List of Family Ties episodes#Season 5 (1986/87)
{{Short description|none}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of Family Ties episodes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
This is a list of episodes of the American television sitcom Family Ties, that aired on NBC from September 22, 1982 to May 14, 1989, with a total of 176 episodes produced, spanning 7 seasons.
Series overview
| infoA = Rank
| infoB = Rating
| color1 = #0000CD
| link1 =
| episodes1 = 22
| start1 = {{Start date|1982|9|22}}
| end1 = {{End date|1983|4|4}}
| infoB1 = {{n/a}}
| color2 = #4B0082
| link2 =
| episodes2 = 22
| start2 = {{Start date|1983|9|28}}
| end2 = {{End date|1984|5|10}}
| infoA2 = 42
| color3 = #B11030
| link3 =
| episodes3 = 24
| start3 = {{Start date|1984|9|20}}
| end3 = {{End date|1985|3|28}}
| infoA3 = 5
| infoB3 = 22.1
| color3S = #704214
| link3S =
| linkT3S = Film
| start3S = {{Start date|1985|9|23}}
| infoA3S = {{n/a}}
| infoB3S = 22.1
| color4 = #DAA520
| link4 =
| episodes4 = 24
| start4 = {{Start date|1985|9|26}}
| end4 = {{End date|1986|5|1}}
| infoA4 = 2
| infoB4 = 30.0
| color5 = #38A969
| link5 =
| episodes5 = 30
| start5 = {{Start date|1986|9|25}}
| end5 = {{End date|1987|8|13}}
| infoA5 = 2
| infoB5 = 32.7
| color6 = #B18DA1
| link6 =
| episodes6 = 28
| start6 = {{Start date|1987|9|13}}
| end6 = {{End date|1988|5|1}}
| infoA6 = 17
| infoB6 = 17.3
| color7 = #FF7F00
| link7 =
| episodes7 = 26
| start7 = {{Start date|1988|10|30}}
| end7 = {{End date|1989|5|14}}
| infoA7 = 35
}}
Episodes
=Season 1 (1982–1983)=
- This is the only season where Michael Gross was clean shaven.
{{Episode table|background=#0000CD|overall=4|season=4|title=19|director=15|writer=19|airdate=15|prodcode=8|aux4=10|aux4T=Rating/share
(households)|episodes={{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Pilot
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Gary David Goldberg
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|09|22}}
|ProdCode=001
|Aux4=15.4/23{{cite magazine|date=September 29, 1982|title=CBS tops Nielsens in week of Sept. 26|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=273|issue=39|page=8|id={{ProQuest|2587915688}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex escorts a pretty socialite to a dance at her country club.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Not With My Sister You Don't
|DirectedBy=Tony Mordente
|WrittenBy=Lloyd Garver
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|09|29}}
|ProdCode=004
|Aux4=17.2/26{{cite magazine|date=October 6, 1982|title=CBS tops Nielsens in season's 1st week|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=273|issue=44|page=8|id={{ProQuest|2587914903}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex heads the household when Elyse and Steven go away for the weekend.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=I Know Jennifer's Boyfriend
|DirectedBy=Michael Zinberg
|WrittenBy=Gary David Goldberg
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|10|06}}
|ProdCode=003
|Aux4=18.1/28{{cite magazine|date=October 14, 1982|title=CBS takes week 2; baseball aids ABC|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=273|issue=49|page=4|author=Gansberg, Alan L.|id={{ProQuest|2594795876}}}}
|ShortSummary=Jennifer gets picked on when she befriends a boy at school.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Summer of '82
|DirectedBy=Tony Mordente
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|10|27}}
|ProdCode=007
|Aux4=12.3/19{{cite magazine|date=November 8, 1982|title=Season returns to normalcy: CBS is back on top|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=103|issue=18|page=78|id={{ProQuest|963254255}}}}
|ShortSummary=Seduced by an "older woman" of twenty-one (Amy Steel), the hitherto inexperienced Alex is devastated to learn that she thinks of their relationship as casual.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=I Never Killed for My Father
|DirectedBy=Dick Martin
|WrittenBy=Kimberly Hill
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|11|03}}
|ProdCode=008
|Aux4=16.7/26{{cite magazine|date=November 10, 1982|title=CBS takes 6th week of '82-83 season: ABC in second place|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=274|issue=18|page=6|author=Hack, Richard|id={{ProQuest|2587803060}}}}
|ShortSummary=A visit from Steven's father (John Randolph) evokes confrontation between the two.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Give Your Uncle Arthur a Kiss
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Lloyd Garver & Gary David Goldberg
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|11|10}}
|ProdCode=012
|Aux4=15.1/23{{cite magazine|date=November 17, 1982|title=CBS takes week in Nielsens; 'Blue and Gray' beats rivals|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=274|issue=22|page=14|author=Gansberg, Alan L.|id={{ProQuest|2594774619}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory is horrified and confused when a close family friend and older business associate of her father's makes a pass at her.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Big Brother is Watching
|DirectedBy=Alan Bergmann
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|11|17}}
|ProdCode=013
|Aux4=13.9/21{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/52764578/|title=Television Ratings (Nov. 15–21, 1982)|date=November 24, 1982|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 14, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}{{cite magazine|date=November 29, 1982|title=CBS wins rating battle with 'Blue and Gray'|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=103|issue=22|page=49|id={{ProQuest|963235207}}}}
|ShortSummary=As the new editor of his school paper, Alex uncovers a cheating scandal and to everyone's chagrin, prints a list of students who were caught including Mallory.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=No Nukes Is Good Nukes
|DirectedBy=Frank Bonner
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|11|24}}
|ProdCode=009
|Aux4=14.0/22{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/52764549/|title=Television Ratings (Nov. 22–28, 1982)|date=December 1, 1982|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 14, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}{{cite report|title=Nielsen National TV Audience Estimates (November 22–December 5, 1982)|publisher=Nielsen Media Research}}
|ShortSummary=To the dismay of the Keaton children and their equally conservative grandparents (Dick Sargent and Priscilla Morrill), Steven and Elyse take time out Thanksgiving Day to attend an anti-nuke rally-and end up spending the holiday in jail.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=9
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=Death of a Grocer
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|12|01}}
|ProdCode=011
|Aux4=16.0/24{{cite magazine|date=December 8, 1982|title='Dallas,' specials aid in CBS victory in Nielsens again|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=274|issue=36|page=14|author=Gansberg, Alan L.|id={{ProQuest|2587815923}}}}
|ShortSummary=Though Alex loves working at Mr. Adler's "Mom and Pop" grocery store, to the old man's dismay, he quits to "climb the corporate ladder" at an ultramodern supermarket.
Note: This episode marks the debut of Marc Price in the recurring role of Skippy Handleman.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=10
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=Have Gun, Will Unravel
|DirectedBy=Alan Bergmann
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|12|08}}
|ProdCode=006
|Aux4=13.5/20{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/52765940/|title=Television Ratings (Dec. 6–12, 1982)|date=December 16, 1982|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 14, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}{{cite report|title=Nielsen National TV Audience Estimates (December 6–19, 1982)|publisher=Nielsen Media Research}}
|ShortSummary=The Keatons consider buying a gun for protection after getting burglarized.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=11
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=A Christmas Story
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Joanne Pagliaro
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|12|15}}
|ProdCode=014
|Aux4=17.0/26{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/52771219/|title=Television Ratings (Dec. 13–19, 1982)|date=December 24, 1982|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 14, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=When a blizzard forces the Keatons to spend Christmas at home, Elyse's gift to Steven of an album filled with fascinating old photos sparks flashbacks to the births of their three children.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=12
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=Oops
|DirectedBy=Tony Mordente
|WrittenBy=Joanne Pagliaro
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1982|12|22}}
|ProdCode=005
|Aux4=15.8/26{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/52766821/|title=Television Ratings (Dec. 20–26, 1982)|date=December 30, 1982|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 14, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}{{cite report|title=Fast Weekly Program Audience Estimates (December 20–26, 1982)|publisher=Nielsen Media Research}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory resents Elyse for the advice she gives her pregnant friend.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=13
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=Sherry Baby
|DirectedBy=Tony Mordente
|WrittenBy=Barbara Hall
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|01|12}}
|ProdCode=015
|Aux4=14.5/21{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/usa-today-1982-83-ratings-1/162650416/|title=The Week's Ratings|date=January 19, 1983|work=USA Today|access-date=March 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=When popular sorority girl Sherry Marshall befriends Mallory to get close to Alex, Mallory brings them together in hopes of joining Pi Nu but her plan backfires.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=14
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|Title=The Fugitive, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|01|19}}
|ProdCode=016
|Aux4=14.6/22{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/usa-today-1982-83-ratings-2/162651375/|title=The Week's Ratings|date=January 26, 1983|work=USA Today|access-date=March 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary= Elyse's younger brother and Alex's idol, Ned (Tom Hanks), makes a surprise visit. However, everyone is puzzled by the go-getter corporate executive's suspicious behavior.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=15
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|Title=The Fugitive, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|01|26}}
|ProdCode=017
|Aux4=16.6/24{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/usa-today-1982-83-ratings-3/162651484/|title=The Week's Ratings|date=February 2, 1983|work=USA Today|access-date=March 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=With the FBI hot on Ned's heels for embezzling 4.5 million dollars in corporate funds, Elyse's ethical brother and Alex's idol tells the family why and where he hid the money.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=16
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Margin of Error
|DirectedBy=Tony Mordente
|WrittenBy=Michael Russnow
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|02|09}}
|ProdCode=018
|Aux4=12.8/18{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-1982-83-ratings-week-2/114652269/|title=140 million watched 'The Winds of War'|date=February 16, 1983|work=Miami Herald|access-date=November 22, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Alex amasses a bundle by playing the stock market on paper for his economics class, and courts disaster by secretly investing his father's money.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=17
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=French Lessons
|DirectedBy=Tony Mordente
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|02|16}}
|ProdCode=019
|Aux4=13.7/20{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-1982-83-ratings-week-2/114652382/|title=CBS wins Nielsen Ratings|date=February 23, 1983|work=Miami Herald|access-date=November 22, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory's handsome but shy French tutor, Jeff, finally musters up the nerve to ask her out and then courts disaster by enlisting Alex's advice on how to behave on the date.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=18
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|Title=I Gotta Be Ming
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Douglas Wyman
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|02|23}}
|ProdCode=020
|Aux4=12.6/18{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-1982-83-tv-ratings-wee/129350327/|title=CBS tops weekly ratings|date=March 2, 1983|work=Miami Herald|access-date=November 22, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=As Big Brother to a 10-year-old Vietnamese boy, Alex tries to mold Ming into his own image, and he learns an unforgettable lesson when he breaks a promise to the adoring child.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=19
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|Title=Suzanne Takes You Down
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|03|16}}
|ProdCode=010
|Aux4=17.0/25{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-1982-83-ratings-week-2/114700003/|title=CBS wins Nielsen ratings|date=March 23, 1983|work=Miami Herald|access-date=November 22, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Soon after freelance architect Elyse Keaton hires her friend Suzanne Davis to handle clerical chores, she wants to fire the under-qualified, overly aggressive secretary. Note: This episode marks the first time that Justine Bateman wears white pants.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=20
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|Title=The Fifth Wheel
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|03|28}}
|ProdCode=022
|Aux4=14.3/20{{cite magazine|date=April 6, 1983|title='Thorn Birds' fly ABC closer to CBS with Nielsen win|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=276|issue=19|page=11|author=Gansberg, Alan L.|id={{ProQuest|2587811606}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex gets stuck babysitting for his little sister Jennifer, who is fed up with feeling in the way at his poker game and decides to disappear.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=21
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Stage Fright
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|04|04}}
|ProdCode=021
|Aux4=13.9/20{{cite magazine|date=April 13, 1983|title=CBS takes next-to-last week in season to maintain Nielsens lead|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=276|issue=24|page=3|author=Gansberg, Alan L.|id={{ProQuest|2587805706}}}}
|ShortSummary=While gearing up to face the television cameras as captain of his high school's team on "Quiz-Em", Alex panics at first when a teammate drops out and then launches a tutoring program a la Eliza Doolittle for his sister Mallory.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=22
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|Title=Elyse D'Arc
|DirectedBy=Michael Zinberg
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|04|11}}
|ProdCode=002
|Aux4=13.2/19{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-1982-83-ratings-week-2/122270862/|title=CBS wins ratings race for fourth straight season|date=April 20, 1983|work=Miami Herald|access-date=November 22, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse gets so wrapped up in work that she neglects her family.
|LineColor=0000CD
}}}}
=Season 2 (1983–1984)=
{{Episode table |background=#4B0082 |overall=4 |season=4 |title=19 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=15 |prodcode=8 |aux4=10 |aux4T=Rating/share
(households) |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=23
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Tender is the Knight
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|09|28}}
|ProdCode=023
|Aux4=15.7/24{{cite magazine|date=October 10, 1983|title=Premiere week goes to CBS|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=15|page=78|id={{ProQuest|1285768016}}}}
|ShortSummary=When pretty Carrie Newman and her mother Julia come to visit the Keatons, Carrie's forward behavior sends Alex into a panic.
Note: First episode featuring a bearded Steven Keaton which he will keep for the remainder of the series. Michael Gross had grown the beard between seasons 1 and 2 while appearing in a Broadway production.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=24
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=The Homecoming
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Douglas Wyman
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|10|12}}
|ProdCode=027
|Aux4=16.1/23{{cite magazine|date=October 24, 1983|title=World Series scores for ABC-TV|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=17|page=61|id={{ProQuest|963241552}}}}
|ShortSummary=When Mallory's boyfriend Jeff arrives home from college and wants to go steady, she's elated, but it's soon apparent that he's a little awed by school and merely grasping at the familiar.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=25
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=The Harder They Fall
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Rich Reinhart
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|10|19}}
|ProdCode=026
|Aux4=16.2/26{{cite magazine|date=October 31, 1983|title=CBS regains winning form|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=18|page=62|id={{ProQuest|963232208}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex anxiously awaits a crucial college recommendation from his English teacher (Edward Edwards).
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=26
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=This Year's Model
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz & Richard Raskind
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|10|26}}
|ProdCode=032
|Aux4=17.7/28{{cite magazine|date=November 7, 1983|title=CBS wins its fourth week in five|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=19|page=69|id={{ProQuest|1014704928}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory secretly submits a picture of Elyse and herself to an ad agency for a mother-daughter-modeling contest.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=27
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Not An Affair to Remember
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Gary David Goldberg
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|11|02}}
|ProdCode=029
|Aux4=17.5/26{{cite magazine|date=November 14, 1983|title=ABC the winner in week six|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=20|page=74|id={{ProQuest|1014710260}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven's assistant (Judith Light) at the station is bright, talented, funny, and witty...and in love with him.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=28
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Speed Trap
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|11|09}}
|ProdCode=025
|Aux4=16.1/24{{cite magazine|date=November 21, 1983|title='Chiefs' leads CBS to victory|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=21|page=43|id={{ProQuest|1014710747}}}}
|ShortSummary=When Alex takes diet pills for a lift during midterms, his dependency level increases daily.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=29
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Sweet Lorraine
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|11|16}}
|ProdCode=031
|Aux4=13.9/21{{cite magazine|date=November 28, 1983|title='Day After' sweeps ABC to victory|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=22|page=54|id={{ProQuest|1014712773}}}}
|ShortSummary=While working as a DJ at the school radio station, Alex strikes up a telephone friendship with caller Lorraine Ferrar (Carolyn Seymour).
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=30
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Batter Up
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Lisa A. Bannick
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|11|30}}
|ProdCode=028
|Aux4=16.1/24{{cite magazine|date=December 12, 1983|title=It's CBS six days a week|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=105|issue=24|page=90|id={{ProQuest|1014698948}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven and Elyse worry that Jennifer's softball team coach is pushing the girls too hard.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=31
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=A Keaton Christmas Carol
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=Robert Caplain|t=Rich Reinhart}}
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|12|14}}
|ProdCode=037
|Aux4=18.0/27{{cite magazine|date=December 21, 1983|title=Christmas specials lead CBS to win; '60 Minutes' on top|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=279|issue=48|page=34|author=Gansberg, Alan L.|id={{ProQuest|2587871651}}}}
|ShortSummary=A cynical Alex finds the spirit of Christmas in a dream.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=32
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=To Snatch a Keith
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1983|12|21}}
|ProdCode= 024
|Aux4=16.9/26{{cite magazine|date=December 29, 1983|title=CBS easy winner over holiday week|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=280|issue=3|page=11|author=Byrge, Duane|id={{ProQuest|2587871405}}}}
|ShortSummary= Steven and Elyse realize how lucky they are when their friends come over for a visit, but are unaware that it will be for the last time.
|LineColor= 4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=33
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=Birthday Boy
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|01|05}}
|ProdCode=033
|Aux4=16.4/24{{cite magazine|date=January 16, 1984|title=CBS wins week, NBC's 'Riptide' moves network into second|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=3|page=98|id={{ProQuest|1016910894}}}}
|ShortSummary=On his 18th birthday, Alex defies his mother and goes off with some of his buddies to celebrate at an out-of-town nightclub.
Notes: Michael J. Fox and Crispin Glover would later star in Back to the Future together. John Putch also previously guest starred in the episode "Summer of '82" as the character Pete.
|LineColor= 4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=34
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=Go Tigers
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|01|12}}
|ProdCode= 036
|Aux4=16.2/24{{cite magazine|date=January 23, 1984|title='Amelia' gives ABC the week|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=4|page=90|id={{ProQuest|963253332}}}}
|ShortSummary= Alex is both amazed and furious when a critical admissions interview at Princeton University is shattered by his hysterical sister Mallory.
|LineColor= 4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=35
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title="M" is for the Many Things
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Lisa A. Bannick
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|01|19}}
|ProdCode=038
|Aux4=16.0/23{{cite magazine|date=January 30, 1984|title=CBS wins big with Super Bowl|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=5|page=98|id={{ProQuest|963233510}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse is shocked by her soon-to-be-divorced mother's quick and free-spirited plunge into the singles world.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=36
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|Title=Say Uncle
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|01|26}}
|ProdCode=039
|Aux4=17.5/26{{cite magazine|date=February 6, 1984|title='Seasons,' Hammer' nail down first for CBS|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=6|page=166|id={{ProQuest|963242202}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex discovers that his idol, young Uncle Ned , has a serious drinking problem.
|LineColor= 4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=37
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|Title=Ladies' Man
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|02|02}}
|ProdCode=040
|Aux4=11.6/17{{cite magazine|date=February 13, 1984|title=ABC's regular series lift it to victory|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=7|page=176|id={{ProQuest|963246380}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex pretends to support the Equal Rights Amendment to impress a pretty feminist.
|LineColor= 4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=38
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Ready or Not
|DirectedBy=Lee Shallat
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|02|09}}
|ProdCode=041
|Aux4=17.9/26{{cite magazine|date=February 20, 1984|title=NBC's first win of the season|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=8|page=82|id={{ProQuest|963240734}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory turns to Alex for some advice when she begins to fear she'll lose her new boyfriend unless she agrees to his pleas for a more "adult" romance.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=39
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=Double Date
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Douglas Wyman
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|02|16}}
|ProdCode=044
|Aux4=16.3/23{{cite magazine|date=February 27, 1984|title=First-place finish for ABC and Olympics|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=9|page=64|id={{ProQuest|963233270}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex courts disaster when he invites two dates to the senior prom. He devises an elaborate scheme for escorting each of the unknowing girls on a night to remember.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=40
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|Title=Lady Sings the Blues
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|02|23}}
|ProdCode=042
|Aux4=14.6/22{{cite magazine|date=March 5, 1984|title=CBS returns to top spot|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=10|page=63|id={{ProQuest|963277310}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse is excited at the prospect of reviving her folk-singing career at a local nightclub.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=41
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|Title=Baby Boy Doe
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|03|08}}
|ProdCode=045
|Aux4=14.9/22{{cite magazine|date=March 19, 1984|title=Tie for two in week 24|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=12|page=62|id={{ProQuest|1014706230}}}}
|ShortSummary=When Alex's pal Skippy discovers he's adopted, Alex helps him cope with the shocking news.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=42
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|Title=The Graduate
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Lloyd Garver
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|03|15}}
|ProdCode=043
|Aux4=16.9/26{{cite magazine|date=March 26, 1984|title=ABC comes away with a win|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=13|page=54|id={{ProQuest|963230460}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex is so sure that he will be named valedictorian of his class that he can't cope with the thought of being defeated by a girl-especially his girl.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=43
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Diary of a Young Girl
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|05|03}}
|ProdCode= 034
|Aux4=11.3/18{{cite magazine|date=May 14, 1984|title=ABC makes it three in a row|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=20|page=62|id={{ProQuest|963244816}}}}
|ShortSummary= In the hospital awaiting a tonsillectomy, Jennifer fears she may never see her family again.
|LineColor= 4B0082
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=44
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|Title=Working At It
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Lloyd Garver
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|05|10}}
|ProdCode=030
|Aux4=11.8/21{{cite magazine|date=May 21, 1984|title=ABC makes its four in a row;'V' puts NBC in second|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=106|issue=21|page=78}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse feels the need to expand her horizons.
|LineColor=4B0082
}}
}}
=Season 3 (1984–1985)=
{{Episode table |background=#B11030 |overall=4 |season=4 |title=19 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=15 |prodcode=8 |aux4=10 |aux4T=Rating/share
(households) |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=45
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=The Gambler
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|09|20}}
|ProdCode=046
|Aux4=17.5/30{{cite magazine|date=September 26, 1984|title=ABC wins week's Nielsens; NBC gets new series sampled|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|volume=283|issue=42|page=41|author=Gansberg, Alan L.|id={{ProQuest|2594647420}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse is stricken with gambling fever on a business trip to Atlantic City. While on a roll with Alex's "foolproof" blackjack system, she's oblivious to her family and job.
Note: This episode was produced during Season 2.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=46
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Here We Go Again
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|09|27}}
|ProdCode=047
|Aux4=20.1/32{{cite magazine|date=October 8, 1984|title=CBS takes week one; NBC places second|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-10-08_107_15/page/94|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=15|page=94|id={{ProQuest|963257211}}}}
|ShortSummary=The news that their mother is pregnant sends the three Keaton kids into an angry outburst resulting in a family battle.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=47
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Little Man on Campus
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|10|04}}
|ProdCode=050
|Aux4=21.0/32{{cite magazine|date=October 15, 1984|title=CBS takes week two; baseball pushes ABC into second|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-10-15_107_16/page/52|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=16|page=52|id={{ProQuest|963248791}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex is thrilled to be taking a college course taught by one of his personal heroes, Professor Ephraim Bronski. In his eagerness to impress the teacher he gets off to a bad start and is humiliated by his idol when he fails the first class assignment.
Note: Michael McGuire as 'Professor Bronski' and Timothy Busfield as 'Doug' appear as guest stars in this episode.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=48
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Love Thy Neighbor
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=Rich Reinhart|t=Alan Uger & Michael J. Weithorn}}
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|10|11}}
|ProdCode=054
|Aux4=19.1/30{{cite magazine|date=October 22, 1984|title=World Series carries NBC to victory|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-10-22_107_17/page/94|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=17|page=94|id={{ProQuest|963259134}}}}
|ShortSummary=Little Jennifer is thrilled about getting a visit from her former neighborhood pal, Scott, whom she hasn't seen in five years.
Note: This is the first episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=49
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Keaton and Son
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Lissa Levin
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|10|18}}
|ProdCode=052
|Aux4=19.3/29{{cite magazine|date=October 29, 1984|title=Week 4: It's CBS, NBC, ABC|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-10-29_107_18/page/71|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=18|page=71|id={{ProQuest|963249719}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex reluctantly accepts a part-time job with his father at the non-profit station, and his dad is bursting with pride to have him following in his footsteps.
Note: Second episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=50
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Fabric Smarts
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Lloyd Garver
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|10|25}}
|ProdCode=048
|Aux4=20.2/31{{cite magazine|date=November 5, 1984|title=CBS, NBC tie in week five|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-11_107_19/page/64|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=19|page=64|id={{ProQuest|963263431}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory's enthusiasm for her part-time job at a boutique causes her grades to slip even lower than usual.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=51
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Hotline Fever
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|11|01}}
|ProdCode=055
|Aux4=17.2/26{{cite magazine|date=November 12, 1984|title=CBS takes week six, NBC second|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-11-12_107_20/page/56|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=20|page=56|id={{ProQuest|963260754}}}}
|ShortSummary=As an economics student, Alex finds it demeaning to be forced into a public service position, but his experiences at the crisis center gives him a new outlook on life.
Note: Third episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=52
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=4 Rms Ocn Vu
|DirectedBy=Lee Shallat
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|11|08}}
|ProdCode=057
|Aux4=18.6/28{{cite magazine|date=November 19, 1984|title=CBS wins week; takes over first place season-to-date|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-11-19_107_21/page/61|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=21|page=61|id={{ProQuest|963244940}}}}
|ShortSummary=While Steven and Elyse are away on vacation, Mallory accidentally crashes her parents' car into a telephone pole. The kids need to raise money for auto repairs and decides to turn the Keaton house into a hotel.
Note: Fourth episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=53
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=Best Man
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|11|15}}
|ProdCode=051
|Aux4=22.3/34{{cite news|date=November 21, 1984|title=Nielsen prime-time ratings|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|page=E8|id={{ProQuest|1820039639}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex cannot accept the fact that he and everyone around him are growing up, and desperately clings to his old ways.
Note: Lily Mariye guest stars in this episode as Eleanor, to whom Doug (Timothy Busfield) wants to wed. Also Tate Donovan appears as 'Clancy' one of Alex & Doug's poker friends.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=54
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=Lost Weekend
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|11|22}}
|ProdCode=049
|Aux4=15.3/28{{cite magazine|date=November 19, 1984|title=NBC garners another first place|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=23|page=109|id={{ProQuest|1014703828}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven and Elyse plan a nostalgic weekend with the kids before the baby arrives, and are crushed to discover that the children are not at all interested in reminiscing about old times-they'd rather be with their friends.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=55
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=Don't Kiss Me, I'm Only the Messenger
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|11|29}}
|ProdCode=053
|Aux4=21.5/32{{cite magazine|date=December 10, 1984|title=CBS makes it 10 in a row|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=24|page=78|id={{ProQuest|1014716210}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex plays Cupid to help his shy pal Skippy get together with Jane, the girl of his dreams, but his good intentions go awry when the girl falls for him instead.
Note: Michelle Meyrink guest stars in this episode as 'Jane', Mallory's friend, and Skippy's latest infatuation.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=56
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=Help Wanted
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|12|06}}
|ProdCode=056
|Aux4=21.7/32{{cite magazine|date=December 17, 1984|title=CBS takes another ratings week|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1984-12-17_107_25/page/84|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=107|issue=25|page=84|id={{ProQuest|1014719197}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex hires an attractive housekeeper Karen Nicholson (Geena Davis) with no experience who meets his special criteria.
Note: Fifth episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=57
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=Karen II, Alex 0
|DirectedBy=Lee Shallat
|WrittenBy=Lloyd Garver & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1984|12|13}}
|ProdCode=058
|Aux4=19.9/31{{cite news|date=December 19, 1984|title=Nielsen prime-time ratings|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|page=E11|id={{ProQuest|1820015039}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex's chances for acceptance into a smug college fraternity are dependent upon him having a knockout date for the pledge dance.
Notes: Robert Pine and Christopher Rydell are guest stars in this episode. Sixth episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=58
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|Title=Oh Donna
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|01|03}}
|ProdCode=060
|Aux4=21.2/30{{cite magazine|date=January 14, 1985|title=CBS takes the week in prime time and daytime|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=2|page=162|id={{ProQuest|1014714181}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex is a stand-in at a Lamaze class for pregnant, single, college students. Alex's natural over-enthusiasm gets the best of him as he envisions nurturing a relationship with a girl named Donna (Isabelle Walker) and her unborn child, and leading it into marriage and a family. It takes Elyse to set him straight ... and even alert him to the possibility that Donna may not want to keep the baby.
Note: David Paymer & Julie Fulton appear as couple 'Larry & 'Suzie Harris' as guest stars in this episode. Also Jack Blessing & Karlene Crockett appear as couple 'Leonard & Marge' expecting twins.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=59
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|Title=Auntie Up
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Lawrence H. Levy
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|01|10}}
|ProdCode=059
|Aux4=22.3/30{{cite magazine|date=January 21, 1985|title=CBS wins and ABC climbs into second|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-01-21_108_3/page/87|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=3|page=87|id={{ProQuest|1014713043}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory's beloved Aunt Trudy (Edith Atwater) suffers a fatal heart attack. Mallory falls into a deep depression, but matters are compounded when the family brushes her off to tend to what they feel are more important matters.
Note: Seventh episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=60
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Philadelphia Story
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|01|17}}
|ProdCode=061
|Aux4=23.9/34{{cite magazine|date=January 28, 1985|title=Super Bowl gives ABC its first weekly win|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-01-28_108_4/page/88|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=4|page=88|id={{ProQuest|1014707587}}}}
|ShortSummary=While doing a term paper for history class on colonial times, Alex suffers from a cold and falls asleep. In a dream, Alex becomes a Philadelphia stable boy who, with his friend Skipford (Marc Price in character as Skippy), experience the events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Michael Gross doubles as a Steven Keaton-inspired Thomas Jefferson.
Note: James Cromwell as 'John Hancock' and Ben Piazza as both 'John Adams' and 'Ed Nelson' appear as guest stars in this episode.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=61
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=Birth of a Keaton, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Lloyd Garver
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|01|24}}
|ProdCode=062
|Aux4=22.2/32{{cite magazine|date=February 4, 1985|title=CBS wins a close one|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=5|page=64|id={{ProQuest|1014705874}}}}
|ShortSummary=It's Pledge Week again at Steven's TV station but Alex, Mallory and Jennifer are not very enthusiastic about it this year. But after Steven is called home to deal with plumbing problems, Elyse performs on-air...and then goes into labor.
Note: John Hancock as 'Gus' and Ron Karabatsos as 'Bud' the plumber, appear both as guest stars in this episode.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=62
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|Title=Birth of a Keaton, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|01|31}}
|ProdCode=063
|Aux4=25.9/36{{cite magazine|date=February 11, 1985|title='Music Awards' lifts ABC into first place|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-02-11_108_6/page/48|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=6|page=48|id={{ProQuest|963286911}}}}
|ShortSummary=With Steven, Skippy, and the plumber stuck in the massive snowstorm, Elyse remains at the TV station in the final stages of labor.
Note: In addition to the aforementioned guest actors of the former episode, Shirley Prestia and William Cort as 'Dr.Witt', appear as guest stars in this second part of the episode.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=63
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|Title=Cry Baby
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Bruce David & Bruce Helford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|02|07}}
|ProdCode=064
|Aux4=22.5/32{{cite magazine|date=February 18, 1985|title='Cosby' and 'Dirty Dozen' deliver week for NBC|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-02-18_108_7/page/71|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=7|page=71|id={{ProQuest|963239691}}}}
|ShortSummary=Newborn Andrew's arrival has been hard on the Keatons, with everyone going without sleep. Jennifer has taken the bundle of joy the hardest, eventually screaming that she hates Andrew and wishes he had never been born. Now the family have to decide how they can properly balance their time with Andrew and not alienate Jennifer. Finally realizing that she had done wrong, Jennifer apologises and ends up starting to get used to living with Andrew.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=64
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|Title=Don't Know Much About History...
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence & Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|02|14}}
|ProdCode=065
|Aux4=24.5/36{{cite magazine|date=February 25, 1985|title=CBS back in first in weekly ratings|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-02-25_108_8/page/78|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=8|page=78|id={{ProQuest|963263450}}}}
|ShortSummary=Rival tutors Alex & James (Jeffrey Joseph) both fall for an attractive student (Nancy Everhard) they are tutoring. Their ill will toward one another explodes at a poetry reading, and they continue to verbally spar.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=65
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Bringing Up Baby
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Rich Reinhart
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|02|21}}
|ProdCode=067
|Aux4=24.3/35{{cite magazine|date=March 4, 1985|title=ABC, NBC tie in ratings photo finish|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-03-04_108_9/page/83|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=9|page=83|id={{ProQuest|1014722694}}}}
|ShortSummary=With two careers, three bickering children and one demanding baby, Steven and Elyse can't seem to find any time for each other. But when they do finally take the time for a quiet evening alone, they find out that they actually miss all of the chaos.
Note: Steven Peterman and Radha Delamarter appear in this episode as guest stars as the 'couple with a baby' in the restaurant.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=66
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|Title=Cold Storage
|DirectedBy=Lee Shallat
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|03|07}}
|ProdCode= 066
|Aux4=25.4/38{{cite magazine|date=March 18, 1985|title=Basketball cuts into network numbers|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=11|page=65|id={{ProQuest|1014715489}}}}
|ShortSummary= Skippy accidentally locks himself in the basement with Mallory while the rest of the Keatons are away visiting some of the acquaintances made at their past Lamaze classes. Mallory clashes at first over Skippy's unrequited feelings for her, but soon she realizes that, despite his quirks, he has been a kind and good friend to her.
Note: In this episode appear again as guest stars David Paymer & Julie Fulton as couple 'Larry & 'Suzie Harris' and Jack Blessing & Karlene Crockett as the couple with twins 'Leonard & Marge'.
|LineColor= B11030
}}
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=67
|EpisodeNumber_2=68
|EpisodeNumber2_1=23
|EpisodeNumber2_2=24
|Title=Remembrances of Things Past
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Gary David Goldberg & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|03|28}}
|ProdCode_1=068
|ProdCode_2=069
|Aux4=24.7/37{{cite magazine|date=April 8, 1985|title=CBS squeaks into first|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-04-08_108_14/page/150|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=108|issue=14|page=150|id={{ProQuest|963263271}}}}
|ShortSummary=Part 1: The Keatons visit Grandma, who has put her house up for sale now that Grandpa has died. But Steven's unresolved issues with his father continue to haunt him.
Part 2: Steven and his brother disagree about whether to accept the offer on their mother's house. Meanwhile, Steven visits his father's grave in order to make peace.
|LineColor=B11030
}}
}}
=Film (1985)=
- The television film Family Ties Vacation aired three days before the start of season four. The film was later split into four individual episodes when the series entered syndication.
{{Episode table |background=#704214 |title=29 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=23 |aux4=10 |aux4T=Rating/share
(households) |episodes=
{{Episode list
|RTitle=Family Ties Vacation
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Gary David Goldberg & Michael J. Weithorn & Alan Uger & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|09|23}}
|Aux4=22.1/33{{cite magazine|date=October 9, 1985|title=ABC Takes Wednesday|magazine=Variety|volume=320|issue=11|page=111|id={{ProQuest|1438420767}}}}
|ShortSummary=The Keatons take a vacation to the United Kingdom where Alex takes classes at the University of Oxford, having won a summer scholarship. While Alex struggles with fitting in and Mallory falls for his dormitory roommate William Clive-Hopkins (John Moulder-Brown), the family gets mixed up in international intrigue.
|LineColor=704214
}}
}}
=Season 4 (1985–1986)=
{{Episode table |background=#DAA520 |overall=4 |season=4 |title=19 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=15 |prodcode=8 |aux4=10 |aux4T=Rating/share
(households) |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=69
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=The Real Thing, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|09|26}}
|ProdCode=074
|Aux4=29.6/45{{cite magazine|date=October 9, 1985|title=NBC's Thursday Wins|magazine=Variety|volume=320|issue=11|page=111|id={{ProQuest|1438420767}}}}
|ShortSummary= College Sophomore Alex dates a cute freshman he spotted in the school catalogue, but ends up falling for her roommate, Ellen Reed (Tracy Pollan), instead.
In 2009, TV Guide ranked this episode #76 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes.{{cite web|url=http://rev-views.blogspot.com/2009/06/tv-guides-top-100-episodes.html|title=TV Guide's Top 100 Episodes|publisher=Rev/Views|accessdate=July 4, 2016}}
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=70
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=The Real Thing, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|10|03}}
|ProdCode=075
|ShortSummary= With encouragement from Elyse, Alex travels to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to tell Ellen how he feels, even though she has gone there to elope with her boyfriend.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=71
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Mr. Wrong
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|10|17}}
|ProdCode=073
|Aux4=28.1/43{{cite magazine|date=October 28, 1985|title=NBC makes it three out of four|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-10-28_109_18/page/104|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=18|page=104|id={{ProQuest|1014725795}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory brings home her new boyfriend, Nick Moore (Scott Valentine), who looks to be exactly the type of guy Steven and Elyse hoped their daughter wouldn't get involved with.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=72
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Designated Hitter
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Stephen J. Curwick
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|10|24}}
|ProdCode=070
|Aux4=26.7/39{{cite magazine|date=November 4, 1985|title=World Series gives ABC week's ratings edge|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-11-04_109_19/page/42|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=19|page=42|id={{ProQuest|1014715626}}}}
|ShortSummary=Jennifer defends her boyfriend (Noah Hathaway) from the attacks of a bully (Danny Nucci) with complications. In the subplot, Alex is devastated when Mallory scores higher than he does on an IQ test.
Note: This episode was produced during Season 3.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=73
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Don't Go Changin'
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|10|31}}
|ProdCode=079
|Aux4=26.3/39{{cite magazine|date=November 11, 1985|title=NBC takes week six as sweeps begin|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-11-11_109_20/page/56|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=20|page=56|id={{ProQuest|1014708767}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex tries to change his personality to impress Ellen's artsy & dancing friends. As a subplot, Steven balks at having to go to Elyse's book club meetings during football games.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=74
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=The Old College Try
|DirectedBy=Barbara Schultz
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|11|07}}
|ProdCode=076
|Aux4=28.9/41{{cite magazine|date=November 18, 1985|title=ABC leads sweeps with strong showing in seventh week|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-11-18_109_21/page/88|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=21|page=88|id={{ProQuest|1014718278}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory upsets Elyse when she announces that she is not going to college.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=75
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=My Tutor
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Jace Richdale
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|11|14}}
|ProdCode=080
|Aux4=29.5/43{{cite magazine|date=November 25, 1985|title=Movies, Thursday and Saturday schedules give NBC week eight|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-11-25_109_22/page/42|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=22|page=42|id={{ProQuest|1014708269}}}}
|ShortSummary=To help him with math, Alex hires a tutor who he later learns is a fourteen-year-old named Eugene (River Phoenix). Eugene then falls for the younger Jennifer. However, he soon realizes it's a mistake when Jennifer acts her age and embarrasses him at a party. The subplot has Steven working tirelessly on the family budget.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=76
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Mr. Right
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|11|21}}
|ProdCode=081
|Aux4=32.4/46{{cite magazine|date=December 2, 1985|title=Ninth week of season: second win for CBS|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-12-02_109_23/page/87|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=23|page=87|id={{ProQuest|1014710938}}}}
|ShortSummary=Nick decides that he wants to impress Steven and Elyse and enlists the help of Alex, who turns Nick into a clone of himself.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=77
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=Just One Look
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=Paul Wolff|t=Gary David Goldberg & Michael J. Weithorn}}
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|12|05}}
|ProdCode=082
|Aux4=31.2/46{{cite magazine|date=December 16, 1985|title=NBC continues winning ways|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-12-16_109_25/page/88|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=25|page=88|id={{ProQuest|1014721078}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven's old college buddy Richard Schofield (Robert Desiderio) comes to town. Steven then learns that Elyse and Richard were previously in a relationship, which sends him into a jealous rage.
|LineColor= DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=78
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=How Do You Sleep?
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|12|12}}
|ProdCode=083
|Aux4=32.6/48{{cite magazine|date=December 23, 1985|title=NBC takes another Wednesday as it posts eighth weekly win|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1985-12-23_109_26/page/61|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=26|page=61|id={{ProQuest|1014718357}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex has trouble sleeping, and his problems affect the whole family, much to their displeasure.
Note: This is the fifth episode of the sitcom where its opening title sequence got moved for after the first scene of the episode and not used as its opening sequence. (Not counting the cold opening sequences as follow up of episodes split in two)
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=79
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=You've Got a Friend
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1985|12|19}}
|ProdCode=085
|Aux4=29.8/46{{cite magazine|date=December 30, 1985|title=NBC goes nine for 13|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=109|issue=27|page=80|id={{ProQuest|1014722791}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex and Mallory catch a young girl, Jessie (Martha Plimpton), stealing from the store where Mallory works, Mallory turns her in and then later decides to help the girl and befriend her. However, Jessie may not be ready to accept Mallory's offer.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=80
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=Nothing But a Man
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s=Jurgen M. Wolf|t=Jean Kraynak Brinck}}
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|01|02}}
|ProdCode=086
|Aux4=31.2/44{{cite magazine|date=January 13, 1986|title=Return of Stacey Keach helps CBS to third ratings victory|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-01-13_110_2/page/180|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=2|page=180|id={{ProQuest|1014714725}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven gets a long awaited promotion at the TV station, but his long work hours cause him to miss dinners (and just about everything else) with the family, even private time with Elyse. Meanwhile, Alex is dismayed when the only toy Andy will play with is a doll Ellen gave him. (Robert Costanzo, George Coe and John Hancock are the guest stars in this episode)
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=81
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=The Disciple
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Rich Reinhart
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|01|09}}
|ProdCode=089
|Aux4=32.4/48{{cite magazine|date=January 20, 1986|title=CBS wins second week in a row by a nose|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=3|page=214|id={{ProQuest|1014710358}}}}
|ShortSummary=Jennifer asks Alex for help with her social studies class oral report, but Alex's intellect takes over the whole assignment, so that Jennifer's school is very impressed with the finished project but Jennifer does not understand a word of it herself.
Note: David Wohl as lawyer Ralph Boswell and Belita Moreno as Jennifer's teacher Mrs. Pedroza, appear as guest stars in this episode. Also Corey Feldman and Amy O'Neill appear as some of the students at Jennifer's school.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=82
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|Title=Where's Poppa?
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|01|16}}
|ProdCode=090
|Aux4=34.8/49{{cite magazine|date=January 27, 1986|title=Sixth Cosby record this season gives NBC another win|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-01-27_110_4/page/74|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=4|page=74|id={{ProQuest|1016911509}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex sets up a reunion with Ellen and her father, Franklin Reed (Ronny Cox), who was absent for most of Ellen's childhood.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=83
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|Title=Fool for Love
|DirectedBy=Lee Shallat
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|01|23}}
|ProdCode=091
|Aux4=30.3/44{{cite magazine|date=February 3, 1986|title=Bears also win for NBC|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=5|page=50|id={{ProQuest|1016916917}}}}
|ShortSummary=Skippy refuses to let go of feelings for Mallory, despite her dating Nick. (Jerry Hardin appears as guest star in this episode as Mr. Bidney.)
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=84
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Checkmate
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|01|30}}
|ProdCode=092
|Aux4=32.9/47{{cite magazine|date=February 10, 1986|title=ABC starts fast but finishes last|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-02-10_110_6/page/56|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=6|page=56|id={{ProQuest|1016909677}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex competes in the Chess match finals against Russia's top player, Ivan Rozmirovich (Albert Macklin). However, things start to go awry when Alex figures out that his opponent is attempting to throw the match.
Note: Alex Henteloff as the Russian Coach and Elsa Raven as Mildred Atkins one of the juries, appear as guest stars in this episode.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=85
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=Engine Trouble
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|02|06}}
|ProdCode=093
|Aux4=32.4/46{{cite magazine|date=February 17, 1986|title="Sins" wins for CBS; NBC leads sweeps|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=7|page=53|id={{ProQuest|1016909361}}}}
|ShortSummary=When Alex and Elyse have to walk home after the car breaks down, they decide they should take a class in mechanics, but Alex soon turns it into a battle of the sexes. Meanwhile, Steven continuously denies that he is ill, although it clearly shows.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=86
|EpisodeNumber_2=87
|EpisodeNumber2_1=18
|EpisodeNumber2_2=19
|Title=A Word to the Wise
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|02|13}}
|ProdCode_1=087
|ProdCode_2=088
|Aux4=30.0/42{{cite magazine|date=February 24, 1986|title=NBC's best Thursday gives it another weekly win|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-02-24_110_8/page/46|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=8|page=46|id={{ProQuest|1016909425}}}}
|ShortSummary=Part 1: As Alex and Ellen celebrate their six-month anniversary, the Keatons regale Ellen with stories about Alex's past schemes.
Part 2: After Ellen hears many wild stories about Alex, Alex begins to wonder whether she still wants to be his girlfriend.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=88
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|Title=Art Lover
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Bruce Helford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|02|20}}
|ProdCode=094
|Aux4=31.3/46{{cite magazine|date=March 3, 1986|title=NBC's regular schedule powers it to another win|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-03-03_110_9/page/70|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=9|page=70|id={{ProQuest|1016909221}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory becomes suspicious when a wealthy and beautiful older woman (Christine Belford) takes a special interest in Nick's artistic creations.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=89
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Teacher's Pet
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|03|02}}
|ProdCode=095
|Aux4=15.6/23{{cite magazine|date=March 10, 1986|title=NBC edges CBS thanks to 'Cosby' and Klugman|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-03-10_110_10/page/92|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=10|page=92|id={{ProQuest|1014715684}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex gets a position as an assistant professor at the college and convinces Ellen to enroll in the class that he is teaching. In the subplot, Steven wants to enroll a too-young Andrew into preschool, which Elyse opposes.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=90
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|Title=My Buddy
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|03|06}}
|ProdCode=096
|Aux4=33.0/48{{cite magazine|date=March 17, 1986|title=NBC breezes to another ratings victory|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=11|page=86|id={{ProQuest|1016912979}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven has to learn to accept that Jennifer is growing up. The only way he can get any time with her is to take her to her Sunflower Girls meeting, where he sticks out like a sore thumb. Meanwhile, Alex goes out early on a Saturday to fight a traffic ticket he feels he didn't deserve.
Note: Miriam Flynn in the role of Mrs. Carpenter and Anne Marie McEvoy as Alice, appear as guest stars in this episode.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=91
|EpisodeNumber2=23
|Title=Once in Love with Elyse
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|05|01}}
|ProdCode=097
|Aux4=28.5/45{{cite magazine|date=May 12, 1986|title=NBC returns to winning form|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=19|page=50|id={{ProQuest|1016906834}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse must deal with Paul (Peter Scolari), a young architect associate who has fallen in love with her.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=92
|EpisodeNumber2=24
|Title=Paper Chase
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|05|08}}
|ProdCode=098
|Aux4=27.5/46{{cite magazine|date=May 19, 1986|title='North and South' wins war for ABC|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-05-19_110_20/page/73|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=110|issue=20|page=73|id={{ProQuest|1014722857}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory faces the possibility of not graduating high school unless she passes a tough final oral exam taken by 'Mrs. Hillman' (Gracie Harrison) her strict history teacher.
Note: This was the last episode featuring Tracy Pollan as Ellen Reed, although she will appear in the season 5 2-part episode "It's My Party", which was originally produced for Season 4.
|LineColor=DAA520
}}
}}
=Season 5 (1986–1987)=
{{Episode table |background=#38A969 |overall=4 |season=4 |title=19 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=15 |prodcode=8 |aux4=10 |aux4T=Rating/share
(households) |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=93
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Be True to Your Preschool
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|09|25}}
|ProdCode=100
|Aux4=32.1/50{{cite magazine|date=October 6, 1986|title=NBC on a roll; wins first week of fall season|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=4|page=48|id={{ProQuest|1014719938}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven and Elyse enroll 3-year-old Andrew in preschool, but it soon becomes clear that Alex objects to the school's values of sharing and cooperation.
Note: This is Brian Bonsall's first appearance as Andrew Keaton.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=94
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Starting Over
|DirectedBy=Steven Robman
|WrittenBy=Alan Vejar
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|10|02}}
|ProdCode=103
|Aux4=33.4/51{{cite magazine|date=October 13, 1986|title=NBC goes 2 for 2 in prime time|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-10-13_111_15/page/64|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=15|page=64|id={{ProQuest|1016915015}}}}
|ShortSummary=Ellen breaks up with Alex in order to take a scholarship in dancing she won at a prestigious Arts School in Paris, France. Distraught, Alex tries to cope with the breakup by re-entering the dating scene way too soon and meeting with Sharon (Haviland Morris) a girl he never noticed before and who he tries to make look like Ellen as much as possible.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=95
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=The Freshman and the Senior
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|10|09}}
|ProdCode=104
|Aux4=31.0/46{{cite magazine|date=October 20, 1986|title=NBC keeps on rolling|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-10-20_111_16/page/38|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=16|page=38|id={{ProQuest|1014736998}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory is teamed with 66-year-old Margaret Hollings (Julie Harris) on a college sociology project. Meanwhile, Alex is very interested to know what Steven and Elyse have written in their wills.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=96
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=My Back Pages
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|10|16}}
|ProdCode=099
|Aux4=34.9/52{{cite magazine|date=October 27, 1986|title=Four in a row for NBC|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-10-27_111_17/page/96|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=17|page=96|id={{ProQuest|1014715087}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven's old college roommate comes for a visit and reveals he wants to re-launch their old magazine.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=97
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Beauty and the Bank
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Stephen J. Curwick
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|10|30}}
|ProdCode=105
|Aux4=33.2/49{{cite magazine|date=November 10, 1986|title=Game seven, 'Cosby' lift NBC to victory|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-11-10_111_19/page/73|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=19|page=73|id={{ProQuest|1016910246}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex gets his dream job at the Harding Trust, only to find out his boss is an attractive woman named Rebecca Ryan (Melinda Culea). (Named on the episode credits as Debra Ryan)
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=98
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Mrs. Wrong, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|11|06}}
|ProdCode=101
|Aux4=35.2/50{{cite magazine|date=November 17, 1986|title=NBC rolls a lucky seven |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-11-17_111_20/page/52|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=20|page=52|id={{ProQuest|1285762482}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory is overwhelmed with all her obligations at school and at home, so she decides the best way to get out of them is to marry her boyfriend, Nick.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=99
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Mrs. Wrong, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|11|13}}
|ProdCode=102
|Aux4=34.6/49{{cite magazine|date=November 24, 1986|title=NBC wins prime time and news in week eight|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-11-24_111_21/page/52|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=21|page=52|id={{ProQuest|1016917184}}}}
|ShortSummary=Nick and Mallory set out to elope, but not without waking everyone up. Now it's up to Alex to track them down at the justice of the peace.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=100
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=The Big Fix
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Michael J. Weithorn
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|11|17}}
|ProdCode=084
|Aux4=24.5/35{{cite magazine|date=December 1, 1986|title=Nine in a row: NBC ties second-best season streak|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-12-01_111_22/page/88|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=22|page=88|id={{ProQuest|1014739802}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse plays matchmaker when she tries to fix up a lonely colleague with her neighbor's daughter Liz Obeck (Terry Farrell).
Note: The 100th episode of the series.
This episode was produced during Season 4.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=101
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=My Brother's Keeper
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|11|20}}
|ProdCode=107
|ShortSummary=Alex gets Skippy an interview with the Grant chapter of his fraternity, only to find out they plan to make Skippy the butt of a humiliating practical joke.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=102
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=High School Confidential
|DirectedBy=Mark W. Travis
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|12|04}}
|ProdCode=112
|Aux4=36.4/54{{cite magazine|date=December 15, 1986|title=NBC stays undefeated|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-12-15_111_24/page/91|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=24|page=91|id={{ProQuest|1014742080}}}}
|ShortSummary=In order to teach an art class at the local youth center, Nick must get his high school diploma with help from Alex and Mallory.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=103
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=Paper Lion
|DirectedBy=Peter Baldwin
|WrittenBy=Wendy Aaron
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|12|11}}
|ProdCode=106
|Aux4=33.7/51{{cite magazine|date=December 22, 1986|title=NBC juggernaut keeps on rolling|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-12-22_111_25/page/75|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=25|page=75|id={{ProQuest|1016910304}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex works on an important paper with his Economics professor, only to find out that their hypothesis is wrong. His professor goes ahead with plans to present the paper anyway.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=104
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=My Mother, My Friend
|DirectedBy=Lynn Hamrick
|WrittenBy=Kate Boutilier
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1986|12|18}}
|ProdCode=113
|Aux4=33.1/50{{cite magazine|date=December 29, 1986|title=NBC continues winning ways|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1986-12-29_111_26/page/63|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=111|issue=26|page=63|id={{ProQuest|1016911139}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory brings home Allison (Robin Morse) a friend studying an Architecture's major, and who has more in common with Elyse than Mallory herself. Mallory then becomes jealous of the attention her mom lavishes on the girl. Alex plays Scrabble with his game-obsessed Dad, Steven.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=105
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=Oh, Brother, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|01|08}}
|ProdCode=108
|Aux4=36.4/52{{cite magazine|date=January 19, 1987|title=CBS wins its second in a row|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-01-19_112_3/page/210|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=3|page=210|id={{ProQuest|1016906203}}}}
|ShortSummary=The Keatons are stunned when Uncle Rob visits and announces he's separated from his wife Maureen - and has already met someone else.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=106
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|Title=Oh, Brother, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|01|15}}
|ProdCode=109
|Aux4=36.6/52{{cite magazine|date=January 26, 1987|title=NBC wins prime time and news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-01-26_112_4/page/58|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=4|page=58|id={{ProQuest|1016900438}}}}
|ShortSummary=Rob's estranged wife Maureen shows up to tell the real story behind their separation. Although Rob stays single, he and Steve finally bond as brothers.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=107
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|Title=Higher Love
|DirectedBy=Debbie Allen
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|01|22}}
|ProdCode=116
|Aux4=39.2/53{{cite magazine|date=February 2, 1987|title=Super Bowl was super for CBS|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-02-02_112_5/page/70|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=5|page=70|id={{ProQuest|1016913996}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory begins to fall for the leader of her poetry group.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=108
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Architect's Apprentice
|DirectedBy=Steven Robman
|WrittenBy=David Tyron King
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|01|29}}
|ProdCode=117
|Aux4=36.0/51{{cite magazine|date=February 9, 1987|title=NBC continues winning ways|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=6|page=107|id={{ProQuest|1014727700}}}}
|ShortSummary=Nick convinces Steven to let him enter a contest to pick the sculpture for the newly remodelled lobby of WKS.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=109
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=A Tale of Two Cities, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Peter Baldwin
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|02|05}}
|ProdCode=114
|Aux4=36.4/52{{cite magazine|date=February 16, 1987|title=Prime time and news go to NBC|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-02-16_112_7/page/56|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=7|page=56|id={{ProQuest|1016919377}}}}
|ShortSummary=While the Keaton kitchen gets remodelled, Alex and his boss, Rebecca, travel to Chicago for a conference, where they're forced to share a tiny room.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=110
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|Title=A Tale of Two Cities, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Peter Baldwin
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|02|12}}
|ProdCode=115
|Aux4=36.2/54{{cite magazine|date=February 23, 1987|title='Amerika' premiere pushes ABC to second|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-02-23_112_8/page/74|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=8|page=74|id={{ProQuest|1016922703}}}}
|ShortSummary=Nervous about meeting her boss, Rebecca gets drunk and makes a fool of herself. Back at home, Steven refuses all help and wallpapers the kitchen himself.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=111
|EpisodeNumber_2=112
|EpisodeNumber2_1=19
|EpisodeNumber2_2=20
|Title=Battle of the Sexes
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough & Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Stephen J. Curwick
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|02|19}}
|ProdCode_1=110
|ProdCode_2=111
|Aux4=32.4/46{{cite magazine|date=March 2, 1987|title=NBC overcomes ABC's 'Amerika'|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-03-02_112_9/page/56|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=9|page=56|id={{ProQuest|1016911964}}}}
|ShortSummary=Part 1: Elyse, Mallory and Jennifer confront Steven and Alex after a disastrous dinner at a restaurant, and past incidents are recalled where gender played a role in their lives.
Part 2: Alex continues to defend and debate his chauvinistic ways, citing Mallory's and Jennifer's past experiences. But in the end, they decide he's not so bad after all.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=113
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Band on the Run
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|02|26}}
|ProdCode=118
|Aux4=35.4/51{{cite magazine|date=March 9, 1987|title=NBC on another winning streak|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-03-09_112_10/page/44|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=10|page=44|id={{ProQuest|1016912824}}}}
|ShortSummary=Jennifer and her band, The Permanent Waves, try out for the homecoming dance at Leland College. They do so well Alex sees a chance to make money, and convinces them to let him be their manager.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=114
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|Title=Keaton vs. Keaton
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Stephen J. Curwick
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|03|05}}
|ProdCode=123
|Aux4=34.8/51{{cite magazine|date=March 16, 1987|title='Manhattan' does well, but not well enough to beat NBC|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=11|page=64|id={{ProQuest|1016919049}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex and Mallory compete for a new $2,500 WKS scholarship.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=115
|EpisodeNumber_2=116
|EpisodeNumber2_1=23
|EpisodeNumber2_2=24
|Title=A, My Name is Alex
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Gary David Goldberg & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|03|12}}
|ProdCode_1=119
|ProdCode_2=120
|Aux4=36.0/52{{cite magazine|date=March 23, 1987|title=NBC remains on top in prime time|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-03-23_112_12/page/147|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=12|page=147|id={{ProQuest|1014728499}}}}
|ShortSummary=Part 1: When his friend Greg is killed in a car accident, Alex behaves erratically after the funeral. Eventually grief sets in, and he questions his own existence.
Part 2: Now in therapy to deal with Greg's death, Alex talks about many episodes from his childhood - and his true feelings about his family.
----
Notes: This episode won the 1987 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. In 1997, TV Guide ranked this it number 68 on its '100 Greatest Episodes of All Time' list.{{cite book|title=TV Guide Book of Lists|url=https://archive.org/details/tvguidebookoflis0000unse|url-access=registration|year=2007|publisher=Running Press|isbn=978-0-7624-3007-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/tvguidebookoflis0000unse/page/186 186]}}{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/8c682851e51fad1bdb1448a2e24d963e|title=TV Guide's Top 100 Episodes|publisher=The Associated Press|accessdate=August 3, 2020}}
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=117
|EpisodeNumber2=25
|Title="D" is for Date
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|03|20}}
|ProdCode=122
|Aux4=19.3/32{{cite magazine|date=March 25, 1987|title=Weekly Ratings Scorecard|magazine=Variety|volume=326|issue=9|page=48|id={{ProQuest|1286026601}}}}
|ShortSummary=Jennifer plays dumb in order to date a good-looking jock named Tim (Wil Wheaton).
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=118
|EpisodeNumber2=26
|Title=Love Me Do
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|04|30}}
|ProdCode=121
|Aux4=30.8/50{{cite magazine|date=May 11, 1987|title=No prime time summer slump for NBC|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-05-11_112_19/page/78|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=19|page=78|id={{ProQuest|1016918442}}}}
|ShortSummary=Skippy falls in love with Amy, a friend of Mallory's. Meanwhile, Steven plans a surprise birthday party for Elyse.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=119
|EpisodeNumber2=27
|Title=The Visit
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|05|07}}
|ProdCode=124
|Aux4=27.8/46{{cite magazine|date=May 18, 1987|title=NBC continues summer run|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_broadcasting-cable_1987-05-18_112_20/page/96|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=112|issue=20|page=96|id={{ProQuest|1014717874}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse's sister Michelle, her obnoxious husband (Stuart Pankin), and their bratty children come for a visit, and despite Steven's attempts to tolerate their presence, it eventually becomes too much.
Note: The obnoxious son is played by Jeff Cohen, who previously played the annoying kid with the clapping hands hat in the episode "4 Rms Ocn Vu".
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=120
|EpisodeNumber2=28
|Title=Matchmaker
|DirectedBy=Barbara Schultz
|WrittenBy=Bruce David & Bruce Helford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|07|23}}
|ProdCode=072
|Aux4=22.4/43{{cite magazine|date=August 3, 1987|title=NBC wins week; network shares down from 1986|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=113|issue=5|page=66|id={{ProQuest|1014720752}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory—having recently broken up with Rick (rather than Nick, this episode was filmed 2 years prior and breaks continuity)—comes home after yet another disastrous date. Alex, determined to get Mallory to forget Rick and find her a boyfriend, uses Jennifer's computer to snare the perfect guy. But how will Alex respond when Mallory doesn't like the guy the computer chooses for her?
Note: This episode was produced during Season 3.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=121
|EpisodeNumber2=29
|Title=It's My Party, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|08|06}}
|ProdCode=077
|Aux4=19.5/37{{cite news|date=August 12, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305912370}}}}
|ShortSummary=It's Jennifer's birthday, so she decides to invite the trendiest girls in school to her party. However, when the party proves lame, the cool girls leave, and she leaves with them.
Note: This episode was produced during Season 4 and therefore breaks continuity.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=122
|EpisodeNumber2=30
|Title=It's My Party, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|08|13}}
|ProdCode=078
|Aux4=20.3/37{{cite news|date=August 19, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305911516}}}}
|ShortSummary=Now part of the trendiest clique in school, Jennifer talks valleyspeak and spends all her time at the mall. However, when she's caught cutting class, she's grounded and misses out on going to a football game with the family.
Note: This episode was produced during Season 4.
|LineColor=38A969
}}
}}
=Season 6 (1987–1988)=
{{Episode table |background=#B18DA1 |overall=4 |season=4 |title=19 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=15 |prodcode=8 |aux4=10 |aux4T=Rating/share
(households) |episodes=
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=123
|EpisodeNumber_2=124
|EpisodeNumber2_1=1
|EpisodeNumber2_2=2
|Title=The Last of the Red Hot Psychologists
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|09|13}}
|ProdCode_1=126
|ProdCode_2=127
|Aux4=27.9/43{{cite news|date=September 16, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305935059}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex meets Lauren Miller (Courteney Cox), a psychology major at Leland College, and the two become friends ... then much more ... when Alex participates in Lauren's study of overachievers. Also, Andy goes to his first day of Kindergarten and Jennifer goes to her first day of high school.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=125
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Dear Mallory
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|09|20}}
|ProdCode=125
|Aux4=20.5/33{{cite magazine|date=September 28, 1987|title=NBC takes last week of summer|magazine=Broadcasting|volume=113|issue=13|page=56|id={{ProQuest|1016936750}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory is hired as advice columnist for the Columbus Shopper's Guide.
Note: This is the second episode where Justine Bateman wears white pants.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=126
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=The Other Woman
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|09|27}}
|ProdCode=130
|Aux4=21.0/34{{cite news|date=September 30, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305922933}}}}
|ShortSummary=Andrew feels ignored when Alex begins spending time with Lauren at the expense of brotherly bonding sessions.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=127
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=Dream Date
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|10|04}}
|ProdCode=129
|Aux4=20.9/32{{cite news|date=October 7, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305953326}}}}
|ShortSummary=Jennifer uses a nerdy boy who has a crush on her as a stepping stone to win the heart of a teen heartthrob.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=128
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Super Mom
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|10|18}}
|ProdCode=132
|Aux4=19.0/28{{cite news|date=October 21, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305935736}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse must choose between working on a prestigious architectural account or spending time with her family.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=129
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Walking On Air
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|10|25}}
|ProdCode=131
|Aux4=17.4/25{{cite news|date=October 28, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305945387}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven gets a reluctant Mallory a new job at WKS. Meanwhile, Alex leads the rest of the family on a cereal-sponsored search contest for $5,000.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=130
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Invasion of the Psychologist Snatchers
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|11|01}}
|ProdCode=133
|Aux4=21.0/31{{cite news|date=November 4, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305974535}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex becomes insecure of Lauren's visiting ex-boyfriend.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=131
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=The Way We Were
|DirectedBy=Will Mackenzie
|WrittenBy=Gary David Goldberg
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|11|08}}
|ProdCode=128
|Aux4=17.7/27{{cite news|date=November 11, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305982086}}}}
|ShortSummary=The Keatons get a first-hand lesson on Alzheimer's disease when Aunt Rosemary (Barbara Barrie) comes to visit and behaves erratically.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=132
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=Mister Sister
|DirectedBy=Kent Bateman
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|11|15}}
|ProdCode=134
|Aux4=18.1/27{{cite news|date=November 18, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305968968}}}}
|ShortSummary=Nick gets a job as the janitor at Mallory's sorority house, which leads to friction between them. Meanwhile, Steven and Alex try to teach Andy basketball.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=133
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=Citizen Keaton
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz & Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|11|22}}
|ProdCode=135
|Aux4=18.9/27{{cite news|date=November 25, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305958854}}}}
|ShortSummary=Mallory runs for student body president of Grant College, and Alex agrees to be her campaign manager.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=134
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=Father Time, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|11|29}}
|ProdCode=136
|Aux4=20.2/38{{cite news|date=December 2, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306274524}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven's newly-divorced brother Rob comes to visit with his son and troubled daughter, who is rebelling against her dad.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=135
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=Father Time, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|12|06}}
|ProdCode=137
|Aux4=19.3/28{{cite news|date=December 9, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305967958}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven's rebellious niece defies her father, and has the Keatons examining the meanings of marriage, divorce and parenthood.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=136
|EpisodeNumber_2=137
|EpisodeNumber2_1=14
|EpisodeNumber2_2=15
|Title=The American Family
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|12|13}}
|ProdCode_1=138
|ProdCode_2=139
|Aux4=17.3/26{{cite news|date=December 16, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305994379}}}}
|ShortSummary=Lauren does a term paper on the typical American family, culling memories from the Keatons on their past.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=138
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Anniversary Waltz
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|12|16}}
|ProdCode=035
|Aux4=15.7/25{{cite news|date=December 23, 1987|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305975402}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven and Elyse argue for a week about their upcoming 20th anniversary party, leading the kids to remind them of their love for each other.
Note: This episode was produced during Season 2 and therefore breaks the continuity of the 6th season.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=139
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=Miracle in Columbus
|DirectedBy=Lynn Hamrick
|WrittenBy=Rob Okun
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1987|12|20}}
|ProdCode=141
|ShortSummary=Alex gets a job as a mall Santa, where he finally gets the spirit of Christmas after he hears a young girl's wish for her father to come home.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=140
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|Title=The Play's the Thing
|DirectedBy=Debbie Allen
|WrittenBy=Diane Dixon
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|01|10}}
|ProdCode=140
|Aux4=22.1/32{{cite news|date=January 13, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305977792}}}}
|ShortSummary=Steven tries to stage a radical play he wrote in the '60's, but Elyse is reluctant to play the lead role.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=141
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|Title=The Spirit of Columbus
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Charles J. Schlotter
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|01|17}}
|ProdCode=143
|Aux4=20.5/30{{cite news|date=January 20, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306006998}}}}
|ShortSummary=Nick sells one of his sculptures and so Alex starts to believe that Nick's art is worth something. So he makes Nick make 35 more of them to sell.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=142
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|Title=The Blues Brother
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Burt Pretlusky
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|01|24}}
|ProdCode=142
|Aux4=17.5/25{{cite news|date=January 27, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305976622}}}}
|ShortSummary=Alex encourages former blues musician Eddie Dupree (Brownie McGhee) to come out of retirement.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=143
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Read It and Weep, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|02|07}}
|ProdCode=144
|Aux4=16.6/24{{cite news|date=February 10, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306006081}}}}
|ShortSummary=Defying her school's policy, Jennifer writes a book report on the banned book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=144
|EpisodeNumber2=22
|Title=Read It and Weep, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|02|14}}
|ProdCode=145
|Aux4=15.3/23{{cite news|date=February 17, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306012742}}}}
|ShortSummary=Jennifer's punishment for reading "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" escalates into legal action.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=145
|EpisodeNumber2=23
|Title=Quitting Time
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|02|21}}
|ProdCode=147
|Aux4=18.6/27{{cite news|date=February 24, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|305993630}}}}
|ShortSummary=When Lauren quits work on her psychology thesis, Alex begins to find her less interesting.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=146
|EpisodeNumber2=24
|Title=Spring Reminds Me
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|02|28}}
|ProdCode=146
|Aux4=16.7/25{{cite news|date=March 2, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306042747}}}}
|ShortSummary=Evelyn Mitchum (Constance McCashin), a former neighbor and mother of Mallory's childhood best friend Rosalie, who had committed suicide, visits the Keatons and reveals that she still has difficulty coping. Meanwhile, Steven unearths his old kit of magic tricks and starts driving the family crazy with them.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=147
|EpisodeNumber2=25
|Title=The Boys Next Door
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Trish Vrandenberg
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|03|06}}
|ProdCode=148
|Aux4=18.0/28{{cite news|date=March 9, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306024044}}}}
|ShortSummary=Elyse's nerdy high school friend (Robert Klein) visits for a class reunion, hoping to rekindle their relationship.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=148
|EpisodeNumber2=26
|Title=Sign of the Times
|DirectedBy=Asaad Kelada
|WrittenBy=Matthew Monaher
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|03|13}}
|ProdCode=150
|Aux4=15.9/24{{cite news|date=March 16, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306030149}}}}
|ShortSummary=Andy becomes friends with a new student who is deaf. But when the other kids start teasing him, Andy decides not to talk.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=149
|EpisodeNumber2=27
|Title=Return of the Native
|DirectedBy=John Pasquin
|WrittenBy=Lloyd Garver
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|03|20}}
|ProdCode=071
|Aux4=16.4/25{{cite news|date=March 23, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306010273}}}}
|ShortSummary=Cousin June (Danielle von Zerneck) returns to the United States after three years abroad in England. She has lots to tell, but the entire family has stories of their own.
Note: This episode was produced during Season 3 and therefore breaks the continuity of the 6th season.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=150
|EpisodeNumber2=28
|Title=Father, Can You Spare a Dime?
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Ben Cardinale & Peter Schreider
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|05|01}}
|ProdCode=149
|Aux4=12.9/21{{cite news|date=May 4, 1988|title=Nielsen ratings|department=Life|work=USA Today|page=3D|id={{ProQuest|306041364}}}}
|ShortSummary=Nick is hurting for money after he is rejected for a bank loan, but he doesn't think his estranged father Joe (Dan Hedaya) is the right person to lend him money either. Joseph Gordon-Levitt appears as one of the children in Nick's art class.
|LineColor=B18DA1
}}
}}
=Season 7 (1988–1989)=
{{Episode table |background=#FF7F00 |overall=4 |season=4 |title=19 |director=15 |writer=19 |airdate=12 |prodcode=8 |viewers= |aux4= |country=U.S. |aux4T=Rating/share
(households) |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=151
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=It Happened One Night
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|10|30}}
|Viewers=26.1{{cite news |date=November 2, 1988 |title=Nielsen ratings |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306129406}}}}
|ProdCode=154
|ShortSummary=Steven, Elyse, and Andy go camping and Jennifer, Alex, and Mallory stay home. After realizing they should have gone with them, Jennifer, Alex, Nick, and Mallory head to the campground. However, the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and they must camp outside.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=152
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Designing Woman
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|11|06}}
|Viewers=21.0{{cite news |date=November 9, 1988 |title=Nielsen ratings |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306136856}}}}
|ProdCode=155
|ShortSummary=Mallory gets a job at a fashion designing store but finds out her co-worker is stealing her designs.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=153
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Truckers
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Shannon Gaughan
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|11|13}}
|Viewers=25.6{{cite news |date=November 16, 1988 |title=Nielsen ratings |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306140699}}}}
|ProdCode=156
|ShortSummary=Alex feels neglected when Andy would rather spend time with Nick's nephew than with him. Meanwhile, Steven reduces the household uses due to so many bills
Note: This is the sixth episode of the sitcom where its opening title sequence got moved for after the first scene of the episode and not used as its opening sequence. (Not counting the cold opening sequences as follow up of episodes split in two.)
This is only the second episode that doesn't start with music. It starts with the big news the Bush won the presidential election.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=154
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Beyond Therapy
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|11|27}}
|Viewers=22.4{{cite news |date=November 30, 1988 |title=Nielsen ratings |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306106502}}}}
|ProdCode=158
|ShortSummary=Lauren encourages Alex to join a therapy group to express his feelings more.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=155
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title= Heartstrings, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|12|04}}
|Viewers=30.1{{cite news |date=December 7, 1988 |title=Nielsen ratings |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306146398}}}}
|ProdCode=151
|ShortSummary=The family pulls together after Steven has a heart attack and has to undergo heart surgery.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=156
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title= Heartstrings, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|12|11}}
|Viewers=27.7{{cite news |date=December 14, 1988 |title=Nielsen ratings |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306143538}}}}
|ProdCode=152
|ShortSummary=While Steven is in heart surgery, the family holds vigil at the hospital. And just when the family doesn't need any more stress, the nurse says that Steven has to undergo a quadruple bypass.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=157
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title= Heartstrings, Part 3
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1988|12|18}}
|Viewers=21.7{{cite news |date=December 21, 1988 |title=A very 'Brady' ratings hit |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306159082}}}}
|ProdCode=153
|ShortSummary=Steven returns home from the hospital and tries to adjust to new restrictions in his life.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=158
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=Basic Training
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|01|01}}
|Viewers=21.8{{cite news |date=January 5, 1989 |title='Carpenter': No. 1 hit for CBS |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306157966}}}}
|ProdCode=157
|ShortSummary=Desperately seeking direction in life, Skippy decides to enlist in the Army. But is the Army the best career path for him? Meanwhile, Steven is not allowed to eat fattening foods because of his recent heart attack.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=159
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=Deja Vu
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|01|08}}
|Viewers=26.5{{cite news |date=January 11, 1989 |title=NBC, laughing all the way |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306165080}}}}
|ProdCode=160
|ShortSummary=Jennifer starts dating Mallory's ex-boyfriend's younger brother, Josh. But when Mallory finds out that Josh wants to follow in his brother's footsteps, she thinks that he will dump Jennifer just like Jeff dumped her.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=160
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=Nick's Best Friend
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|01|15}}
|Viewers=22.3{{cite news |date=January 18, 1989 |title=NBC clinches season's ratings title |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306171627}}}}
|ProdCode=159
|ShortSummary=Nick is reunited with his old dog Scrapper after his mother moves into an apartment that does not allow pets. But after the dog is struck by a car and critically injured, Nick is forced to make a heart-wrenching decision.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=161
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=Get Me to the Living Room on Time
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Matthew Monaher
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|01|29}}
|Viewers=25.9{{cite news |date=February 1, 1989 |title=Midseason entries boost NBC |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306144802}}}}
|ProdCode=161
|ShortSummary=Andy becomes friends with two senior citizens at a retirement home, Joseph and Eva. Steven decides to make them the focus of his new documentary. While the documentary is being recorded, Joseph proposes to Eva, who accepts. But Joseph's son, David, does not approve of their marriage.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=162
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=The Job Not Taken
|DirectedBy=Andrew McCullough
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|02|05}}
|Viewers=26.4{{cite news |date=February 8, 1989 |title=Comedies sweep up for NBC |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306179902}}}}
|ProdCode=162
|ShortSummary=When Alex's friend, Paul Corman, gets Alex a job, Paul gets fired. Alex starts to feel guilty, so he quits.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=163
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=The Wrecker's Ball
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Douglas Wyman
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|02|12}}
|Viewers=21.8{{cite news |date=February 15, 1989 |title=CBS gallops to a tie with NBC |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306163263}}}}
|ProdCode=163
|ShortSummary=When the first building Elyse designed faces the wrecking ball, the entire family rallies behind her attempts to block the demolition.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=164
|EpisodeNumber2=14
|Title=My Best Friend's Girl
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Bruce Helford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|02|19}}
|Viewers=21.4{{cite news |date=February 22, 1989 |title=NBC's back alone on top |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306175741}}}}
|ProdCode=165
|ShortSummary=Lauren tries to play matchmaker for Skippy as a favor to Alex, but Skippy ends up falling in love with her. Steven and Elyse both think they can teach Jennifer to drive better, so they compete. Maura Tierney plays Skippy's lab partner.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=165
|EpisodeNumber2=15
|Title='Til Her Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|02|26}}
|Viewers=22.0{{cite news |date=March 1, 1989 |title=CBS up despite Grammy drop |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306152931}}}}
|ProdCode=166
|ShortSummary=Mallory's plans to buy a car from Nick's father's used car lot are stalled when Steven refuses to co-sign her loan.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=166
|EpisodeNumber2=16
|Title=Simon Says
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|03|05}}
|Viewers=27.4{{cite news |date=March 8, 1989 |title=Hit-and-miss program changes |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306184202}}}}
|ProdCode=164
|ShortSummary=Jennifer and Simon get jobs at a fast food restaurant. A ten-year-old paper girl (Jaclyn Bernstein) has an obsessive romantic crush on Alex.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=167
|EpisodeNumber2=17
|Title=All in the Neighborhood, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|03|12}}
|Viewers=23.2{{cite news |date=March 15, 1989 |title=NBC, in front with 'Left Behind' |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306172200}}}}
|ProdCode=167
|ShortSummary=When their African-American friends move into the neighborhood, the Keatons are shocked and saddened to learn racism still exists among some of their neighbors.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=168
|EpisodeNumber2=18
|Title=All in the Neighborhood, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Ruth Bennett
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|03|19}}
|Viewers=22.3{{cite news |date=March 22, 1989 |title=Glad tidings for all networks |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306198820}}}}
|ProdCode=170
|ShortSummary=After their new neighbors' home is vandalized, the Keatons continue to battle racism in their own backyard and rally to support their friends.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=169
|EpisodeNumber2=19
|Title=They Can't Take That Away From Me, Part 1
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|04|02}}
|Viewers=18.0{{cite news |date=April 5, 1989 |title=ABC's roller-coaster week |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306171172}}}}
|ProdCode=171
|ShortSummary=With Lauren away, Alex begins tutoring a young co-ed (Jane Adams) and starts to develop romantic feelings for her.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=170
|EpisodeNumber2=20
|Title=They Can't Take That Away From Me, Part 2
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Marc Lawrence
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|04|09}}
|Viewers=22.6{{cite news |date=April 12, 1989 |title=ABC's hit-and-miss week |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306166319}}}}
|ProdCode=172
|ShortSummary=On the brink of graduation, Alex must choose between Lauren and a pretty music student who has captured his attention.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=171
|EpisodeNumber2=21
|Title=Rain Forests Keep Falling on My Head
|DirectedBy=Rita Rogers
|WrittenBy=Bruce Helford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|04|16}}
|Viewers=17.6{{cite news |date=April 19, 1989 |title=CBS squeaks by into second |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306176608}}}}
|ProdCode=173
|ShortSummary=When Jennifer becomes obsessed with saving the environment, she makes everybody use things that are not a hazard. Steven and Elyse suggest she see the school counselor.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=172
|EpisodeNumber_2=173
|EpisodeNumber2_1=22
|EpisodeNumber2_2=23
|Title=Wrap Around the Clock
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Katie Ford
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|04|23}}
|Viewers=17.6{{cite news |date=April 26, 1989 |title=Sitcom rewards ABC's faith |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306174966}}}}
|ProdCode_1=168
|ProdCode_2=169
|ShortSummary=In this hour-long clip show, The Keatons look back on pleasant -- although sometimes embarrassing -- memories while filling in Andy's time capsule.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=174
|EpisodeNumber2=24
|Title=Mr. Keaton Takes a Vacation
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Shannon Gaughan
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|05|07}}
|Viewers=16.7{{cite news |date=May 10, 1989 |title=Bright spots for No. 3 ABC |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306210811}}}}
|ProdCode=174
|ShortSummary=Steven finally expresses his true feelings about Nick when he moves in with the family for a week.
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
{{Episode list
|NumParts=2
|EpisodeNumber_1=175
|EpisodeNumber_2=176
|EpisodeNumber2_1=25
|EpisodeNumber2_2=26
|Title=Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore
|DirectedBy=Sam Weisman
|WrittenBy=Susan Borowitz & Katie Ford & Marc Lawrence & Alan Uger
|OriginalAirDate={{start date|1989|05|14}}
|Viewers=36.3{{cite news |date=May 17, 1989 |title=NBC sweeps top 11 spots |department=Life |work=USA Today |page=3D |id={{ProQuest|306203436}}}}
|ProdCode_1=175
|ProdCode_2=176
|ShortSummary= When Alex lands his dream job in New York, everyone (except Elyse) is delighted for him. At the end of the show, the cast and the show's creator Gary David Goldberg come out for a final curtain call.
Note: In 2011, the series finale was ranked #24 on the TV Guide Network special, TV's Most Unforgettable Finales."TV's Most Unforgettable Finales" – Aired May 22, 2011 on TV Guide Network
|LineColor=FF7F00
}}
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb episodes|0083413|Family Ties}}
{{Family Ties}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Family Ties}}