Growing Pains (1985)
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Alan Thicke as Jason Seaver
Episodes 166
Pilot
Maggie goes back to work as a journalist, prompting psychologist Jason to move his office into their home so he can keep his eye on the kids. Things don't get off to a great start: the first night he gets a call from the police that Mike has been picked up for illegally driving a car.
Read MoreSpringsteen
Jason embarrasses Mike at a Bruce Springsteen concert when they are interviewed together.
Read MoreCarol's Article
Maggie gives an honest assessment of Carol's writing of an article for her school magazine; Mike and Ben discover track betting.
Read MoreMike's Madonna Story
Mike's infatuation with a Madonna look-alike worries Maggie.
Read MoreWeekend Fantasy
Jason and Maggie want to go to a mountain lodge for a weekend, but are reluctant to leave the kids alone.
Read MoreSlice of Life
Coming across a compatibility test in Jason's office, Maggie decides she and Jason should fill it out, but her answers don't tab with his. Meanwhile, Mike feigns interest in karate when his real goal is a girl attending the course.
Read MoreCarol's Crush
Carol develops a crush on a family friend, who thinks of her as his little sister.
Read MoreStandardized Test
Mike doodles on his aptitude test and winds up with an IQ score of 27.
Read MoreA Christmas Story
A depressed department store Santa consulting Jason decides to commit suicide by leaping down the Seavers' chimney.
Read MoreThe Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver
Mike backs out of the family-bowling match so he can date a snobbish girlfriend.
Read MoreFirst Blood
Jason faces off against Ben's hockey coach, who's teaching the boys to play dirty; Mike learns ballroom dancing.
Read MoreSlice of Life II
Maggie casually mentions to Jason that she might be pregnant; Mike acts as a weekend servant to Ben; and Carol wants to divorce her class-project husband.
Read MoreThe Seavers vs. the Cleavers
The PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.
Read MoreCharity Begins at Home
Ben gives Jason a very expensive birthday present, causing speculation on how he can possibly afford it.
Read MoreReputation
Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.
Read MoreThe Anniversary That Never Was
Maggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.
Read MoreCareer Decision
Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.
Read MoreJason and the Cruisers
Maggie plans a surprise reunion for Jason's college rock band.
Read MoreFast Times at Dewey High
A new school year brings boredom, bullies, and romantic mix-ups.
Read MoreLong Day's Journey Into Night
A cheerleader befriends Carol solely to meet Mike.
Read MoreEmployee of the Month
Fired Mike hides the truth from his parents.
Read MoreDream Lover
Carol spreads rumors about herself and a "hunk".
Read MoreDo You Believe in Magic?
A con man sells Mike a "magic" rock.
Read MoreJason's Rib
A proposed school dress code puts Maggie and Jason at odds.
Read MoreThe Breakfast Club
Grounded liar Mike hears Maggie fibbing to her boss.
Read MoreHigher Education
A girl raises a grade for Mike, then demands payment.
Read MoreSome Enchanted Evening
The winter formal causes opposite problems for Carol and Mike.
Read MoreThank You, Willie Nelson
Maggie's quarreling parents come to visit the Seavers.
Read MoreThank God It's Friday
Mike and his friends go to a college party and have to decide whether to use drugs or not.
Read MoreMy Brother, Myself
Mike plays Cupid for smitten Ben and his baby sitter.
Read MoreJimmy Durante Died for Your Sins
Carol wants to use radio-contest winnings on a nose job.
Read MoreThe Awful Truth
A genealogy assignment unearths a dark family secret.
Read MoreThe Long Goodbye
Maggie wants Jason to fire the elderly handyman he hired to fix the furnace, but he refuses because the man is a friend.
Read MoreConfidentially Yours
Jason knows the editor offering Maggie a dream job is a notorious womanizer.
Read MoreTaking Care of Business
Mike uses double talk to sell stereos.
Read MoreNot Necessarily the News
The family scrambles to help find an out-of-work Maggie a job after she turns into Super Mom, preparing oversize meals and assigning new chores.
Read MoreMichaelgate
Mike is unaware that he's been nominated for student-body president because he's "a sure loser."
Read MoreBig Brother is Not Watching
Ben asks Carol's advice on getting a new bike from their parents.
Read MoreA Star is Born
A star is born when Mike lands a leading role in the school play opposite the lovely Monica.
Read MoreGone But Not Forgotten
Burglars hit the Seaver home.
Read MoreWho's Zoomin' Who?
Bobby's annoying habits make Carol look elsewhere for the man of her dreams -- just in time for her to notice a new student.
Read MoreThis is Your Life
During a tonsillectomy, Ben has an out-of-body experience, dreaming that he escapes with a friendly cabbie, only to find a new Ben has replaced him at home.
Read MoreBroadway Bound
After their success in the school play, Mike and Monica set their sights on a Broadway audition for ""Our Town.""
Read MoreThe Scarlet Letter
An unearned "A" makes Carol doubt her academic record.
Read MoreA Reason to Live
A troubled student named Jill (Kellie Overbey) volunteers to work on a school project with Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Boner (Josh Andrew Koenig). This, however, is a subterfuge: Jill has been contemplating suicide due to some very serious problems at home, and she hopes to get some free counseling from Mike's psychiatrist dad Jason (Alan Thicke). But as it turns out, Jason is presently weighed down with a few self-pity issues of his own.
Read MoreNasty Habits
Maggie and Jason try to keep Mike in his room to complete an English paper, but Mike's mind is of course elsewhere.
Read MoreThe Marrying Kind
Reason flies out the window when Bobby and his parents arrive at the Seavers' for dinner and a special announcement -- that Bobby and Carol are engaged.
Read MoreState of the Union
Maggie fumes over the many irritants that seem to be driving her and Jason apart -- until unexpected news sheds light on the situation.
Read MoreThe Mom Who Knew Too Much
Maggie and Carol share confidences at the beauty salon, but later Carol learns to her chagrin that a secret isn't safe with Maggie.
Read MoreGreat Expectations
A letter from the girl he met in Hawaii has Mike scheming to fly to Los Angeles to see her without his parents' knowing.
Read MoreDance Fever (1)
At the school dance, Mike gets a girl and Carol gets raked over the coals. Meanwhile, Ben's adventure goes awry.
Read MoreDance Fever (2)
Great expectations turn sour at the Dewey High dance after Mike hears Lydia's voice; and Ben and Stinky find themselves in a seedy diner eyeing a pinball machine that pays real money.
Read MoreBringing Up Baby
The Seavers begin to make room for baby, relegating Ben to the guest quarters and making the others lament the changes bound to come. Meanwhile, Maggie grasps for a way to tell her boss she is pregnant.
Read MoreThe Obscure Objects of Our Desire (1)
Spring-cleaning breathes new life into the family's household objects, and each has a story to tell (via flashbacks from past episodes).
Read MoreThe Obscure Objects of Our Desire (2)
Household objects continue to recall occasions in the Seaver home.
Read MoreHow the West Was Won (1)
Mike and Boner learn that Coach Lubbock has been fired, prompting them to organize a protest.
Read MoreHow the West Was Won (2)
Jason, Carol, Mike and Boner are arrested in the demonstration over the dismissal of Coach Lubbock.
Read MoreGraduation Day
At Mike's high-school graduation, family members recall moments when it seemed like his graduation would never take place.
Read MoreFool for Love
Ben gets spooked at the prospect of asking a girl to a Halloween party; Jason becomes a disruptive force at Lamaze class.
Read MoreBirth of a Seaver
Maggie goes into labor on Ben's 12th birthday and Ben confesses to a patient at the hospital that he's already feeling crowded.
Read MoreFamily Ties (1)
Mike has a showdown with Jason over his rights as an 18-year-old college student, and declares his freedom from parental rule.
Read MoreFamily Ties (2)
Landlord-tenant problems abound when Mike (Kirk Cameron) moves into the storage area over the family garage
Read MoreGuess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Jason sends his mother on a cruise to get her mind off her dead husband, but when she returns with a fiancé in tow, Jason finds it hard to accept the man who will "replace" his father.
Read MoreHomecoming Queen
Carol is chosen for homecoming court.
Read MoreNude Photos
Mike's photography course includes nude studies.
Read MoreBen's First Kiss
Ben throws a party to get to know a girl.
Read MoreIn Carol We Trust
Carol sneaks out of the house for a date.
Read MoreMom of the Year
Maggie prepares her "Working Mother of the Year" acceptance speech.
Read MoreSemper Fidelis
Boner flunks out of college and joins the Marines.
Read MoreFeet of Clay
Maggie arranges for Ben to meet his favorite rock musician.
Read MoreAnniversary from Hell
Guests bicker at the Seavers' 20th-anniversary party.
Read MoreFortunate Son
When Mike takes a job at a convenience store, his mother is worried about him working the dangerous night shift; but Mike is more concerned about the favoritism his racist boss shows him as one of the few white employees.
Read MoreDouble Standard
Jason punishes Carol and Ben unequally for the same offense when they are both caught after sneaking out for dates without permission.
Read MoreThe Recruiter
Carol doesn't want to attend her parents' alma mater.
Read MoreShow Ninety -- Who Knew?
Jason intervenes when Mike gets bad grades in psychology.
Read MoreSecond Chance
Carol's boyfriend is injured drinking and driving.
Read MoreThe Looooove Boat (1)
Jason's mother plans to wed aboard a cruise ship.
Read MoreThe Looooove Boat (2)
Jason tries to mend his mother's broken wedding plans.
Read MoreAnger With Love
Maggie opposes Mike and Julie's wedding plans.
Read MoreMike and Julie's Wedding
Julie and Mike suffer prenuptial jitters.
Read MoreCarol Meets the Real World
Jason tells Carol to get a job.
Read MoreCarol's Papers
An angry Jason confronts Ben and Mike, who gives conflicting versions of how Ben came to sell Carol's old term papers to students at Dewey High -- and to date a seductive 18-year-old.
Read MoreCoughing Boy
Mike is over the moon when he attends an open casting session and wins a part on a TV cop show -- and crushed when his single line is cut in the editing.
Read MoreThe New Deal (1)
Jason gets a promising job offer.
Read MoreThe New Deal (2)
Jason can't tell Maggie about the job offer.
Read MorePaper Route
Ben assumes Mike's paper route for half the money.
Read MoreFive Grand
Their grandparents give Mike, Carol and Ben $5,000 each.
Read MoreCarol's Promotion
Promoted at work, Carol decides against college.
Read MoreBen and Mike's Excellent Adventure
Mike takes Ben girl chasing.
Read MoreThe Triangle
Mike falls for his leading lady.
Read MoreThe Return of the Triangle
David turns to Mike for help with Kate.
Read MoreThe Home Show
The Seavers' reception to raise money for a free mental-health clinic spells disaster when they forget the date of the party and must scramble at the last minute for a caterer.
Read MoreJason vs. Maggie
Ben asks permission to get his ear pierced, which leads to a serious argument between his parents.
Read MoreMike, Kate and Julie
While on a Valentine's Day dinner date with Kate, Mike runs into Julie at the restaurant.
Read MoreMike, the Teacher
Mike goes to work as a substitute teacher.
Read MoreCarol in Jail
Carol lands in jail after a minor traffic violation.
Read MoreFuture Shock (a.k.a. Maggie's Dream)
Chrissy becomes a teenager in Maggie's dream, which is influenced by her fear of being an older parent in a sea of youngsters taking their kids to preschool.
Read MoreCheating (a.k.a. Ben Cheat's)
Ben weighs the pros and cons of cheating after he learns the tricks of the test-passing trade from sly schoolmate Vito.
Read MoreMike the Director
In a moment of introspection as he prepares to graduate, Mike wrestles with self-doubt about his ability as a director.
Read MoreWeekend at Mike's
With Jason's wallet missing, the Seavers must rely on others to provide them with room and board while their house is being fumigated.
Read MoreBen's Movie
Ben casts a girl he likes as the lead in his home movie.
Read MoreWhere There's a Will
Jason and Mike head off together to inspect the mountain cabin Jason has inherited from his Uncle George.
Read MoreMike's Choice
When Mike lands a role in an off-Broadway play, he leaves college to pursue acting full-time in New York City.
Read MoreMidnight Cowboy
Mike is broke and homeless in New York City.
Read MoreDaddy Mike
Mike and his friend Eddie schemingly join "Parents Without Mates" to meet women.
Read MoreBen's Sure Thing
At the school's Parents Night, the Seavers learn Ben's been telling his friends that the girl he's dating is promiscuous.
Read MoreJason Flirts, Maggie Hurts
A flirty Jason gets jealous when Maggie turns the tables.
Read MoreHappy Halloween (1)
The Seavers spend a rainy Halloween night telling ghost stories.
Read MoreHappy Halloween (2)
The Seavers spend a rainy Halloween night telling ghost stories.
Read MoreLet's Go Europe (1)
Jason buys an anniversary trip to Paris from travel agent Mike, who himself wins a European tour that falls apart; Maggie, in Paris, is struck with appendicitis.
Read MoreLet's Go Europe (2)
Maggie is hospitalized in Paris, while Mike finds himself stuck on the road with an angry customer.
Read MoreLet's Go Europe (3)
Mike and Amy continue to bicker their way toward Paris.
Read MoreDivorce Story
Jason, happy to see his mother's second marriage crumbling, doesn't want to provide her with professional help.
Read MoreThe World According to Chrissy
Chrissy starts spending much time with her imaginary friend, a six-foot-tall mouse named Ike.
Read MoreHow Could I Leave Her Behind?
Mike's friend Eddie shows up for a double date with Mike's ex-girlfriend.
Read MoreLike Father, Like Son
An an intrafamily communications seminar, Mike and Jason discover just how alike they are.
Read MoreBen's Rap Group
Jason becomes Ben's business partner in the management of a rap group, but uses the money he's invested to control Ben.
Read MoreEddie, We Hardly Knew Ye
Maggie's dad drops in for an unexpected visit, with news of his imminent death.
Read MoreMaggie Seaver's: The Meaning of Life
Jason takes Maggie on a tropical getaway to lift her spirits after her father's death, trusting Chrissy to Mike and Carol.
Read MoreAll the World is a Stage
Mike competes with a well-established actor for a role in a soap opera, learning how tenuous an acting career can be.
Read MoreNot With My Carol You Don't
Though Jason had an insensitive Carol pitch in at the clinic, he objects to her dating an ex-con she meets there.
Read MoreMeet the Seavers
In an homage to The Twilight Zone, Ben awakens to discover he's Jeremy Miller, an actor on the set of ""Meet the Cleavers"".
Read MoreCarol's Carnival
On a blind date shaping up as a disaster, Carol goes to the carnival, and finds unexpected fun and excitement.
Read MoreHome Schooling
Maggie teaches Ben at home after he is suspended from school.
Read MoreViva Las Vegas
Mike and Kate accompany the eloping Eddie and a hat-check bimbette to Las Vegas, giving Mike and Carol the wrong idea.
Read MoreBack to School
Mike teaches at an urban high school.
Read MoreStop, Luke, and Listen
Mike gets involved when he learns his prize pupil Luke is homeless.
Read MoreIn vino veritas
Mike persuades Jason and Maggie to let Luke stay with them temporarily; then Jason's wine cellar goes missing.
Read MorePaper Tigers
Jason and Maggie compete to write a newspaper column; Ben hates his glasses.
Read MoreThe Young and the Homeless
Mike gears up for his big day as a TV soap opera star just as Luke gears up to move out of the Seavers'.
Read MoreJason Sings the Blues
Luke is afraid to visit the doctor, so Jason accompanies him -- but it's Jason who turns out to need surgery.
Read MoreThe Kid's Still Got It
Carol accompanies Maggie to a resort, which turns out to be hosting a singles convention; meanwhile, the all-male weekend planned at home is ruined when Chrissy is set home with head lice.
Read MoreThere Must Be a Pony
Nouveau riche neighbors move in next door; Ben is forced to look after Luke on his first day of high school; Jason's scheme to let Chrissie stay up late backfires when the neighbors throw a lavish party.
Read MoreThe Big Fix
Consumer advocate Maggie raps a vacuum cleaner that Ben broke without telling her.
Read MoreHome Malone
The ghost of Maggie's father oversees the Seavers' visit to her childhood home.
Read MoreBad Day Cafe
While Jason and Maggie are away, the principal informs Mike that Luke's birth father is back in town -- and wants him back.
Read MoreIt's Not Easy Being Green
Christmas brings anger and angst to the Seavers.
Read MoreThe Call of the Wild
Penniless Mike schemes to give Kate a skiing trip.
Read MoreHonest Abe
Luke's homeless friend steals a Seaver momento.
Read MoreVicious Cycle
Maggie and Jason put Mike on the spot for Luke's curfew problems.
Read MoreMénage à Luke
A love triangle involves Ben, Luke and a classmate.
Read MoreThe Five Fingers of Ben
Tired of being bullies, Ben takes karate lessons.
Read MoreDon't Go Changin'
Mike thinks his friend is a bad influence on Luke.
Read MoreThe Truck Stops Here
Luke's father George visits the Seavers hoping that Luke has mellowed a little and would like to spend some time with him but Luke doesn't. He was about to leave when he collapses outside the door. He says that can't move, so they take him in. Jason and Ben offer to deliver his load, and they experience all sorts of chaos on the way. Mike thinks that George is faking his injury so that he could stay and Luke would have to talk to him. But the doctor tells Maggie who tells Mike that unless George stops driving trucks, he could become paralyzed. Mike talks to George and tells him to tell Luke but doesn't want Luke to pity him and doesn't anything else to do but be a trucker. Mike suggests that maybe he could open a truck stop. Luke finds George struggling to get up and they finally talk. The next day after Jason and Ben return, George tells them that he is giving up trucking and will open a truck stop and Luke's going with him. Luke says goodbye to the Seavers.
Read MoreMaggie's Brilliant Career
Maggie wants to fulfill a dream by climbing a mountain.
Read MoreThe Wrath of Con Ed
A power failure causes dissensions in the Seaver household.
Read MoreThe Last Picture Show (1)
Maggie is offered a plum job in Washington, D.C.
Read MoreThe Last Picture Show (2)
The Seavers move to Washington, D.C., but share a final meal and memories in the empty house.
Read MoreUnaired Pilot Scenes
Scenes from the Growing Pains original unaired pilot, which featured Elizabeth Ward as Carol Seaver, prior to the role being recast and given to Tracey Gold.
Read MoreGag Reel
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Seaver Family Reunion: S'mores and More
Created just for the Season One DVD, "Seaver Family Reunion: S'mores and More" brings together the first-season main cast with writer/producer Tim O'Donnell for a half-hour backyard campfire chat about the show, while they toast marshmallows and make s'mores. Presented in letterboxed widescreen, it's one of the better informal retrospectives done for TV DVDs, thanks to the unique concept. It is, though, entirely positive, with some prime apple polishing, and no mention at all of what Cameron did behind the scenes.
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