Matlock (season 4)

The fourth season of Matlock originally aired in the United States on NBC from September 19, 1989 through May 8, 1990.

Matlock
Season 4
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	24
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	September 19, 1989 (1989-09-19) – May 8, 1990 (1990-05-08)
Season chronology

Cast

Main

• Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock
• Nancy Stafford as Michelle Thomas
• Julie Sommars as ADA Julie March
• Clarence Gilyard, Jr. as Conrad McMasters

Recurring

• Kene Holliday as Tyler Hudson

Cast notes

• Clarence Gilyard, Jr. joined the cast this season
• Kene Holliday was credited in "The Best Seller" and "The Witness" instead of Gilyard who didn't appear in those episodes.
• Julie Sommars was absent for 17 episodes
• Nancy Stafford was absent for 11 episodes
• Clarence Gilyard Jr. was absent for 7 episodes

Episodes

No. in season	No. in series	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Viewers (in millions)
68	1	"The Hunting Party: Part 1"	Robert Scheerer	Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Anne Collins	September 19, 1989 (1989-09-19)	28.40
Matlock travels to Manteo, North Carolina, to defend Spencer Hamilton (Jeff Wincott), the brother of Frank, who was killed in a duck-hunting accident. After Ryan Bartell (Jeff Lester) is shot, immediately after Spencer's brother, Matlock is approached by a handsome young sheriff, Conrad McMasters, to find evidence in killing Ryan. Other guest stars: R.G. Armstrong as Sheriff Dalton Parks, Fred Thompson as Gordon Lewis, Terri Hanauer as Prosecutor Melissa Lyle, and Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey, and Lee Lively as Judge Stone. Note: This is the first appearance of Conrad McMasters. Clarence Gilyard, Jr. takes the place of Kene Holliday in the opening credits. Nancy Stafford appears briefly at the beginning. The episode was filmed in Andy Griffith's hometown of Manteo, North Carolina. Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
69	2	"The Hunting Party: Part 2"	Robert Scheerer	Story by : Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Anne Collins	September 19, 1989 (1989-09-19)	28.40
After Conrad calms Matlock down, realizing he was framed for all the dope that he had in his car, Matlock investigates the three guys who killed Bartell, and discovers that each of them are all liars. In the end, Matlock hired Conrad as a full-time partner and private investigator in Atlanta, after Conrad leaves his hometown of Manteo, North Carolina. Other guest stars: R.G. Armstrong as Sheriff Dalton Parks, Fred Thompson as Gordon Lewis, Terri Hanauer as Prosecutor Melissa Lyle, and Richard Newton as Judge Richard Cooksey, and Lee Lively as Judge Stone. Note: The episode was filmed in Andy Griffith's hometown of Manteo, North Carolina. Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
70	3	"The Good Boy"	Christopher Hibler	David Hoffman & Leslie Daryl Zerg	September 26, 1989 (1989-09-26)	23.90
A woman's son (Brian Bloom) resents that his mom (Leslie Bevis) has a new husband (John Calvin), and makes sure to have his feelings about it out in the open. Her husband, feeling that her son needs to be straightened out, wants to send him to a military school. But when he refuses, her husband tells him that unless he goes, his mother is going to know what he has been doing. So he kills him. Eventually, his mother is arrested, and Ben defends her. Note: Julie Sommars and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
71	4	"The Best Seller"	Christopher Hibler	Robert Schlitt	October 10, 1989 (1989-10-10)	TBA
While Matlock is in Texas for a lawyer's convention, Julie helps a friend of hers, Phillip Slayton (Don Galloway), who is accused of poisoning his housekeeper in an attempt to kill his wife, mystery author Cynthia Slayton. The case becomes complicated when Julie (and Cynthia) discover that Phillip has been having an affair with Cynthia's sister. Note: Kene Holliday makes his second-to-last appearance as Tyler Hudson. The opening credits for this episode are also the same as in the whole third season. Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. does not appear in this episode. Don Knotts makes an appearance as Les Calhoun.
72	5	"The Ex"	Harvey S. Laidman	Diana Kopald Marcus	October 17, 1989 (1989-10-17)	19.00
Julie goes to Baltimore to defend the guy (Alan Fudge), who is accused of killing the newspaper editor (Bruce Kirby) who slandered his name in the papers. Matlock flies down to do investigative work for Julie, who must face her ex-husband (Barry Jenner) who is prosecuting the case. Note: Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
73	6	"The Clown"	Leo Penn	Lincoln Kibbee	October 24, 1989 (1989-10-24)	23.70
Homer Fleming (Hy Anzell), a circus clown, asks Ben Matlock to represent him, as he has been accused of killing his partner, Simon (Raye Birk). As Conrad goes undercover as an employee at the circus (and soon ends up in a dangerous position with one of the circus lions), Matlock finds out that everybody had a good reason to dislike Simon Le Simple. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
74	7	"The Star"	Seymour Robbie	Story by : Joyce Burditt, Dean Hargrove & Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Anne Collins	October 31, 1989 (1989-10-31)	25.10
Sexy actress Catherine McKay (Anita Morris) had her first and only blockbuster movie in her career. When one of the actors stabbed her for real, the director, Noel Bishop (Dennis Christopher), is accused of her murder. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
75	8	"The Con Man"	Leo Penn	Gerald Sanoff	November 7, 1989 (1989-11-07)	24.10
When a client (James Eckhouse) of Ben's is taken by some con artists, he decides to get back at them. When one of them is killed and when another one decides to testify against him, Ben defends him. Michelle tries to work on another member of the team and is taken with him. Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
76	9	"The Prisoner: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Story by : Marvin Kupfer & Gerald Sanoff Teleplay by : Gerald Sanoff	November 14, 1989 (1989-11-14)	22.30
After prison guard John Jackson (Michael Champion) is accused of murdering immate Rudy Chambers (Bob Minor), there is a prison riot, and the prisoners take control of the jail, taking several guards hostage. The Attorney General, Peter Garner asks Matlock to go to the prison because the prisoners want to try John Jackson of murder in a kangaroo court. The prisoners promise to release half of the guards just based on Matlock showing up. So, Ben goes and meets Steve Mazarowski (David Carradine) who is going to be the prosecuting attorney and tells Matlock that one of the conditions of this trial is that Matlock remain at the prison at all times until the case is concluded. Steve also arranges for fellow inmate Tiny (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.), to be with him at all times as his bodyguard. When Lenny Marcus (David Paymer), who saw Rudy's murderer, will not testify, Ben and Tiny later find him murdered. Other guest stars: David Paymer as Lenny Marcus, Daniel Quinn as Art Spring, Troy Evans as Dick Henderson, Terry Bozeman as Attorney General Peter Garner, Colin Hamilton as Ed Harper, Louis Hacsi as Charlie Hauk, Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Jerry Stone, and David Carradine as Steve Mazarowski, Ron Taylor as Deacon Holmes (Steve Mazarowski's prisoner bodyguard), Conor O'Farrell as Billy Castell, Richard Zobell as Val Delaney, John Lehne as Newman (the prisoner judge), Wilfredo Hernández as C.J. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
77	10	"The Prisoner: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Story by : Marvin Kupfer & Gerald Sanoff Teleplay by : Gerald Sanoff	November 21, 1989 (1989-11-21)	23.70
While Matlock searches for the weapon that killed both Rudy Chambers and Lenny Marcus in a prison, Conrad buys time by impersonating the murdered inmate at the minimum security prison he was due to be transferred to (in exchange for giving info on a potential prison break). He is also approached by thieves who were looking for the inmate to help with a job, and Conrad plays along. Guest stars: Daniel Quinn, Troy Evans, Terry Bozeman, David Carradine, Ron Taylor, Colin Hamilton, Ji-Tu Cumbuka, John Lehne, Michael Mederios as Jim Beck, Conor O'Farrell as Billy Castell, Richard Zobell, John Toles-Bey as Mike Saunders, Anthony Charnota as Red, Greg Rusin as Greenwood Guard Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode.
78	11	"The Fugitive"	Tony Mordente	Bruce Shelly & Reed Shelly	November 28, 1989 (1989-11-28)	24.40
Matlock knew Drew Carey (Tim Ryan) since he was a little boy. Unfortunately, he has seen Drew grow up to be a spoiled, obnoxious young man obsessed with get rich quick schemes. Drew finds himself framed for the murder of his uncle (David Tress). Despite Matlock representing him, Drew refuses to follow his lawyer's orders, and goes off to find out who killed his uncle, suspecting that Valerie (Terri Garber), his uncle's young wife, was the culprit, as she was having an affair with a construction worker. Drew goes on to cause headaches for not only Ben, but also Les (whose car he steals to drive off and confront Valerie). Note: Nancy Stafford and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode. Don Knotts makes an appearance as Les Calhoun.
79	12	"The Buddies"	Frank Thackery	Phil Mishkin	December 12, 1989 (1989-12-12)	TBA
It's November 1955. Four of Ben's collegemates were spending some time during their vacation, when they picked up a hitchhiker (Beth Black), who subsequently dies. Her death is blamed on a poor black local named Calvin Stokes (Arnold Johnson). Almost 35 years later, one of them (who had left before the girl died) informs Ben of this fact in a posthumous letter, and begs the Atlanta attorney to find out the truth of what happened. Over dinner, Ben confronts the survivors, who deny everything. Later, after Conrad briefs Matlock on the investigation so far, his boss starts his car, and an ignition bomb explodes. Conrad pulls Ben out and saves his boss's life. Conrad then investigates the three friends, one of whom, apparently, almost killed Matlock. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode. Fritz Weaver guests as Pastor Jimmy Hubert.
80	13	"The Scrooge"	Harvey S. Laidman	Story by : Joel Steiger Teleplay by : Anne Collins	December 19, 1989 (1989-12-19)	25.60
When Steven Abbott, a toy store owner who acts like a Scrooge, is accused of murdering his partner, his next-door neighbor Matlock agrees to take the case, but part of Matlock's fee involves Abbott having to be a nice guy instead of the selfish person he always has been. Note: Don Knotts appears as Les Calhoun.
81	14	"The Witness"	Tony Mordente	Susan Woollen	January 2, 1990 (1990-01-02)	27.80
Before heading off to California, Matlock passes his first case to Michelle, whose boss's former paperboy, Jimmy Newton (Michael Mantell), was arrested for the murder of Rick Allen (Patrick St. Esprit). It turns out that an old friend of Michelle's, Sandra Townsend (Caitlin Clarke), was the culprit; Rick was Sandra's ex-boyfriend, and he had threatened to expose her nightlife to her bosses (as she was senior counsel with Drexel, Harris and Townsend, and liked to let her hair down and go to the bars when she was off work). At first, Michelle hated to do that to Sandra, after putting her on the stand, but she did, and her old classmate had connived her in not confessing to it. Note: Kene Holliday makes an appearance as Tyler Hudson, which is his final appearance. The opening credits for this episode are also the same as in the whole third season. Julie Sommars and Clarence Gilyard Jr. does not appear in this episode.
82	15	"The Student"	Burt Brinckerhoff	Story by : Marvin Kupfer Teleplay by : Gerald Sanoff	January 9, 1990 (1990-01-09)	25.40
Matlock decides to enroll in some college classes to brush up on his knowledge. Meanwhile, English professor, John Gallagher (Dennis Boutsikaris) is murdered while typing up his students' grades on his computer. The prime suspect is one of his students, Marcy (Debbie Barker) (who also happens to be one of Ben's classmates), who was having an affair with Gallagher and confronted him when she found out he was cheating on her with another woman, which he had confessed to her about. Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
83	16	"The Talk Show"	Robert Scheerer	David Hoffman & Leslie Daryl Zerg	January 16, 1990 (1990-01-16)	25.50
After Dan Galloway (James Harper) fired the executive producer and humiliated three women on the air, he gets murdered, and the suspects are not running short. Almost everybody wanted the guy dead, but it's up to Matlock and Michelle to prove whether Marla (Kathryn Leigh Scott), Leanne (Leann Hunley) or Katherine (Samantha Eggar) was found guilty of his murder. Note: Julie Sommars and Clarence Gilyard Jr. do not appear in this episode.
84	17	"The Victim"	Robert Scheerer	Michael Marks	January 23, 1990 (1990-01-23)	27.00
Matlock has to take the case of Alex Gordon (Alan Toy), the paraplegic man who actually killed his wife (Patrie Allen). When Michelle and Conrad both visited Alex's house, to overhear the conversation of their boss' client (Guy Boyd) (who was absolutely innocent, despite sleeping with Alex's wife), he explicitly yelled at their own client to leave. Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
85	18	"The Kidnapper"	Frank Thackery	Joyce Burditt	February 6, 1990 (1990-02-06)	24.10
Michelle and Conrad search through Matlock's old cases to find out who actually kidnapped Matlock and is holding him hostage. Note: This episode is a clip show, featuring an anthology-style review of the season one episodes "The Judge", the two-part "The Don", and "The Sisters", all within the context of trying to find out who kidnapped Ben. Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode.
86	19	"The Pro"	Burt Brinckerhoff	Max Eisenberg	February 13, 1990 (1990-02-13)	25.40
When a young, bastardized tennis player, Dave Travis (Vincent Van Patten) was found guilty of murdering Victor Tomassio (Jason Tomlins), Matlock has to defend Dave, in Atlanta, before his life gets slightly tainted. He did not do it as it was actually self-defense. In Los Angeles, Michelle and Conrad both ask Travis's tennis players some questions that'll release his name.
87	20	"The Informer: Part 1"	Harvey S. Laidman	Story by : Sam Rolfe & Gerald Sanoff Teleplay by : Gerald Sanoff	February 20, 1990 (1990-02-20)	TBA
A jealous, hotshot lawyer, David O'Malley (Richard Masur), hires Matlock to represent him, after O'Malley is accused of killing Sam Chandler (John Anderson), a client whom O'Malley recently discovered to be having an affair with O'Malley's wife (Katherine Cannon). Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode. Roxann Biggs and Joe Dalessandro also guest in this episode.
88	21	"The Informer: Part 2"	Harvey S. Laidman	Story by : Sam Rolfe & Gerald Sanoff Teleplay by : Gerald Sanoff	February 27, 1990 (1990-02-27)	25.70
After Matlock's client, O'Malley, fired Angela Page (Lynn Whitfield), for telling her not to go to the memorial of Chandler, she goes to Conrad to help her find the informer that will track down his murderer. Note: Nancy Stafford and Julie Sommars do not appear in this episode. Roxann Biggs and Joe Dalessandro also guest in this episode.
89	22	"The D.A."	Russ Mayberry	Diana Kopald Marcus	March 20, 1990 (1990-03-20)	23.40
After successfully getting a man convicted of killing his wife's lover, Julie is threatened by the man's brother and becomes the target of a stalker, this leads Matlock and Conrad to find out who's responsible for one's psychiatric problems. Note: Nancy Stafford does not appear in this episode.
90	23	"The Blackmailer"	Christopher Hibler	Gerald Sanoff	May 1, 1990 (1990-05-01)	19.90
Matlock defends Peter Dolan (Peter Haskell), a state senator accused of murdering Ron Winfield (Ray Buktenica), a comic strip artist who was going to go public on Dolan's affair with another senator's wife. Note: Clarence Gilyard Jr. does not appear in this episode.
91	24	"The Cookie Monster"	Harvey S. Laidman	Michele S. Chodos & Bonnie L. DeSouza	May 8, 1990 (1990-05-08)	19.00
As Katie White (Lynne Cormack) plans a hostile takeover of a number of smaller companies, she dies of an allergic reaction to hazelnuts. Matlock must defend a friend of his, rival cookie-maker Bobby Neil (John Hancock) who was among those whose company was threatened by Katie's takeover. Conrad is sent undercover to work at Katie's factory to see if recent equipment sabotage in the factory may be connected to Katie's murder while Matlock and Michelle interview the others threatened by Katie's takeover which include a friend of Michelle's, and also includes Katie's one-time partner. Note: Julie Sommars does not appear in this episode. Don Knotts makes an appearance as Les Calhoun.

References

External links

• Matlock – list of episodes on IMDb