Gimme a Break!
Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend, Nell Harper, to come in to keep house and take care of his children, Katie, Julie, and Samantha, in short, be like a mother to them. Later, Carl's father, Stanley, moves in. Around the same time, Nell takes in young Joey Donovan as her foster son.
- 1981-1987
- 6 seasons
- NBC
- Comedy
- TV-G
Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend, Nell Harper, to come in to keep house and take care of his children, Katie, Julie, and Samantha, in short, be like a mother to them. Later, Carl's father, Stanley, moves in. Around the same time, Nell takes in young Joey Donovan as her foster son.
Season 2 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 1982 - 1983
Episode 1
Nell Goes to Jail
Sat, Oct 2, 1982
When the Kaniskys' phone service is mistakenly cut off for non-payment (it was supposed to be a Chinese woman), Nell clashes with the service representative at the phone company.
Episode 2
Brother Ed and the Hooker
Sat, Oct 9, 1982
The Chief doesn't approve when his brother Ed has a date with a woman who used to be a prostitute.
Episode 3
Sam's Imaginary Friend
Sat, Oct 16, 1982
Sam causes a stir in the household because of her imaginary friend Debbie Jo.
Episode 4
Grandpa's Visit
Sat, Oct 23, 1982 30 mins
Grandpa Kanisky causes commotion when he stays over at the house.
Episode 5
Take My Baby, Please
Sat, Oct 30, 1982
Valerie, the girl who married and gave birth at the same time in the Kanisky household, returns with the news that her husband has walked out on her. Nell helps her find a job so that she can support her baby.
Episode 6
Porko's II
Sat, Nov 6, 1982
Dr. George Avery, founder of the diet group People Organized to Reduce and Kick Obesity (PORKO), gives a speech at one of Nell's meetings. Having gained back a significant amount of weight, he is depressed and wants to end his life. It's up to Nell and the other PORKO members to try and stop him.
Episode 7
The Chief's Gay Evening
Sat, Nov 13, 1982
During a stakeout, a police officer admits his homosexuality to the Chief, who is extremely displeased.
Episode 8
Katie Steals Julie's Jock
Sat, Nov 27, 1982
Katie and Julie clash over a boy they both like.
Episode 9
Sam Faces Death
Sat, Dec 4, 1982
While Nell is away at a funeral, Officer Simpson accidentally shoots the Chief in the hand. The injuries are minor, but Samantha worries that he's going to die.
Episode 10
Nell Goes Door to Door
Sat, Dec 11, 1982
Nell gets a job selling Amaze-O-Vac vacuum cleaners door to door, but finds out too late about the shoddy quality of the product.
Episode 11
Love Thy Neighbor
Sat, Dec 18, 1982
Nell goes to court when a neighbor's dog becomes a nuisance.
Episode 12
Love, Kidney
Thu, Jan 6, 1983
When Uncle Ed falls ill suddenly, he learns that he needs a kidney transplant from a relative, so he asks the Chief to donate his kidney.
Episode 13
Julie Smokes
Thu, Jan 13, 1983
The Chief is angry when he catches Julie smoking a cigarette.
Episode 14
The Centerfold: Part 1
Thu, Jan 20, 1983
The Chief fires a female officer for posing for a pornographic magazine.
Episode 15
The Centerfold: Part 2
Thu, Jan 27, 1983
The Mayor of Glenlawn puts political pressure on the Chief over the female officer who posed nude.
Episode 16
The Custody Suit
Thu, Feb 10, 1983
The Chief's sister-in-law, Blanche Ross, drops in unexpectedly on his birthday and treats Nell condescendingly. Later that night, she walks into the kitchen, sees Nell performing the Heimlich maneuver on the Chief, and assumes that they're having sex. She decides to sue the Chief for custody of the girls.
Episode 17
The Return of the Doo-Wop Girls
Thu, Feb 17, 1983
Nell learns that the members of a singing group she used to belong to are in town, and she reflects on how they tricked her into leaving the group for a thinner replacement.
Episode 18
Eddie Gets Married
Thu, Feb 24, 1983
Uncle Ed asks his girlfriend Maxine to marry him.
Episode 19
Grandpa Robs a Bank
Thu, Mar 3, 1983
At the bank, Grandpa is confused for a bank robber.
Episode 20
Glenlawn Street Blues
Thu, Mar 10, 1983
Nell takes Samantha to the police station to show her that their real day-to-day functions bear no resemblance to what she sees on her favorite TV cop shows.
Episode 21
Nell and the Kid
Thu, Apr 28, 1983
A delicatessen owner takes in a young girl who tried to shoplift from him.
Episode 22
Nell Gets Sick
Thu, May 5, 1983
Grandma Kanisky takes over the household while Nell is sick.