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Too Close for Comfort - Episode Guide

Season 1

Pilot

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Nov 11, 1980

Pilot

Henry and Muriel consider renting the just vacant apartment they have to their own daughters. The girls promise to work hard to pay the rent. Henry discovers the previous lodger was a transvestite. A masseuse and a body paint artist come to ask for the flat but Henry dislikes them.

It Didn't Happen One Night

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Nov 16, 1980

It Didn't Happen One Night

Sara goes on a trip to Lake Tahoe with her friends, and Henry panics after he inadvertently finds birth control pills in her room.

The Bag Lady

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Nov 18, 1980

The Bag Lady

After an armored car company goes on strike, Jackie's forced to take home $100,000 from the bank where she works.

Sara's Monroe Doctrine

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Nov 25, 1980

Sara's Monroe Doctrine

Muriel and Henry's anniversary plans change when Sara and her friend Monroe are arrested.

Que Sara, Sara

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Dec 2, 1980

Que Sara, Sara

Muriel moves out when she and Henry disagree over Sara's new job.

Tenants Anyone?

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Dec 9, 1980

Tenants Anyone?

After a disagreement with Henry, Jackie and Sara move to a tenement.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolfe?

Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Dec 16, 1980

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolfe?

Sara's reputation is on the line when she accepts a dinner date and a promotion from the bank manager.

Mister Big

Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Jan 6, 1981

Mister Big

Henry and his boss set out to capture the crooks who stole Sara's purse.

The Location

Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Jan 13, 1981

The Location

Henry and Muriel's table doesn't include a setting for a lion that wanders into their dinner party.

A Friend in Need

Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Jan 27, 1981

A Friend in Need

Sara believes that Monroe needs a sex surrogate to overcome his problems.

A Fine Romance

Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Feb 3, 1981

A Fine Romance

Muriel's divorced college friend arrives for a visit and propositions Henry.

The Boy in the Band

Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Feb 10, 1981

The Boy in the Band

Muriel's former boyfriend stops by for dinner and directs his attention to Jackie.

Deadline for Henry

Episode: 1x13 | Airdate: Feb 17, 1981

Deadline for Henry

While on jury duty, Henry creates havoc when he unknowingly destroys a piece of evidence.

Huey

Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: Feb 24, 1981

Huey

Henry's 75-year-old father wants to start a new life after he's booted out of a rest home for cavorting with the ladies.

Centerfold

Episode: 1x15 | Airdate: Mar 3, 1981

Centerfold

Muriel takes a stand for independence when Henry objects to her photographing a male centerfold.

What's Wrong with Mr. Right?

Episode: 1x16 | Airdate: Mar 17, 1981

What's Wrong with Mr. Right?

Jackie continues her relationship with a married man despite opposition from the family.

Up Your Easter Bonnet

Episode: 1x17 | Airdate: Mar 24, 1981

Up Your Easter Bonnet

Wanting to surprise his parents with an Easter visit, Monroe is shocked when they tell him not to come.

Cosmic Cow vs. the Oval Office

Episode: 1x18 | Airdate: May 5, 1981

Cosmic Cow vs. the Oval Office

Henry feels the pains of unemployment after he's fired for satirizing the president in a cartoon.

The Return of Rafkin

Episode: 1x19 | Airdate: May 12, 1981

The Return of Rafkin

When Mildred Rafkin comes back searching for her mother's brooch, Jackie suggests hiring a medium for help.

Season 2

Your Guest is as Good as Mine

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Oct 27, 1981

Your Guest is as Good as Mine

Henry finds it difficult to tolerate his free-spirited niece who is staying with the family.

Who's Sara Now?

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Nov 3, 1981

Who's Sara Now?

Muriel and Henry wonder if Sara is their real daughter.

The Prince and the Frog

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Nov 10, 1981

The Prince and the Frog

Sara decides to go out with one of Jackie's former boyfriends.

What's Our Rush?

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Nov 17, 1981

What's Our Rush?

Muriel and Henry must decide if they want to know their baby's sex before it's born.

Rafkin's Bum

Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Nov 24, 1981

Rafkin's Bum

A derelict shows up for his annual Thanksgiving feast with the Rushes' transvestite tenant.

Where There's a Will

Episode: 2x07 | Airdate: Dec 1, 1981

Where There's a Will

The Rush family starts a round of bickering when Henry decides to make out his will.

The Remaking of Monroe

Episode: 2x08 | Airdate: Dec 8, 1981

The Remaking of Monroe

A self-effacing Monroe takes an assertiveness-training course that turns him into an egomaniac.

When the Bough Breaks

Episode: 2x09 | Airdate: Dec 15, 1981

When the Bough Breaks

Muriel's latest assignment interferes with Henry's 25th anniversary plans.

Cop-Out

Episode: 2x10 | Airdate: Jan 5, 1982

Cop-Out

Jackie falls in love with a policeman, much to Henry's disappointment.

April and September

Episode: 2x11 | Airdate: Jan 12, 1982

April and September

April's affair with a middle-aged music executive doesn't set too well with Henry.

A Fan for Henry

Episode: 2x12 | Airdate: Jan 19, 1982

A Fan for Henry

When a fanatical fan steals a Cosmic Cow puppet, Henry sets out to recover it.

Brotherly Hate

Episode: 2x13 | Airdate: Feb 2, 1982

Brotherly Hate

April schemes to effect a reconciliation between Henry and the brother he hasn't spoken to for 40 years.

Charlie's Last Hurrah

Episode: 2x14 | Airdate: Feb 9, 1982

Charlie's Last Hurrah

An old friend with a penchant for practical jokes sets Henry up with a woman in a restaurant.

The Last Weekend

Episode: 2x15 | Airdate: Feb 16, 1982

The Last Weekend

On a ski trip with Sara and Jackie, Henry finds himself alone with champagne and a hot tub until unexpected company arrives.

My Unfavorite Martin

Episode: 2x16 | Airdate: Feb 23, 1982

My Unfavorite Martin

Muriel sides with Henry when her mother voices her disapproval of him.

Seventh Month Blues

Episode: 2x17 | Airdate: Mar 2, 1982

Seventh Month Blues

In her seventh month of pregnancy Muriel is feeling unattractive.

As the Cookie Crumbles

Episode: 2x18 | Airdate: Mar 9, 1982

As the Cookie Crumbles

Sara and April's new business is fined for violating city regulations.

Foreign Exchange

Episode: 2x19 | Airdate: Mar 16, 1982

Foreign Exchange

Sara and Jackie exchange apartments with a European couple Henry suspects might be terrorists.

A Matter of Degree

Episode: 2x20 | Airdate: Mar 23, 1982

A Matter of Degree

Despite Henry's disapproval, Sara decides to pursue a TV talk show job instead of a college degree.

Don't Shoot the Piano Movers

Episode: 2x22 | Airdate: May 11, 1982

Don't Shoot the Piano Movers

Muriel's labor pains start off with a bad note when a stuck piano blocks their way to the hospital.

Season 3

Break Out the Pampers (1)

Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Sep 30, 1982

Break Out the Pampers (1)

Part one of two. After bouts with false labor pains, Muriel has to be rushed to the hospital on Monroe's motorcycle. 

Break Out the Pampers (2)

Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Sep 30, 1982

Break Out the Pampers (2)

Conclusion. Henry rushes to the delivery room where a vigil awaits the newest member. 

Guess Who's Coming Forever?

Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Oct 14, 1982

Guess Who's Coming Forever?

Henry threatens to move out when Muriel's mother decides to move in.

A Snip in Time

Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Oct 21, 1982

A Snip in Time

Henry is told that the solution to his problematic love life is a vasectomy.

The Luck of the Iris

Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Oct 28, 1982

The Luck of the Iris

When the baby contracts chicken pox, Henry squawks at having to take refuge at his mother-in-law's. 

Do You Take This Woman Again?

Episode: 3x06 | Airdate: Nov 4, 1982

Do You Take This Woman Again?

A decision by Muriel and Henry to renew their wedding vows almost leads to divorce.

Monroe's Secret Love's Secret

Episode: 3x08 | Airdate: Nov 18, 1982

Monroe's Secret Love's Secret

Henry advises Monroe to lavish attention on a woman who won't give him the time of day. 

A Thanksgiving Tale

Episode: 3x09 | Airdate: Nov 25, 1982

A Thanksgiving Tale

Iris's disappearance on Thanksgiving adds excitement to a family gathering already enlivened by the presence of Grandpa and the thoughts of baby Andrew.

Pressure's Rising

Episode: 3x10 | Airdate: Dec 9, 1982

Pressure's Rising

Henry's blood pressure soars when he is trapped in an elevator with Monroe while on the way to an insurance physical.

Mr. Christmas

Episode: 3x11 | Airdate: Dec 16, 1982

Mr. Christmas

The baby's fever cancels a Christmas family holiday and occasions a last-minute celebration at home.

The Yearning Point

Episode: 3x12 | Airdate: Jan 6, 1983

The Yearning Point

A visit from Muriel's former singing partner causes her to wonder what it would have been like if she had pursued a career.

Briefly at the Counter

Episode: 3x13 | Airdate: Jan 13, 1983

Briefly at the Counter

Iris is sure she's found the man of her dreams, but the family is curious about the whereabouts of his former wives.

To Buy or Not to Buy

Episode: 3x14 | Airdate: Jan 20, 1983

To Buy or Not to Buy

War erupts between Muriel and Henry when he decides to buy a gun for protection.

The Separation

Episode: 3x15 | Airdate: Jan 27, 1983

The Separation

In a '50s flashback, Henry and Muriel relate a rocky part of their romance to Jackie who has to decide between marriage and a career, or lose Brad.

Girls of the Media

Episode: 3x16 | Airdate: Feb 3, 1983

Girls of the Media

Sara poses for a national magazine clad in a bikini, but when the photo is published the bikini is missing.

The Courier

Episode: 3x17 | Airdate: Feb 17, 1983

The Courier

Henry reluctantly allows a flirtatious substitute courier named Bambi to take a cold shower when she arrives for a pickup extremely hung over. This proves to be an error in judgment when Bambi falls asleep in his bed wearing nothing but his robe just as Muriel arrives home.

The Adoption Story

Episode: 3x18 | Airdate: Feb 24, 1983

The Adoption Story

Muriel discovers that she was adopted and hires a detective to learn about her birth parents. 

Out to Lunch

Episode: 3x19 | Airdate: Mar 10, 1983

Out to Lunch

Andrew's hungry and his nursing mother is at work, so Henry takes the baby to the photo session.

A Portrait of Henry

Episode: 3x20 | Airdate: Mar 17, 1983

A Portrait of Henry

Henry is enraged by Monroe's ineptness at hanging a portrait.

Don't Rock the Boat

Episode: 3x21 | Airdate: Apr 28, 1983

Don't Rock the Boat

The wedding of Henry's lifelong friend to a young Las Vegas showgirl upsets the groom's sons from his previous marriage.

Family Business

Episode: 3x22 | Airdate: May 5, 1983

Family Business

Two hapless brothers are hired by the Rushes to convert their attic into an apartment for Iris.

Season 4

The Enemy Above

Episode: 4x01 | Airdate: Apr 7, 1984

The Enemy Above

As Iris prepares to move in with the Rushes, she's offered a business partnership back in Chicago.

Making Mountains Out of Molehills

Episode: 4x02 | Airdate: Apr 14, 1984

Making Mountains Out of Molehills

Jackie decides to have a breast implant operation in order to make herself more attractive.

Home Is Where the Bart Is

Episode: 4x04 | Airdate: Apr 28, 1984

Home Is Where the Bart Is

The Rush's house is scheduled for demolition when the city plans to construct a new subway station.

High Infidelity

Episode: 4x05 | Airdate: May 5, 1984

High Infidelity

Monroe's visit with his father takes a turn for the worse when he catches him with another woman. 

Son of the Groom

Episode: 4x06 | Airdate: May 12, 1984

Son of the Groom

Henry's father pays a visit with his future bride, a woman in her 40s who is pregnant with his child.

Witness for the Persecution

Episode: 4x07 | Airdate: May 19, 1984

Witness for the Persecution

Henry's life is threatened when he's the only eyewitness in a robbery.

Henry Draws a Blank

Episode: 4x08 | Airdate: May 26, 1984

Henry Draws a Blank

Henry gets a new idea for Cosmic Cow, thanks to a story about a dog with amnesia.

Shipmates

Episode: 4x09 | Airdate: Jun 2, 1984

Shipmates

Henry runs into an old Navy acquaintance, unaware that his friend is gay.

High and Inside

Episode: 4x11 | Airdate: Jun 16, 1984

High and Inside

Without consulting Sara, Henry makes a date for her with a star baseball player, unaware of the athlete's recent drug problem.

The Runaway

Episode: 4x12 | Airdate: Jun 23, 1984

The Runaway

Monroe asks to have a friend room with him temporarily, without mentioning that the friend is a female runaway.

The Graduates

Episode: 4x13 | Airdate: Jul 14, 1984

The Graduates

With college graduation approaching, Monroe applies for jobs without any success.

Goodbye, Mr. Chip

Episode: 4x14 | Airdate: Jul 21, 1984

Goodbye, Mr. Chip

Monroe, Jackie and Sara use a home computer to bet on horse races.

No Patsy, This Kelly

Episode: 4x15 | Airdate: Oct 6, 1984

No Patsy, This Kelly

While Henry frets over the possible expiration of his employment contract, he allows Monroe to have a colleague named Kelly spend the night because they have a security guard training class together the next day. However, Monroe fails to specify that Kelly is a Doberman Pinscher.

Hawaii Five-8

Episode: 4x16 | Airdate: Oct 13, 1984

Hawaii Five-8

Jackie returns from a vacation engaged to her surfing instructor.

Quick on the Draw

Episode: 4x17 | Airdate: Oct 27, 1984

Quick on the Draw

When Henry breaks his arm Mr. Wainright hires an over-ambitious artist to help him with Cosmic Cow.

The Missing Fink

Episode: 4x18 | Airdate: Nov 3, 1984

The Missing Fink

Henry suspects Muriel is having an affair when she becomes secretive about the return of her stolen camera. 

The Sound of Mother

Episode: 4x19 | Airdate: Nov 10, 1984

The Sound of Mother

The girls ask to meet their grandmother despite Muriel's adamant refusal to see the woman, who gave her up for adoption. 

The Return of Mr. Wonderful

Episode: 4x20 | Airdate: Nov 17, 1984

The Return of Mr. Wonderful

Iris comes to town for a rendezvous with a past suitor who now wants to ask her a "very important question."

Divorce Chicago Style

Episode: 4x21 | Airdate: Nov 24, 1984

Divorce Chicago Style

Muriel becomes depressed after a visit from her friend Sylvia, who has recently gotten remarried and is having the time of her life. She decides to resume her photography career, but she feels uneasy when her employer asks her to travel out of town alone with him.

Cinderella Update

Episode: 4x22 | Airdate: Dec 1, 1984

Cinderella Update

After a terrible experience at a singles bar, Jackie considers changing her life by moving to Dallas. However, the change she was looking for unexpectedly comes to her when Sara's date arrives early at the apartment.

Henry Bites the Big Apple

Episode: 4x23 | Airdate: Dec 8, 1984

Henry Bites the Big Apple

Henry is offered an executive position at a rival comic publisher for double his salary. He lets his enthusiasm get the best of him, however, when he tells off the new editor of Wainwright Publishing before asking where his new job will be located.

Season 5

Drawing Room

Episode: 5x01 | Airdate: Feb 2, 1985

Drawing Room

Henry decides to work at a downtown office, due to life at home getting crazier, but it turns out there were more distractions downtown than he bargained for.

Nearly Departed

Episode: 5x02 | Airdate: Feb 9, 1985

Nearly Departed

After his father's death, Henry decides it's time to plan his own funeral. He soon starts to examine his life decisions.

My Son, the PhD

Episode: 5x03 | Airdate: Feb 16, 1985

My Son, the PhD

Andrew might be a genius and is recruited by a school for gifted children.

Devereaux & Son

Episode: 5x05 | Airdate: Mar 2, 1985

Devereaux & Son

The Rushes' friend Paul pretends to be a member of their family to impress his long-lost son.

And Baby Makes Two

Episode: 5x06 | Airdate: May 4, 1985

And Baby Makes Two

Jackie shocks her folks when she announces her plan to become a single parent. 

Reconcilable Differences

Episode: 5x07 | Airdate: May 11, 1985

Reconcilable Differences

Henry and Muriel end up in counseling thanks to the strain of helping another couple settle a squabble.

The Two Faces of Muriel

Episode: 5x08 | Airdate: May 18, 1985

The Two Faces of Muriel

Muriel wonders whether she should undergo a face lift after a friend has one and looks much younger.

No Mas, Monroe

Episode: 5x09 | Airdate: May 25, 1985

No Mas, Monroe

The Rushes hire an illegal housekeeper with good looks, minimal English, and an urge to become a naturalized citizen.

For Every Man, There's Two Women

Episode: 5x10 | Airdate: Jul 20, 1985

For Every Man, There's Two Women

Henry is determined to bring to justice the two women who kidnapped and raped Monroe. 

Note: Though this episode was broadcast during the fifth season, it was originally produced for the fourth season. Also this episode was banned after its original airing due to the controversial plot and was not seen again until decades later when the show was broadcast on Antenna TV.

Finders Keepers

Episode: 5x11 | Airdate: Jul 27, 1985

Finders Keepers

Henry and Monroe find a bag of money and plan to keep it, until they discover that a neighbor's home was robbed.

Note: Though this episode was broadcast during the fifth season, it was originally produced for the fourth season.

These Stupid Things Remind Me of You

Episode: 5x12 | Airdate: Aug 3, 1985

These Stupid Things Remind Me of You

In this clip show, Monroe is away taking care of his ill father, and Henry has been feeling depressed. He insists it has nothing to do with Monroe's absence, but his family tries to convince him otherwise through the use of flashbacks.

Note: Though this episode was broadcast during the fifth season, it was originally produced for the fourth season; as a result, this episode only features clips from the first four seasons.

Terms of Endangerment

Episode: 5x13 | Airdate: Sep 28, 1985

Terms of Endangerment

The Rush family learns that Monroe is dating a wealthy woman who's old enough to be his mother.

No Deposit, No Return

Episode: 5x15 | Airdate: Oct 12, 1985

No Deposit, No Return

Faced with a huge library fine, Henry resorts to action that isn't quite by the book. 

Off and Running

Episode: 5x16 | Airdate: Oct 19, 1985

Off and Running

Henry's job is threatened when he and Cosmic Cow inadvertently endorse a political candidate. 

Accused, Confused and Abused

Episode: 5x17 | Airdate: Oct 26, 1985

Accused, Confused and Abused

Monroe and Sara decide to help a teenage boy who was going to juvenile hall for stealing.

Arrivederci, Jackie

Episode: 5x18 | Airdate: Nov 2, 1985

Arrivederci, Jackie

Jackie is asked to accept a fashion design job in Italy, but doesn't know how to break the news to her overprotective father.

Ars Gratia Iris

Episode: 5x19 | Airdate: Nov 9, 1985

Ars Gratia Iris

Henry competes with 100 top artists in a contest to design a logo for Iris' company.

Henry Enters the '80's

Episode: 5x20 | Airdate: Nov 16, 1985

Henry Enters the '80's

Henry flips out when Sara says her boyfriend is moving in.

Freddie Loves It, We Love It, You're Cancelled

Episode: 5x21 | Airdate: Nov 23, 1985

Freddie Loves It, We Love It, You're Cancelled

Henry gets the chance to make Cosmic Cow a Saturday morning cartoon. But when heads of programming keep changing, he's constantly asked for several (sometimes absurd) changes.

Season 6

Henry's Change of Life

Episode: 6x01 | Airdate: Apr 5, 1986

Henry's Change of Life

The Rush family moves to Marin County where Henry becomes an editor of a weekly newspaper.

Front Page Monroe

Episode: 6x02 | Airdate: Apr 12, 1986

Front Page Monroe

Monroe is jailed for refusing to reveal his source for an unauthorized story about toxic waste.

Four is a Crowd

Episode: 6x03 | Airdate: Apr 19, 1986

Four is a Crowd

Muriel and Henry's best friends overstay their welcome at the Rushes' home.

Ho-Ho Ho Chi Henry

Episode: 6x04 | Airdate: Apr 26, 1986

Ho-Ho Ho Chi Henry

Henry, Monroe, Muriel and Mrs. Stinson want to help a Vietnamese family find the American Dream.

Miss Marin Bugler

Episode: 6x05 | Airdate: May 3, 1986

Miss Marin Bugler

To increase its popularity, the Marin Bugler holds a beauty contest, with unexpected repercussions for the winner.

Bedtime for Henry

Episode: 6x07 | Airdate: May 17, 1986

Bedtime for Henry

Henry's peaceful day in bed is ruined when everyone expresses concern over his health.

Educating Lisa

Episode: 6x08 | Airdate: May 24, 1986

Educating Lisa

The Rush's housekeeper Lisa enrolls in classes to become a naturalized American citizen.

Henry's Novel Solution

Episode: 6x09 | Airdate: May 31, 1986

Henry's Novel Solution

Henry's admiration for a famous author diminishes when he learns the man gets his inspiration from the bottle. 

Henry Gets Taken for a Ride

Episode: 6x10 | Airdate: Jun 7, 1986

Henry Gets Taken for a Ride

Henry and Lisa learn a lesson in trust when he gives her advice on buying a car.

Late, Great Herbert Maxwell

Episode: 6x11 | Airdate: Jul 12, 1986

Late, Great Herbert Maxwell

Monroe and Henry discover a coverup in the death of Mrs. Stinson's friend.

Muriel's Fish Story

Episode: 6x12 | Airdate: Jul 19, 1986

Muriel's Fish Story

A famous oceanographer asks Muriel to be his photographer on a five-week expedition. 

Ya Gotta Have Heart

Episode: 6x13 | Airdate: Sep 27, 1986

Ya Gotta Have Heart

Mrs. Stinson's niece causes friction when she works as an intern at the newspaper.

Monroe's Critical Condition

Episode: 6x14 | Airdate: Oct 4, 1986

Monroe's Critical Condition

Monroe's life is threatened after he gives an entertainer a harsh review.

Cyrano Henry

Episode: 6x15 | Airdate: Oct 11, 1986

Cyrano Henry

Mr. Forester asks for Henry's help in writing a personal ad, which turns Henry into a ghost writer of sorts for all of his correspondence with the women who answer.

Family Feud

Episode: 6x16 | Airdate: Oct 18, 1986

Family Feud

Muriel takes drastic measures when Henry uses someone else's pictures for the front page.

Rock Around Henry

Episode: 6x17 | Airdate: Nov 1, 1986

Rock Around Henry

Henry refuses to run a notice by two rock musicians protesting the town's refusal to let them play at a music festival. 

Herb Kisses, Henry Tells

Episode: 6x18 | Airdate: Nov 8, 1986

Herb Kisses, Henry Tells

Muriel and Henry get caught up in the Kennedys' marriage problems when Herb has an affair.

Believing is Seeing

Episode: 6x19 | Airdate: Nov 15, 1986

Believing is Seeing

Mrs. Stinson announces she is ready for retirement.

Acropolis Now

Episode: 6x20 | Airdate: Nov 22, 1986

Acropolis Now

Iris is ready to marry after a shipboard romance, but a suspicious Henry insists that her fiancé sign a prenuptial agreement.

Presenting Buddy Ficus

Episode: 6x21 | Airdate: Jan 31, 1987

Presenting Buddy Ficus

Monroe's debut as a stand-up comedian is a bust.

Lisa Goes Lottery Loco

Episode: 6x22 | Airdate: Feb 7, 1987

Lisa Goes Lottery Loco

In the final episode, all but Mr. Rush play lottery scratch ticket games. Lisa is overjoyed when she wins $5 and becomes addicted to playing.

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