Duet

Apr 19, 1987

Mystery writer Ben Coleman develops writer's block after falling for a woman--a fictional character in his latest detective story. He briefly bumps into caterer Laura Kelly at the supermarket, and becomes convinced that she is the fantasy woman he had conjured up in his story. The two finally meet formally at a wedding (she is catering the affair for the groom--her ex-boyfriend; he was dragged there as a favor to his best friend Richard), and immediately hit it off.

Apr 19, 1987

During the reception, Ben sends the busy Laura a romantic poem written on a napkin, and then joins her in the kitchen. They share a dance at the end of the evening. A few days later, Ben calls and sets up a date, thrilling both Laura and her overly enthusiastic sister Jane. Richard--who has forgotten his anniversary--pleads with Ben to double-date with him and his fuming wife, Linda, in the hopes that the other couple's presence will cause her to show some restraint. Richard and Linda wind up getting into a screaming match in the restaurant and later make up (and make out) in the car in front of a bewildered Ben and Laura. Ben later calls Laura, and they are able to salvage the evening by continuing their date over the phone.

Apr 26, 1987

Ben and Laura spend three hours talking on the phone before finally saying good-night. Ben is so ecstatic that he races over to Laura's apartment the next morning with gifts. Laura find this a bit off-putting, and is disgusted to learn that he called her ex-boyfriend Kevin to get tips on Laura's likes and dislikes. She wants nothing to do with Ben, but Jane tries to convince her to give him another chance. Ben apologizes, and they decide to begin dating. Laura wants to take things slow, but they wind up going out every night for a week. Laura fears that she will lose her independence and tells Ben that she wants to back off for a while. Both are left lonely and miserable, and Ben drives Richard and Linda crazy as he spends all of his time with them. Laura comes over to tell Ben that she has changed her mind, and they share a kiss.

May 3, 1987

May 10, 1987

May 17, 1987

May 24, 1987

A beautiful ""old friend"" of Ben's comes to town and wants to stay at his place.

May 24, 1987

May 31, 1987

Jun 7, 1987

Jun 14, 1987

Jun 21, 1987

Jun 28, 1987

Sep 26, 1987

Oct 3, 1987

Oct 10, 1987

Oct 17, 1987

Oct 25, 1987

Nov 1, 1987

Nov 8, 1987

Nov 15, 1987

Nov 22, 1987

Nov 29, 1987

Dec 13, 1987

Jan 17, 1988

Jan 24, 1988

Feb 7, 1988

Feb 14, 1988

Feb 21, 1988

Feb 28, 1988

Linda goes into labor and freaks out once she's at the hospital.

Mar 6, 1988

Mar 13, 1988

Mar 20, 1988

May 1, 1988

Jul 10, 1988

Oct 30, 1988

Nov 6, 1988

Nov 13, 1988

Nov 20, 1988

Nov 27, 1988

Dec 11, 1988

The guys blame Richard's terrible play for their lack of success on the softball field, and pressure manager Ben to ask him to leave the team. Ben cannot bring himself to do this because softball seems to mean so much to his friend. The other players also fail in their attempt to give Richard the boot (because he feeds them seafood), and the team continues to rack up losses. After an especially embarrassing outing, Richard realizes that he is a horrible player and offers to leave. The team's fortunes don't improve after Richard's departure, so the guys ask him to come back. Meanwhile, a bemused Linda tries to fulfill Amanda's request that she sing to her.

Dec 18, 1988

Jan 15, 1989

Jan 29, 1989

Linda's wheelchair-bound sister comes to town to collect a Woman of the Year Award, but she decides to decline after helplessly witnessing a mugging.

Feb 5, 1989

Feb 12, 1989

Feb 19, 1989

Feb 26, 1989

Mar 12, 1989

Mar 26, 1989

Apr 9, 1989

Apr 23, 1989

Apr 30, 1989

May 7, 1989