Episodes
Bet a Million, Mel
October 4, 1981
Mel borrows $10,000 against the diner to bet on a 90-to-1 nag.
Guinness on Tap
October 11, 1981
Determined to leave her mark on the world, Vera sets out to break the tap dancing endurance record.
Comrade Mel
October 18, 1981
A towel boy from the Russian ballet takes refuge in Mel's storeroom.
Alice's Halloween Surprise
October 25, 1981
On Halloween, Alice's latest heartthrob asks her to shepherd his four kids for the evening.
Alice's Big Four-Oh!
November 8, 1981
It's Alice's 40th birthday, and for the milestone she gets a millstone, a visit from her meddling mother.
Mel's Cousin, Wendell
November 15, 1981
Smooth operator Mel teaches his shy cousin, Wendell, how to score with Vera.
Vera's Bouncing Check
November 29, 1981
Against Mel's orders, Vera cashes a check for an old flame, who's nowhere to be found when it bounces.
After Mel's Gone
December 6, 1981
Mel becomes despondent when he realizes he has no heirs.
Mel's Christmas Carol
December 20, 1981
The ghost of a partner past gives Mel the dickens on Christmas Eve after Mel fired Alice, Jolene and Vera.
The Wild One
December 27, 1981
Alice's spirit inspires a biker to recruit her as his ""old lady.""
Alice Calls the Shots
January 3, 1982
Alice blows the whistle on Tommy's basketball playing when his grades start to slip.
Not with My Niece You Don't
January 17, 1982
Mel gives Tommy advice on how to charm the ladies, which Tommy promptly applies to Mel's niece.
Queen of Soaps
January 31, 1982
After getting hooked on soap operas, Vera becomes a washout at work and later quits.
Sharples vs. Sharples
February 7, 1982
Mel has a beef with his mother who wants to publish his secret chili recipe in her new cookbook.
Valentine's Day Massacre
February 14, 1982
Valentine's Day promises anything but hearts and flowers for the diner staff, who all quarrel with their dates.
The Best Little Waitress in the World
February 21, 1982
A book on building self-confidence inspires Vera to become ""the best little waitress in the world!"" Later, Mel leaves a newly confident Vera in charge of the diner.
Alice and the Acorns
March 7, 1982
Alice is visited by a high-school chum who's still suffering from her teenage inferiority complex.
Jolene Hunnicutt, Dynamite Trucker
March 14, 1982
To help Jolene's exhausted good buddy, the girls drive his rig to a mining town, blissfully unaware that they're hauling dynamite.
Mel Wins By a Nose
March 21, 1982
Mel considers getting a nose job while undergoing surgery for a deviated septum.
Give My Regrets to Broadway
April 4, 1982
Alice's actress friend from New York persuades Tommy that he has a brilliant future on Broadway.
Vera's Reunion Romance
April 11, 1982
Vera returns from her high-school reunion with stars in her eyes and a sparkler on her finger.
Monty Falls for Alice
April 18, 1982
A jilted acquaintance flips for Alice on the first bounce and when she doesn't reciprocate his feelings he threatens to jump from the Mel's Diner sign.
Spell Mel's
May 2, 1982
To counter a competitor whose contest is drawing customers, Mel launches one too and ups the ante to $3000.
My Mother the Landlord
May 16, 1982
Mel happily envisions a rent-free future when his mother buys his apartment building but surprises him when she announces a $50 rent increase.
