Episodes
1. Pilot
September 20, 1986
30 min
Ellen Burstyn stars as a writer at a Baltimore college who lives in a brownstone with her mother, 25-year-old daughter and 5-year-old grandson. In the pilot, Nick's dog is about to have puppies. Ellen faces a troublesome student who never fulfills assignments.
2. Monkey Business
September 27, 1986
30 min
Molly goes out on her first date since separating from her husband, but her date is more interested in Ellen.
3. Where There's a Will
October 4, 1986
30 min
Ellen decides to prepare her last will and testament, but she gains disapproval from her family when she suggests that a poverty-stricken student live in her home rent-free.
4. The Guest Lecturer
October 18, 1986
30 min
Ellen is disillusioned when she meets an award-winning writer she has always admired.
5. Crime and Punishment
October 25, 1986
30 min
Ellen must deal with a grouchy store owner when 6-year-old Nick steals an expensive toy.
7. Reading Between the Lines
November 8, 1986
30 min
Ellen learns that her friend, a best-selling author, is illiterate.
8. Family Affair
November 15, 1986
30 min
Molly has second thoughts about reconciling with her estranged husband.
10. Writer, Wronger
August 15, 1987
30 min
An ex-convict enrolls in Ellen's writing class.
Guest Stars:
Lynne Thigpen
11. The Box
August 22, 1987
30 min
Ellen finds a mysterious shoe box in a telephone booth. The box is labeled and she calls the owner only to be warned about opening the shoe box. The family becomes intrigued.
13. I'm Dancing Faster Than I Can
30 min
After undergoing severe sleeplessness, Ellen goes to a physician. The medic prescribes her some vitamin pills. Ellen follows the treatment but its side effects soon show up, and she starts doing things faster than usual. Finally Sidney finds out that the medic was in fact a quack who gave Ellen amphetamines instead of vitamins.