenda Strong.
1010"Fathers and Sins"Robert SingerRobert SingerFebruary 14, 1989 (1989-02-14)44516020.7[15]
Jack's father comes back after abandoning his mom when he was a kid. But, Jack remains wary of his intentions. Meanwhile, Devon and her father get into a heated argument over the life of her deceased brother, culminating in a fatal outcome.
1111"The Fall"Peter LevinDavid Israel & Robert SingerFebruary 21, 1989 (1989-02-21)44516120.0[16]
Jack goes back to a neighborhood he worked when he was a patrolman to help a woman's drug-addicted son kick his habit. But, given how long her son has been using drugs, it's uncertain if it'll work.
1212"Promise to a Dead Man"Eric LaneuvilleThania St. JohnMarch 7, 1989 (1989-03-07)44516221.6[17]
Jack is tasked with helping a retired cop solve a 40-year-old homicide, but it's a race against time as a journalist will do whatever it takes to crack the case.
1313"Blame It on Midnight"Bradford MayLarry Gross & Richard DiLelloMarch 28, 1989 (1989-03-28)44516419.0[18]
Jack meets a night club singer and ends up falling hard for her. Her abusive ex-husband is not willing to let her go, eventually attacking Jack with a knife in a bar. Later, the man is killed, and Jack is the prime suspect.
1414"Ethan's Call"Matt ClarkRandall ZiskApril 4, 1989 (1989-04-04)44516618.7[19]
The son of the officer Jack shot and killed asks Jack for help dealing with his home. But, the boy's mother is still furious about Jack's role in her husband's death.
1515"Baby Chase"Larry GrossStory by : Paul Robert Coyle
Teleplay by : Paul Robert Coyle & Stephen Zito		April 11, 1989 (1989-04-11)44516319.2[20]
Jack turns to his audience for help when a doctor's baby is kidnapped by a young woman, but it's a race against time since the baby has juvenile diabetes.
1616"Wait Until Midnight"Eric LaneuvilleStory by : Gary Michael White
Teleplay by : Gary Michael White, David Israel & Stephen Zito		May 2, 1989 (1989-05-02)44516721.5[21]
Proceeds from an armored truck robbery arrive at the address of a blind woman by mistake. Starring David Morse and Meg Foster
1717"Blues for Mr. Charlie"Robert SingerThania St. JohnMay 9, 1989 (1989-05-09)44516521.7[22]

Season 2 (1989–90)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected by [5]Original air dateProd.
code [5]		U.S. viewers
(millions)
181"The Tarnished Shield"Kevin HooksSeptember 19, 1989 (1989-09-19)44590318.7[23]
A friend of Jack's commits suicide after calling into the show, and this sets off a chain of events that causes Jack to mistrust his previous training officer.
192"Evil Is Live Spelled Backward (Part 1)"Bradford MaySeptember 26, 1989 (1989-09-26)TBA17.5[24]
A caller to the show appears to begin a killing spree to get Jack's attention, but Lt. Zymak is unconvinced the killings are all connected.
203"Evil Is Live Spelled Backward (Part 2)"Bradford MaySeptember 26, 1989 (1989-09-26)[25]TBA17.5[24]
As the killings continue, no-one is safe. Jack decides to confront the killer, especially after he takes Devon hostage.
214"Mercy Me"Michael ZinbergOctober 24, 1989 (1989-10-24)44590420.0[26]
An old friend of Jack is conflicted about keeping his comatose son alive. While the boy is only alive because of the machine's he's hooked up to, he can't be euthanized under the law. When Jack's friend goes on the show, he creates a swath of controversy across San Francisco.
225"Watching Me, Watching You"Colin BuckseyOctober 31, 1989 (1989-10-31)44590521.6[27]
A man who spots Devon on the freeway begins stalking her. As his obsession gets more intense, she and Jack get concerned. Soon, the obsession turns into a dangerous encounter.
236"Take Back the Streets"Colin BuckseyNovember 7, 1989 (1989-11-07)44590720.0[28]
Jack and KJCM get caught in a confrontation between drug dealers and residents of the neighborhood. As it continues to escalate, tragedy ensues.
247"Someone to Love"Robert SingerNovember 14, 1989 (1989-11-14)44590616.6[29]
When Jack's ex Tina Cassidy returns, now dying of AIDS, she asks Jack to help settle her affairs in her final days. But, she's uncertain if he's taking her diagnosis seriously.
258"End of Innocence"Colin BuckseyNovember 21, 1989 (1989-11-21)[30]44590820.2[31]
Jack helps a woman who's being jailed for refusing to reveal the location of her daughter, who she believes is being abused by her ex-husband. But, Jack could face a similar fate by a judge looking to railroad him.
269"Blood Red"James QuinnDecember 5, 1989 (1989-12-05)44590918.3[32]
Deacon's girlfriend (guest star Pam Grier) has a gambling addiction that's gotten her in a tough spot with some shady characters. Meanwhile, Lt. Zymak investigates the murder of a wealthy communications magnate.
2710"Do You Believe in Miracles?"Robert SingerDecember 19, 1989 (1989-12-19)44591020.0[33]
Jack gets involved in a situation involving a missing Church statue, a turf war, and a girl with cancer, all before Christmas.
2811"Based on a True Story"Michael ZinbergJanuary 16, 1990 (1990-01-16)44591119.1[34]
Jack, Devon, Billy, Deacon, Lt. Zymak and his wife Connie recount their experiences during the Loma Prieta Earthquake. They all found themselves in unusually helping situations, to get through the damage and destruction of the earthquake and its aftershocks.
2912"Planes"Randall ZiskJanuary 30, 1990 (1990-01-30)44591219.3[35]
Jack tries to help a young boy left at a gas station by his mother and her boyfriend.
3013"Kid Salinas"James QuinnFebruary 6, 1990 (1990-02-06)44591317.0[36]
Jack helps an illegal alien boxer being taken advantage of by his promoter.
3114"A Snitch In Time (Part 1)"Eric LaneuvilleFebruary 20, 1990 (1990-02-20)44591419.0[37]
After a hit and run, Jack is accused of the death of a young lady, with a witness claiming he told her all about what happened.
3215"A Snitch In Time (Part 2)"Eric LaneuvilleFebruary 27, 1990 (1990-02-27)44591523.0[38]
The case against Jack mounts up, but Jack starts to see the issues with the statements.
3316"The Reverend Sound Bite"Peter LevinMarch 6, 1990 (1990-03-06)44591620.1[39]
A young black man is seemingly attacked and blames the SFPD, namely Carl. Jack tries to prove his friend innocent, while also showing the Reverend has an agenda for getting involved. Carl also deals with issues relating to his marriage.
3417"Wrong Side of the Wall"Matt ClarkMarch 27, 1990 (1990-03-27)44591816.5[40]
An ex convict is trying to go straight but his old partner wants him for one last job. Though he tries to get arrested for a crime he didn't commit, Jack finds out a better way for him to live outside of prison.
3518"Three for the Money"Robert SingerApril 3, 1990 (1990-04-03)44591718.1[41]
Jack's father and brother, Frankie, get mixed up with a girl and a missing Buddha.
3619"Protection"James A. ContnerApril 17, 1990 (1990-04-17)[42]44591916.4[43]
Jack has to help a couple being targeted by a drug cartel.
3720"The Hostage Game"Charles Robert CarnerMay 1, 1990 (1990-05-01)[44]44592117.5[45]
When a childhood friend's brother is taken hostage on a plane, Jack tries to calm the man down, but fearing he has no option but to try and get his brother released, he takes drastic action, leading to a tragic showdown.
3821"Nighthawk's Got the Blues"Robert SingerMay 15, 1990 (1990-05-15)[3]44592216.0[46]
Jack is not himself, he is upsetting everyone, including his listeners and not even his friends can talk to him. Devon has to make a choice that will be difficult for her, she also tells Jack a personal secret.

Season 3 (1990–91)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected by [5]Original air dateProd.
code [5]		U.S. viewers
(millions)
391"Burned Beyond Recognition"Eric LaneuvilleSeptember 28, 1990 (1990-09-28)44625114.1[47]
Jack takes part in a bachelor auction for charity and discovers the woman who buys a date from him is a murder suspect.
402"The Language Barrier"James A. ContnerOctober 5, 1990 (1990-10-05)44625211.2[48]
Problems between Italian and Chinese people living in North Beach come to a head, and Billie Po gets caught up in the troubles.
413"Old Friends"Robert SingerOctober 12, 1990 (1990-10-12)44625313.5[49]
Jack investigates the nursing home where his father figure recently died.
424"Ain't Too Proud to Beg"James QuinnOctober 19, 1990 (1990-10-19)44625412.9[50]
Devon has a surprise when Richard Clark returns and asks her to marry him. Jack is incensed that he has come back and just wants to take Devon away.
435"Sale Away"Rob BowmanOctober 26, 1990 (1990-10-26)44625512.0[51]

Jack, Richard and Devon argue about almost everything, Devon gives birth to a baby boy and makes a decision that will change all their lives.

Note: Last regular appearance of Wendy Kilbourne First appearance of Lisa Eilbacher
446"Life Without Possibility (Part 1)"Eric LaneuvilleNovember 2, 1990 (1990-11-02)44625611.2[52]
After convicts from a local prison revolt and take some guards hostage, they call the station and ask Jack to air their grievances on the air.
457"Life Without Possibility (Part 2)"Eric LaneuvilleNovember 9, 1990 (1990-11-09)44625711.3[53]
As tensions rise, Killian becomes the target of a man he put away.
468"Ryder on the Storm"Fred GerberNovember 16, 1990 (1990-11-16)44625810.3[54]
A DJ from Killian's past comes back to San Francisco looking for forgiveness for an accident that happened 20 years before.
479"Home to Roost"Robert SingerDecember 5, 1990 (1990-12-05)[55]44625912.9[56]
Killian's friend, a cop about to retire, is accused by an immigrant of atrocities during the Vietnam War.
4810"With Malice Towards One"James QuinnDecember 14, 1990 (1990-12-14)44627410.6[57]

Jack recounts a story from soon after he started at KJCM, which involves a released convict seeking revenge, not just on Jack but a former girlfriend of both men.

Note: Features a Special Guest Star appearance by Wendy Kilbourne As Devon King
4911"That's Amore"James A. ContnerJanuary 4, 1991 (1991-01-04)44626013.1[58]
After a chef is kidnapped from a restaurant that Nick owns, Jack gets involved in the lives of the chef, his wife and the man she left him for.
5012"Her Dirty Little Secret"Betty ThomasJanuary 25, 1991 (1991-01-25)44626110.5[59]
5113"Uninvited Guests"James QuinnFebruary 1, 1991 (1991-02-01)44626210.8[60]
5214"Play Blotto... and Die"Eric LaneuvilleFebruary 8, 1991 (1991-02-08)44626310.6[61]
A man who was taken into witness protection asks Jack to help him collect lottery winnings of $46 million, while avoiding the man that wants him dead.
5315"Can't Say N-N-No"Randall ZiskFebruary 15, 1991 (1991-02-15)44626411.6[62]
5416"Blood Ties"Win PhelpsMarch 1, 1991 (1991-03-01)44626511.3[63]
5517"The Added Starter"Eric LaneuvilleApril 5, 1991 (1991-04-05)44626610.7[64]
5618"The Loneliest Number"Peter LevinApril 12, 1991 (1991-04-12)44626810.8[65]
5719"A Cry in the Night"Philip J. SgricciaApril 19, 1991 (1991-04-19)44626711.7[66]
5820"The Leopard"James QuinnApril 26, 1991 (1991-04-26)4462699.8[67]
5921"The City of Lost Souls (Part 1)"Eric LaneuvilleMay 7, 1991 (1991-05-07)[68]44627015.2[69]
6022"The City of Lost Souls (Part 2)"James QuinnMay 10, 1991 (1991-05-10)44627110.9[69]
6123"The City of Lost Souls (Part 3)"James QuinnMay 10, 1991 (1991-05-10)[4]44627210.9[69]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ John J. O'Connor (November 14, 1989). "Review/Television; 'Midnight Caller' Continues Its AIDS Story". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Allan Johnson (January 2, 1996). "Downright Nasty – Return Of 'American Gothic' Puts Gary Cole's Evil Sheriff Back In Charge". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2017. ...NBC's 1988-91 series "Midnight Caller," which was light years ahead of its time when it came to dealing with talk radio.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b "TV Listings for May 15, 1990". TV Tango. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "TV Listings for May 10, 1991". TV Tango. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Midnight Caller"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  6. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. November 2, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest 306129406.
  7. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 14, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest 306143538.
  8. ^ "A very 'Brady' ratings hit". Life. USA Today. December 21, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest 306159082.
  9. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 29, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest 306127986.
  10. ^ "NBC, laughing all the way". Life. USA Today. January 11, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306165080.
  11. ^ "NBC clinches season's ratings title". Life. USA Today. January 18, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306171627.
  12. ^ "NBC scores super ratings". Life. USA Today. January 25, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306147740.
  13. ^ "Comedies sweep up for NBC". Life. USA Today. February 8, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306179902.
  14. ^ "CBS gallops to a tie with NBC". Life. USA Today. February 15, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306163263.
  15. ^ "NBC's back alone on top". Life. USA Today. February 22, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306175741.
  16. ^ "CBS up despite Grammy drop". Life. USA Today. March 1, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306152931.
  17. ^ "NBC, in front with 'Left Behind'". Life. USA Today. March 15, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306172200.
  18. ^ "ABC's roller-coaster week". Life. USA Today. April 5, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306171172.
  19. ^ "ABC's hit-and-miss week". Life. USA Today. April 12, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306166319.
  20. ^ "CBS squeaks by into second". Life. USA Today. April 19, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306176608.
  21. ^ "Bright spots for No. 3 ABC". Life. USA Today. May 10, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306210811.
  22. ^ "NBC sweeps top 11 spots". Life. USA Today. May 17, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306203436.
  23. ^ "'Cosby' reclaims the top spot". Life. USA Today. September 27, 1989. p. 3D.
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  26. ^ "NBC's hits beat ABC baseball". Life. USA Today. November 1, 1989. p. 3D.
  27. ^ "NBC sweeps the week, 1-2-3". Life. USA Today. November 8, 1989. p. 3D.
  28. ^ "Brokaw still 3rd despite coup". Life. USA Today. November 15, 1989. p. 3D.
  29. ^ "'Small Sacrifices' wins big". Life. USA Today. November 22, 1989. p. 3D.
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  31. ^ "NBC sweeps up another win". Life. USA Today. November 29, 1989. p. 3D.
  32. ^ "'Cosby' leads NBC charge". Life. USA Today. December 13, 1989. p. 3D.
  33. ^ "A special 'Lucy' Christmas". Life. USA Today. December 27, 1989. p. 3D.
  34. ^ "A 'Grand' entrance for NBC". Life. USA Today. January 24, 1990. p. 3D.
  35. ^ "'Amen,' wedded to ratings win". Life. USA Today. February 7, 1990. p. 3D.
  36. ^ "'Faith' abides for No. 1 NBC". Life. USA Today. February 14, 1990. p. 3D.
  37. ^ "'Videos' is a repeat winner". Life. USA Today. February 28, 1990. p. 3D.
  38. ^ "'Incident' tops Sunday movies". Life. USA Today. March 7, 1990. p. 3D.
  39. ^ "A week of ratings shake-ups". Life. USA Today. March 14, 1990. p. 3D.
  40. ^ "ABC gets an Oscar boost". Life. USA Today. April 4, 1990. p. 3D.
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  43. ^ "'Earth Day' ratings bloom". Life. USA Today. April 25, 1990. p. 3D.
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  49. ^ Sloan, Eugene (October 17, 1990). "For CBS, baseball's a grounder". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  50. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 24, 1990). "CBS slides easily into first place". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  51. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 31, 1990). "CBS, no longer the long shot". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  52. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 7, 1990). "NBC wins with fewer viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  53. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 14, 1990). "'Cheers' sweeps up for NBC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  54. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 21, 1990). "ABC pulls past CBS in sweeps". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
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  56. ^ Donlon, Brian (December 12, 1990). "ABC wins a sub-par week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  57. ^ Donlon, Brian (December 19, 1990). "St. Nick can't lick TV lull". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  58. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 9, 1991). "ABC News' winning streak ends". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  59. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 30, 1991). "ABC super-bowls over its rivals". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  60. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 6, 1991). "Where are the dominant series?". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  61. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 13, 1991). "A good Friday fuels ABC win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  62. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 20, 1991). "CBS mines past and hits gold". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
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  64. ^ Sloan, Eugene (April 10, 1991). "'Cheers', NBC rack up wins". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  65. ^ Donlon, Brian (April 17, 1991). "CBS ends the year with a win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  66. ^ Sloan, Eugene (April 24, 1991). "'Stat' good ratings medicine". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  67. ^ Donlon, Brian (May 1, 1991). "'Switched' sweeps the week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
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[edit]
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