Sun, Aug 25, 1991
In this pilot episode of the sole prime-time scripted U.S. series since the 1950s to present a full season live, the menfolk of the Emerson family of East Baltimore separately plan their birthday gifts for Roc's wife Eleanor, whom they all adore. The thrifty Roc is proud to have furnished their home with salvage from his job on a sanitation truck, so he has her gift at hand, but his boom or bust brother Joey is flat broke, staying over on their couch until his trumpet-playing lip heals up. Their father Andrew always honors Eleanor with the same present. Hard-working Eleanor would love a surprise for a change. Can the Emersons make this a birthday she'll never forget ?
Sun, Sep 1, 1991
Roc's brotherly blood boils when rambling, gambling Joey misuses Roc's loan, by playing the ponies. A loan shark and his huge enforcer show up, but Roc pays them off to save Joey a beating. Their father drives a further wedge between the brothers when he reveals that their late mother had an affair, so he always wondered if one of the men is not an Emer-son. Despite their differences Joey and Roc have always loved each other. Do they want blood tests ?
Sun, Sep 22, 1991
Trumpeter Joey's on the verge of being kicked out on the curb, due to his gambling losses and mooching off the other Emersons. The sympathy Joey's earned during his recuperation from a split embouchure is wearing thin. Roc goes through the Baltimore Sun want ads with him, but Joey judges the few jobs he's qualified for, as beneath him. Father Andrew recalls how when he was scuffling as a young buck, any kind of job afforded him some dignity. So, Roc offers to get his Joey a job with him, as a Charm City garbage man, but taunts Joey that he wouldn't last a week. Imaginative Joey's eyes light up like a slot machine - because he seldom loses a bet to his workaday older brother.
Sun, Oct 6, 1991
Roc's temper simmers when his wife Eleanor receives flowers from an older man, an ex-patient of hers, recovering from a major heart attack. Nurse Eleanor explains that such a response from a patient is a normal part of a healthy recovery, on leaving a hospital, to thank the staff who saved his life. But when the patient sends her a huge diamond, Roc boils with jealousy. Next the wealthy man shows up at the Emersons' front door, in an elegant suit, looking exactly like Samuel L. Jackson, and in Roc's eyes, way too healthy.
Sun, Jan 12, 1992
Reverend Hill suggests that Joey Emerson, an unemployed musician, give trumpet lessons to some of the congregation's children. During the "lessons," Joey makes telephone calls, bets on horse races and gives his students no musical guidance at all. Then Roc promises Reverend Hill that Joey and his students will play in the church's next musical recital.
Sun, Jan 19, 1992
Roc's boss Stan had a brief sexual encounter with a woman at a sanitation convention. Now Stan's wife Connie has thrown him out of the house. Roc gives Stan some honest advice and invites him home for dinner. But over the next few weeks, Stan asks Roc for too much emotional support and imposes on the Emersons for a place to sleep.
Sun, Feb 9, 1992
Joey, Andrew and Roc offer a meal to a pregnant homeless woman, Linda, who suddenly goes into labor in the middle of their kitchen. The baby is stillborn. Linda's husband, Donald, comforts his wife and promises to find work and shelter. Roc is so moved my their courage that he vows to show more concern for people who are less fortunate.