UNLIKELY ANGEL (CBS) was a huge ratings success at Christmas in 1996, and continues to be shown on television every year, most recently on Lifetime. A funny and heartwarming story about a recently-deceased honky-tonk singer (Dolly Parton) who is sent back to earth to earn her wings, the movie also stars Roddy McDowall and Brian Kerwin, and features a few original songs by Dolly Parton.

A few weeks before filming begain, Robert was asked by CBS to do a top-to-bottom rewrite and co-produce. He found Dolly to be a delight to work with, and particularly enjoyed collaborating with the talented Gail Berman, the Executive Producer. Robert had recently completed another Christmas movie rewrite (uncredited) for the same network, and was consequently dubbed by CBS executives, "The Jew Who Saved Christmas."