Julia Sugarbaker, Mary Jo Shively, Charlene Frazier-Stillfield and Suzanne Sugarbaker are associates at their design firm, Sugarbaker and Associates. Julia is the owner and is very outspoken and strong-willed. Mary Jo is a divorced single-parent whom is just as strong-willed as Julia, but isn't as self-confident. Charlene is the naive and trusting farm girl from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Suzanne is the self-centered ex-beauty queen whom has a number of wealthy ex-husbands.
Reservations for 12, Plus Ursula (Episode 1)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1988-11-14
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A voluptuous maid disrupts a romantic Thanksgiving at the beach.
The Candidate (Episode 2)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1988-11-21
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Julia runs for a seat on the local board of commissioners, but her outspokenness may cost her the election.
E.P. Phone Home (Episode 3)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1988-11-28
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: While touring Graceland on VIP tickets, Julia is touched when a truck driver tells how the King influenced his life.
Getting Married and Eating Dirt (Episode 4)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1988-12-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Bernice asks the ladies to be her wedding attendants when she receives a marriage proposal from a TV pitchman -- who habitually proposes to every woman he meets.
Big Haas and Little Falsie (Episode 5)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1988-12-12
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Mary-Jo contemplates breast enlargement after receiving an inheritance from her uncle Dude stipulating that she must spend it on something frivolous.
Hard Hats and Lovers (Episode 6)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1988-12-19
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Suzanne convinces Charlene that Bill should date more before they get serious, and the ladies plan revenge on a bunch of sexist hardhats working across the street.
But They're Really Great Curtains (Episode 7)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-01-02
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Striking laborers from a textile factory besiege the company, and the Sugarbakers women come to respect them for surviving their terrible working conditions.
The Wilderness Experience (Episode 8)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-01-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The women embark on a wilderness survival course designed to build leadership -- but it's first-time camper Bernice who ultimately takes command.
Tyrone (Episode 9)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-01-16
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Acting as surrogate brother a troubled youth, Anthony remembers his own painful childhood, and when Julia puts her trust in Anthony's juvenile charge, it only gets her photo on the evening news.
Mr. Bailey (Episode 10)
Air date: 1989-01-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The designers are determined that a recently deceased client's last wish be honored -- to leave her millions (and the ladies' prepaid services) to her cat.
The Naked Truth (Episode 11)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-02-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Mary Jo, Charlene and Anthony feign nonchalance at a nudist colony, the Sugarbakers' nieces visit.
The Junies (Episode 12)
Air date: 1989-02-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Charlene becomes a part-time saleswoman for ""Lady Jun"" cleaning products, and when she repeatedly succumbs to psychological pressure from her friend Libby despite her stated intention to quit, Julia determines to rescue her from this ""cult"" -- and winds up taking on Lady Jun herself. Meanwhile, Anthony receives an unusual nomination from his junior college -- as homecoming queen -- and gets unexpected support from Suzanne.
One Sees, the Other Doesn't (Episode 13)
Air date: 1989-02-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Suzanne didn't spend one week and $2,000 at a spa to be asked out by a blind client who can't appreciate her radiance -- especially since she finds it difficult to believe that he is attracted by her personality.
Odell (Episode 14)
Air date: 1989-03-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Sugarbakers becomes the site of a Southern family feud after Charlene's brother arrives and announces he is marrying the daughter of a longtime family rival, Anthony partners Bernice in a dance contest.
Full Moon (Episode 15)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-03-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A full moon coincides with strange occurrences, including Mary Jo's sudden conviction that Claudia and her boyfriend are up to no good.
Ms. Meal Ticket (Episode 16)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-03-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Mary-Jo overreacts to J.D.'s losing his job and moving in with her, but a psychic helps her sort out her feelings.
The Engagement (Episode 17)
Air date: 1989-03-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Charlene, now happily engaged, dreads meeting Bill's intimidating mother and aunt, Mary Jo gives the dating game another try, with a much younger man.
Come On and Marry Me, Bill (Episode 18)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-04-10
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Charlene's wedding is in jeopardy when she finds Bill handcuffed to a scantily clad dancer after his stag party.
The Women of Atlanta (Episode 19)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-05-01
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A photographer shooting a magazine spread on the women of Atlanta asks the decorators to participate, but they become suspicious when he keeps encouraging sexier poses.
Stand and Fight (Episode 20)
Air date: 1989-05-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: When Mary Jo is mugged, the Sugarbaker women take a self-defense course.
The Last Humorously-Dressed Bellboy in America (Episode 21)
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Air date: 1989-05-15
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: When she discovers him working as a bellboy/pianist, the accountant who absconded with her life savings offers Suzanne a deal.
Julia Drives Over the First Amendment (Episode 22)
Air date: 1989-05-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A nearby newsstand selling pornography offends Julia, to the point where she drives her car straight through it, and pits her against an equally determined publisher in the ensuing court battle.
