Movie: Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992)

Jim Carrey took on his first dramatic role in this TV drama about a white bread middle class American family and the struggles and heartaches they face in staying together. Phil and Lisa Carter are restauranteurs with three grown children: Karen, a successful writer who sacrificed her career to marry a photographer of whom her parents disapproved; Tim (Carrey), an alcoholic who dropped out of college despite his academic promise; and their youngest, Matt, upon whom the Carters rest all their hopes. Matt is a successful student at Yale and is engaged to the beautiful and rich Allison; he seems to be living up to his parents' expectations, until Allison finds a letter from one of Matt's former lovers, who is a man. Allison leaves Matt and he goes to great, and even life-threatening, lengths to avoid coming out to his parents. When Matt's father makes a startling discovery, however, both are forced to face up to some difficult questions surrounding Matt's sexuality and the importance of family. Directed by "Thirtysomething" star Ken Olin, this moving family drama was nominated for several Emmy awards and sports a cast comprised of talented TV veterans, including "Northern Exposure's" Bibi Besch, and "Full House's" Lori Loughlin.