Alice
Alice Beats the Clock
TV Flash files “Alice Beats the Clock” as hour 86 of 202 in the TV Flash guide — Alice (1976–1985) on CBS, season 4, episode 14, aired 1980-01-27, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S04E14: listed hour 86 of 202 in the Alice guide, hour 14 of 24 in season 4. It aired 1980-01-27 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “Alice in TV Land” (S04E13). Next is “Carrie's Wedding” (S04E15).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Mel sparks a controversy when he installs a punch clock in the diner.
Viewer FAQ
Where does Alice Beats the Clock sit in the Alice guide?
S04E14 is listed hour 86 of 202 — hour 14 of 24 in season 4, season 4 episode 14.
When did Alice S04E14 air?
Alice Beats the Clock aired 1980-01-27 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Do I need Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore first?
No. The sitcom is inspired by the film, then becomes a CBS diner of its own. Lavin's Alice is the long-running television center.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Linda Lavin keeps a Phoenix diner standing while Vic Tayback's Mel scorches the grill and the goodwill. Polly Holliday's Flo turned kiss-my-grits into a national weapon, then peeled off into her own spin-off. Blue-collar women run this room; nobody is waiting to be rescued between pie slices.
Phoenix, a greasy spoon, and a widowed waitress hustling tables while chasing a singing career: CBS's Alice (1976–1985) kept Mel's Diner standing for nine seasons, 202 episodes, through the early cable era. Inspired by the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and created by Robert Getchell, it made Linda Lavin the long-game lead. Vic Tayback's Mel scorched the grill and the goodwill. Polly Holliday's Flo turned kiss my grits into a national retort, then peeled off into her own spin-off. Beth Howland's Vera and…
Filed against
- Linda Lavin as Alice Hyatt
Linda Lavin kept a Phoenix diner standing as Alice Hyatt on Alice — blue-collar women running the room, Vic Tayback’s Mel scorching the grill, and nobody waiting to be rescued between the checks. “Kiss my grits” exploded around her. TV…
- Vic Tayback as Mel Sharples
Vic Tayback’s Mel Sharples scorched the grill and the goodwill on Alice — Linda Lavin keeping a Phoenix diner standing, Polly Holliday’s Flo turning kiss-my-grits into a national weapon, then peeling off into a spin-off. Blue-collar women…
- Polly Holliday as Flo Castleberry
Polly Holliday made Flo Castleberry a national weapon on Alice — kiss-my-grits as 1970s diner vocabulary, Linda Lavin keeping a Phoenix room standing, Vic Tayback’s Mel scorching the grill and the goodwill. Blue-collar women run this…
- Beth Howland as Vera Louise Gorman
Beth Howland’s Vera Louise Gorman kept Alice’s Phoenix diner standing in a flutter — Linda Lavin, Vic Tayback’s Mel scorching the grill, Polly Holliday’s Flo turning kiss-my-grits into a national weapon. Blue-collar women running the…
- Philip McKeon as Tommy Hyatt
Philip McKeon played Tommy Hyatt on Alice, the 1970s Phoenix diner sitcom where Linda Lavin keeps the room standing, Vic Tayback’s Mel scorches the grill, and Polly Holliday’s Flo turns kiss-my-grits into a national weapon. Blue-collar…