Academy Award winners Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy star with Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker in this inspiring drama adapted from Fannie Flagg's best-selling novel. When an unhappy housewife (Bates) befriends a lady in a nursing home (Tandy), she hears a remarkable tale of laughter, devotion and a special friendship that defies all obstacles in this heartwarming film from acclaimed director Jon Avnet.

Upset because an antiabortion provision has been attached to a foreign aid bill, Abbey asks Amy (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER) to secretly help defeat the bill, which was proposed by Bartlet. Meanwhile, Toby gets into legal trouble when a former classmate exposes a lawbreaking chemical company. Also, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution want to reject Abbey when they learn that her distant relative was more of a pirate than a patriot.

Leo defiantly rejects the Congressional Oversight Committee's offer of a public censure of Bartlet that would finally bring an end to the investigation and spare Leo of any possible personal repercussions. Meanwhile, Bartlet's staff reacts to an expos published by a terminated White House photographer. Josh awkwardly schemes to socialize with a women's rights leader, Amy Gardner (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER - "Boys on the Side"), whom he finds attractive. Also, Bartlet wants to frame a controversial 1709 map of Palestine that Charlie gave him, but C.J. warns the President of the political implications, since the historical map excludes Israel.

Bartlet ponders the potential consequences of ordering a strike force to overtake a barricaded gang of domestic terrorists in Iowa, one of whom is a noncombatant requiring medical attention. Meanwhile, Bartlet's staff tries to negotiate with his Republican rival for more debates. Josh accuses his girlfriend, Amy (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER), of possibly drawing votes away from Bartlet by helping a third-party candidate, Senator Howard Stackhouse (recurring guest star GEORGE COE). And Leo discreetly meets with a high-ranking Israeli official, Ben Yosef (MALACHI THRONE) to discuss mutual strategy regarding the Qumari assassination investigation.

Bartlet agonizes over whether or not to forfeit the principle of diplomatic immunity for an important Middle Eastern official who is known to be plotting terrorism. Josh debates with his lover, feminist activist Amy Gardner (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER), over a key welfare reform bill. Meanwhile, Bartlet is advised not to attend a fund-raiser for a politically sensitive cause. Sam must reject ecologically friendly legislation for the Everglades. C.J. gains new respect for her Secret Service bodyguard, Simon Donovan (recurring guest star MARK HARMON). And Donna travels to North Dakota to represent the Bartlet administration at a meeting to change the state's name.

Mary (Jena Malone) is entering her senior year at American Eagle Christian High School. She seems to be in an ideal social position as one of the Christian Jewels, the most devout and popular clique of girls in the school, led by the aggressively cheerful Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore). But things take an unexpected turn when Mary's boyfriend, Dean (Chad Faust), tells her he may be gay. Mary hits her head and has a vision, in which Jesus tells her how to help cure Dean of his unnatural urges. Mary does everything in her power to sway Dean, but when his parents find out about his problem, they send him away just before the school year starts, leaving Mary alone, confused, and, she soon finds out, pregnant. Mary's new situation causes her to question everything, including her friendship with the judgmental Hilary Faye and her faith. Her mother (Mary-Louise Parker) is too preoccupied with her flirtatious relationship with the school's married principal, Pastor Skip (Martin Donovan), to notice Mary's problem. Pastor S

TV Guide continues its look at sexy stars with a pot smoking mom and a New York priviledged hottie. Get to know Weeds' Mary Louise Parker and Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford.

After a friend is sent away, Mary (Jena Malone) seeks her mother Lillian's (Mary-Louise Parker) advice.

This emotion-filled story stars Whoopi Goldberg, Mary-Louise Parker, and Drew Barrymore as three women from different walks of life who find comfort in each other through tragedy. Parker plays Robin, an HIV-positive real estate executive who meets Jane (Goldberg), a lesbian lounge singer on her way to the West Coast who needs a driver. Robin volunteers for the job, and along the way, they stop in Pittsburgh to visit her friend Holly (Barrymore), who is pregnant and abused by her boyfriend. In an attempt to save Holly, all three decide to head West together to begin a new life. But they get only as far as Arizona before Robin falls ill and the three are forced to learn to rely on one another for growth and emotional sustenance. Jane, though concerned about Robin's condition, also finds herself with a romantic interest in her ailing companion. Holly confronts her need to be with abusive men, while Robin comes to grips with her fear of being alone and the realization of her own impending death. Fans of Herbert R