NewsRadio/Smoking

Smoking
Season 1, Episode 3
Airdate	April 4, 1995
Production Number	103
Written by	Josh Lieb & Brad Isaacs & Paul Simms
Directed by	James Burrows
← 1x02 Inappropriate	1x04 → The Crisis
NewsRadio — Season One

Smoking is the third episode of the first season of NewsRadio.

Starring: Dave Foley (Dave Nelson), Stephen Root (Jimmy James), Andy Dick (Matthew Brock), Maura Tierney (Lisa Miller), Vicki Lewis (Beth), Joe Rogan (Joe Garrelli), Khandi Alexander (Catherine Duke)

and Phil Hartman (Bill McNeal)

Co-Starring: Monte Russell (Paramedic)

Plot Overview

Bill struggles to comply with a new ordinance that prohibits smoking in the office.

Trivia

Behind the Scenes

• Dave's coffee addiction is reportedly based on Dave Foley's own coffee habit, which is rumored to be measured in pots per day.

Allusions and References

• Fonzie: When Joe tries to fix Dave's laptop by hitting it, Dave says "thanks Fonzie." Fonzie on Happy Days used to do the same, only with more success.
• Woody Allen: Legendary filmmaker Woody Allen made headlines when it was discovered he was having a relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his former lover Mia Farrow.
• Siegfried & Roy: Siegfried & Roy are a popular Las Vegas magicians.
• Steel Magnolias: Steel Magnolias is a 1989 film starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley Maclaine and Julia Roberts known as both a "tearjerker" and a "chick flick."

Quotes

• Dave: Bill, we're now officially a non-smoking office. What you're doing is punishable by a $100 fine.

Bill: You're kidding.

Dave: No, I am not kidding.

(Bill hand's Dave a $100 bill and continues smoking)

Dave: Bill, that's not how it's supposed to work!

• Dave: Where do you suggest we set up the smoking area.

Bill: How about a mobile ten foot radius around me?

• Dave: Sir I would really rather you didn't bribe anyone, because I support this non-smoking ordinance.

Mr. James: And I support fire safety, but you see those sprinklers up there? They're not hooked up to anything. I paid a guy off, had my nephew super-glue 'em to the ceiling. New York, New York... it's a hell of a town!

• Dave: I'll give up coffee, if you give up cigarettes. We'll go through this thing together.

Bill: How is that supposed to help me? You should have to give up something of equal difficulty. Like going to the bathroom.

• Mr. James: What the hell are you running here?! A radio station or a rehab clinic?

Dave: (without his daily coffee) Well, uh...

Mr. James: Oh, fine, you just take a few minutes and try to think up a comeback.

• Dave: Hey Bill, I want you to put one of these on your back.

Bill: What is it?

Dave: It's the patch.

Lisa: Don't you need a prescription for those?

Dave: Yeah, I went to my doctor this morning and had him prescribe it for me.

Lisa: Well you don't smoke.

Dave: No no, but I told him I was thinking about starting. You know I don't think he's a very good doctor.

• Dave: You're fine now. That's all that matters.

Bill: More or less. There are a few lingering effects, but you shouldn't worry yourself about them.

Dave: Oh, no no, what is it Bill?

Bill: I'd rather not say.

Dave: Anything I can do to help.

Bill: It smells like an ashtray when I pee. Anything you can do to help me with that?

Dave: Gosh, I hope not.

• Beth: Hey Dave, maybe you could help me out too. I was wondering if you could go to your doctor and get me fitted for a diaphragm.