Dirt

This Is Not Your Father's Hostage Situation

Season 1, Episode 9, Aired 2/27/07

Episode Summary

A former child star takes the magazine staff hostage, forcing them to produce an entire issue about him. In the meantime, Lucy wonders if he is really a threat or simply a harmless has-been looking for publicity.

8.9

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Cast & Crew

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Ian Hart

Don Konkey
Jeffrey Nordling

Brent Barrow
Courteney Cox

Lucy Spiller

Fan Episode Reviews (8)

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Really disappointing episode.

1.6

"Abysmal"

By Rootsie_basic, Nov 28, 2010 Report Abuse

I expect something new and different from this show and I got a silly sweeps-week type plot that has been done to death. Crazy hostage taker at the office was old long before this. Cold Case, one of the most predictatble dramas on TV, used it this year as well. .
This twist was way out of characer for the show, like they let in some soap writer for an episode. The performers were good as usual, but I watch the show because it isn't formulaic. i hope they don't sell out again.moreless

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By far the best episode yet. Its a shame its rated quite poorly IMO.

9.1

"Superb"

By super_friend21, Sep 04, 2007 Report Abuse

Very intense episode with a lot of drama to spice it up. When a former child star takes the magazine staff hostage, forcing them to produce an entire issue about him, chaos ensues! A maid catches Willa and Brent - at it in a closet, a mad-man waving around orders and a gun, Lucy's hit across the head! And just as Kenny found closeness with someone - BANG and he is shot. Very shocking but the bit that made me laugh was the line: 'Oh my god, he killed Kenny' That was hilarious but the ending was left unsatisfying to me. He just gave himself up once the cover was finished!moreless

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Gallo's Got a Gun!

9.1

"Superb"

By maxpower03, Mar 11, 2007 Report Abuse

Sammy Winter was the perfect example of a forgotten child star, along the lines of Danny Bonaduce or Corey Haim. Since this is Dirt, Sammy's downfall is taken to major extremes in This Isn't Your Father's Hostage Situation, with the fallen idol taking the offices of DirtNow hostage.

Vincent Gallo gave a scene-stealing performance as Sammy, and his interaction with Lucy was great to see, especially as they already had a pre-existing relationship. It's not totally surprising that they worked well together though, since Lucy's interaction with almost every character on Dirt usually produces the best scenes.

Meanwhile, we should spare a moment for poor ol' Kenny, who met his demise on the receiving end of one of Sammy's bullets. It was unfortunate to see him go, since he seemed to be one of the few DirtNow reporters who actually had a conscience. And it sucked that he spent all season wanting to get out of his job and spend time with his new wife and baby, endured the wrath of Lucy around a hundred times, and then ended up dead. Sniff.

The Brent and Willa relationship is starting to bore me, and their scenes in the closet this episode completely distracted from the rest of the story. You can only hear so much dirty talk and butt plug discussions before it gets a little tedious, and I desperately wanted the cleaning lady to use Brent as some kind of human shield against Sammy's bullets. But, sadly, that didn't happen.

One moment I found ironic was after Sammy was taken down, and Lucy was telling the photographers to go away. It's interesting to see her finally understand how the other half lives, and I wonder if this'll change her personality next episode. Although, she is Lucy Spiller: Tabloid B*tch, so it's unlikely...

Director: Elodie Keene
Writer: Dave Flebotte
Rating: A-moreless

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The Dirt Now! staff is helt hostage by a former star who desperately wants to be famous again

9.0

"Superb"

By diecaro, Mar 06, 2007 Report Abuse

This episode was actually really good: for the first time, it showed what the press can actually do. It scared me a little, but it's sooo true. Magazines like Dirt Now! really exist and I don't think the show is so far from the reality. Being famous can make people sick - especially when you've been a star once upon a time, then you grew up and suddenly you were no one. That's why so many childhood stars become addicts for instance...
Lucy showed that she might be a real b**** sometimes when it comes to her job, but that she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her staff to safety. I think the was great in this episode and I'm really sorry about the guy who was shot.

Holt and Lucy - well well, he was really worried, it seems that he's falling for her. Or is it all just sexual? Well, I'm excited to find out. The preview for the next eppy seems interesting already!moreless

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Easily one of the better episodes, there is death, comedy to diffuse the intense situations, and the ending was an excellent observation of modern society, No One Was A Hero!!!!!!!

9.5

"Superb"

By taipan45678, Mar 02, 2007 Report Abuse

The episode starts fairly normal for a dirt episode, I read the blurb for this episode and thought it would be a basic hostage episode. Well, it was and it wasn't. Pretty obvious that Kenny was going to die, why else show him gaining a relationship, and talk about how he hs vet knowledge.

....Anyway, back on topic, we learn more about the various relationships, the relationship wizard of a maid was hilarious, and a refreshing blast of reason in this show. There was comedy to diffuse the situation, mixed with real emotion of sorts, when someone is killed suddenly, it is not surprising that one or more onlookers laugh as a coping mechinism. Finally, to the message of the episode: No One Was A Hero(all uppercase). This show has been excellent at portraying society as I see it, and this episode was refreshing, to see a strong message, instead of random sex.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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Notes
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- International Airdates: The Netherlands: February 19, 2008 on Net 5 Sweden: March 4, 2008 on TV400 Edit
- This is Kenny's (Ankur Bhatt) last episode. Edit
- Music: Debby Holiday - Dig Deep Tee Man - Night and Day Debby Holiday - Half Mile Away Michael Reyes - Do You Like It 8mm - You Know Edit
Quotes
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- Johnny: Johnny Gage has disappeared from the pages of DirtNow. What's with that? Lucy: I guess we ran out of different ways to tell about you screwing strippers. Johnny: Ha ha ha! I want a cover. Lucy: And I want a private jet. Edit
- Lucy: (on the phone with Dana Pritchard's manager) Jimmy you better tell me the truth, because if I have to get it out of you, you ain't gonna like it. (hangs up) Edit
- Lucy: (on the phone with Dana Pritchard's manager) Don't take this personal, but you're an idiot, which is not my objection; my objection is that you would assume I would believe an idiot. Edit
Allusions
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- Sammy, a has-been who is believed to have stalked Lucy before he took the entire staff hostage is supposed to look like the famous serial killer, Charles Manson. Edit
- Johnny Gage: (laughing hysterically after Kenny is shot) Oh god, he killed Kenny! This is the famous catch phrase from the cartoon South Park, said each time regular character Kenny was killed in some bizzare manner. Edit