#112: Oy to the World!
Original air date: December 11, 1995 Production number: 2395108 Written by: Kimberly Costello Directed by: Chip Chalmers
Guest Stars: Patrick Muldoon, John Enos III, Ron Kuhlman, Lonnie Schuyler, Arthur Taxier
Co-Stars: Lily Mariye, Celeste Yarnall Rating: 8

MY VENTS: Isn't it a little odd to have a translucent window in the middle of Alison's shower? Notice that Brooke is starting to turn into the winer we hated in this episode. Again, Jake only had two brief scenes. One thing that's always been consistent is he has never been used much in the Christmas episodes. I read an article that TVGuide published close to the airing of this episode, where Josie Bissett noted that many viewers were telling her they didn't like the new manipulative Jane. Looks like the writers were trying to tone it down a little with her apologies and stuff. This episode started the beginning of the end for Brooke. Her character was becoming more of a whiner and her pregnancy thing is what started the breakup of her and Billy. Richard left those documents in an awfully convenient place. I'm wondering if he didn't do that to make sure Jane would find them? With the huge population in L.A., why are there so little people walking the streets while Matt and Alan are doing the same? Why does Wilshire use so many bad labs? First they mix up Brooke's sample, and then Kyle's. That locket looks awfully familiar. It was obviously used later as Michael's Christmas present to Megan. And that sappy sweet scene with Billy and Brooke made me want to hurl. The room that Michael and Jane went into didn't even look like it belonged in the house. It looked like it was filmed in a separate hotel.

Billy is comforting Alison who is in Santa Barbara trying to handle a client. She is sobbing and recalling how when Hayley was missing she was praying that he wasn't dead. She is torn up that he divorced her secretly and Billy has not been there for her. Billy says that Brooke was grieving. Alison screams that she was grieving until she got a huge inheritance. Billy says that Brooke never got her drunk, and that the entire client fiasco is Alison's fault, but comforts her by saying that Hayley must've loved her. Alison starts coming on to Billy and recalling how special their loved was and he never lied to her. He refuses a kiss by Alison, but then she starts pleaing to be there for her, even for only one night. Billy lifts her up and puts her in the shower and turns on the faucet, hoping to sober her up.

Amanda awakens Peter in her bed the following morning and suggests he go out and play golf with Bobby. As they start kissing again, there is knock at the door and Amanda answers it to find an irate Brooke. She tells Brooke that Billy is in Santa Barbara. Brooke asks why he's there if he has no accounts. Amanda says he went there to look after Alison, and not to worry, because Billy will surely fill her in on all the "juicy details" when he gets home. Peter starts dressing and says he's not in the mood for anymore lovemaking. Amanda starts kissing him again and he succumbs to her.

Alison awakens that morning to find Billy in a shirt and tie and telling her he's handling the meeting. Alison objects, but Billy says that she has a reputation of being an alcoholic amongst her clients and this is killing her career. He urges her to sleep it off and leaves for the meeting.

Jane and Jo are going over some photos for a spread they are doing and Jane asks Jo's opinion, which shocks her because Jane has not said a civil word to her in weeks. Jane then says this transition has been hard for her. Jo apologizes that she and Richard never meant to hurt Jane. Jane accepts her apology and then is ashamed of the way she acted because Richard gave her a second chance at success and she almost blew it. She plans to make it up to the two of them. Richard calls Jane in his office and he starts to discuss starting a company of his own when Jo interrupts the meeting. Jo tells him that this is a bad idea because of the bad publicity, the fact that she's hurt over losing Jane Mancini Designs and it's almost Christmas. Richard agrees this would be best, and puts the legal documents in the nearby cabinet.

Sydney is in Kimberly's office, upset that she blew a plan to push Michael and Jane together and call their bluff. Kimberly says that Syd has the ability to play doctor's wife, an ability that Jane never had. She suggests she do something to further Michael's career. Syd agrees, and tells Kimberly that it's not fair that Michael works himself to death and Peter gets credit for a huge donation from Bobby Parezi. Kimberly tells Sydney that Michael wants power and prestige and suggests she volunteer to handle the final details of the hospital Christmas party. Syd worries that she will stress out and screw it up, but Kim thinks that it will be a success. Syd starts babbling stuff that she thinks she's going crazy and Kimberly writes her out a prescription for tranquilizers.

Matt is bringing bottles of alcohol to stock the bar at Shooters and tells Jake that he's quitting. Matt says that he only needed the job to pay his med school tuition and he knows how Shelly stole all Jake's money. Jake replies that he took care of his money problem. Matt asks how he did it. Fairy godmother? Jake says, "You could say that."

There is a knock at Alison's room door and she asks what took Billy so long, but it is Brooke on the other side. Brooke accuses her of killing her father and seducing her husband. Alison assures her nothing happened and is shouting at her for making ludicrous accusations. Billy comes in and is wondering what's going on. Brooke asks him the same question. Billy tells Brooke that he and Alison were together last night. Brooke is upset, and shouting that she is pregnant, and what it means for the two of them. Billy apologizes for his "misdeed" and says it was a one night stand and it'll never happen again. He takes Brooke home and tells Alison to stay out of their lives.

Peter and Michael are finding a lot of phone messages from Bobby. Peter calls Bobby a leech for wearing out his welcome. Michael points out that his only leech is Sydney. Bobby shows up and asks if Peter is free for lunch. He declines. Michael says he is free so he can kiss up to Bobby. Sydney shows up and is excited over the chance to handle the hospital Christmas party. She asks Peter if she can borrow his house and he says no. Bobby then offers his because this is a worthy cause. Michael tells her to accept this offer and then carries Bobby out to an Italian restaurant. Peter comments that that was a frightening scene and orders Syd to pull up the Sanders file. She refuses and tells him to look it up under S, for Scrooge.

Alison and Jane are at Hart-Mancini Designs and Alison is telling the story of what happened with Billy. Jane is laughing and saying that compared to Alison, her life is normal. Alison counters by asking why she's seducing her ex-husband in hopes of landing her ex-fiance. Then Jane says, "OK, maybe not." Jane tries to go into the backroom to find their dresses for the party but it's locked. She goes into Richard's office to pull the key out of his cabinet and then finds the papers cutting her out of the company. She then gets angry at Jo again for trying to steal everything she's got.

Billy comes in the complex that night to find Alison trying to lift a heavy box up the stairs. She orders him to leaves but then drops the box and Billy helps her pick the items up. Billy says that Alison doesn't understand his relationship with Brooke. He didn't sleep with Alison because he didn't want to. Alison says he's in denial. Billy says he's going to devote himself to being a good father, unlike Alison's joke of one. Alison then accuses him of staying in a loveless marriage. Billy then replies that his marriage has only had problems because he's been worrying about Alison, and now he's through showering with his guilt. He plans to devote himself to his family and his happiness, instead of trying to help Alison clean up her mess of a life. Alison finally says that he doesn't have to tell her why he doesn't love Brooke and it was a bunch of bull that he didn't want to sleep with her.

Matt and Alan are walking down the festive streets of L.A. talking about how they found out they were gay. Alan says he was playing the part of Tony in "West Side Story" and before he was to do the kissing scene with "Maria," he realized that he'd rather kiss one of the male actors. Matt said it was senior prom and his group of friends were going up to a cabin. He refused and a bully named Derek accused him of being gay. Matt said that's when he came out. He then takes Alan to Shooters.

Amanda gets a knock on her door and finds two FBI agents, Fred Morrow and Doug Stevens. They question why it is they found in the Miami records that she's dead, and it's interesting that her father was blown to bits and her ex-husband was killed off a balcony in the same year. Amanda says that this is none of their business and tells them to pedal their harassment somewhere else. Fred warns her that she has an act for attracting bad seeds.

THE STUFF YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

The time on Amanda's morning clock is 6:02. The time on the Hart-Mancini clock is approximately 11:12 AM, and there's a painting of two peaked mountains in the background. The caption on a poster in Billy and Brooke's apartment reads, "Family Groove." The documents that Jane looks at are as follows: If you look behind Matt and Alan, you can see a dark-haired guy in a clothing store hanging some items, and several couples seated at tables outside a coffee shop. Ron Kuhlman, who played Agent Stevens, also played Jan Brady's husband in "The Brady Bunch" spinoff "The Brady Brides." The poster that is advertising Michael says, "Wilshire Memorial Annual Charity Christmas Party. Special Guest Speaker: Michael Mancini." The Christmas music used in this episode includes "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Michael comes in the Burns-Mancini office to find a room full of Christmas decorations and a huge poster with his picture on it. Sydney says they're for the party and she chose him as the keynote speaker. Michael asks for the money that he sent Syd out to get and she gives it to him. He notices that she is carrying tranquilizers in her purse prescribed by Kimberly. Michael pulls her aside into his office and demands to know what's going on. Sydney says that she's been seeing Kimberly and Kim's very helpful. Michael warns Syd that Kim is just using this to gather dirt on him for the public. Syd reassures him that this is what will help them have a wonderful life.

Brooke is in the doctors office and her physician, Dr. Fisher, tells her that Brooke was never pregnant. Her lab sample was switched with another. Brooke questions why she's been having morning sickness. Dr. Fisher explains that Brooke wanted a baby so bad that her body psychologically created the symptoms. Fisher offers to explain this to Billy, but Brooke declines, telling Fisher she'll handle it.

Michael grabs Kimberly in the hospital corridor and pulls her aside to a small room. Michael shouts that she is not qualified to diagnose Sydney and he'll take legal action if he has to. Kimberly says that she can diagnose any patient who requests her services and why Michael is so afraid of Sydney feeling good. Michael then says that he could get better advice from a fortune cookie and tells Kimberly not to waste her time because he could get better advice from a fortune cookie, and if she doesn't cease and desist, he'll ruin the "metal plate" in her head screw by screw.

Amanda comes to Bobby's house to ask him to bring his cable company account back to D&D. She says it was unfair to hold against him what Jack has done. Bobby questions her spirit and Amanda says that Agent Morrow and Agent Stevens visited her. Bobby apologizes that Amanda is now involved in this, but she says that she is tired of being pushed around, no one tells her who to be friends with and she belives in Bobby. Bobby accepts Amanda's offer and then she lets herself out.

Brooke comes home to find Billy trimming a Christmas tree and he says he's happy to have a future to look forward to. He gives her a locket with their picture on one side and an empty side for a picture of the baby. Billy thanks Brooke for the gift of the baby and she breaks down in his arms, uncertain about what to do now.

Alison is in her new apartment sobbing over the finale of "It's a Wonderful Life." Jane shows up in her party dress and is saying that she's decided to go to the party to schmooze with every bigwig there. She gives Alison a red dress and Alison says she doesn't feel like going. Jane explains that she doesn't feel like she did anything not to deserve a decent holiday, and if Alison hides then she's let all the Richards and Jos and Brookes in the world win. Alison agrees and gets dressed.

Amanda is dressing for the party and Peter shows up at her apartment. Peter says he no longer wants to go because the party is at Bobby's house. Amanda says that she's brought his account back to D&D and Peter objects to this, but Amanda declines his input, and if they go to promote his career then they're promoting hers as well. She starts kissing him and says they don't have to be on time. Peter tells her that she's not kissing her way out of this. Amanda proves him wrong.

At Bobby Parezi's house, the party is on and Sydney is talking to Michael when they see Jane and Alison show up. Michael goes over to court Jane, which upsets Sydney. Bobby compliments her on a job well done and asks why she was reluctant to have the party there. Syd says because she knows that Bobby is "Amanda's mobster." Bobby denies this accusation, but then Syd says that his "secret" is safe with her.

Amanda and Peter pull up to the house and Morrow photographs them. Amanda rushes over to him and breaks the camera because it is an invasion of privacy. Morrow threatens her arrest and then tells Peter who he is. Peter is antsy about going to the house now, and Amanda assures him that Morrow is just trying to justify his job and takes him inside.

Richard, Jo and Alison are watching a very active Jane from upstairs and Richard points out that Jane hasn't quit hyping herself the entire party. Peter walks out to the pool to find Bobby alone and Bobby asks for his friendship. Peter declines this and asks what they have in common besides Amanda, and Peter says that if Bobby cared anything about Amanda he wouldn't try to drag her back into his mess of a life. Bobby withdraws his offer and Amanda has been watching the scene and comes over there. Peter storms out and tells Amanda to join him whenever. Amanda tells Bobby that Peter is just upset, but if they don't convince him that they can work together, then something will have to go, and it won't be Peter. Amanda leaves and Bobby is down over this occurence. Sydney is watching Jane dancing with Michael and is jealous over this scene. She pulls out two tranquilizers and empties the contents into a glass of champagne. Syd hands the champagne to Jane, and she and Michael keep dancing.

Matt and Alan stop by Shooters and Matt tells Jake he was not invited to the party. Jake gives the two of them a beer on the house. Matt tells Alan his dreams of being a part of the "exclusive doctors' club." Alan then says it's been a while since he's been in a relationship and asks Matt for a commitment. Matt says they'll discuss it at his place.

Back at the party, Michael is tiring out and Jane keeps pushing him. Sydney watches the two go upstairs. Syd asks Kimberly if the pills have any side effects and Kim says that she wouldn't advise Sydney having any tonight with the amount of champagne she's had, because a reaction could be very severe. Sydney is ordered to perform the keynote speaker introduction.

Michael and Jane barge into a bedroom and begin taking off their clothes. Sydney does her introduction of Michael as the keynote speaker, but Michael is nowhere to be found. In the bedroom, Michael and Jane have started to make love and he notices that Jane is not breathing or moving and he thinks he's killed her. Outside, Sydney reintroduces Michael and he appears in the uppermost floor in his underwear, shouting for someone to call 911. The crowd is appalled at this scene.