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Dear John
1988 - 1992 5.7 (17 votes) 4 Seasons
Genres
Comedy
Networks
NBC
Created By
John Sullivan

Dear John

Overview

Dear John starred Judd Hirsch as easygoing Drake Prep high school teacher John Lacey who is dumped by his wife, Wendy, via a Dear John letter. Wendy ends up with everything in the divorce settlement, including custody of the couple's son, forcing John to move into an apartment in Ozone Park, Queens. John soon joins the One-2-One Club, a self help group for divorced, widowed or lonely people. The group is led by Louise (Jane Carr), a sex-obsessed British woman. Other members of the group include Kate McCarron (Isabella Hofmann), a sweet divorcée; Kirk Morris (Jere Burns), a cocky ladies' man; Ralph Drang (Harry Groener), a shy and neurotic tollbooth collector; Bonnie Philbert (Billie Bird), a feisty senior citizen; and Tom, Mrs. Philbert's quiet boyfriend (Tom Willett).

Key Crew

Producer: Ed. Weinberger

Top Cast

Judd Hirsch
Judd Hirsch

John Lacey

Jere Burns
Jere Burns

Kirk Morris

Jane Carr
Jane Carr

Louise Mercer

Isabella Hofmann
Isabella Hofmann

Kate McCarron

Billie Bird
Billie Bird

Margie Philbert

Susan Walters
Susan Walters

Mary Beth Sutton

Tom Willett
Tom Willett

Tom

William O'Leary
William O'Leary

Ben Conners

Seasons

Season 1 (1988)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Pilot
1988-10-06

John reluctantly attends his first meeting of the One-Two-One Club -- only after mistakenly wandering into an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting across the hall. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: Ralph's Curse
1988-10-27

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: Hello/Goodbye
1988-11-03

A young man claims to be John' son.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: The Younger Girl
1988-11-10

John's beautiful new girlfriend thrills him—until he learns her age.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: Matthew's Dilemma
1988-11-17

John can't understand why his son Matthew won't spend time with him.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: Dear Mike
1988-11-24

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: Politics as Usual
1988-12-01

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: Dancing in the Dark
1988-12-15

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: Was It Good for Me?
1989-01-05

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Honest John
1989-01-12

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: The Return of Ricky
1989-01-19

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: Dream Babe
1989-01-26

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Stand by Your Man
1989-02-16

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: Love and Marriage
1989-02-23

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: For a Friend
1989-03-02

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: The Second Time Around
1989-03-09

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: The Last Dance
1989-03-16

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: Sisters
1989-03-30

Kate claims that her sister always steals her boyfriends, no matter how obnoxious, and to prove it Kate dates Kirk. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: Gone Camping
1989-04-06

On a camping trip, John and Matthew are stranded in a cabin by a snowstorm that ushers in a blizzard of chilling consequences. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: Margo
1989-04-27

The group tells John that the knockout who's knocking him out is really a new member's transvestite husband. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: Friends and Lovers
1989-05-04

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: Bound for Gloria
1989-05-11

Runtime: 30 min
Season 2 (1989)

No overview available.

24 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: A New Leash on Life
1989-09-28

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: The Other Group
1989-10-12

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: Ralph's Second Chance
1989-10-19

Blomlika, the bride who skipped out on Ralph at their wedding reception, bounds back into his life, eager to pick up where they left off 14 months before.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: John's Blind Date
1989-11-02

After one night with John, a flight attendant is ready to fly with him forever. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: The Secret of Success
1989-11-09

Ralph peddles a book promoting the power of positivity, which John could use, but won't, to publish his poetry. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: The British Are Coming
1989-11-16

Unwed mother Louise needs a hubby to present to her strait-laced father---and gets more help than she can handle. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: Something on the Side (aka Mike's Other Girl)
1989-11-23

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: Fathers Know Best
1989-11-30

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: The Dilemma with Emma
1989-12-07

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Kate, a Date & Fate
1989-12-21

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Honolulu Baby
1990-01-04

It's the second anniversary of the day John's wife left him (DJ Day), and the group is concerned because John is binging on junk food. Mrs. Philbert is preparing to attend her 60th high school anniversary, her first because she was always afraid of meeting her former fiance, Lloyd, and her best friend, Clara, who eloped together. John is deputized to escort her to New Jersey, where Lloyd and Clara show up after all -- so Mrs. Philbert introduces him as her fiance, invites them back to ""their"" place, and sets about seducing Lloyd with her patented technique: playing ""Honolulu Baby"" on the ukelele.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
1990-01-11

John's relationship with his new lady would be just great were it not for her daughter, who thinks all her mother's dates are grown-up dweebs. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Kirk's Problem
1990-01-17

Attractive newcomer Mary Beth brings out the worst in Kirk, and it's much worse than even he imagined. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: John's Friend
1990-01-24

Kirk takes John along for a free ski weekend, but he's left in the cold when John befriends a fellow Sherlock Holmes buff. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: Unwelcome to the Club
1990-02-07

An ex-con wants to join the group, and no one wants to say no to a killer whose temper is triggered by rejection. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: Some Nights to Remember
1990-02-12

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: John's New Job (1)
1990-02-14

John's going to kick himself if he can't find the cash to send Matthew to Europe for a soccer tourney. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: John's New Job (2)
1990-02-21

John discovers his wonderful new job has a catch: the ex-student who got it for him expects a more intimate form of thanks. (Part 2 of 2)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: Babyface
1990-02-28

John, Kirk and Ralph give new meaning to ""change the baby"" when Louise leaves Nigel in their care. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: John's Night Out
1990-03-08

Afraid he's becoming a support-group addict, John takes a night off to wing it on his own. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: True Confessions
1990-03-14

The group throws a surprise birthday party for Kirk, but the surprise is on them. (TV Guide)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: To John with Love
1990-05-02

John basks in the adulation Mary Beth lavishes on him for helping her write an article.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 23: Aunt Red
1990-05-09

Kate chooses John as her nephew's role model—but the boy prefers Kirk.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 24: No More Mr. Nice Guy
1990-05-16

Runtime: 30 min
Season 3 (1990)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Pretty Man
1990-09-19

John goes on a blind double-date with Kirk, and finds himself mistaken for a professional escort.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: And Baby Makes Four (1)
1990-09-26

John hopes for a reconciliation whe his ex-wife Wendy says she wants another child—but she only wants her sperm.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: And Baby Makes Four (2)
1990-10-03

Feeling pressured and rushed, John breaks into the insemination clinc to retrieve his sperm.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: A Priest's Story
1990-10-10

John tries to mediate a fight over a woman between Kirk and his amazingly similar brother—a priest.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: That's Big of Me
1990-10-24

A new member proposes to both Kate and Louise.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: Hot Lips Lacey
1990-10-31

John sort of fulfills his dream of playing clarinet at Carnegie Hall.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: Hole in One
1990-11-07

At her aunt's funeral, Kate confronts her ex-husband Blake, a cad nonetheless loved by the rest of her family.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: The Blunder Years
1990-11-14

John seeks a reunion with famous adventure author Jessica Stone, whom he recalls in flashbacks as the great love of his youth.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: Down and Out in Rego Park
1990-11-28

Despite interruptions by a newly svelte woman from Overeaters Anonymous (new recurring guest Olivia Brown), the groups tries to heer up Mary Beth, who's lost her job.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Homeward Bound
1990-12-12

John wants his aging mother to move in with him.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: Matter of Trust (1)
1990-12-19

John's job is jeopardized and the group disbands after a tabloid links him to a promiscuous movie star. (Part 1 of 2)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: Matter of Trust (2)
1990-12-19

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: Molly and Me
1991-01-05

Ralph falls for a married fellow toll-taker.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: Love Stories (1)
1991-01-19

John meets a pretty periodontist, Kate a suave South American, and Kirk his fiesty match. (Part 1 of 2)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: Love Stories (2)
1991-01-26

Jackie agrees to live with Kirk, under exacting conditions; Louse gets a date with her IRS auditor. (Part 2 of 2)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: Love Stories (3)
1991-02-02

Everyone gets dumped except Ralph; John's ex-wife Wendy brings news of a new baby. (Part 3 of 3)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: John and Kirk's Excellent Adventure
1991-02-09

Kirk loses John's antique watch to a pretty thief.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: The Poet (1)
1991-02-16

When John's college poetry teacher visits, he steals some of John's poems for a book. Meanwhile, the group preps for a talent show.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: The Poet (2)
1991-03-02

John huddles with the group members over whether to expose the former professor who plagaarized his poems. (Part 2 of 2)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: Louise, the Hero
1991-03-13

After they learn she'd been institutionalized, the groups scoffs at Louise's claim she can save the financiall strapped center.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: Matthew and the Baby
1991-03-20

John tries getting his son Matthew to discuss his hurt feelings about the baby his mom and John are having.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: John's Week Off
1991-05-01

John is stranded in remove Hawaiian airports after buying a discount ticket from Kirk; Alejandro proposes to Kate.

Runtime: 30 min
Season 4 (1991)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Brothers
1991-09-19

Kirk convinces John they're long-lost brothers, and moves in with him.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 2: Kirk's Ex-wife
1991-09-20

Kirk goes into hiding when the group discovers his wife left him for another woman.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 3: Kate's Cop
1991-09-27

Kate faces her fear of intimacy by dating the cop who takes the report when the group is held at gunpoint.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 4: Whose Soap Opera Is It Anyway?
1991-10-04

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 5: Hello, Annie
1991-10-25

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 6: Lust & Death
1991-11-08

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 7: The Bachelor Shower
1991-11-15

John and Kirk's windfall at an automated bank teller comes to light at a police officer's bachelor party.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 8: I Do, Baby (1)
1991-12-13

Kirk claims there is good reason to terminate Kate's wedding plans; John has trouble at childbirth class.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 9: I Do, Baby (2)
1991-12-13

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 10: Once I Had a Secret Love
1991-12-20

Louise confesses to an affair with a club member.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 11: 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas
1991-12-27

John unwittingly hires a Santa Claus with problems for a Christmas party at the day-care center.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 12: Do the Wrong Thing
1992-01-03

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 13: The Big Payday
1992-04-01

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 14: John's Divided Heart
1992-04-15

Scriptwriter Mary Beth sees John's problems as soap-opera fodder for her show ""The Divided Heart.""

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 15: Who's Who
1992-06-12

John is suddenly willing to take risks after a near-death experience in an elevator.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 16: Poor John (1)
1992-07-15

Lack of funds clouds John's ski weekend with a new flame. (Part 1 of 1)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 17: Poor John (2)
1992-07-22

John overextends his credit to impress his new girlfriend. (Part 2 of 2)

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 18: The Write Stuff

John tries his hand at soap opera scripts.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 19: Heartburn and Heartache
1992-06-07

A doctor links John's stomach pain to Kirk.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 20: Adult Education

Kirk finally gets his high school diploma.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 21: Freddy's Back

John babysits his boss's parrot.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 22: The Nightmare Continues

Louise encourages the group to tackle their relationship problems through creative visualization.

Runtime: 30 min

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