Spin City: Season 4
The pressure is on as Mike faces tougher political battles and even messier relationships during the fourth season. As the team fumbles through city politics and office antics, loyalty and love are put to the test. Workaholic Mike Flaherty continues serving as Deputy Mayor of New York City and acts as the key strategist and much-needed handler for Mayor Randall Winston. Mike runs the city alongside his oddball staff,
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Workaholic Mike Flaherty serves as the Deputy Mayor of New York City.
- Mike acts as the key strategist and much-needed handler for Mayor Randall Winston.
- Mike runs the city with an oddball staff that includes an anxious and insecure press secretary.
- The staff also features a sexist, boorish chief of staff and an impeccably groomed gay activist running minority affairs.
Season overview
The pressure is on as Mike faces tougher political battles and even messier relationships during the fourth season. As the team fumbles through city politics and office antics, loyalty and love are put to the test. Workaholic Mike Flaherty continues serving as Deputy Mayor of New York City and acts as the key strategist and much-needed handler for Mayor Randall Winston. Mike runs the city alongside his oddball staff, which includes an anxious and insecure press secretary, a sexist and boorish chief of staff, and an impeccably groomed gay activist who runs minority affairs. The series is set in a fictionalized version of the New York City mayor office and was created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, airing on ABC from September 17, 1996, to April 30, 2002. Produced by Ubu Productions, Lottery Hill Entertainment, and DreamWorks Television, the show follows the chaotic intersection of municipal government administration and personal lives as the characters navigate their respective roles and challenges.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
Catcher in the Bronx
Sep 21, 1999 · 22 min
When Mike says: ""Let's not get so dramatic, okay? This is not some cheesy soap opera."" he refers to Heather Locklear's long-time role as Amanda Woodward in the soap ""Melrose Pla
James and the Giant Speech
Sep 28, 1999 · 22 min
James struggles to write an important speech to keep himself from being fired by Caitlin. Meanwhile, Paul is worried that Caitlin wants his office; she ends up moving into Mike's.
All the Mayor's Men
Oct 5, 1999 · 22 min
Caitlin implants secret background checks on all City Hall employees. Mike, Stuart and Carter break into her office to see the files. Caitlin goes to Nikki and Janelle's girls' nig
These Shoes Were Made for Cheatin'
Oct 12, 1999 · 22 min
Mike tricks Nikki into seeing a couples counselor. The mayor takes an eighth grade test after being challenged by junior-high students. Stuart attempts to join Carter's gay gym to
Rebel Without a Chair
Oct 19, 1999 · 22 min
Carter is named Activist of the Year. Stuart has a new paperweight that looks like a breast. Mike's continued jealousy of Caitlin causes him to make remarks to a gay magazine, whic
The Mayor May Not
Nov 2, 1999 · 22 min
The mayor considers quitting the senatorial race, teaming Mike and Caitlin to stop him. Carter becomes a kept man, and Paul and James scheme to play a good practical joke on Stuart
The Great Debate
Nov 9, 1999 · 22 min
Claudia's mother kicks Paul out of his house so he moves in with Stuart and Carter. Nikki dates the office's new young male intern. And Mike courts a wealthy socialite to donate mo
How to Bury a Millionaire
Nov 16, 1999 · 22 min
Mike and Caitlin agree to share the mayor on odd/even days. On Caitlin's day, Mike ""borrows"" the mayor to visit a kid who fell in a well. Unfortunately, they're 20 minutes late a
The Thanksgiving Show
Nov 23, 1999 · 22 min
A newly rich Paul thinks Caitlin is hitting on him. The mayor wants a senator's endorsement and invites him, along with his staff, to Gracie Mansion for Thanksgiving. The senator t
The Doorman Always Rings Twice
Nov 30, 1999 · 22 min
Paul has invested in a politically themed restaurant. Mike struggles to run the city while the mayor is out of town. Deidre is stalking Caitlin a la ""Single White Female.""
Mustang Mikey
Dec 7, 1999 · 22 min
Mike celebrates his five-year anniversary working for the mayor by taking Caitlin and going on a joyride with the mayor's '66 Mustang. Nikki and Carter accuse each other of being v
My Dinner with Caitlin (a.k.a. Christmas 1999)
Dec 21, 1999 · 22 min
Mike invites Caitlin to his Christmas party as his only guest but his plans at romance are spoiled when she arrives with a date. Paul finds John McEnroe's headband in the City Hall
A Tale of Two Sisters
Jan 12, 2000 · 22 min
The mayor struggles to find a date for a mayor's conference. Mike goes out with Caitlin's sister, making Caitlin jealous. Stuart tries to join Nikki, James and Janelle's art class
Casino
Feb 2, 2000 · 22 min
Paul's cheap dentist puts braces on James instead of removing his infected tooth, causing problems in James' date with the new mail girl. The city's raffle to raise money for the B
The Marry Caitlin Moore Show
Feb 9, 2000 · 22 min
After eating some of Rags' dog food, Paul develops a rash before he appears on ""The View."" Nikki helps him discover the wonders of makeup, though. Stuart tries to convince James
Suffragette City
Feb 16, 2000 · 22 min
To quell a protest by senior citizens, Mike plans to get the city's first woman voter to vote for the mayor. When Mike finds out that Trevor isn't really British, he must decide wh
Mike's Best Friend's Boyfriend
Feb 23, 2000 · 22 min
While a reporter visits City Hall to do a story on Paul, the mayor thinks she's really there for him. Mike thinks Carter's boyfriend is hitting on him. The staff looks for good sam
The Pig Whisperer
Mar 8, 2000 · 22 min
Mike has a meeting with a tomato stand owner who refuses to move his stand so that the city can build a new performing arts center. He ultimately enlists James to compete against t
Uneasy Rider
Mar 22, 2000 · 22 min
Mike helps the mayor deal with his feelings when his father unexpectedly dies. James thinks Caitlin has a crush on him. Paul's magic eight ball proves helpful to the staff.
About Last Night
Apr 19, 2000 · 22 min
With the President coming to visit City Hall, Mike is upset when Caitlin gets to meet him instead until plans change. The rest of the staff gathers at the bar, where Caitlin joins
Don't Get on the Bus
Apr 26, 2000 · 22 min
The mayor prepares for a three-day trip across New York on his new campaign bus. Paul and James grow mustaches when they think that Carter's gets him the best assignments. Nikki be
Airplane!
May 3, 2000 · 22 min
While Michael and Caitlin fly to San Francisco, Stuart joins Carter for a protest and the mayor tries to have a light bulb changed.
An American Deputy Mayor in Paris
May 10, 2000 · 22 min
Caitlin prepares to marry Trevor and elopes to Paris, where Mike follows and reveals that he loves her. James becomes angered with the mayor when he receives an undeserved war awar
The Commitments
May 17, 2000 · 22 min
Mike and Caitlin return from Paris as a couple. Caitlin wants more than a physical relationship, so Mike bets her that he can resist her for a week, while tries to break his willpo
Goodbye (1)
May 24, 2000 · 22 min
Mike discusses his attempts to have sex with Caitlin with his new therapist. Nikki's new boyfriend is too likable. Caitlin isn't in the mood when Mike is. A reporter accuses the ma
Goodbye (2)
May 24, 2000 · 22 min
Mike and Caitlin have sex. The staff works damage control but Mike ultimately fires himself to save everybody else. The staff says their goodbyes at the bar. Caitlin promises Mike