When Catherine left the show it was a bummer. She was hot and although they never gave her a lot of lines, I really liked that character. But when Bill left the show, that’s when the cards came tumbling down. I became, somewhat, like Matthew; Where’s Bill, I need Bill. haha. I needed that insolent person that mistreated Matthew. After Phil death, I probably watched 3 or 4 more episodes and then I stopped watching. I liked all the actors in the show, but without Phil Hartman, the magic was gone.
Phil Hartman brought a lot of happiness and laughter to millions. It's only fitting and appropriate that the show say goodbye with laughter. Personally, if my own funeral isn't a laugh fest I'm going to come back as a spirit and tickle everyone's feet in their sleep. RIP Phil Hartman.
...for Phil. And it was great seeing the beautiful Khandi Alexander come back to the show one last time (surprised they didn't have the audience clap for her). Yeah...you could tell it was difficult for them, especially Vicki, Maura & Joe. But again, it's good they kept it together till the end. Great tribute episode. It still will be 20 years from now...
12/31/2010--This episode is on the REELZ channel (second time I've seen it on that channel this year; last time was the late summer) right now. I remember watching this back in '98 when it originally aired on NBC. It was actually 2 days after the series premire of "The King of Queens" on CBS. The show that kinda took the place of "NewsRadio" for me after it came to an end in '99. Yeah...this episode was one of the more sad moments on t.v. in the 90's. But I'm glad the cast kept it together...
His death really devastated me. I saw Phil for the first time on SNL when I was 15-years-old. He left the show 3 years later ('94) and then 1 year later Phil made his debut on this show.
I don't think anyone could have imagined that his life would have ended under such horrific circumstances.
As sad as this episode was to watch, I think in some ways, it was a good way to give the fans some closure.
It was sad he had to die the way he did. He will always be missed.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
this sitcom sucked! not funny in the slightest! "conspiracy within the network" bullshit it was just not funny & no more popular than any other mediocre sitcom of the day. anyway im here only cos it brings back memories of the late 90's when i used watch it sometimes when there was nothing else on or to do & interested to see bill's death episode.
dnt read this(cuz it really wrks). u will gt kissd on the nearest frieday by the love of ur life. 2mara wll b the bst day of ur life hwever if you dnt post ths comment 2 at least 3 vids u will die withn 2 days nw uv startd readn this dnt stp this is so scary snd ths ovr 2 5 vids in 143 mins when ur done press f6 nd ur crush's name wll appear on the screen n big letters ths is so scary cuz it actully wrks ths really wrks
dnt read this(cuz it really wrks). u will gt kissd on the nearest frieday by the love of ur life. 2mara wll b the bst day of ur life hwever if you dnt post ths comment 2 at least 3 vids u will die withn 2 days nw uv startd readn this dnt stp this is so scary snd ths ovr 2 5 vids in 143 mins when ur done press f6 nd ur crush's name wll appear on the screen n big letters ths is so scary cuz it actully wrks ths really wrks
This episode must have been unbelievably difficult to shoot for this cast. I mean not only the news of Phil Hartmans death was devastating for them but the news on how he died must have been even more difficult to take. The fact that he was murdered by his wife. A woman that they(the cast) all knew and met. The whole thing is simply tragic. I hope Phill's kids are doing fine these days. RIP Mr. Hartman.
Convinced he has seen through one last ploy of Bill's, Matthew (supported by Dave) quotes George C. Scott's Oscar winning performance as Patton (1970)."
Actually, I think they were referencing Bill, quoting that line in an earlier season. Basically, a reference to a reference.
in the episode "the cane" bill knows dave hid the cane outside the window because as bill said "I read your book you magnificent bastard".... love the reference
When Matthew remembers Bill getting mad at him he says "Good times!" just the way Bill used to when he talked about his not very loving family and his hard childhood. I liked that reference.
When this show was on; Andy Dick when into rehab for a drug addiction. Phil was the only one out of the cast to visit him and comfort him when he had no one.
Andy cried out more then anyone, when he heard the news.
To this day, Andy finally admitted giving Phil's wife cocaine. It was a her begin high, that caused the tragedy. He blames himself for what happened. During the William Shanter roast, he did coke and he lost control of his emotions.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Not to be a total ass or something but there is technically a continuity error. I love Newsradio and have seen every episode. I recall a Halloween episode (I think it was) where Bill talks with a fortune teller and she tells him the day he'd die. Unfortunately this wasn't true.
how difficult it must have been to tape a sit com episode and crack jokes about a character's death when the actor had actually been murdered. that takes quite a bit of acting ability (not to mention restraint).
I wasn't going to watch this episode but I talked myself into it. Don't think I'd be able to watch it again either. They had me as soon as they put that coffee cup down on the table for him.
I don't know whether or not the show filmed in front of a live audience. It's possible this was "canned" laughter. Even if they usually filmed live, if it were up to me I wouldn't have filmed this one live for many reasons.
I don't know whether or not the show filmed in front of a live audience. It's possible this was "canned" laughter. Even if they usually filmed live, if it were up to me I wouldn't have filmed this one live for many reasons.
There was a conspiracy within the network to destroy it, one very similar that the show Arrested Development suffered also, although they won 22 awards and were nominated 33 times. NewsRadio was nominated for a Artios, Image and TV Land award. It won none. It did win an emmy in 98 for Outstanding Costuming! lol What a joke. And lost 2 others. It never received nominations in the categories it should of dominated. It was an absolute travesty. The old owner and execs at NBC purposely destroyed it.
Fox actually didn't want to destroy Arrested, I actually read something about it. They couldn't get sponsors and it had the least amount of ad-cred. No commercials, no show. And they believed it was too intelligent for the audience(and it was.) Sad. I have heard the ways that NBC wanted to sabotage Newsradio(and also Just Shoot Me.) It's pathetic that execs can have a grudge against an actor or creator and ruin a show.
@TexasPsychoK I don't disagree that this show was GREAT! I'm a huge fan. Friends, I'm not a big fan, Everybody Loves Raymond, somewhat of a fan, but Frasier was an AMAZING show. Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Peirce, along with the rest of the cast are absolute geniuses. Yes, Phil Hartman is right there with them, but Frasier is brilliant as well!
I'm not gonna lie. When I heard Phil died, I initially thought it was of a heart attack or something like that. So I often wondered if the writers came up with that sendoff for Bill so that it would be more digestible and far less horrific than the one Phil had...
And I love the little nod to "The Cane" (one of my favorite Bill/Dave moments) at 3:56. :)
The fucked up thing about this is that Andy Dick is the one who re-introduced Hartman's wife to cocaine (after she had been clean for years) which is what triggered the murder-suicide.
This is most likely true. Five months before Brynn shot Phil and herself to death, Dick allegedly gave her cocaine at a house party. Brynn had been sober for ten years, and many close to Phil blame Andy Dick for her getting hooked again. Even though Dick may have given her cocaine, it was her decision to use it and get addicted to it. It was also her decision to end the lives of herself and the late great Phil Hartman. Last summer Jon Lovitz severely beat up Dick at a bar over this very issue.
@Shattered20 time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1645175,00.html
smurfyday 2 months ago
When Catherine left the show it was a bummer. She was hot and although they never gave her a lot of lines, I really liked that character. But when Bill left the show, that’s when the cards came tumbling down. I became, somewhat, like Matthew; Where’s Bill, I need Bill. haha. I needed that insolent person that mistreated Matthew. After Phil death, I probably watched 3 or 4 more episodes and then I stopped watching. I liked all the actors in the show, but without Phil Hartman, the magic was gone.
equisxx12 3 months ago
@equisxx12 he didn't leave, he died
jennabenna6600 1 month ago
I've read it was really hard for the cast to get through this episode.
HerecomestheCalavera 5 months ago
chick tht killed him is a super cunt
x4zmodi0us 7 months ago
@x4zmodi0us it was his wife
jennabenna6600 1 month ago
Phil Hartman brought a lot of happiness and laughter to millions. It's only fitting and appropriate that the show say goodbye with laughter. Personally, if my own funeral isn't a laugh fest I'm going to come back as a spirit and tickle everyone's feet in their sleep. RIP Phil Hartman.
spacecowboy5000 9 months ago 3
anybody wonder where bill is this whole time? he hasn't even been in the episode yet....
equalcharliebrown 11 months ago
@equalcharliebrown Dude, read the description.
DrThemoWorm 9 months ago
@DrThemoWorm what? I'm just saying, he doesn't seem to be in the episode at all....
equalcharliebrown 9 months ago
@equalcharliebrown They did this episode after Phil Hartman was killed by his wife (who then shot herself).
DrThemoWorm 9 months ago
Their not the same. I have watched this show from episode 1 and I can see the Difference. =''( R.I.P. Phil. <3
xxxxClaryMelendez 1 year ago
I want to watch this show out of respect for the journey, but now that I am here, I can't. It surprises me after all this time, but I still can't.
Dehzee 1 year ago
RIP Phil you will ALWAYS be missed <3
JuggaletteHC 1 year ago
ps this was sadest episode :(
man0204 1 year ago
i cant find ep 75 s 5 :(
man0204 1 year ago
...for Phil. And it was great seeing the beautiful Khandi Alexander come back to the show one last time (surprised they didn't have the audience clap for her). Yeah...you could tell it was difficult for them, especially Vicki, Maura & Joe. But again, it's good they kept it together till the end. Great tribute episode. It still will be 20 years from now...
R.I.P. Phil!
BrooklynEagle 1 year ago 2
12/31/2010--This episode is on the REELZ channel (second time I've seen it on that channel this year; last time was the late summer) right now. I remember watching this back in '98 when it originally aired on NBC. It was actually 2 days after the series premire of "The King of Queens" on CBS. The show that kinda took the place of "NewsRadio" for me after it came to an end in '99. Yeah...this episode was one of the more sad moments on t.v. in the 90's. But I'm glad the cast kept it together...
BrooklynEagle 1 year ago
Joe's character looks REALLY devastated. i can't understand how come this show was so underrated, every single line was gold.
iskandargul 1 year ago
His death really devastated me. I saw Phil for the first time on SNL when I was 15-years-old. He left the show 3 years later ('94) and then 1 year later Phil made his debut on this show.
I don't think anyone could have imagined that his life would have ended under such horrific circumstances.
As sad as this episode was to watch, I think in some ways, it was a good way to give the fans some closure.
It was sad he had to die the way he did. He will always be missed.
pam7601 1 year ago
Comment removed
pam7601 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this sitcom sucked! not funny in the slightest! "conspiracy within the network" bullshit it was just not funny & no more popular than any other mediocre sitcom of the day. anyway im here only cos it brings back memories of the late 90's when i used watch it sometimes when there was nothing else on or to do & interested to see bill's death episode.
billywhitewolf 1 year ago
Rest In Peace Phil Hartman. You are missed.
jrkmovie 1 year ago
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dnt read this(cuz it really wrks). u will gt kissd on the nearest frieday by the love of ur life. 2mara wll b the bst day of ur life hwever if you dnt post ths comment 2 at least 3 vids u will die withn 2 days nw uv startd readn this dnt stp this is so scary snd ths ovr 2 5 vids in 143 mins when ur done press f6 nd ur crush's name wll appear on the screen n big letters ths is so scary cuz it actully wrks ths really wrks
Moonshield13AD 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
dnt read this(cuz it really wrks). u will gt kissd on the nearest frieday by the love of ur life. 2mara wll b the bst day of ur life hwever if you dnt post ths comment 2 at least 3 vids u will die withn 2 days nw uv startd readn this dnt stp this is so scary snd ths ovr 2 5 vids in 143 mins when ur done press f6 nd ur crush's name wll appear on the screen n big letters ths is so scary cuz it actully wrks ths really wrks
Moonshield13AD 1 year ago
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Moonshield13AD 1 year ago
This episode must have been unbelievably difficult to shoot for this cast. I mean not only the news of Phil Hartmans death was devastating for them but the news on how he died must have been even more difficult to take. The fact that he was murdered by his wife. A woman that they(the cast) all knew and met. The whole thing is simply tragic. I hope Phill's kids are doing fine these days. RIP Mr. Hartman.
BirthofCharlie 2 years ago 2
"
Matthew: But I read his book!
Dave: Yes, you did. You magnificent bastard.
Convinced he has seen through one last ploy of Bill's, Matthew (supported by Dave) quotes George C. Scott's Oscar winning performance as Patton (1970)."
Actually, I think they were referencing Bill, quoting that line in an earlier season. Basically, a reference to a reference.
0rionBTL 2 years ago 3
in the episode "the cane" bill knows dave hid the cane outside the window because as bill said "I read your book you magnificent bastard".... love the reference
kindguy420 2 years ago 5
that is really sad that he died
jennabenna6600 2 years ago 2
When Matthew remembers Bill getting mad at him he says "Good times!" just the way Bill used to when he talked about his not very loving family and his hard childhood. I liked that reference.
bkcchl 2 years ago 7
Yes, by his wife. Who was high from the cocaine she got from Andy.
daviddarkmaster 2 years ago
When this show was on; Andy Dick when into rehab for a drug addiction. Phil was the only one out of the cast to visit him and comfort him when he had no one.
Andy cried out more then anyone, when he heard the news.
To this day, Andy finally admitted giving Phil's wife cocaine. It was a her begin high, that caused the tragedy. He blames himself for what happened. During the William Shanter roast, he did coke and he lost control of his emotions.
When Phil died, a part of Andy died too.
daviddarkmaster 2 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
"When Phil died, a part of Andy died too."
Huh.
When's the rest of him gonna die? I want to be sure to mark my calendar for the celebration.
Arnabas315 2 years ago
I know Andy Dick is well... a DICK! But he's not a monster.
daviddarkmaster 2 years ago
this episode is a heart breaker.
nameismymike 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Not to be a total ass or something but there is technically a continuity error. I love Newsradio and have seen every episode. I recall a Halloween episode (I think it was) where Bill talks with a fortune teller and she tells him the day he'd die. Unfortunately this wasn't true.
hXcsXeHector 3 years ago
What error?
apocalyptichybrid2 3 years ago
@apocalyptichybrid2 hes sayin the error was that a fortune teller told him he died one day and he died on another
ArthurZ101 1 year ago
It's not a continuity error. The fortune teller was a fraud, silly. Hence her changing her prediction from 2032 to 2232.
0rionBTL 2 years ago 5
She changed her prediction to get Bill to stop complaining about the fortune.
bamfingnightcrawler 2 years ago
@hXcsXeHector Don't you see? This proves he's still alive. At least until.... 4:20pm, March 8th, 2232.
In my perfect world, Phil Hartman is still doing NewsRadio, The Simpsons, and Futurama. Also, Andy Dick is a homeless man.
KingRockyIV 4 months ago
how difficult it must have been to tape a sit com episode and crack jokes about a character's death when the actor had actually been murdered. that takes quite a bit of acting ability (not to mention restraint).
djtrixen 3 years ago 21
@djtrixen and in andy dick's case just being his regular self
CrAZBoy0211 11 months ago
@djtrixen i read that they had to stop filming many times because they were crying so much.
jennabenna6600 1 month ago
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Andy Dick was definatelly on drugs during this episode...
PitchforkSally 3 years ago
Im not saying anything about the audience but personally i had a hard time laughing during this epi
reallylazzy 3 years ago 9
I've only watched this episode once and I don't even remember laughing, I haven't watched it again.
apocalyptichybrid2 3 years ago
Comment removed
tomislame 3 years ago
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I wasn't going to watch this episode but I talked myself into it. Don't think I'd be able to watch it again either. They had me as soon as they put that coffee cup down on the table for him.
tomislame 3 years ago
@reallylazzy
I don't know whether or not the show filmed in front of a live audience. It's possible this was "canned" laughter. Even if they usually filmed live, if it were up to me I wouldn't have filmed this one live for many reasons.
rori16h 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@reallylazzy
I don't know whether or not the show filmed in front of a live audience. It's possible this was "canned" laughter. Even if they usually filmed live, if it were up to me I wouldn't have filmed this one live for many reasons.
rori16h 1 year ago
@reallylazzy stephen root alone makes the series watchwhile... ps do you have an idea wich episode is the one were they play space invaders?
dragonheadofthewest 1 year ago
How the hell did this show not win Emmys? Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier were all overrated dreck. Phil Hartman was a genius. RIP :(
TexasPsychoK 3 years ago 16
There was a conspiracy within the network to destroy it, one very similar that the show Arrested Development suffered also, although they won 22 awards and were nominated 33 times. NewsRadio was nominated for a Artios, Image and TV Land award. It won none. It did win an emmy in 98 for Outstanding Costuming! lol What a joke. And lost 2 others. It never received nominations in the categories it should of dominated. It was an absolute travesty. The old owner and execs at NBC purposely destroyed it.
apocalyptichybrid2 3 years ago 2
AMAZING!!!!!! This why i hate award shows!
I can say more but i will offend some people
cossack207 3 years ago 2
@apocalyptichybrid2 What do you surmise was the reason for that? I'm curious. News Radio is probably my favorite sitcom of all time.
nealkassanoff 1 year ago
@apocalyptichybrid2
Totally agree... AD, this and few other sitcoms deserve our praise.
TexasPsychoK 1 year ago
@apocalyptichybrid2
Fox actually didn't want to destroy Arrested, I actually read something about it. They couldn't get sponsors and it had the least amount of ad-cred. No commercials, no show. And they believed it was too intelligent for the audience(and it was.) Sad. I have heard the ways that NBC wanted to sabotage Newsradio(and also Just Shoot Me.) It's pathetic that execs can have a grudge against an actor or creator and ruin a show.
TexasPsychoK 1 year ago
@TexasPsychoK I don't disagree that this show was GREAT! I'm a huge fan. Friends, I'm not a big fan, Everybody Loves Raymond, somewhat of a fan, but Frasier was an AMAZING show. Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Peirce, along with the rest of the cast are absolute geniuses. Yes, Phil Hartman is right there with them, but Frasier is brilliant as well!
Funkinitup 1 year ago
@TexasPsychoK yeah true, even so i watched frasier when i was younger, it was really crap as well as the other 2 you mentioned...
dragonheadofthewest 1 year ago
phil is the best.
i live in his hometown of brantford,ontario,canada
there is a memorial plaque here for him downtown
redstar700 3 years ago 7
I'm not gonna lie. When I heard Phil died, I initially thought it was of a heart attack or something like that. So I often wondered if the writers came up with that sendoff for Bill so that it would be more digestible and far less horrific than the one Phil had...
And I love the little nod to "The Cane" (one of my favorite Bill/Dave moments) at 3:56. :)
liprincessprincess 3 years ago 3
cbs2dotcom in Los Angeles. Just punch in Jon Lovitz in the search and it's the first story that pops up.
apocalyptichybrid2 3 years ago
The fucked up thing about this is that Andy Dick is the one who re-introduced Hartman's wife to cocaine (after she had been clean for years) which is what triggered the murder-suicide.
mexicancockfight 3 years ago 8
This is most likely true. Five months before Brynn shot Phil and herself to death, Dick allegedly gave her cocaine at a house party. Brynn had been sober for ten years, and many close to Phil blame Andy Dick for her getting hooked again. Even though Dick may have given her cocaine, it was her decision to use it and get addicted to it. It was also her decision to end the lives of herself and the late great Phil Hartman. Last summer Jon Lovitz severely beat up Dick at a bar over this very issue.
apocalyptichybrid2 3 years ago
i'm such a baby.. i got teary before the damned thing began.... RIP PH!
maitland72 3 years ago 5
Me to
rabidgnome 3 years ago 5
its ok i cry every time i see this...
you can tell when they cry on this episode it's sincere it's real...
miss you phil... <3
-mish
hoodlumdemish 3 years ago 3