Storyline
The family life, romantic life, and career of Martin Tupper, a divorced New York City book editor. The show distinctively interjected clips from older black and white television series to punctuate Tupper's feelings or thoughts.
Episodes
Specials
No overview available for this season.
Season 1
No overview available for this season.
The First Episode
Jul 08, 1990
Martin Tupper, New York book editor and product of the first television generation, faces a crisis: his ex-wife-to-be, Judith, is demanding that he sign their divorce papers so that she can re-marry. Should he try to win her back, or is it time to get back in the dating game?
Death Takes a Coffee Break
Jul 15, 1990
Martin, while fooling around with a much younger college girl (an Eddie Charles hook-up), ends up in the hospital. His doctor instructs him to change his lifestyle around to prevent another (possibly worse) incident. Top of the list? Cut out caffeine. Of course, he receives a lot of ridicule as he goes about this.
Sex and the Single Father
Jul 22, 1990
Worried that the divorce is the cause of Jeremy's poor concentration at school, Judith tells Martin that it's actually because of a crush on his teacher. After some wrangling with Judith, it's left to Martin to have 'the talk'.
Sole Sister
Jul 29, 1990
Initially overjoyed by a whirlwind visit from his globe-trotting baby sister 'Beano', Martin finds it difficult to accept that she's more grown up than he imagined; and unfortunately, his best friend Eddie is part of the problem.
Angst for the Memories
Aug 05, 1990
After being admonished by an old school friend for not becoming a famous writer, Martin feels galvanized to pick up the quill again—but are his central characters a little too close to home?
...And Sheep Are Nervous
Aug 12, 1990
Martin accidentally finds himself dating a controlling, unstable woman.
Over Your Dead Body
Aug 19, 1990
In order to secure a much-needed vacation, Martin seduces a grieving widow for a tawdry book.
Martin Gets Lucky
Aug 26, 1990
Martin dates a witch, and good things can't stop happening to him. Then Eddie needs surgery.
Three Coins in the Dryer
Sep 02, 1990
Martin bumps into a passionate woman in the laundry room, and she takes him for the ride of his life.
Trojan War
Sep 09, 1990
Martin decides to take an STD test so he can go condom-less with his girlfriend. Toby has a litter of puppies in the office.
Up the River
Sep 16, 1990
Martin and Nina's relationship comes to a head when her environmental activism goes too far.
555-HELL
Sep 23, 1990
Bored after breaking up with Nina, Martin is phoning anybody and everybody when he accidentally takes a call meant for the suicide helpline.
Doing the Bossa Nova
Sep 30, 1990
Martin's new boss puts him in several compromising positions.
Premarital Ex
Oct 07, 1990
Judith worries about her upcoming marriage. Martin tries to console her.
Season 2
No overview available for this season.
The Second Greatest Story Ever Told (1)
Jul 07, 1991
During the filming of a movie about Judith's husband, Martin falls for the actress playing Judith, and Judith falls for the actor playing Richard.
The Second Greatest Story Ever Told (2)
Jul 07, 1991
Conclusion. Things heat up on the set of the Richard Stone biography, as the stars fall for each other.
And Your Little Dog, Too
Jul 14, 1991
Australians have bought Whitestone, and great change is in the air. Gibby Fiske makes his first appearance as the new boss at Whitestone, and he doesn't want to publish literature.
The 37-Year Itch
Jul 21, 1991
Cousin Phil visits, and informs Martin that he has split up with his wife (shrew). While in Martin's office, Phil sees Toby for the first time, and is smitten. Phil begs, and Martin helps Phil pursue Toby.
Calling the Kettle Black
Jul 28, 1991
Martin, while putting away Jeremy's laundry, comes across an adult magazine and a joint. Martin informs Judith, and they agree that Martin will have a talk with Jeremy.
Futile Attraction
Aug 04, 1991
Martin goes to therapy for his performance problems, where he meets another patient with whom he begins a potentially volatile relationship.
No, I'm Just Happy to See You
Aug 11, 1991
Martin and Eddie are mugged, twice, after which Martin decides to protect himself with his 2nd amendment rights.
What I Did for Lust
Aug 18, 1991
Eddie sets up Martin with the "ugly" sister to further his own advances toward his production assistant.
Play Melville for Me
Aug 25, 1991
Martin gets his own TV show, "Book Beat," on public access cable station Q.
To Have and Have and Have and Have Not
Sep 01, 1991
Martin's old flame dances into town and upends his life.
Pants on Fire
Sep 08, 1991
Martin admits having an affair; Jeremy takes disastrous advice on how to play spin the bottle.
The Charlotte Letter
Sep 15, 1991
Martin's latest fling, Charlotte, reveals more of her past than he's comfortable with.
The Name of the Game Is Five-Card Stud
Sep 22, 1991
The office gang invites Gibby to their "friendly" poker party.
So Funny I Forgot to Laugh (aka Stop It, You're Killing Me)
Sep 29, 1991
Martin connects with his friend Bonnie, who is trying to become a comedienne. However, after her act bombs, she uses material from her relationship with Martin, making him uncomfortable, forcing him to end the relationship.
Toby or Not Toby
Oct 06, 1991
Martin takes Toby to his Aunt Minnie's wake on her birthday.
Season 3
No overview available for this season.
And Bimbo Was His Name-O (1)
Jun 06, 1992
Martin's romance with Sandra comes to an abrupt halt when he learns that she is the wife of a candidate for the Senate.
And Bimbo Was His Name-O (2)
Jun 06, 1992
Martin decides to date Sandra regardless of the consequences.
Nightmare on Bleecker Street
Jun 13, 1992
Toby is plagued by nightmares in which she murders Martin in gruesome scenes of violence.
For Peter's Sake
Jun 20, 1992
Gibby convinces a reluctant Martin that the big Xmas book should be the memoirs of a gay man dying of AIDS.
Terms of Employment
Jun 27, 1992
Martin is told he will have to take a pay cut, so he quits his job, only to find things are even worse elsewhere.
For Richard or for Poorer
Jul 04, 1992
When Richard misses his and Judith's second anniversary, she confides to Martin that all is not well in their marriage.
Bad Girls
Jul 11, 1992
Martin decides that Jeremy's tough and sarcastic new girlfriend Clair is a bad influence and forbids him from seeing her.
Here Comes the Bribe
Jul 18, 1992
Martin convinces Toby to marry Gibby so that he can get his green card, but becomes annoyed when the wedding plans disrupt her work.
May Divorce Be with You
Jul 25, 1992
When Martin's parents arrive for Jeremy's thirteenth birthday, they announce they are getting a divorce.
Come and Knock on Our Door...
Aug 01, 1992
Eddie invites Martin to a Talk Show Digest awards night, where they are both approached by a beautiful woman called Alisha.
B.S. Elliot
Aug 08, 1992
Martin runs into his hero, author Elliot Sterns (Patrick MacNee) and manages to spoil a romantic evening out.
What Women Want
Aug 15, 1992
Martin's new girlfriend has just come out of a bad relationship. She and her former lover, Ryan, had many problems before their breakup. But now Ryan is trying to rekindle their relationship despite her new relationship with Martin. Now Martin finds himself competing against her former lover, and Ryan has qualities that may be more than Martin can compete with.
Red All Over
Aug 22, 1992
Martin has a great date with Jeanette, a writer's agent who happens to be black.
The Rocky Marriage Picture Show
Aug 29, 1992
When Judith convinces Martin its time to split up their photographs, they take a trip down memory lane.
Martin Over Medium
Sep 05, 1992
After having had lunch with a fellow editor, Martin is shocked to find him dead at his desk.
Theory of Relativity
Sep 12, 1992
A Blumberg family reunion has everyone's nerves on edge.
Up All Night
Sep 19, 1992
Martin plans for a weekend break are dashed.
The Guilty Party
Sep 26, 1992
Martin courts disaster when he throws a raucous bachelor party.
The Son Also Rises
Oct 03, 1992
Martin overreacts when he suspects that Jeremy has begun to have sex.
Domestic Bliss
Oct 10, 1992
Martin falls for Judith's new housekeeper (Salma Hyack).
It Came from Beneath the Sink
Oct 17, 1992
Martin does battle with a rat.
No Deposit, No Return
Oct 24, 1992
Ellen, a beautiful writer of Martin's, asks him to her apartment, with an unusual request that he conceive a child with her. After talking it over with Jude, he accepts under the impression that he'll get to make love to her, but she only wants him to donate semen.
To the Moon, Alex!
Oct 31, 1992
Gibby foists his possibly illegitimate son and Whitestone's newest editor upon Martin - Alex Farmer. Toby takes an immediate dislike to Alex and his secretary Skylar.
The Undergraduate
Nov 07, 1992
Martin is seeing a college girl, but then he meets her mother and has a crush on her. The only problem he has to overcome now is that she hates him.
Dance Ten, Sex Three
Nov 14, 1992
Following directly from the previous episode, all of Martin's hopes seem shattered when Kate appears unimpressed, but, touched by his clumsy attempt at romance, she finally accepts his offer of a date . . .
Key for Two
Nov 21, 1992
Everything seems to be going great in one of Martin's relationships. He and Kate couldn't be happier, and they plan on living together at Martin's apartment.
Season 4
No overview available for this season.
Oral Sex, Lies, and Video Tape
Jun 02, 1993
Martin gets a new video camera and inadvertently videotapes children's television celebrity Uncle Bouncy committing a sex act with a prostitute in a public alleyway. Martin opts to caution Bouncy himself about his behavior in person before turning the tape over to him. But, Bouncy's abusive and intransigent attitude convinces him to sell the offending footage to Eddie for broadcast on his show.
The French Conception
Jun 09, 1993
Martin needs to find a tenant for his empty apartment in a hurry when the other tenants renege on their agreement to move in. Meanwhile, Julie is pregnant by a French exchange student and she asks Martin to pay for an abortion. Kate confronts Martin when a bill comes from the gynecologist.
Depth Be Not Proud
Jun 16, 1993
Martin is disgusted by the quality of the books Gibby is forcing him to edit, and his lack of appreciation. Meanwhile, Eddie is fired from his talk show and his wife Jeanette leaves him on the same day. Eddie begins to reassess his life and Martin encourages him to make a change, proposing they collaborate on creating an up market magazine.
Pop Secret
Jun 23, 1993
Martin's divorced father Mickey comes back to live in New York. Martin fixes him up with Toby's mom Angie on a dinner date. He takes her home, but to Toby's irritation ‘does nothing' to her. Martin visits the one- bedroom apartment Mickey is sharing with apartment owner Roger.
Reach out and Touch Yourself
Jun 30, 1993
Martin finds his bar mitzvah bonds in a closet and suddenly has extra cash. Toby encourages him to invest $5,000 in a fledgling business she is setting up offering stock tips over the phone, 555-TIPS. The business goes terribly, until a wrong number mistakes it for an S&M phone-sex chat line and stays on for hours. Seeing where the real money is, Toby employs the services of her family – Gina, Angie – in order to cover the phones.
Home Sweet Homeboy
Jul 07, 1993
Andre Williams, a militant black writer of Martin's, bemoans the lack of publicity for his new book ‘Yo! Homeboy', so Martin gets him a slot on Eddie's show. The appearance is a disaster, as Andre accuses Eddie of being ‘the world's whitest black dude'. Shortly thereafter, Eddie makes some changes in his life, trying to increase his 'blackness.'
A Midsummer Night's Dream On
Jul 14, 1993
Martin, Eddie and Judith meet up at a secluded cabin for a reunion with old friends. Martin has ongoing mutual antipathy with Allison, an old writing rival who has since gone onto fame and success as an author. Eddie is anxious at seeing Cara - a woman he slept with once and never called again, although on first meeting she doesn't recognise him except from his TV show.
The Book, the Thief, Her Boss and His Lover
Jul 21, 1993
The beautiful widow of a famous author brings a new unpublished novel by her late husband to Martin with the one caveat that he cannot reveal the true origin of the book, thus giving Toby the opportunity to accept the kudos for the bestseller.
Super Freak
Jul 28, 1993
It's summer, and New York is experiencing a chronic heatwave. Martin is sweltering in his apartment due to broken air-conditioning. He seeks out his building's new super, a gorgeous woman named Debra. After fixing the fan, the two of them go all the way in torrid fashion, and all is well until . . .
One Ball, Two Strikes
Aug 04, 1993
It's the Whitestone office party, and Martin is less than thrilled to be there, until he notices a hottie making eyes at him from across the room. He gets to know the woman, Alannah, better during the evening. Afterwards, Martin bumps into Gibby and is surprised when he shows off Alannah as his latest plaything. In the days following, Martin is paranoid that Gibby suspects he and Alannah are carrying on behind his back.
Portrait by an Artist on the Young Man
Aug 11, 1993
When Jeremy visits his dad's apartment to watch a movie, Martin isn't happy to discover he's had a tattoo of a skull done on his arm. Judith drops by with Jeremy's bag and Martin brings the tattoo to her attention, but she is slightly less vocal in her condemnation than Martin. Judith asks Martin to talk rationally with Jeremy, but Martin decides that punishment is a better response.
And Bobby Makes Three
Aug 18, 1993
Martin is excited by the prospect of hooking up with an old school friend who he bumps into at Judith's birthing class, but when the irresponsible father reappears on the scene, he suddenly has a rival.
Silent Night, Holy Cow (1)
Dec 18, 1993
Martin and Judith take a pre-Xmas drive and get stranded in a barn, Eddie is stood up by a girlfriend and spends Xmas in a bar with Santa Claus, Toby wants to become a nun and Jeremy's special Xmas present from his girlfriend doesn't quite go according to plan.
Silent Night, Holy Cow (2)
Dec 18, 1993
Martin and Judith take a pre-Xmas drive and get stranded in a barn, Eddie is stood up by a girlfriend and spends Xmas in a bar with Santa Claus, Toby wants to become a nun and Jeremy's special Xmas present from his girlfriend doesn't quite go according to plan.
Brother of the Bride
Jan 19, 1994
Martin's sister Susan wants to get married in a small ceremony without the family knowing. Nevertheless, the whole family ends up getting involved, planning a big wedding party.
Blinded by the Cheese
Jan 26, 1994
Martin is blinded in a bizarre accident.
Hey, Nanny Nanny
Feb 02, 1994
Martin's girlfriend takes a job as his ex-wife's nanny.
The Second Coming
Feb 09, 1994
Toby falls in love with a priest.
Martin Tupper in Magnum Farce
Feb 16, 1994
Trouble in their romantic relationship may spell the end of a book collaboration for two writers (Donna Mills and Jake Steinfeld), and it's up to Martin to help them work things out.
Where There's Smoke, You're Fired
Feb 23, 1994
Gibby takes a vacation, leaving Martin in charge of Whitestone with one simple condition – he has to fire one of the company's book editors. Judith is depressed when her patient commits suicide.
Blame It on Reo
Mar 02, 1994
Unbeknownst to Martin, Jeremy uses Eddie's empty bachelor pad to attempt to score with a hot teen TV star.
From Here to Paternity
Mar 09, 1994
Martin runs into old high school love Cheryl Castorini, but suspects she may be keeping a secret about their former relationship from him.
A Face Worse Than Death
Mar 16, 1994
Martin's irritating mother comes to New York for plastic surgery, but things take a turn for the worst when she has a heart attack on the operating table.
Felines ... Nothing More Than Felines
Mar 23, 1994
Martin tries to cheer Toby up when her cat dies by buying her a replacement. When she refuses the gift, he has to keep the pet himself.
Stone Cold
Mar 30, 1994
Richard, Judith, Jeremy and the baby are moving to Washington D.C. Martin is despondent, but events take an unexpected turn.
Season 5
No overview available for this season.
The Taking of Pablum 5-2-3 (1)
Jun 22, 1994
A brother and sister screenwriting duo kidnap Little Richard and Martin from the Richard Stone UN Memorial Service, but the police assume Martin is the one responsible for the crime.
The Taking of Pablum 5-2-3 (2)
Jun 29, 1994
It's Richard Stone Memorial Day. It's also Martins Birthday, But no one cares. Martin and lil' baby Richard are kidnapped, and the media believe that Martin is the kidnapper.
'Tis Pity She's a Neighbor
Jul 06, 1994
Martin's pleasure at having attractive new female neighbors is mitigated when he discovers that they are prostitutes.
Steinway to Heaven
Jul 13, 1994
Martin's mother's will is read.
Judy and the Beast
Jul 20, 1994
Martin is revolted when a fragile Judith falls into the arms of his hated boss Gibby Fiske.
The Homecoming Queen
Jul 27, 1994
Martin and Eddie attend their school reunion, where Martin is eager to make up for lost opportunities with a recently-separated old flame.
I'm with Stupid
Aug 03, 1994
Martin feels inferior when he begins dating a member of high IQ society MENSA.
Attack of the 59-Inch Woman
Aug 10, 1994
Toby nurses Martin back to health.
Those Who Can't, Edit
Aug 17, 1994
Gibby desires to publish Jeremy's novel.
Off-Off Broadway Bound
Aug 24, 1994
Eddie plays the lead role in Martin's play.
Hack Like Me
Aug 31, 1994
Gibby hires Toby after she is fired by Martin.
I Never Promised You Charoses, Martin
Sep 07, 1994
Martin tries to get his son to convert to Judaism.
The Courtship of Martin's Father
Sep 14, 1994
Mickey (Martin's father) moves into Martin's place.
Season 6
No overview available for this season.
Try Not to Remember
Jul 19, 1995
Martin has trouble climaxing and is referred to a therapist. Through hypnotism, she leads him to suspect he is repressing the memory of childhood abuse.
Bess You Is Not My Woman Now
Jul 26, 1995
Martin tries to seduce Judith's best friend from college, but she only has eyes for someone else…
Long Distance Runaround
Aug 02, 1995
Martin looks for a new best friend, after Eddie decides to move to LA to join a sitcom.
Significant Author
Aug 09, 1995
Under pressure from Gibby to get an elite writer, Martin attempts to lure the writer dating Toby (who coincidentally, is an award-winning author).
9 1/2 Days
Aug 16, 1995
Martin dates a woman that acts strange in public, and yet, is an etiquette expert.
Beam Me Up, Dr. Spock
Aug 23, 1995
Jeremy's math teacher is the cause for Jeremy's low math grade.
Take Two Tablets, and Get Me to Mt. Sinai
Aug 30, 1995
Martin's life is examined after he dies.
Music in My Veins (1)
Sep 13, 1995
After Jeremy chooses to go to Richard Stone's induction into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame instead of with Martin on a Father's Day canoeing trip, Martin reluctantly tags along. In typical Tupper fashion, he goes home with a girl named Katrina that he meets there. It turns out that she has 2 interesting, but related surprises for Martin.
Music in My Veins (2)
Sep 20, 1995
This picks up with Martin and Katrina struggling to write songs for the new Crevice album. Katrina suffers from a light writer's block, and ends up taking inspiration from Martin's college poetry. Crevice breaks up over the creative changes, and Katrina debuts her first single as a solo artist on Eddie's show. The fan's are not pleased.
Tie Me Sister Lu Down, Sport
Sep 27, 1995
Martin's building goes co-op, and to be able to afford purchasing his apartment/condo, he dates Gibby's insane sister.
She Won't Do It, But Her Sister Will
Oct 04, 1995
Martin dates Judith's sister.
Flight of the Pedalbee
Oct 11, 1995
Toby is in a rut. Uses self-help book.
Am I Blue?
Oct 18, 1995
Martin needs to make some quick money, so he writes for pornographic movies.
Home Is Where the Cart Is
Nov 01, 1995
Martin tries to get a homeless woman's memoirs.
Little Orphan Eddie
Nov 08, 1995
Eddie learns that he was adopted.
Toby's Choice
Nov 15, 1995
Martin's friend likes Toby.
The Weekend at the College Didn't Turn Out Like They Planned
Nov 22, 1995
Martin and Judith visit Jeremy at college. Sparks ignite.
Second Time Aground
Jan 24, 1996
With their relationship rekindled, Judith suggests that she and Martin join a support group for couples on their second time around.
The Spirit of 76th & Park
Jan 31, 1996
Martin moves into Judith's high-tech apartment.
All About Louie
Feb 07, 1996
Gibby picks Martin to represent Whitestone at the Chicago Book Fair, informing him with one weeks notice. This means a ton of extra work and pregnant Toby doesn't really feel up to it, so Martin suggests they take on a temp to lighten the load. Toby offers up her cousin Louie, and although initially reluctant, Martin assents, giving him a trial period to prove himself.
The Way We War
Feb 14, 1996
Flashback episode: Martin's fortieth birthday is approaching fast and Eddie insists on throwing him a party. Unfortunately, Judith is planning a party of her own thus bringing them into conflict. Martin suggests compromise by urging them to plan the party together. As they argue over the details, they reminisce over their past disagreements.
Springtime for Tupper
Feb 21, 1996
At a Salary Review Meeting, Gibby has some good news for Martin; Martin's to be put in charge of his own division at Whitestone, a quality publishing imprint called Camelot New Press. Things get off to a bad start however when the first round of author interviews yield nothing. Through a quirk of fate, Martin remembers an old manuscript he admired, ‘The Barrel Maker' by Julian Keppel and stays up all night reading it. He contacts the emotionally fragile author and promises to make it Whitestone's next bestseller.
Hey Diddle Diddle
Feb 28, 1996
Martin thinks things are getting out of hand after Judith discovers "some little tricks" to improve her sex life.
Cupid Is as Cupid Does
Mar 06, 1996
Judith plans a dinner party for their couple friends, so she suggests that Martin not invite currently single Eddie. When Eddie finds out, he makes Martin feel guilty until he invites him, but the evening doesn't go well. Eddie has nothing in common with the couples and so he storms out. Next day, Martin and Judith meet a recently separated friend, Rema, whom Martin invites to their apartment for dinner, planning to also invite Eddie and match them up. Eddie begins spending all his time with Rema and hardly sees Martin.
Tenants, Anyone?
Mar 13, 1996
Martin's old apartment is becoming a huge money pit, costing him exorbitant maintenance fees and so he resolves to get rid of it. He has a meeting with Irwin Bader who isn't optimistic of getting much over $1,500, even though he sold it to Martin for $2,400. Libby expresses an interest on behalf of her son, but Martin passes on the idea.
Finale (1)
Mar 20, 1996
Preparing for Eddie's wedding, Martin questions whether or not he has a future with Judith.
Finale with a Vengeance (2)
Mar 27, 1996
Martin and Judith learn Dr. Stone might be defrosted and revived.