List of Growing Pains episodes

The ABC sitcom series Growing Pains aired from September 24, 1985 to April 25, 1992, with 166 episodes produced spanning 7 seasons.

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 22 September 24, 1985 May 13, 1986
2 22 September 30, 1986 May 19, 1987
3 26 September 18, 1987 May 4, 1988
4 22 October 19, 1988 May 3, 1989
5 26 September 20, 1989 May 2, 1990
6 24 September 19, 1990 April 24, 1991
7 24 September 18, 1991 April 25, 1992
TV films 2 films

Episodes

Season 1 (1985–86)

No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
11"Pilot"John PasquinNeal MarlensSeptember 24, 1985 (1985-09-24)206740
Maggie goes back to work as journalist, leaving Jason to take care of the kids. Underage Mike gets arrested for driving a car.
22"Springsteen"John PasquinDavid KendallOctober 1, 1985 (1985-10-01)185803
Mike tries desperately to get tickets to a Bruce Springsteen concert and is ecstatic when Jason gets them.
33"Jealousy"John PasquinCarol Black & Neal MarlensOctober 8, 1985 (1985-10-08)185801
Jason becomes suspicious that Maggie is doing more with a co-worker (Tom O'Rourke) than working on a story.
44"Carol's Article"John PasquinSybil Adelman & Martin SageOctober 15, 1985 (1985-10-15)185804
Carol auditions for her school paper, but is angered when her mother doesn't give her a good review. Meanwhile, Mike and Ben get on a winning streak betting on horses.
55"Superdad!"Nick HavingaTom Walla & Dave WollertOctober 29, 1985 (1985-10-29)185805
With Maggie's increased workload, Jason takes on more responsibilities at home and gives Carol boy-trouble advice. Maggie is uptight with Jason for being more involved with the kids...after she urged Jason to do just that.
66"Mike's Madonna Story"John PasquinCarol Black & Neal MarlensNovember 5, 1985 (1985-11-05)185802
Mike becomes romantically attracted to a "Madonna look-alike" (Dana Plato), which worries Maggie; Ben accidentally ruins Carol's plant project.
77"Weekend Fantasy"John TracyArnold MargolinNovember 12, 1985 (1985-11-12)185808
Jason and Maggie leave Mike in charge while they go on a getaway weekend. But when nobody answers when they call home, they imagine all sorts of dreadful possibilities.
88"Slice of Life"John TracyRich ReinhartNovember 19, 1985 (1985-11-19)185809
After Jason reviews a marriage-compatibility test for his work, he and Maggie take it. They're in for some unpleasant surprises.
99"Carol's Crush"John TracyStephen J. CurwickNovember 26, 1985 (1985-11-26)185810
Carol has blooming romantic feelings for an older family friend, including jealousy when he's romantically attracted to someone else.
1010"Dirt Bike"John TracyKerry Ehrin & Ali Marie MathesonDecember 3, 1985 (1985-12-03)185811
Mike rides a dirt bike against his parents' wishes while camping with Boner.
1111"Standardized Test"Nick HavingaCarol Black & Neal MarlensDecember 10, 1985 (1985-12-10)185806
Mike completely disregards an IQ test and gets a score that worries his parents.
1212"A Christmas Story"John TracyStory by: Carol Black & Neal Marlens
Teleplay by: Tom Walla & Dave Wollert
December 17, 1985 (1985-12-17)185812
On Christmas Eve, Ben is having second thoughts about Santa Claus; a patient of Jason's (Alan Blumenfeld) threatens to commit suicide by head-firsting down their chimney.
1313"The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver"John TracyArnold MargolinJanuary 7, 1986 (1986-01-07)185814
Mike falls for a cultural student (April Lerman) whom he impresses with a poem written by Carol. Their next date is on an annual family bowling night.
1414"First Blood"John TracyMark FinkJanuary 14, 1986 (1986-01-14)185813
Ben's hockey team unfortunately features father-son bullies, the father being the team's coach (Dan Lauria); things only get worse when Ben's father gets involved. At home, Maggie teaches Mike how to ballroom-dance so he can escort his girlfriend to a family wedding.
1515"Slice of Life II"John TracyTom Walla & David KendallJanuary 21, 1986 (1986-01-21)185815
When Maggie tells Jason she might be pregnant, Jason realizes he might not be emotionally ready.
1616"The Seavers vs. the Cleavers"John TracySusan BeaversJanuary 28, 1986 (1986-01-28)185817
Mike and Carol don't want their parents chaperoning a dance, so they're glad when they are actually told not to – until Carol finds out the PTA's objection to them. Guest starring Annette Funicello as Mrs. Hinkley.
1717"Charity Begins at Home"John TracyDan Guntzelman & Steve MarshallFebruary 18, 1986 (1986-02-18)185816
Ben does not have enough money to buy Jason the really good present he thinks he deserves, but Mike's advice causes him to accidentally commit a crime.
1818"Reputation"John TracyDavid KendallFebruary 25, 1986 (1986-02-25)185819
Mike gets the best grade in the class on his American history final, stunning the class, his family, and Mike himself. When Mike wonders how he pulled off such a great grade...his teacher accused him of cheating.
1919"The Anniversary That Never Was"John TracyTimothy JamesMarch 4, 1986 (1986-03-04)185818
Mike, Carol, and Ben want to give their parents a relaxing anniversary, but Maggie gets called to Washington for business, distressing Jason.
2020"Be a Man"John TracyRich ReinhartMarch 11, 1986 (1986-03-11)185820
Home alone while the rest of the family goes to visit Maggie's parents, Mike throws an unsupervised party. The Malones are having financial trouble and will not accept money from anyone, including their son-in-law.
2121"Career Decision"John TracyStory by: Bob Brush
Teleplay by: Bob Brush & Tom Walla
May 6, 1986 (1986-05-06)185821
When Maggie brings Carol to work, Carol has to witness Maggie's humiliation over a mistake she made in an article. Meanwhile, Mike realizes that the world does not revolve around him.
2222"Extra Lap"John TracyStephen J. CurwickMay 13, 1986 (1986-05-13)185807
Jokester Uncle Bob dies in his sleep during a visit; after the funeral, Mike believes that he is seeing his ghost (James Callahan).

Season 2 (1986–87)

No. in
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No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
231"Jason and the Cruisers"John TracyTom WallaSeptember 30, 1986 (1986-09-30)185962
Maggie reunites Jason with his former band when he starts to feel old.
242"Fast Times at Dewey High"Dan GuntzelmanDavid KendallOctober 21, 1986 (1986-10-21)185963
Mike finds himself with two dates for the school dance.
253"Long Day's Journey Into Night"John TracyDavid KendallOctober 28, 1986 (1986-10-28)185961
Carol is overjoyed when a popular girl at school starts hanging out with her – until she finds out she is only interested in Mike.
264"Call Me"John TracyTim O'DonnellNovember 11, 1986 (1986-11-11)185965
Maggie and Jason recall how Ben got into trouble by calling a pornographic hotline, then blaming a neighbor kid for giving out the number.
275"Employee of the Month"John TracyTom WallaNovember 18, 1986 (1986-11-18)185967

Mike tries to help a co-worker (Olivia d'Abo) by taking responsibility for her frequent mistakes; after he is fired, he acts like he is still going to work.

Danny Nucci guest stars as Mike's boss.
286"Dream Lover"John TracyTim O'DonnellNovember 25, 1986 (1986-11-25)185970
Carol tutors the captain of the football team.
297"Do You Believe in Magic?"John TracyMelody RowlandDecember 2, 1986 (1986-12-02)185969
After being conned out of $10 by Mike, Carol and Ben (with their parents' help) hatch an elaborate scheme to get it back.
308"Jason's Rib"John TracyTom WallaDecember 9, 1986 (1986-12-09)185971
Maggie feels belittled by Jason when they disagree about a school dress code during a parents' meeting.
319"The Kid"John TracyTim O'DonnellDecember 16, 1986 (1986-12-16)185972
Overwhelmed by the holiday spirit, Ben brings home a homeless teen (Hallie Todd). The teen, who snidely identifies herself as "Nancy Reagan", cops an attitude with the Seavers and sees a chance to rob their house. Has Ben made a mistake in being considerate, or will the Seavers' hospitality set the teen runaway straight?
3210"The Breakfast Club"John TracyDavid Tyron KingJanuary 6, 1987 (1987-01-06)185966
After Maggie insists that Mike be grounded for lying, she is caught in a lie herself and Jason suggests that she should ground herself to teach Mike a lesson. But this is one of those times when a punishment hurts the parent more than the child – Maggie will be missing a concert in Atlantic City by one of her favorites! While Maggie stays with Mike, Carol goes to Atlantic City with Jason so that the tickets will not go to waste.
3311"Choices"John TracySusan BeaversJanuary 13, 1987 (1987-01-13)185964
Maggie and Carol are thrilled when Carol gets a chance to skip a grade. Then Maggie wonders if her life choices might have given her daughter the wrong idea.
3412"Higher Education"John TracySusan BeaversJanuary 20, 1987 (1987-01-20)185973
Mike is blackmailed by a girl who helped change his grade on an English test so he would be allowed to go on a ski trip. When Jason and Maggie have colds, Carol runs the house a bit too well for Jason's liking.
3513"Some Enchanted Evening"John TracySusan BeaversJanuary 27, 1987 (1987-01-27)185976
Carol is eager for Bobby to invite her to the Dewey High winter formal, but he does not seem so eager. Meanwhile, Mike has three girls courting him to be their date.
3614"Thank You, Willie Nelson"John TracyDavid KendallFebruary 3, 1987 (1987-02-03)185974
Maggie's father sells his house without his wife's approval, causing a controversy between them. Mike and Ben attempt to find ways to mess with Carol's pajama party.
3715"Thank God It's Friday"John TracyDan Guntzelman & Steve MarshallFebruary 10, 1987 (1987-02-10)185975
Mike and his friends are pressured to take drugs at a college party.
3816"My Brother, Myself"John TracySusan BeaversFebruary 24, 1987 (1987-02-24)185981
Ben hits puberty and – with advice from Mike – tries to hit on his babysitter.
3917"Jimmy Durante Died for Your Sins"John TracyChristopher Ames & Carolyn ShelbyMarch 3, 1987 (1987-03-03)185979
After Carol's parents tell her she can only get a nose job if she gets the money for it herself, she wins it in a radio contest.
4018"Carnival"John TracySybil Adelman & Martin SageMarch 10, 1987 (1987-03-10)185968
Maggie volunteers to help out at Ben's school carnival but starts to ignore Ben and do it only for herself.
4119"The Awful Truth"John TracyKate BoutilierMarch 17, 1987 (1987-03-17)185980
The kids believe that Jason was married before and Mike was the product of that marriage.
4220"Born Free"John TracyTim O'DonnellMarch 31, 1987 (1987-03-31)185978
Jason and Mike go on a guys' trip to Boston so Jason can show Mike around his old college and convince him to go to college. But before they even get there, Mike gets some serious life experience during the flight.
4321"The Long Goodbye"John TracyDavid Kendall & Tim O'DonnellMay 5, 1987 (1987-05-05)185982
Maggie believes that the Seavers' handyman is getting too old (he's messing up more than he's fixing) and tries to convince Jason to let him go. Then they find out that somebody else was behind the mistakes.
4422"Confidentially Yours"John TracyTom WallaMay 19, 1987 (1987-05-19)185977
Maggie gets a job offer – from a womanizer who only wants to sleep with her.

Season 3 (1987–88)

No. in
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Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
451"Aloha (Part 1)"John TracyStory by: Tom Walla
Teleplay by: Dan Guntzelman & Steve Marshall
September 18, 1987 (1987-09-18)186103
The Seavers journey to Hawaii but the holiday does not go as Jason planned. Maggie has work problems, Mike and Carol find romance, and Ben finds a new interest.
462"Aloha (Part 2)"John TracyStory by: Tom Walla
Teleplay by: Dan Guntzelman & Steve Marshall
September 18, 1987 (1987-09-18)186104
Maggie solves her problem; initially shocked that his Hawaiian girlfriend has a daughter, Mike enjoys babysitting her; Bobby arrives.
473"Taking Care of Business"John TracyTim O'DonnellSeptember 22, 1987 (1987-09-22)186102
The family is supportive of the positive effects of Mike's job. Then Jason discovers his employers use bait-and-switch tactics.
484"Not Necessarily the News"John TracyTim O'DonnellSeptember 29, 1987 (1987-09-29)186109
Maggie's family becomes anxious to find her a new job.
495"Michaelgate"John TracyDan Guntzelman & Steve MarshallOctober 6, 1987 (1987-10-06)186108
Mike is nominated for student-body president.
506"Big Brother is Not Watching"John TracyDavid Tyron KingOctober 13, 1987 (1987-10-13)186101
Ben is told that if he wants a new bike he has to put up half the cost, so he turns to Carol for ideas on how to make a fast buck. Carol organizes a raffle of Ben's old bike, but the plan is derailed when some bullies threaten anyone from buying tickets to assure themselves of the prize, and Ben and Carol get chastized by their parents, who must decide how to proceed.
528"Gone But Not Forgotten"John TracyChristopher Ames & Carolyn ShelbyNovember 3, 1987 (1987-11-03)186105
When the Seaver house is burglarized, the family fears the perpetrators' return.
539"Who's Zoomin' Who?"John TracyTom WallaNovember 10, 1987 (1987-11-10)186113
Carol's friends convince her to dump Bobby for the handsome new transfer student (Brad Pitt).
5410"This is Your Life"John TracyDavid KendallNovember 17, 1987 (1987-11-17)186110
Ben is fearful of undergoing a tonsillectomy, so he escape the surgery then realizes he has been punished for his cowardice by being disinherited and replaced by a new, perfect-in-every-way Ben.
5511"Broadway Bound"John TracyTim O'Donnell & Tom WallaNovember 24, 1987 (1987-11-24)186115
Mike skips the local school play audition to audition for a Broadway play.
5612"The Scarlet Letter"John TracyKate BoutilierDecember 1, 1987 (1987-12-01)186106
Carol doubts the purpose of education when she gets an A+ on an exam paper she bluffed her way through.
5713"A Reason to Live"John TracyDavid Tyron KingDecember 8, 1987 (1987-12-08)186112
A troubled girl uses a school assignment with Mike and Boner to seek help from Jason.
5814"Nasty Habits"John TracyChristopher Ames & Carolyn ShelbyDecember 15, 1987 (1987-12-15)186119
Mike's bad habits catch up with him and put him in danger of not graduating: he can't seem to start his English paper and even plans to go out the night before it's due.
5915"The Marrying Kind"John TracyDavid KendallJanuary 5, 1988 (1988-01-05)186114
Jason and Maggie are shocked when Carol announces her engagement to Bobby.
6016"State of the Union"John TracyKate BoutilierJanuary 12, 1988 (1988-01-12)186120
Jason and Maggie spend more and more time apart as Maggie's new job demands more and more of her time.
6117"The Mom Who Knew Too Much"John TracyKate BoutilierJanuary 26, 1988 (1988-01-26)186111
Carol is furious with Maggie for telling Jason one of her most intimate secrets.
6218"Great Expectations"John TracyDavid KendallFebruary 9, 1988 (1988-02-09)186122
A letter from the girl he met in Hawaii has Mike scheming to go to Los Angeles without Jason and Maggie's knowledge.
6319"Dance Fever (Part 1)"John TracyTim O'DonnellMarch 1, 1988 (1988-03-01)186117
While Maggie and Jason chaperone Mike and Carol's high-school dance, Ben goes in search of his manhood.
6420"Dance Fever (Part 2)"John TracyTim O'DonnellMarch 2, 1988 (1988-03-02)186118
As Ben continues his quest for manhood, the high-school dance continues: Jason and Maggie compete to see which one is the better D.J.; Mike discovers he has values; and Carol learns to think for herself instead of going along with the crowd.
6521"Bringing Up Baby"John TracyTom WallaMarch 9, 1988 (1988-03-09)186121
While the Seavers make room for baby #4, Maggie grasps for a way to tell her boss she's pregnant.
6622"The Obscure Objects of Our Desire (Part 1)"John TracyDavid KendallMarch 30, 1988 (1988-03-30)186365A
Spring cleaning breathes new life into the family's household objects, and each has a story to tell.
6723"The Obscure Objects of Our Desire (Part 2)"John TracyDavid KendallMarch 30, 1988 (1988-03-30)186365B
Housecleaning turns up things from the family's past and sparks memories.
6824"How the West Was Won (Part 1)"John TracyDan Guntzelman & Steve MarshallApril 20, 1988 (1988-04-20)186291
Mike and Boner learn that Coach Lubbock has been fired, prompting them to organize a protest.
6925"How the West Was Won (Part 2)"John TracyDan Guntzelman & Steve MarshallApril 26, 1988 (1988-04-26)186292
Jason, Carol, Mike, and Boner are arrested over the demonstration of Coach Lubbock's firing.
7026"Graduation Day"John TracyDan Guntzelman & Steve MarshallMay 3, 1988 (1988-05-03)186116
Mike's graduation stirs memories from his proud parents, who recall his birth and first day of school.

Season 4 (1988–89)

No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
711"Fool for Love"John TracyKate BoutilierOctober 19, 1988 (1988-10-19)186433
Ben works up the courage to ask a girl to a Halloween party.
722"Birth of a Seaver"John TracyDavid KendallOctober 26, 1988 (1988-10-26)186434
Maggie goes into labor on Ben's 12th birthday.
733"Family Ties (Part 1)"John TracyTim O'DonnellNovember 2, 1988 (1988-11-02)186431
Mike has a showdown with Jason over his rights as an 18-year-old college student and declares his freedom from parental rule.
744"Family Ties (Part 2)"John TracyTom WallaNovember 9, 1988 (1988-11-09)186432
Mike converts the storage space above the garage into an apartment and must choose whether he wants to be tenant or family member.
755"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"John TracyBecky Ayers & Joanna KernsNovember 16, 1988 (1988-11-16)186435
Jason learns his widowed mother has a new beau.
766"Homecoming Queen"John TracyKate BoutilierNovember 23, 1988 (1988-11-23)186436
Carol is chosen for homecoming court.
777"Nude Photos"John TracyDavid KendallNovember 30, 1988 (1988-11-30)186437
Mike's photography course includes nude studies. While his friends see it as a chance to get their thrills, Mike actually gets a nagging feeling he should be a professional student.
788"Ben's First Kiss"John TracyTim O'DonnellDecember 7, 1988 (1988-12-07)186439
Ben throws a party to get to know a girl.
799"The Nanny"John TracyKevin AbbottJanuary 4, 1989 (1989-01-04)186438
The Seavers hire a nanny for Chrissy, with interesting results.
8010"Mandingo"John TracyStory by: Dan Guntzelman & Mike Sullivan
Teleplay by: David Kendall & Tim O'Donnell
January 11, 1989 (1989-01-11)186442
A travel snafu strands Julie with Mike.
8111"In Carol We Trust"John TracyTom WallaJanuary 18, 1989 (1989-01-18)186441
Carol sneaks out of the house for a date.
8212"Mom of the Year"John TracyBecky AyersJanuary 25, 1989 (1989-01-25)186443
Maggie is chosen to receive the "Working Mother of the Year" award and prepares a speech.
8313"Semper Fidelis"John TracyDavid KendallFebruary 1, 1989 (1989-02-01)186440
Boner flunks out of college and joins the Marines.
8414"Feet of Clay"John TracyTodd ThickeFebruary 8, 1989 (1989-02-08)186444

Maggie arranges for Ben to meet his favorite rock musician, Jonathan Keith (Brad Pitt), whose backstage behavior cures Ben's idolatry of him.

Note: This is Brad Pitt's second appearance in the series. He previously guest-starred as Carol's love-interest Jeff in the season-three episode "Who's Zoomin' Who".
8515"Anniversary from Hell"John TracyTim O'DonnellFebruary 15, 1989 (1989-02-15)186446
The Seavers achieve their 20th anniversary, but trouble in the form of a pie fight erupts among their celebration's guests.
8616"Fortunate Son"John TracyTim O'DonnellFebruary 22, 1989 (1989-02-22)186445
Maggie becomes concerned when Mike takes a job at a convenience store and may have to do dangerous night shifts.
8717"Double Standard"John TracyTodd ThickeMarch 1, 1989 (1989-03-01)186447
Jason punishes Carol and Ben unequally for the same offense: sneaking out for dates.
8818"The Recruiter"John TracyTim O'DonnellMarch 15, 1988 (1988-03-15)186449
To avoid going to her parents' college without disappointing them, Carol has Mike hire a homeless man (Carmen Filpi) to pose as Jason.
8919"Show Ninety – Who Knew?"John TracyKevin AbbottMarch 22, 1989 (1989-03-22)186450

Jason helps Mike with his Psychology class, with unexpected results.

Note: Contrary to the episode title, this episode was the 89th episode to air.
9020"Second Chance"John TracyStory: by Dan Guntzelman & Steve Marshall
Teleplay by: David Kendall
April 12, 1989 (1989-04-12)186448

Carol's boyfriend Sandy (Matthew Perry) drives drunk and gets into an accident.

Note: This episode ended with a message that told viewers how many alcohol-related accidents that caused injury or death in the United States occurred while the episode ran. The number increased from 29 to 30 after approximately a minute.
9121"The Looooove Boat (Part 1)"John TracyDavid KendallApril 26, 1989 (1989-04-26)186451
Jason's mother wants to get married on a cruise ship.
9222"The Looooove Boat (Part 2)"John TracyDavid KendallMay 3, 1989 (1989-05-03)186452
Jason tries to calm his mother when her wedding plans fail.

Season 5 (1989–90)

No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
931"Anger With Love"John TracyDavid Kendall & Tim O'DonnellSeptember 20, 1989 (1989-09-20)186704
Maggie disapproves of Mike and Julie's wedding plans.
942"Mike and Julie's Wedding"John TracyDavid KendallSeptember 27, 1989 (1989-09-27)186703
Julie and Mike suffer prenuptial jitters.
953"Carol Meets the Real World"John TracyDavid KendallOctober 4, 1989 (1989-10-04)186701
Jason demands that Carol find a job.
964"Fish Bait"John TracyRob BraginOctober 11, 1989 (1989-10-11)186702
Mike's drama teacher and classmates start to intimidate him.
975"Teach Me"John TracyTim O'DonnellOctober 18, 1989 (1989-10-18)186706
Carol brings a fake boyfriend to a family party.
986"Carol's Papers"John TracyTim O'DonnellOctober 25, 1989 (1989-10-25)186705
Jason confronts Ben and Mike, who give conflicting versions of how Ben came to sell Carol's old term papers to students at Dewey High – and to date a seductive 18-year-old.
997"Coughing Boy"John TracyMindy SchneiderNovember 1, 1989 (1989-11-01)186709
Mike attends an open casting session and wins a part on a TV cop show!
1008"The New Deal (Part 1)"John TracyShelly LandauNovember 8, 1989 (1989-11-08)186707
Jason gets a promising job offer.
1019"The New Deal (Part 2)"John TracyShelly LandauNovember 15, 1989 (1989-11-15)186708
Jason tries to hide his new job offer from Maggie.
10210"Paper Route"John TracyDavid KendallNovember 22, 1989 (1989-11-22)186710
Ben assumes Mike's paper route for half the money.
10311"Five Grand"John TracyTim O'DonnellNovember 29, 1989 (1989-11-29)186713
Maggie's parents give each of the grandchildren $5,000 as an early inheritance.
10412"Carol's Promotion"John TracyMindy SchneiderDecember 6, 1989 (1989-12-06)186711
Carol considers postponing college when she gets a promotion at work.
10513"Ben and Mike's Excellent Adventure"John TracyRob BraginDecember 13, 1989 (1989-12-13)186712
When taking Ben out to get supplies for a last minute project, it turns into all sorts of nighttime adventures to include a run in with the cops and girl-chasing.
10614"The Triangle"John TracyShelly LandauJanuary 3, 1990 (1990-01-03)186714
Mike falls for his leading lady.
10715"The Return of the Triangle"John TracyShelly LandauJanuary 10, 1990 (1990-01-10)186715
David turns to Mike for help with Kate.
10816"The Home Show"John TracyDavid Kendall & Tim O'DonnellJanuary 17, 1990 (1990-01-17)186716
The Seavers' reception to raise money for a free mental-health clinic is in trouble when, having mixed-up the date, they send the caterer away, then can't get her back or find another on no notice.
10917"Jason vs. Maggie"John TracyTim O'DonnellJanuary 24, 1990 (1990-01-24)186717
Jason and Maggie argue over Ben's request to get his ear pierced.
11018"Mike, Kate and Julie"John TracyDavid KendallJanuary 31, 1990 (1990-01-31)186718
Mike unexpectedly sees a familiar face while on a date with Kate.
11119"Mike, the Teacher"John TracyMindy SchneiderFebruary 7, 1990 (1990-02-07)186719
Mike becomes a substitute teacher.
11220"Carol in Jail"John TracyMindy SchneiderFebruary 14, 1990 (1990-02-14)186720
Mike's unpaid parking tickets get Carol arrested when she is pulled over driving his car.
11321"Future Shock"John TracyTodd ThickeFebruary 21, 1990 (1990-02-21)186721
After seeming to be the oldest parent at Chrissy's preschool (as in, the teacher thinks she's Chrissy's grandma), Maggie dreams of Chrissy as a teenager (played by Krystyne Haje).
11422"Ben Cheats"John TracyTim O'DonnellMarch 14, 1990 (1990-03-14)186722
Ben weighs the pros and cons of cheating after sly classmate Vito clues him in about test-passing.
11523"Mike, the Director"John TracyRob BraginMarch 21, 1990 (1990-03-21)186723
As he prepares to graduate, Mike decides he wants to try his hand at directing.
11624"Weekend at Mike's"John TracyStory by: David Kendall & Tim O'Donnell
Teleplay by: Shelly Landau
April 4, 1990 (1990-04-04)186725
The family stays at Mike's apartment while the house is being fumigated.
11725"Ben's Movie"John TracyShelly LandauApril 25, 1990 (1990-04-25)186695
Ben casts a girl he likes in his home movie.
11826"Where's There's a Will"John TracyDavid KendallMay 2, 1990 (1990-05-02)186696
Jason and Mike journey to inspect the mountain cabin Jason has inherited from his Uncle George.

Season 6 (1990–91)

No. in
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No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1191"Mike's Choice (Part 1)"John TracyDavid KendallSeptember 19, 1990 (1990-09-19)187014
Mike decides to quit college to fully focus on acting; Jason and Maggie disapprove.
1202"Midnight Cowboy (Part 2)"John TracyNick LeroseSeptember 26, 1990 (1990-09-26)187015
Mike moves into the city; Carol has a hard time with her commute to Columbia University.
1213"Roommates (Part 3)"John TracyBob Burris & Michael WareOctober 3, 1990 (1990-10-03)187016
Mike and Carol rent an apartment in the city as Jason and Maggie wait patiently for them to return home. The wait may not to be too long as Carol get immersed in the culture of NYC, indirectly getting her and Mike evicted, and Maggie's parents start laying down the law.
1224"Daddy Mike"John TracyElias Davis & David PollockOctober 10, 1990 (1990-10-10)187013
Mike and Eddie (K. C. Martel) join a single-parents group to meet women.
1235"Ben's Sure Thing"John TracyShelly LandauOctober 17, 1990 (1990-10-17)187012
At Ben's school's Parents' Night, his parents learn what he has been telling his friends about the girl that he has been dating (Andrea Barber) – and the words' effect on his popularity.
1246"Jason Flirts, Maggie Hurts"John TracyJack Weinberger & Mike WeinbergerOctober 24, 1990 (1990-10-24)187011
A flirty Jason gets jealous when Maggie turns the tables.
1257"Happy Halloween (Part 1)"John TracyJay Abramowitz, Dan Guntzelman & Nick LeroseOctober 31, 1990 (1990-10-31)187017

The Seavers spend a rainy Halloween night telling ghost stories – and thanks to Mike they discover that truth can be much scarier than fiction.

Guest starring Jamie Luner – "Cindy Lubbock" of Just the Ten of Us.
1268"Happy Halloween (Part 2)"John TracyJay Abramowitz, Dan Guntzelman & Nick LeroseOctober 31, 1990 (1990-10-31)187018
The Seavers' rainy Halloween night continues.
1279"Let's Go Europe (Part 1)"John TracyDavid KendallNovember 7, 1990 (1990-11-07)187019
Jason buys an anniversary trip to Paris from travel-agent Mike, who wins a European tour that falls apart. In Paris, Maggie is bitten not by the love bug but by appendicitis.
12810"Let's Go Europe (Part 2)"John TracyBob Burris & Michael WareNovember 14, 1990 (1990-11-14)187020
While Maggie is hospitalized in Paris, Mike is stuck on the road with an angry customer.
12911"Let's Go Europe (Part 3)"John TracyStory by: Dan Guntzelman & David Kendall
Teleplay by: Bob Burris & Michael Ware
November 28, 1990 (1990-11-28)187022
Mike and Amy continue to bicker their way toward Paris.
13012"Divorce Story"John TracyElias Davis & David PollockDecember 5, 1990 (1990-12-05)187023
Jason, happy to see his mother's second marriage crumbling, doesn't want to offer professional help.
13113"The World According to Chrissy"John TracyLeilani DownerDecember 19, 1990 (1990-12-19)187024
Chrissy's imaginary friend is a 6-foot-tall mouse, Ike.
13214"How Could I Leave Her Behind?"John TracyJack Weinberger & Mike WeinbergerJanuary 2, 1991 (1991-01-02)187021
Mike and Eddie double-date – Eddie's date is Mike's ex-girlfriend.
13315"Like Father, Like Son"John TracyVince Cheung & Ben MontanioJanuary 9, 1991 (1991-01-09)187025
In an intrafamily communications seminar, Mike and Jason discover how alike they are.
13416"Ben's Rap Group"John TracyTodd ThickeJanuary 23, 1991 (1991-01-23)187027
Jason becomes Ben's business partner in rap-group management, but he uses the money he's invested to control Ben.
13517"Eddie, We Hardly Knew Ye"John TracyRich ReinhartJanuary 30, 1991 (1991-01-30)187026
Maggie's father Ed dies during a visit to the Seavers.
13618"Maggie Seaver's: The Meaning of Life"John TracyJay AbramowitzFebruary 6, 1991 (1991-02-06)187029
Jason takes Maggie on a tropical getaway to lift her spirits after her father's death.
13719"All the World is a Stage"John TracyDavid KendallFebruary 13, 1991 (1991-02-13)187030
Mike competes with a well-established actor for a soap-opera role.
13820"Not With My Carol You Don't"John TracyLeilani DownerFebruary 20, 1991 (1991-02-20)187028
Jason encourages Carol to volunteer at a clinic, then disapproves of the ex-con she meets there.
13921"Meet the Seavers"John TracyStory by: Dan Guntzelman, David Kendall, Mike Sullivan & Steve Marshall
Teleplay by: Bob Burris & Michael Ware
March 6, 1991 (1991-03-06)187032
In a Twilight Zone-esque episode, Ben gets shouted at by his parents and grouses to himself how come his family is not like what he sees on TV. He awakens to discover he's Jeremy Miller, an actor on the set of "Meet the Seavers".
14022"Carol's Carnival"John TracyRich ReinhartMarch 27, 1991 (1991-03-27)187033
Ben forces Carol to go on a date with the brother of his new girlfriend but he ditches her and Carol meets another man at the carnival, their date site.
14123"Home Schooling"John TracyStory by: Dan Guntzelman & Mike Sullivan
Teleplay by: Nick Lerose
April 17, 1991 (1991-04-17)187031
Maggie homeschools Ben after he is suspended from school.
14224"Viva Las Vegas"John TracyShelly LandauApril 24, 1991 (1991-04-24)187034
Mike and Kate accompany the eloping Eddie and a hat-check bimbette to Las Vegas.

Season 7 (1991–92)

No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1431"Back to School"Jack SheaBob Burris & Michael WareSeptember 18, 1991 (1991-09-18)187201
Mike begins his first day teaching remedial students.
1442"Stop, Luke, and Listen (Part 1)"Jack SheaLiz SageSeptember 25, 1991 (1991-09-25)187203
Mike learns his best student, Luke Brower (Leonardo DiCaprio), is homeless, and offers to help him.
1453"In vino veritas (Part 2)"Jack SheaRich ReinhartSeptember 28, 1991 (1991-09-28)187204
Mike persuades Jason and Maggie to let Luke stay with them temporarily; just as he moves in, Jason's wine collection disappears.
1464"Paper Tigers"Jack SheaLeilani DownerOctober 5, 1991 (1991-10-05)187202
Jason and Maggie compete to write a newspaper column; Ben starts to hate his glasses.
1475"The Young and the Homeless"Jack SheaBob Burris & Michael WareOctober 12, 1991 (1991-10-12)187205
Luke runs way from the Seavers' just as Mike is about to film his soap-opera scenes.
1486"Jason Sings the Blues"Jack SheaJerry ColkerOctober 19, 1991 (1991-10-19)187206
Jason accompanies a leery Luke to the doctor, where he gets nasty news.
1497"The Kid's Still Got It"Iris DugowJerry ColkerOctober 26, 1991 (1991-10-26)187207
Carol accompanies Maggie to a resort on an interesting weekend; at home, the all-male weekend is infiltrated by a female: Chrissy, who has been sent home with head lice.
1508"There Must Be a Pony"Iris DugowLiz SageNovember 2, 1991 (1991-11-02)187208
Nouveau-riche neighbors move in next door and their lavish party crashes Jason's "cure" for Chrissy wanting to stay up late because she thinks her bedtime has been keeping her from big fun. Meanwhile, Ben must be Luke's "Big Brother" on his first day of high school, but he soon realizes that Luke will do fine.
1519"The Big Fix"Iris DugowLeilani DownerNovember 9, 1991 (1991-11-09)187209
Consumer advocate Maggie raps a vacuum cleaner that Ben secretly broke.
15210"Home Malone"Burt BrinckerhoffRich ReinhartNovember 16, 1991 (1991-11-16)187210
The ghost of Maggie's father Ed oversees the Seavers' visit to her childhood home.
15311"Bad Day Cafe"Renny TempleBud WiserNovember 23, 1991 (1991-11-23)187212
Luke's father comes to town wanting him back.
15412"B=MC2"Gerren KeithCathy JungNovember 30, 1991 (1991-11-30)187211
Ben crams for a college entrance exam with no help from Jason.
15513"It's Not Easy Being Green"Renny TempleLeilani DownerDecember 21, 1991 (1991-12-21)187213
Christmastime brings the Seavers anger and angst.
15614"The Call of the Wild"Andy CadiffBob Burris & Michael WareJanuary 4, 1992 (1992-01-04)187214
Penniless Mike schemes to give Kate a ski-trip.
15715"Honest Abe"Burt BrinckerhoffWendy BraffJanuary 18, 1992 (1992-01-18)187216

Luke's homeless friend steals a Seaver memento.

Note: Tracey Gold does not appear in this episode.
15816"Vicious Cycle"Burt BrinckerhoffCathy JungFebruary 1, 1992 (1992-02-01)187217

Maggie and Jason hold Mike accountable for Luke's curfew problems.

Note: Tracey Gold does not appear in this episode.
15917"Menage a Luke"Gerren KeithTodd ThickeFebruary 8, 1992 (1992-02-08)187215
A love triangle involves Ben, Luke, and a classmate.
16018"The Five Fingers of Ben"Burt BrinckerhoffJerry ColkerFebruary 22, 1992 (1992-02-22)187218

Tired of being bullied, Ben takes karate lessons.

Note: Tracey Gold does not appear in this episode.
16119"Don't Go Changin'"Don AmendoliaLeilani Downer & Rich ReinhartFebruary 29, 1992 (1992-02-29)187220

Mike believes his old friend Eddie is a bad influence on Luke.

Note: Tracey Gold does not appear in this episode.
16220"The Truck Stops Here"Joanna KernsJerry ColkerMarch 21, 1992 (1992-03-21)187219

Luke's father returns, wanting him to join him on his trucking journeys.

Note: This episode marks Joanna Kerns' directorial debut. (She would go on to direct a number of other notable television series.)

Note: Tracey Gold does not appear in this episode.
16321"Maggie's Brilliant Career"Gerren KeithKate BoutilierApril 4, 1992 (1992-04-04)187221

Maggie wants to fulfill a dream by climbing a mountain.

Note: Tracey Gold does not appear in this episode.
16422"The Wrath of Con Ed"Nancy HeydornLiz SageApril 11, 1992 (1992-04-11)187222
A power failure hampers Jason and Maggie's romantic evening.
16523"The Last Picture Show (Part 1)"Jonathan WeissBob Burris, Wendy Braff, Jerry Colker, Leilani Downer, Cathy Jung,
Rich Reinhart, Liz Sage, Michael Ware & Dan Wilcox
April 25, 1992 (1992-04-25)187223
In Part 1 of the series finale, a senator offers Maggie a job in Washington, D.C.: should she accept?
16624"The Last Picture Show (Part 2)"Jonathan WeissBob Burris & Michael WareApril 25, 1992 (1992-04-25)187224
In Part 2 of the series finale, Mike proposes to Kate and the family reminisces about good times in their home.

TV films

Title Directed by Written by Original air date
The Growing Pains MovieAlan MetterDavid Kendall & Mike SullivanNovember 5, 2000 (2000-11-05)
The Seavers help Maggie in her senate campaign against her former boss.
Growing Pains: Return of the SeaversJoanna KernsChristina Lynch & Loren SeganOctober 16, 2004 (2004-10-16)
Jason and Maggie want to sell the house and retire causing a rift with real estate agent Ben, Mike and Carol.
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