Louis Zorich

Columbo matches wits with a brilliant attorney that may be responsible for the death of the one man who could stifle his meteoric political career.

It's Thanksgiving, and Paul and Jamie are hosting a big dinner for both their families. Though Paul is confident that they are covered, Jamie isn't so sure. First, Lisa calls to remind her she is a vegetarian, so Jamie sends Paul to the store for something to feed her. And when Paul's mom and dad arrive early, Jamie is surprised to find that Sylvia not only brought food, but has reservations about eating buffet style and wonders why there are no marshmallows in the sweet potato mousse. When her family arrives with more food, too, Jamie begins to see all her plans for dinner quickly going down the drain. She and Paul are then forced to make another trip to the store, where they realize that their plans for the meal are slipping out of their control. And when they return home to find their buffet has been dismantled, they decide to do something about it. But, as they are lecturing their parents about wanting to do dinner their way, Murray takes care of the turkey all by himself. As Paul sneaks away to find another turkey, Jamie tries to keep their guests distracted until he returns. But the first replacement bird mysteriously disappears from the hallway, and then Jamie throws the second out the window so as not to reveal their secret. Although Ira and Fran volunteer to get the next one, it too ends up on the street below. Finally, after Paul and Jamie go out for another, they return to find everyone ready to eat, but their problems far from over.

Tod and Buz layover to work in New Orleans and make the acquaintance of a young woman who accidentally interferes with a smuggling ring.The young woman's melancholy mother and the danger of an epidemic add to the difficulties.

Expecting his parents to arrive for dinner at any moment, Paul finally learns he has a new job. But instead of the independent feature film or television soap opera he was hoping for, it is to direct a film about airline seat belts. While waiting to see a TV commercial promoting his dad's big sale, Paul promises Burt that he and Jamie will be at the store to help out as always. Yet after seeing the commercial, Jamie decides to revive her public relations career and help her father-in-law. As Paul reluctantly proceeds with his film, Jamie throws herself into the project, getting a sandwich named after Burt, preparing press releases and hiring a celebrity guest, all to promote the sale. In fact, Jamie is so excited by the work that she decides to start her own P.R. business while still going to school. Yet, despite anything she says, Paul thinks she is simply doing it because he doesn't make enough money. Then, as everyone else arrives on time, Jamie worries when her celebrity, former New York Yankee Sloopy Dunbar, is late for the sale. When Burt mentions he is retiring, Paul excuses himself in order to avoid any discussion of his taking over the store. But Paul learns that he is giving it to Ira instead. And even though he didn't want the store in the first place, Paul is offended by not having it offered. Meanwhile, Sloopy finally arrives and demands his money up front before setting out to convince Fran to join him for a date. Sensing Paul is upset, Jamie convinces him to talk with his dad about it. Only then does Paul realize that Burt thinks he is too successful to ever want the store. Finally, as the sale and Burt's career both draw to a close, Fran joins Sloopy for dinner.

It's 1991 and Paul and Jamie are planning their wedding. There's a lot to think about and do, from selecting a date and sending the invitations, to finding a caterer, choosing clothes and hiring a band. However, they're having a hard time keeping the guest list under control, especially since their parents keep finding old friends and acquaintances to invite. And everyone is more than willing to give them advice. However, when Jamie discovers that Sylvia Buchman's name is misspelled on the invitations, she and Paul are forced to act ... and act fast. Finding that Paul already mailed the invitations, Jamie drags him out to stop them from being sent. And, after successfully bribing the letter carrier with an invitation of his own, they get them back -- only to have Sylvia drop by unexpectedly and discover the mistake anyway. Meanwhile, Paul lobbies heavily to use Ira's band, but Jamie wants to keep looking. In addition, Paul and Jamie are also supposed to be writing their own vows, though they haven't started yet. And, as the presents begin to arrive, producing a wealth of gravy boats, everyone who was invited seems to be coming, making their crisis with the guest list even worse. The tension mounts, aggravating Jamie's smoking habit and causing Paul to spend more and more time seeking refuge in the TV. However, it's when the families meet to sample the caterer's menu that Paul and Jamie begin to have second thoughts. As if she hasn't enough to think about already, Jamie discovers that it is customary for the bride and groom to get each other gifts. And then there's the matter of a band. But when Paul asks Ira, Jamie takes offense but agrees to hear them play their next date -- at a state prison.