The family life, romantic life, and career of Martin Tupper, a divorced New York City book editor. The show distinctively interjected clips from older black and white television series to punctuate Tupper's feelings or thoughts.
The First Episode (Episode 1) 5.5
Writer: David Crane
Air date: 1990-07-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin Tupper, New York book editor and product of the first television generation, faces a crisis: his ex-wife-to-be, Judith, is demanding that he sign their divorce papers so that she can re-marry. Should he try to win her back, or is it time to get back in the dating game?
Death Takes a Coffee Break (Episode 2)
Writer: David Crane
Air date: 1990-07-15
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin, while fooling around with a much younger college girl (an Eddie Charles hook-up), ends up in the hospital. His doctor instructs him to change his lifestyle around to prevent another (possibly worse) incident. Top of the list? Cut out caffeine. Of course, he receives a lot of ridicule as he goes about this.
Sex and the Single Father (Episode 3)
Writer: David Crane
Air date: 1990-07-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Worried that the divorce is the cause of Jeremy's poor concentration at school, Judith tells Martin that it's actually because of a crush on his teacher. After some wrangling with Judith, it's left to Martin to have 'the talk'.
Sole Sister (Episode 4)
Air date: 1990-07-29
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Initially overjoyed by a whirlwind visit from his globe-trotting baby sister 'Beano', Martin finds it difficult to accept that she's more grown up than he imagined; and unfortunately, his best friend Eddie is part of the problem.
Angst for the Memories (Episode 5)
Writer: David Crane
Air date: 1990-08-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: After being admonished by an old school friend for not becoming a famous writer, Martin feels galvanized to pick up the quill again—but are his central characters a little too close to home?
...And Sheep Are Nervous (Episode 6)
Writer: Jeff Greenstein
Air date: 1990-08-12
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin accidentally finds himself dating a controlling, unstable woman.
Over Your Dead Body (Episode 7)
Air date: 1990-08-19
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: In order to secure a much-needed vacation, Martin seduces a grieving widow for a tawdry book.
Martin Gets Lucky (Episode 8)
Air date: 1990-08-26
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin dates a witch, and good things can't stop happening to him. Then Eddie needs surgery.
Three Coins in the Dryer (Episode 9)
Writer: Jeff Greenstein
Air date: 1990-09-02
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin bumps into a passionate woman in the laundry room, and she takes him for the ride of his life.
Trojan War (Episode 10)
Air date: 1990-09-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin decides to take an STD test so he can go condom-less with his girlfriend. Toby has a litter of puppies in the office.
Up the River (Episode 11)
Writer: David Crane
Air date: 1990-09-16
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin and Nina's relationship comes to a head when her environmental activism goes too far.
555-HELL (Episode 12)
Air date: 1990-09-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Bored after breaking up with Nina, Martin is phoning anybody and everybody when he accidentally takes a call meant for the suicide helpline.
Doing the Bossa Nova (Episode 13)
Writer: Jeff Greenstein
Air date: 1990-09-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Martin's new boss puts him in several compromising positions.
Premarital Ex (Episode 14)
Writer: David Crane
Air date: 1990-10-07
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Judith worries about her upcoming marriage. Martin tries to console her.