Ep 16. Houses of the Holy

In the NewsRadio Season 2 Episode 16, titled "Houses of the Holy," the hilariously dysfunctional WNYX news team finds themselves in the midst of pressing personal and professional dilemmas.

The episode begins with a lighthearted opening scene featuring Lisa (played by Maura Tierney) and Catherine (played by Khandi Alexander) discussing Lisa's recent visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The conversation turns into a playful debate about religion and spirituality, showcasing the diverse personalities within the newsroom.

Meanwhile, the charismatic and eccentric radio station owner, Jimmy James (played by Stephen Root), faces a peculiar predicament. He discovers that his ornate, historic mansion is haunted. Frightened and seeking help, Jimmy turns to eccentric paranormal investigator Johnny Johnson (played by Michael J. Fox), who agrees to investigate the haunted affair.

Back at the office, Bill McNeal (played by Phil Hartman), the pompous and self-absorbed news anchor, unexpectedly struggles with his role in the newsroom. Feeling confined and overshadowed by the success of his talented co-workers, Bill questions his own professional accomplishments and seeks advice from the affable electrician, Dave Nelson (played by Dave Foley).

Simultaneously, Matthew Brock (played by Andy Dick), the newsroom's socially awkward and intellectually challenged reporter, embarks on an unusual quest. Convinced that his new neighbor is a time traveler from the future, Matthew becomes obsessed with proving his theory. His quirky investigation entails collecting evidence and interviewing various residents of the building, leading to a series of comedic situations.

Meanwhile, Joe Garrelli (played by Joe Rogan), the street-smart and quick-witted news technician, finds himself entangled in a romantic entanglement. Caught between two attractive women vying for his affection, Joe struggles to navigate his way through their advances while trying to maintain his professional composure at the station.

As the episode progresses, Lisa realizes that her apartment is infested with rats. Frantic and desperate to solve the problem, Lisa asks the compassionate secretary, Beth (played by Vicki Lewis), for help in exterminating the unwanted visitors.

The episode culminates as the eccentric paranormal investigator, Johnny Johnson, arrives at Jimmy James' haunted mansion. Amidst eerie occurrences and unexplained phenomena, Johnny unveils his unique perspective on the hauntings, much to the amusement of the NewsRadio staff and the audience.

Throughout "Houses of the Holy," the comic brilliance of the ensemble cast shines through as they navigate through their personal and supernatural tribulations. The narrative is skillfully woven, seamlessly transitioning between the main plotlines of haunted houses, time-travel theories, career insecurities, and romantic entanglements.

The episode maintains a fast pace, delivering a steady stream of witty one-liners and clever comedic timing that has become a signature of the show. The script showcases the range of comedic talents within the cast, allowing each character to shine and contribute to the overall laughter-inducing narrative.

"Houses of the Holy" exemplifies the unique blend of workplace humor, character-driven comedy, and absurdity that has made NewsRadio a beloved television series. With its intelligent writing, strong ensemble cast, and consistently hilarious plotlines, this episode continues to captivate audiences and leave them eagerly awaiting the next installment of the show's comedic brilliance.