Matlock season 3

Matlock
Season 3
No. of episodes	20
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	November 29, 1988 (1988-11-29) – May 16, 1989 (1989-05-16)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 2 Next → Season 4
List of episodes

The third season of Matlock originally aired in the United States on NBC from November 29, 1988, through May 16, 1989.

Cast

• Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock
• Nancy Stafford as Michelle Thomas
• Julie Sommars as ADA Julie March
• Kene Holliday as Tyler Hudson

Cast notes

• Julie Sommars joined the cast this season
• Don Knotts begins making recurring appearances as Matlock's neighbor Les Calhoun.
• Kene Holliday departed at the end of the season, but appeared twice more early in Season 4. He missed 7 episodes, because he was sent to a rehabilitation clinic, for his drug and alcohol abuse.
• Kene Holliday was absent for eight episodes
• Julie Sommars was absent for fifteen episodes
• Nancy Stafford was absent for six episodes

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Viewers (millions)
48	1	"The Lemon"	Leo Penn	Diana Kopald Marcus	November 29, 1988 (1988-11-29)	28.0 [1]
Matlock's new neighbor, Les Calhoun (Don Knotts), gets confused when he is faced with two competitive car salesmen, and is framed for the murder of one of them, T.J. Cassidy (John McCann), after the car he sold him turns out to be a lemon. Notes: This is the first appearance of Don Knotts in the role of Les Calhoun. It was the first time in over twenty years that Griffith and Knotts had worked together on a television series, since The Andy Griffith Show . (They had reunited two years earlier in the TV reunion-movie Return to Mayberry .) Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
49	2	"The Ambassador: Part 1"	Christopher Hibler	Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Anne Collins	December 6, 1988 (1988-12-06)	23.7 [2]
British ambassador Anthony Stewart (Neil Dickson) is charged with the murder of his lover's husband (Charles Bateman). When he has diplomatic immunity, he was accompanied by Alex Winthrop (Daniel Roebuck) who in turn called Matlock to travel to New York City to represent him. Other guest stars: John Rubinstein as Dr. Douglas Clark, David Ogden Stiers as Thomas Baldwin, Michael C. Gwynne as Lt. Rosetti, Albert Hall as a prosecutor, Akio Mitamura as Judge Raymond Kawai Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode. Don Knotts appears as Les Calhoun.
50	3	"The Ambassador: Part 2"	Christopher Hibler	Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Anne Collins	December 13, 1988 (1988-12-13)	26.0 [3]
After Stewart (Neil Dickson) is nearly killed in a hit and run accident, Matlock notices that the only way to get him off is to locate the woman (Lisa Hartman) who accused the client of this crime. Other guest stars: John Rubinstein as Dr. Douglas Clark, David Ogden Stiers as Thomas Baldwin, Michael C. Gwynne as Lt. Rosetti, Albert Hall as a prosecutor, Akio Mitamura as Judge Raymond Kawai Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
51	4	"The Mistress"	Harvey S. Laidman	Robert Hamilton	December 20, 1988 (1988-12-20)	24.6 [4]
Matlock and Julie both agree to defend a jealous woman, Laura McCord (Pamela Galloway), who's charged with murdering her unfaithful husband, David, during a confrontation over his infidelity. Note: Nancy Stafford and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
52	5	"The D.J."	Tony Mordente	Bill Dana	January 3, 1989 (1989-01-03)	25.6 [5]
Michelle's poetic, corruptive boyfriend, Arthur Saxon (S.A. Griffin), a DJ at a radio station who is infamously known for his poisonous personality that everyone loves to hate, is framed for the murder of his arch rival, Robby Moore (Robert Krantz). When Arthur gets arrested, Michelle asks Matlock to take the case. However, Matlock soon learns to just plain hate his client, because Arthur's on-the-air radio personality is his genuine one off-the-air, and offers just a glimpse of an all-around apathetic egomaniac whose temper is even more venomous than his tongue. Note: Julie Sommars and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode. Don Knotts appears as Les Calhoun
53	6	"The Captain"	Frank Thackery	Lincoln Kibbee	January 10, 1989 (1989-01-10)	25.9 [6]
Matlock's old friend, Capt. Edward Hanna (Richard Herd), was once a fine cop and had won many honors. Unfortunately, his actions after his wife was murdered in a mugging took on a vicious tone, and had earned him the nickname "The Mad Hatter" as a result. Sgt. Jim Shanley (David Niedorf) discovers that the Captain is murdering suspects who have gotten off on technicalities, despite some of them actually being innocent; he has compiled a list, and confronts Hanna, saying that if the Captain does not retire gracefully, he will report him to Internal Affairs. (Captain Hanna was the arresting officer on 5 suspects, who were murdered shortly after being acquitted.) So Hanna kills Sgt. Shanley and frames Sgt. Jerry Reese (Joe Urla) for the crime. (Jerry, ironically, thought Hanna should not be called "The Mad Hatter.") Matlock faces a moral dilemma when he has to prove that Reese is innocent and that the Captain is guilty. Note: Andy Griffith is the only main cast member to appear in this episode.
54	7	"The Vendetta"	David Solomon	Robert Schlitt	January 17, 1989 (1989-01-17)	27.6 [7]
When Ned Billings, the brother of a dead convict Matlock had helped put in jail, appears at his office intending to kill him, he ends up holding Michelle, Tyler and Julie hostage. Note: This episode is featured in an anthology-style, reviewing the pilot episode "The Diary of a Perfect Murder", season two episodes "Blind Justice" and the 2-part "The Investigation", followed by the rest of the season one episodes "The People Vs. Matlock", "The Stripper", "The Court-Martial", "The Seduction", and "The Sisters" – all episodes as to explain how Michelle, Julie and Tyler enjoyed working for Matlock. It concludes with "The Professor", the only episode within the context of trying to find out why Ned's brother had hung himself in jail, after he was found guilty for the murder. Andy Griffith appears briefly at the end of the episode. Don Knotts appears as Les Calhoun
55	8	"The Mayor: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Robert Schlitt	January 31, 1989 (1989-01-31)	26.4 [8]
When Chris Reardon (Tony Maggio), a man who is determined to bring back the sixties, is accused of murdering mayor Brian Barelli, Matlock travels to Chicago to represent him. Other guest stars: Georg Stanford Brown as Judge Stuart Franklin, Ford Rainey as Judge Donald Powell, Mel Stewart as Sgt. Lou Marshall, Dennis Franz as Jack Brennert Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
56	9	"The Mayor: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Robert Schlitt	February 7, 1989 (1989-02-07)	26.5 [9]
After Paul O'Neill (Tony Soper) found Joseph Chan (Evan C. Kim) dead, he fled to Matlock in asking him for money to go to Texas to follow Eddie Lomax (Alan Stock), knowing he'd be the real killer, before his own murder in prison. In Chicago, Matlock notices that the real estate scam is responsible for everything, and enlists the mayor's wife as his main ally. Other guest stars: Georg Stanford Brown, Ford Rainey, Mel Stewart, Dennis Franz, Leonard Donato as an Assistant D.A. Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
57	10	"The Black Widow"	Christopher Hibler	Gerald Sanoff	February 14, 1989 (1989-02-14)	26.8 [10]
Being convicted for seven years for killing his wife Ann (Debra Stipe), Ken Wilson (Jeff Allin) approaches a woman in Los Angeles, only to discover that she is Ann, still alive under the name Kelly Manning. When she is killed a second time, Ken is arrested again, forcing Ben, who originally defended him seven years earlier, to travel to Los Angeles to defend him again. In Atlanta, Les is more than happy with his new girlfriend Bernice, whom he met at Ray Templin's bar. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode. Don Knotts appears as Les Calhoun.
58	11	"The Other Woman"	Robert Scheerer	Phil Mishkin	February 21, 1989 (1989-02-21)	27.3 [11]
After an abusive and controlling man (Peter Mark Richman) is murdered, his wife's therapist (James Sloyan) is arrested for the crime and Matlock takes the case. He begins to notice that Erin Whitley (Nana Visitor) had a series of psychiatric problems, and is shocked and saddened to discover who the real killer is. Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
59	12	"The Starlet"	Harvey S. Laidman	Marvin Kupfer	February 28, 1989 (1989-02-28)	28.3 [12]
Matlock's old friend (Anne Francis) seeks him out to prove that her daughter (Rebecca Staab) did not murder her rival Morgan Girard (Nia Peeples). Roddy McDowall also appears (his second appearance in a Matlock episode after appearing in Season 1's The Chef.) Note: Kene Holliday does not appear in this episode.
60	13	"The Psychic"	Frank Thackery	Beth Austin & Ron Austin (television story and teleplay by) From a story by: Sue Downey	March 7, 1989 (1989-03-07)	27.1 [13]
Matlock agrees to take on the case of Jennifer Holtz (Camilla More), a psychic who claims to have seen the murder of her boyfriend before it ever took place. When he really does end up dead, Jennifer ends up as the prime suspect. Les, who was with Matlock when Jennifer revealed her prediction to him, really believes in her powers, and is upset when she tells him that he won't live to see the outcome of the trial. Note: Kene Holliday does not appear in this episode. Don Knotts appears as Les Calhoun.
61	14	"The Thief: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Gerald Sanoff	March 28, 1989 (1989-03-28)	26.5 [14]
A coin dealer (John Harkins) finds out that employee Rob Casey (Tom Henschel) is stealing from him. Michael orders Rob to give him all of his coins back or he will press charges against him. But Rob is murdered later that night, and Michael is the prime suspect. Matlock represents Michael, with help from Linda, his new private investigator (Cindy Morgan), whom Tyler is less than happy with, for the time being. Tyler also becomes very suspicious of Linda's plots and suspects she killed Rob to conceal her true intentions. Guest star: Henry G. Sanders as Mitchell Sands Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
62	15	"The Thief: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Gerald Sanoff	April 4, 1989 (1989-04-04)	23.7 [15]
Matlock and Tyler both found out that part of Linda's deception is in the location of her son who has been kidnapped. While Tyler finds the son, Matlock finds the rare coins he needs to close the case. Guest star: Henry G. Sanders as Mitchell Sands Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
63	16	"The Thoroughbred"	Leo Penn	Mary Ann Kasica & Michael Scheff	April 18, 1989 (1989-04-18)	22.0 [16]
When Sandra Taylor (Susan Walden), the manager of a thoroughbred farm, is murdered, her father (Claude Akins) strongly insists to Matlock that he represent the mentally handicapped young man (Don Swayze) accused of the murder.
64	17	"The Model"	Tony Mordente	Robert Schlitt	April 25, 1989 (1989-04-25)	22.4 [17]
Matlock has a breakthrough in the case he was struggling with, but he forgets it all when he is then hit by a car. While in the hospital he reads over the material he has, much to the annoyance of the nurse Gertrude, who wants him to rest. As he reads over the statements of the three suspects attending the party, where the murder occurred, the statements are reenacted, and of course they differ slightly from one another (which Matlock is intrigued by). One of them is the murderer, but which one? Nurse Gertrude puts a patch on him to cure his headache, and suddenly Ben knows how the murder was committed. Note: Julie Sommars and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode.
65	18	"The Cult"	Harvey S. Laidman	Marvin Kupfer	May 2, 1989 (1989-05-02)	23.5 [18]
Outraged, widowed father William Austin (Jack Dodson) arrives from Chicago to a cult in Atlanta in pursuit of looking for his son, Dennis (Wallace Langham), who was grabbed by the cult. Dennis tells his father to leave him alone, claiming the cult is his place, and turns his back on his father. The head of the cult, Joshua Bradbury (Roger Davis) encourages William to accept his son's decision by leaving him alone. William refuses to go anywhere else without his son, and the police haul him off, yelling and threatening Mr. Bradbury he will have his head torn off. That night, Dennis witnesses a shadowy figure kill Bradbury and chases him, but freezes when the killer stumbles and he sees his face. The killer escapes, and Dennis then tells the police that it was his father who shot Bradbury. When William tells Matlock he found out Dennis has signed his trust fund and his life's savings over to the cult, Matlock confronts Dennis, and is shocked to hear the boy deny his father. Matlock goes to an expert in de-programming cult victims, who tells him that Dennis may believe he saw his father, but he is probably so brain-washed by the cult that he can't really be sure what he saw. Under Matlock's orders, Tyler infiltrates the cult, but he might be getting himself in over his head when he seems to be falling for their line. Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
66	19	"The Blues Singer"	Leo Penn	Joel Steiger	May 9, 1989 (1989-05-09)	23.6 [19]
When Terry Mazlin, the lead singer of a popular rock band, is murdered in his home, Matlock must defend Eddie Haynes (Joe Seneca), an old blues musician he once idolized (as did the murder victim). Bonnie Bartlett also guest stars as Lorraine Mazlin, Terry's mother who has a strong dislike of Haynes. Note: Julie Sommars and Kene Holliday do not appear in this episode. At the end of the episode, Andy Griffith, Joe Seneca, and blues singer Brownie McGhee (listed as The Bluesmen in the closing credits) perform a duet of the song The Midnight Special (a song Griffith had previously performed on The Andy Griffith Show .)
67	20	"The Priest"	Harvey S. Laidman	Max Eisenberg	May 16, 1989 (1989-05-16)	22.7 [20]
After a construction magnate (Robert Miranda) is accused of murdering a priest (Leo Penn) who sabotaged his latest project, Alex Winthrop (Daniel Roebuck) from New York, visits Matlock for help with the case, because he knows that he can't do it on his own. It doesn't take long before Matlock realizes that the church is covering something up. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.

References

1. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . December 7, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest   306146398.
2. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . December 14, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest   306143538.
3. "A very 'Brady' ratings hit". Life. USA Today . December 21, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest   306159082.
4. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . December 29, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest   306127986.
5. "NBC, laughing all the way". Life. USA Today . January 11, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306165080.
6. "NBC clinches season's ratings title". Life. USA Today . January 18, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306171627.
7. "NBC scores super ratings". Life. USA Today . January 25, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306147740.
8. "Comedies sweep up for NBC". Life. USA Today . February 8, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306179902.
9. "CBS gallops to a tie with NBC". Life. USA Today . February 15, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306163263.
10. "NBC's back alone on top". Life. USA Today . February 22, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306175741.
11. "CBS up despite Grammy drop". Life. USA Today . March 1, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306152931.
12. "Hit-and-miss program changes". Life. USA Today . March 8, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306184202.
13. "NBC, in front with 'Left Behind'". Life. USA Today . March 15, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306172200.
14. "ABC's roller-coaster week". Life. USA Today . April 5, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306171172.
15. "ABC's hit-and-miss week". Life. USA Today . April 12, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306166319.
16. "Sitcom rewards ABC's faith". Life. USA Today . April 26, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306174966.
17. "We loved CBS' 'Lucy' tribute". Life. USA Today . May 3, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306197470.
18. "Bright spots for No. 3 ABC". Life. USA Today . May 10, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306210811.
19. "NBC sweeps top 11 spots". Life. USA Today . May 17, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306203436.
20. "Everybody loved ABC's 'Baby'". Life. USA Today . May 24, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest   306198690.

External links

• Matlock at IMDb