2/5/1979. Monday, 10 pm. 1 hour.

CBS. Season 2 of 5. Episode 36.

Newspaper drama

Code : LGS 2/1979

PLOT

When the INS raids a favorite Mexican restaurant, the Trib staffers investigate illegal workers. Back at the Trib, Lou works with a new assistant, Mrs. Pynchon's niece.

CREDITS

Writer: Steve Kline.

Director: Charles S. Dubin.

REGULAR CAST

Edward Asner as Lou Grant

Robert Walden as Joe Rossi

Linda Kelsey as Billie Newman

Mason Adams as Charlie Hume

Jack Bannon as Art Donovan

Daryl Anderson as Dennis "Animal" Price

Nancy Marchand as Margaret Pynchon

GUEST CAST

Maureen McCormick as Tiffany (yes, she was Marcia Brady)

Rafael Campos as Jesus

Jonathan Banks as Cyrus, a Border Patrol officer. Listed 3rd of guests

Cynthia Avila

Maria-Elena Cordero as Rosa

CHARACTER

Cyrus is a gentle, laid-back type, who enjoys his job, and smiles a lot. He knows that sending illegals back is a game, a game the illegals win because of perseverance, but he is philosophical about it. He is upset when finds dead woman.

COMMENTS

Excellent script. Business for JB include a characteristic back of hand wipe to his mouth when he finds the dead woman. When he runs after the illegals he's "part mountain goat" says Rossi, and the viewer must agree—he can run. He’s in good shape; he lifts the ‘dead’ woman instead of rolling her over.

LINES

"There's Mexico on the other side of that fence. Now that's not much of a border, is it?" "The average Jose, he just wants a job. I don't blame him. If I was in his spot, I'd climb that fence, too."

"I don't deal in answers. What would you do? Issue national identity cards to everybody in the country? Then the liberals and the conservatives would kill you."

SCREEN TIME

About 4 minutes, in 3 scenes in act 3.

WORKED WITH:

Robert Walden (PMLL 2/1987)

Mason Adams (WIJ 10/1986)

All Lou Grant regulars (LG 11/1979, LGR 1/1981)