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24 Episodes 1976 - 1977
Episode 1
Tue, Aug 31, 197630 mins
Alice Hyatt is an unemployed widow after her husband is killed in a trucking accident. She moves to Arizona with her young son Tommy to start her life over again. Although she is interested in a singing career, it hadn't worked out at a piano bar in Kansas City. For the moment, she has to be content working at Mel's Diner, a roadside cafe on the outskirts of Phoenix. The mostly male clientele is flirtatious with the three waitresses - Alice, Flo and Vera. Flo flirts right back. In the past few days, Joel Snedeger has come in several times hoping to get Alice to agree to a date. She is not interested. Mel gives her a little static about keeping her relationship activities outside of work hours. She insists that the guy is not her boyfriend. Joel returns with a flower and another invitation. Alice points out that she is 10 years older, has a 12-year-old-son, and wants to save her evening energy to pursue her singing career. Joel is surprised that she's a singer. He claims to be an agent in Hollywood who handles singers for a living. With that, Alice changes her tune and agrees to meet him when she finishes her shift tomorrow. She tells Flo that doesn't hold high hopes for getting anywhere with her music career if Joel doesn't get a chance to hear her singing. "All I need is a piano." Flo quickly asks Alice to watch her tables while she runs to get a piano to the diner. Alice has changed into a red sheath dress and sings "It Had to Be You". They leave for her place to supposedly talk about potential places she could sing. When Joel asks about singers who influenced her, he doesn't recognize any of them. Alice asks where he might be able to get her a gig. He mentions that he has ins at the Coconut Grove. Alice hits him with the news that it's been closed for 2 years. She point-blank asks what he really does. "I'm a hosiery salesman from Portland." He offers her some free samples. Flo shows up shortly thereafter with the same story about Joel. He leaves as Flo and Alice commiserate.
Episode 2
Wed, Sep 29, 197630 mins
Mel tells Alice that his college roommate, Jack Newhouse, a well-known ex-quarterback, is passing through and will be dropping by for a visit. The three waitresses think he is just blowing smoke until Jack comes through the door. Vera gets caught between the two as they exchange a hug of greeting. Mel wants to get them together so he forces a date for them. Alice is both excited and nervous as she has not been out with a man for some time. When Tommy sees what she is wearing, he coaches her to wear something a little more revealing, including some cleavage. Alice has a wonderful time with Jack, even getting him to promise to take Tommy fishing when he and Mel go out. Things are flying along well in Alice's mind until Jack says that things cannot progress beyond just being friends; he is gay. Alice now has second thoughts about letting Tommy go fishing. She assumes that gay men could easily be child molesters. After a very open discussion with Jack, where he insists nothing of that sort will happen, she consents for Tommy to go with them. Tommy comes back with something from the trip bottled up. Alice is afraid to ask but pushes him to confess. He admits that Mel and Jack let him drink half a can of beer. He also claims to being disappointed because Jack wasn't very good at fishing.
Episode 3
Wed, Oct 6, 197630 mins
The beneficiary of her late husband's will pays a visit to Alice.
Episode 4
Wed, Oct 13, 197630 mins
Alice is mistakenly arrested for prostitution.
Episode 5
Wed, Oct 20, 197630 mins
An obscene phone caller has Alice considering getting a gun.
Episode 6
Wed, Oct 27, 197630 mins
A food critic eats at Mel's Diner and dies.
Episode 7
Sat, Nov 6, 197630 mins
Alice finds a picture of a naked woman in her son's wallet.
Episode 8
Sat, Nov 13, 197630 mins
Flo's new man makes a pass at Alice.
Episode 9
Sat, Nov 20, 197630 mins
Flo and Alice struggle with Vera and her sleeping pills.
Episode 10
Sat, Nov 27, 197630 mins
An old boyfriend of Alice's wants her to marry him.
Episode 11
Sat, Dec 4, 197630 mins
Tommy has a change of heart after a hunting trip.
Episode 12
Sat, Dec 11, 197630 mins
Alice's mother-in-law wants to take up permanent residence in Phoenix.
Episode 13
Sat, Dec 18, 197630 mins
Alice's mother-in-law wants to take up permanent residence in Phoenix.
Episode 14
Sat, Dec 25, 197630 mins
Vera's new boyfriend is Jerry, a mortician 20 years her senior. But Alice - already creeped out by Jerry's profession - suspects that he hasn't told naive Vera everything about his personal life.
Episode 15
Sat, Jan 15, 197730 mins
A young woman from New Jersey has stolen Mel's heart.
Episode 16
Sat, Jan 22, 197730 mins
Flo totals Mel's car after he entrusts it to the girls while he is away.
Episode 17
Sat, Jan 29, 197730 mins
After a botched robbery, the crook thinks that he is a failure.
Episode 18
Sat, Feb 5, 197730 mins
A gypsy puts a curse on Alice at Mel's Diner.
Episode 19
Sat, Feb 12, 197730 mins
Alice's deceased husband may have never paid his taxes.
Episode 20
Sat, Feb 26, 197730 mins
Flo bunks with Alice after her trailer is stolen.
Episode 21
Sat, Mar 5, 197730 mins
Alice and Flo try some matchmaking with Vera.
Episode 22
Sat, Mar 12, 197730 mins
Mel's trophy is accidentally sent to a rummage sale.
Episode 23
Sat, Mar 19, 197730 mins
After a bag of money is found at the diner, Alice is the only one interested in returning it.
Episode 24
Sat, Mar 26, 197730 mins
Mel is making a television commercial with Alice.