Alice
A greasy-spoon diner in Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this long-running series. The title character, Alice Hyatt, is an aspiring singer who arrives in Phoenix with her teen-age son Tommy, after the death of her truck-driver husband. Alice is hired at a diner owned by Mel Sharples, a gravel-voiced, male-chauvinist fry cook. She waitresses at Mel's Diner while awaiting her big break. Her fellow waitresses are raucous redhead Flo and naïve Vera. Flo is later replaced by Southern blonde Belle, who is soon replaced by spunky curly-haired Jolene. Alice and her friends experience several interesting years together at Mel's Diner, which is frequented by quirky truckers, repairmen, and other blue-collar types, and by several Hollywood celebrities who appear as themselves.
- 1976-1985
- 9 seasons
- CBS
- Comedy
- TV-PG
A greasy-spoon diner in Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this long-running series. The title character, Alice Hyatt, is an aspiring singer who arrives in Phoenix with her teen-age son Tommy, after the death of her truck-driver husband. Alice is hired at a diner owned by Mel Sharples, a gravel-voiced, male-chauvinist fry cook. She waitresses at Mel's Diner while awaiting her big break. Her fellow waitresses are raucous redhead Flo and naïve Vera. Flo is later replaced by Southern blonde Belle, who is soon replaced by spunky curly-haired Jolene. Alice and her friends experience several interesting years together at Mel's Diner, which is frequented by quirky truckers, repairmen, and other blue-collar types, and by several Hollywood celebrities who appear as themselves.
Season 1 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 1976 - 1977
Episode 1
Pilot
Tue, Aug 31, 1976 30 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
Alice Gets a Pass
Wed, Sep 29, 1976 30 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
A Piece of the Rock
Wed, Oct 6, 1976 30 mins
The beneficiary of her late husband's will pays a visit to Alice.
Episode 4
Pay the Fifty Dollars
Wed, Oct 13, 1976 30 mins
Alice is mistakenly arrested for prostitution.
Episode 5
A Call to Arms
Wed, Oct 20, 1976 30 mins
An obscene phone caller has Alice considering getting a gun.
Episode 6
The Last Review
Wed, Oct 27, 1976 30 mins
A food critic eats at Mel's Diner and dies.
Episode 7
Sex Education
Sat, Nov 6, 1976 30 mins
Alice finds a picture of a naked woman in her son's wallet.
Episode 8
Big Daddy Dawson's Coming
Sat, Nov 13, 1976 30 mins
Flo's new man makes a pass at Alice.
Episode 9
Good Night, Sweet Vera
Sat, Nov 20, 1976 30 mins
Flo and Alice struggle with Vera and her sleeping pills.
Episode 10
The Dilemma
Sat, Nov 27, 1976 30 mins
An old boyfriend of Alice's wants her to marry him.
Episode 11
Who Killed Bugs Bunny?
Sat, Dec 4, 1976 30 mins
Tommy has a change of heart after a hunting trip.
Episode 12
Mother-in-Law: Part 1
Sat, Dec 11, 1976 30 mins
Alice's mother-in-law wants to take up permanent residence in Phoenix.
Episode 13
Mother-in-Law: Part 2
Sat, Dec 18, 1976 30 mins
Alice's mother-in-law wants to take up permanent residence in Phoenix.
Episode 14
Vera's Mortician
Sat, Dec 25, 1976 30 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
Mel's in Love
Sat, Jan 15, 1977 30 mins
A young woman from New Jersey has stolen Mel's heart.
Episode 16
The Accident
Sat, Jan 22, 1977 30 mins
Flo totals Mel's car after he entrusts it to the girls while he is away.
Episode 17
The Failure
Sat, Jan 29, 1977 30 mins
After a botched robbery, the crook thinks that he is a failure.
Episode 18
The Hex
Sat, Feb 5, 1977 30 mins
A gypsy puts a curse on Alice at Mel's Diner.
Episode 19
The Pain of No Return
Sat, Feb 12, 1977 30 mins
Alice's deceased husband may have never paid his taxes.
Episode 20
The Odd Couple
Sat, Feb 26, 1977 30 mins
Flo bunks with Alice after her trailer is stolen.
Episode 21
A Night to Remember
Sat, Mar 5, 1977 30 mins
Alice and Flo try some matchmaking with Vera.
Episode 22
Mel's Cup
Sat, Mar 12, 1977 30 mins
Mel's trophy is accidentally sent to a rummage sale.
Episode 23
The Bundle
Sat, Mar 19, 1977 30 mins
After a bag of money is found at the diner, Alice is the only one interested in returning it.
Episode 24
Mel's Happy Burger
Sat, Mar 26, 1977 30 mins
Mel is making a television commercial with Alice.