Change of Heart

S03-E04 finally gives Meredith Baxter Birney's Nancy a good, involving plotline (if a soap opera-ish one). Her ex Jeff (John Rubinstein) is about to tie-the-knot again with a ski shop cashier (Veronica Hamel, looking like a million bucks--or, all the merchandise and then some!). Meanwhile, Buddy 's main rival for boyfriend's T. J.'s affections has a "sexy" act cooked up for the talent show, and she proceeds to put together a similar number: doing Liza from "Cabaret"! Lots of tart, witty lines in this script from writer Audrey Davis Levin, though director Edward Parone makes the unfortunate choice of beginning teenager Stacy Swor's musical number "I'm a Woman" with a close-up of her gyrating rear-end. Excellent acting by all, with some choice asides saved for Sada Thompson's Kate, pithy as ever.

Nancy divorces Jeff, then gets jealous of his new fiancee? Buddy's domineering personality causes TJ to let his eyes wander? Anyone see a pattern here?

Veronica Hamel pre-Hill Street Blues plays Jeff's new squeeze so I can't blame him. Willie Aames...well, enough said. What's disappointing is Genie Francis' who moved on to General Hospital portrayal of Alice Dennison is played by some tall, skinny unknown actress. What a let down.