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The Worst Episodes of Spin City

Every episode of Spin City ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Spin City!

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Workaholic Mike Flaherty is the Deputy Mayor of New York City, serving as Mayor Randall Winston's key strategist and much-needed handler. Mike runs the city with the help of his oddball staff: an anxious and

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Spin City Season 5 Episode 7 - Lost and Found
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - Lost and Found

    S5:E7

    Caitlin and Charlie fight the attention of Caitlin's new friend. Carter, Stuart and Paul compete for a trip to New Orleans with the mayor.

    Director:Ted Wass
    Writers:Hadley Davis, Bonnie Schneider

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  2. Spin City Season 1 Episode 5 - The Rivals
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - The Rivals

    S1:E5

    The former Mayor of New York is a constant critic of the current administration, and a plan to appease him has tragic consequences. Meanwhile, Michael and Ashley try to avoid their annoying new neighbors. And Nikki holds a contest among the men in the office to prove that none of them could ever be fathers.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Spin City Season 1 Episode 19 - Striptease
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - Striptease

    S1:E19

    Michael discovers that his new girlfriend, Gayley, is paying for law school by moonlighting as a stripper. Meantime, Claudia catches Paul in a lie, and Nikki plays mind games with Stuart.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Tim Hobert

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  4. Spin City Season 3 Episode 20 - That's Entertainment
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - That's Entertainment

    S3:E20

    Mike makes the staff work on Oscar Sunday due to a screw-up of Paul's. The staff reminisces about their favorite movie moments to pass the time. ("Clip show" filler episode)

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Gayle Abrams, Tim Hobert

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  5. Spin City Season 6 Episode 16 - Eyes Wide Open
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Eyes Wide Open

    S6:E16

    When Carter is unexpectedly called to a late-night meeting, Charlie's left in charge of entertaining Spencer, a 16-year-old boy whom Carter sponsors through the ""Big Brother"" program. Having already had a date planned, Charlie has no choice but to bring Spencer along for the ride. Meanwhile, the Mayor is racked with guilt which is causing him insomnia.

    Director:Ted Wass
    Writer:Chris Henchy

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  6. Spin City Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Michael Flaherty and his team grapple with a garbage strike and a political gaffe by the Mayor who accidentally insults gays. In addition, Ashley questions Mike's commitment to their relationship when is nervous about moving in together.

    Director:Thomas Schlamme
    Writers:Bill Lawrence, Gary David Goldberg

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  7. Spin City Season 1 Episode 3 - The Apartment
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - The Apartment

    S1:E3

    Michael and the Mayor work around the clock to negotiate an end to the garbage strike, which leaves Stuart in charge of the office, to everyone's dismay. And, though they just moved into a new apartment, life is so hectic that Ashley and Michael never get to see each other.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Bill Lawrence

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  8. Spin City Season 1 Episode 6 - A Star is Born
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - A Star is Born

    S1:E6

    When Mayor Winston's nominee for the Public Schools Chancellor proves an embarrassment to the administration, James urges Mike to stick with the controversial candidate. In the meantime, Ashley considers a career in television on a roundtable show.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Spin City Season 1 Episode 7 - Grand Illusion
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Grand Illusion

    S1:E7

    Carter and Nikki plan a fake wedding to make a point about the mayor's stance on same-sex marriages. Meanwhile, Paul is a transformed man when the eye patch he wears after a minor injury gives him unprecedented self-confidence and sex appeal. And an unsatisfied Ashley considers leaving her new TV show for the newspaper again.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Spin City Season 1 Episode 8 - The High and the Mighty
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - The High and the Mighty

    S1:E8

    Michael needs a favor from famed real estate developer Dan Donaldson, but the price Mike has to pay may not be worth it. In the meantime, Paul finds it hard to crow about the city's lowered crime rate, since he's just become a victim of a robbery-again. And Mike and Ashley can't agree on what show to watch when they're in bed.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Spin City Season 1 Episode 10 - The Competition
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - The Competition

    S1:E10

    When the Mayor's office competes against City Council in an annual Thanksgiving contest, the stakes are high, since the losers must croon a show tune in front of the press. James has trouble breaking up with a longtime girlfriend visiting from Wisconsin.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Sarah Dunn

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  12. Spin City Season 1 Episode 11 - Dog Day Afternoon
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Dog Day Afternoon

    S1:E11

    Mike tries to appease the disgruntled Police Commissioner by honoring a beloved police dog who has recently died. But things go awry on the way to the funeral when Paul and Carter lose the canine's body. And Mike buys an air hockey table for the staff proving Stuart a very big talker.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Spin City Season 1 Episode 12 - Criss Cross
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - Criss Cross

    S1:E12

    Michael substitutes for the Mayor on a political talk show, facing off against Ashley on a hot-button issue. Meanwhile, Paul plays City Hall Santa while battling a terrible bout of the flu that is sweeping the office. And everyone finds themselves going to Carter for romantic advice.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Brian Buckner

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  14. Spin City Season 1 Episode 14 - Starting Over
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Starting Over

    S1:E14

    Michael is uncomfortable with his newly single status when he realizes he's actually on a date with new assistant district attorney Danielle Brinkman. Meantime, Paul meets the president of his fan club, Claudia Sacks, who has arranged the group's first meeting. And Carter and Stuart have a little too much to drink and end up in an awkward situation.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Spin City Season 1 Episode 15 - Gabby's Song
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Gabby's Song

    S1:E15

    Mike butts heads with a hard-nosed new chief of staff appointee, Gabby Sanchez, who is unmoved by his best efforts to win her over. Meanwhile, Paul ponders taking his relationship with Claudia to the next level.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Tim Hobert

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  16. Spin City Season 1 Episode 17 - An Affair to Remember
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - An Affair to Remember

    S1:E17

    For the Mayor's 50th birthday, Paul is determined to get his ""old friend"" George Stephanopoulos to attend the event; as Michael arranges for birthday wishes from David Letterman, Patrick Ewing, Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, Frank Gifford, Rosie O'Donnell, Larry King, and the cast of Rent. But in the midst of the planning, a scandal swirls about the Mayor's presumed affair with a staffer from the Governor's office.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writers:Amy Cohen, Michelle Nader

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  17. Spin City Season 1 Episode 18 - Snowbound
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Snowbound

    S1:E18

    A major snowstorm hits Manhattan, causing a chain reaction of mishaps at City Hall. Mike desperately tries to meet his longtime crush on her last night in the city; Paul accidentally offends the Mayor on the radio; Carter and Stuart are locked in the boiler room; and a nudist is on the loose in the Mayor's office.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writers:Brian Buckner, Sebastian Jones

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  18. Spin City Season 1 Episode 20 - Deaf Becomes Her
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - Deaf Becomes Her

    S1:E20

    It's damage control time when the Mayor's inept new sign-language interpreter inadvertently offends the deaf community, and Michael rushes to appease one of its leaders, Sarah Edelman. Meantime, Paul is worried that Claudia wants to move in permanently.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Spin City Season 1 Episode 21 - Hot in the City
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Hot in the City

    S1:E21

    On the personal front, Mike struggles with his ex-girlfriend, Carrie, who is desperate to bear his child (with or without his participation). At the office, he's playing peacemaker after the mayor's ill-chosen words split up a beloved band just before their reunion concert.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Spin City Season 1 Episode 23 - The Mayor Who Came to Dinner
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - The Mayor Who Came to Dinner

    S1:E23

    The Mayor separates from his wife and moves in with Michael, much to Mike's chagrin. Meanwhile, designer Isaac Mizrahi helps the Mayor's office with a charity fashion show and gives Nikki a once-in-a-lifetime chance to strut the runway in one of his creations.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Tim Hobert

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  21. Spin City Season 1 Episode 24 - Mayor Over Miami
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - Mayor Over Miami

    S1:E24

    Despondent over his separation with his wife, the Mayor decides on a whim to take a road trip with Paul, leaving Mike in charge of New York City and scrambling to find out where they went.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Brian Buckner

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  22. Spin City Season 2 Episode 1 - Paul Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Paul Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

    S2:E1

    While acting as the Mayor's divorce lawyer, Michael is attracted to his opponent, Laurie Parres. Meanwhile, the press thinks Paul has suffered a nervous breakdown, so Michael enlists a psychiatrist, Dr. Benjamin, to pronounce Paul sane. But his plans go awry when Dr. Benjamin unexpectedly commits Paul to an institution.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Bill Lawrence

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  23. Spin City Season 2 Episode 2 - Porn in the U.S.A.
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - Porn in the U.S.A.

    S2:E2

    When Mike's new girlfriend, Laurie, bonds with Nikki, Mike must compete with his own staffer for Laurie's attention and free time. Meanwhile, Paul's bombshell mom dazzles his coworkers when she visits the office, and the Mayor is in a mess over an X-rated video.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Spin City Season 2 Episode 3 - Wonder Woman
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - Wonder Woman

    S2:E3

    Mike finds out that his new girlfriend, Laurie, isn't looking for commitment, which he thinks is great-- at first. Meanwhile, James has a mysterious new hobby, which Stuart and Carter are determined to uncover. And Janelle asks for a raise with surprising results.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Spin City Season 2 Episode 4 - The Goodbye Girl
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - The Goodbye Girl

    S2:E4

    Michael tries to dissuade the Mayor from a relationship with Jennifer, a much younger woman. However, as Mike deals with his own relationship troubles, Jennifer makes a pass at him. Meanwhile, Paul is acting as Michael's assistant, and enjoying it so much that he can't bring himself to hire the best candidate for the job, Stacy Paterno.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Gayle Abrams

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Lost and Found" is the worst rated episode of "Spin City". It scored 1/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Ted Wass and written by Hadley Davis, Bonnie Schneider, it aired on 11/29/2000. This episode scored 5.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Rivals".