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 6 Episode Guide
25 Episodes 1986 - 1987
Episode 1
Sam Goes to College: Part 1
Wed, Sep 24, 1986
Samantha is excited to start school in New Jersey, but she soon finds out that her scholarship has been canceled by the school.
Episode 2
Sam Goes to College: Part 2
Wed, Sep 24, 1986
Samantha decides to move to San Francisco with Katie, Nell is trying to do everything she can do to stop her from going.
Episode 3
Below Sea Level
Wed, Oct 1, 1986
Nell and Joey decide to fly to New Jersey to help Samantha move into the dorm. While on the east coast Nell visits Addy who is living in New York now.
Episode 4
Joey Meets Matthew
Wed, Oct 8, 1986
Joey's father returns and introduces him to his younger brother, Matthew.
Episode 5
Nell Goes Back to New York
Wed, Oct 15, 1986
Nell travels back to New York after receiving a letter from Joey. She ends up ruining Addy's date with a lawyer. Nell is trying hard to get Joey back from Tim.
Episode 6
The Apartment
Wed, Oct 29, 1986
Nell decides to try and get a job a big famous publishing company. She also looks for an apartment to live in with Addy.
Episode 7
I Love New York
Wed, Nov 5, 1986
Nell starts to regret moving to New York. Even after Grandpa successfully sells the Kaniskys' house, she still feels homesick for Glenlawn.
Episode 8
Nell, the Boss
Wed, Nov 12, 1986
At Nell's new job at the publishing company, she hires Addy as an assistant, but quickly realizes what a mistake that was.
Episode 9
Harry the Hamster
Wed, Nov 19, 1986
Joey brings home a hamster, leading Nell and Addy to begin a crusade against animal testing by cosmetic companies.
Episode 10
Joey the Gambler
Wed, Nov 26, 1986
Joey is caught gambling in order to pay for a new skateboard. But when Nell finds out, she has to teach him a lesson to show Joey why it's wrong.
Episode 11
The Scam
Wed, Dec 3, 1986
Nell and Mama Maybelle go to open a new checking account at the bank, but Nell quickly meets a con man out for her money.
Episode 12
Christmas in New York
Wed, Dec 10, 1986
Realizing that Marty may be alone on Christmas Eve, Nell reluctantly invites him over. However, her sympathy turns to rage when she finds out that he told Joey that Santa does not exist.
Episode 13
Nell's Secret Admirer
Wed, Jan 7, 1987
Nell gets a message from a former high school classmate who has had a crush on her for years. When she agrees to meet him at Marty's restaurant, he gets cold feet.
Episode 14
The Loan
Wed, Jan 14, 1987
After Nell lends money to Addy to buy an expensive dress, she isn't very quick at paying back and that is making Nell uncomfortable.
Episode 15
The Window: Part 1
Wed, Jan 21, 1987
Nell gets a promotion at work which gives her less time with the boys. Joey takes Matthew out and ends up losing him.
Episode 16
The Window: Part 2
Wed, Jan 21, 1987
Nell decides to quit her job to spend more time with the boys. She ends up interviewing a new job, which would leave Joey in charge of Matthew again, which worries Nell.
Episode 17
Joey's First Crush
Wed, Jan 28, 1987
Nell throws a party for a friends husband who wants to move to Georgia and open a bed and breakfast. This causes a fight between the husband and wife.
Episode 18
Joey's Teacher
Wed, Feb 4, 1987
Nell's lesson to Joey about respecting his teacher is put to the test when the teacher falls in Nell's apartment and sues her for 2.2 million dollars.
Episode 19
Joey's Hero
Wed, Feb 11, 1987
Captain Jerk, the star of Joey's favorite TV show, chokes on his whistle and is hospitalized. He needs a transfusion, and Nell gladly agrees to allow the hospital to use her blood. However, she is livid when she learns that the Captain is the leader of a white supremacist group.
Episode 20
Joey, the Gigolo
Wed, Feb 25, 1987
Nell is concerned that some of her fellow co-workers are being laid off, so she sets up her bosses daughter with Joey. Meanwhile Joey becomes very close with the girl and starts skirting family functions.
Episode 21
Parents' Week: Part 1
Tue, Mar 31, 1987
Sam doesn't want Nell to go to parents week but Nell shows up anyway. Sam announces she is dropping out of school to get married.
Episode 22
Parents' Week: Part 2
Tue, Apr 7, 1987
Nell is still at the college. She tries to get Eric & Sam to stay in college. Nell butts heads with a professor.
Episode 23
Save the Church
Tue, Apr 28, 1987
When Nell learns that the church where her father preached is being torn down, she goes back to Alabama to try and save it.
Episode 24
Someday My Prince...
Tue, May 5, 1987
Nell goes out on a date with an African prince.
Episode 25
Mama's Date
Tue, May 12, 1987
Nell tries to interfere in her mother's love life.