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9 Episodes 2001 - 2001
Episode 1
Tue, Mar 27, 2001 30 mins
In the series pilot, Jake (Kyle Chandler) proposes to Joan (Joan Cusack). Ardor that intense freaks Joan out, so for advice and counsel she seeks out her friends Betsy (Jessica Hecht), a fellow teacher, and Ruby (Donna Murphy). Alice: Kellie Williams. Mark: Wallace Langham.
Episode 2
Tue, Apr 3, 2001 30 mins
Joan (Joan Cusack) wants to discuss "everything" with Jake (Kyle Chandler) to clear the air for their "perfect relationship." The first topic, religion, is a breeze. Then comes sex, which is not a breeze. Meanwhile, Joan's psychiatrist friend Ruby (Donny Murphy) decides to do a favor for their mutual friend Betsy (Jessica Hecht). She'll engage Betsy's noncommittal boyfriend Mark (Wallace Langham) in furtive therapy in hopes of getting him to commit.
Episode 3
Tue, Apr 10, 2001 30 mins
Betsy, tired of waiting, decides to propose to Mark (Wallace Langham). So Jake suggests she treat it as a business proposition, and gives her "a quick lesson in the art of negotiation." Meanwhile, Ruby's book ("Solid Food for Thought: A Midwestern Guide to Mental Health") is published; and the kids in Joan's Shakespeare class cheat on a test. John: Weston Mueller. Bob: Bruce Jarchow. Brad: Craig Cackowski.
Episode 4
Tue, Apr 17, 2001 30 mins
Jake's reluctant to introduce his parents (Ron Dean, Stefanie Powers) to Joan. "They're the most judgmental people alive," he tells her after they do meet (and hit it off badly). So she invites them to dinner in a frenzied effort to make a good second impression. But it's Alice (Kellie Williams) who makes the good impression. Jake: Kyle Chandler. Betsy: Jessica Hecht. Ruby: Donna Murphy. Mark: Wallace Langham. Sergei: Misha Kuznetsov.
Episode 5
Tue, Apr 24, 2001 30 mins
Joan's speech team wins the state championship---and a trip to San Francisco. But then the School Board cuts its funding, and the funding for all other school activities, and the teachers vie with each other to get their money back. Meanwhile, a student (Aaron Himelstein) develops a crush on Ruby (Donna Murphy), and isn't shy about letting her know. Coach: Cedric Young. Chairwoman: Meg Thalken.
Episode 6
Tue, May 1, 2001 30 mins
Joan's older sister, Ann (Ann Cusack, Joan Cusack's real-life sister), visits, and Joan wants to make sure she and Jake hit it off. "I don't want to get you nervous," Joan tells him. "Her judgment is everything to me." Meanwhile, Ruby is dating a "cowboy" (Joe Petcka); and Betsy and Mark, who had broken up, "start clean" as a couple. Student: Aaron Himelstein.
Episode 7
Tue, May 8, 2001 30 mins
Joan is consumed by jealousy while Jake is off at his company's weekend retreat. It seems that the motivational speaker (Rose McGowan) has her eye on him, and she's anything but shy about it. In fact, she tells her friend Alice that she intends to have "freaky sex" with the clueless Jake. Alice: Kellie Williams. Russ: Rich Talarico. Jennifer: Maia Madison. Betsy: Jessica Hecht. Ruby: Donna Murphy. Mark: Wallace Langham.
Episode 8
Tue, May 15, 2001 30 mins
Jake's down in the dumps so Joan has him see a shrink---Ruby (Donna Murphy), who, it happens, is more depressed than he is. Her problem: her lifelong drive for academic success caused her to abandon her desire to be a singer. Steve: Daniel Allar. Piano Man: Scott Rankel.
Episode 9
Tue, May 22, 2001 30 mins
It's "I do" time, but it's not Joan who's getting married. It's Betsy and Mark (Jessica Hecht and Wallace Langham), a match few think is made in Heaven. Meanwhile, the heavens seem to have doubts as well: a blizzard is keeping Betsy from getting to the church on time. Herman: Adam Tanguay. Minister: Howard Platt.