Dear John
TV show

Dear John

5.71988Ended31 episodes

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).

Watch
Start from S1E1

Seasons

Episodes

Pilot
S1 E1
Pilot
Oct 6, 1988 • 30 min

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)

Ralph's Curse
S1 E2
Ralph's Curse
Oct 27, 1988 • 30 min

Hello/Goodbye
S1 E3
Hello/Goodbye
Nov 3, 1988 • 30 min

A young man claims to be John' son.

The Younger Girl
S1 E4
The Younger Girl
Nov 10, 1988 • 30 min

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

Matthew's Dilemma
S1 E5
Matthew's Dilemma
Nov 17, 1988 • 30 min

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

Dear Mike
S1 E6
Dear Mike
Nov 24, 1988 • 30 min

Politics as Usual
S1 E7
Politics as Usual
Dec 1, 1988 • 30 min

Dancing in the Dark
S1 E8
Dancing in the Dark
Dec 15, 1988 • 30 min

Was It Good for Me?
S1 E9
Was It Good for Me?
Jan 5, 1989 • 30 min

Honest John
S1 E10
Honest John
Jan 12, 1989 • 30 min

The Return of Ricky
S1 E11
The Return of Ricky
Jan 19, 1989 • 30 min

Dream Babe
S1 E12
Dream Babe
Jan 26, 1989 • 30 min

Stand by Your Man
S1 E13
Stand by Your Man
Feb 16, 1989 • 30 min

Love and Marriage
S1 E14
Love and Marriage
Feb 23, 1989 • 30 min

For a Friend
S1 E15
For a Friend
Mar 2, 1989 • 30 min

The Second Time Around
S1 E16
The Second Time Around
Mar 9, 1989 • 30 min

The Last Dance
S1 E17
The Last Dance
Mar 16, 1989 • 30 min

Sisters
S1 E18
Sisters
Mar 30, 1989 • 30 min

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

Gone Camping
S1 E19
Gone Camping
Apr 6, 1989 • 30 min

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)

Margo
S1 E20
Margo
Apr 27, 1989 • 30 min

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

Friends and Lovers
S1 E21
Friends and Lovers
May 4, 1989 • 30 min

Bound for Gloria
S1 E22
Bound for Gloria
May 11, 1989 • 30 min

A New Leash on Life
S2 E1
A New Leash on Life
Sep 28, 1989 • 30 min

The Other Group
S2 E2
The Other Group
Oct 12, 1989 • 30 min

Ralph's Second Chance
S2 E3
Ralph's Second Chance
Oct 19, 1989 • 30 min

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.

John's Blind Date
S2 E4
John's Blind Date
Nov 2, 1989 • 30 min

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

The Secret of Success
S2 E5
The Secret of Success
Nov 9, 1989 • 30 min

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

The British Are Coming
S2 E6
The British Are Coming
Nov 16, 1989 • 30 min

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

Something on the Side (aka Mike's Other Girl)
S2 E7
Something on the Side (aka Mike's Other Girl)
Nov 23, 1989 • 30 min

Fathers Know Best
S2 E8
Fathers Know Best
Nov 30, 1989 • 30 min

The Dilemma with Emma
S2 E9
The Dilemma with Emma
Dec 7, 1989 • 30 min

Kate, a Date & Fate
S2 E10
Kate, a Date & Fate
Dec 21, 1989 • 30 min

Honolulu Baby
S2 E11
Honolulu Baby
Jan 4, 1990 • 30 min

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.

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
S2 E12
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Jan 11, 1990 • 30 min

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)

Kirk's Problem
S2 E13
Kirk's Problem
Jan 17, 1990 • 30 min

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

John's Friend
S2 E14
John's Friend
Jan 24, 1990 • 30 min

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)

Unwelcome to the Club
S2 E15
Unwelcome to the Club
Feb 7, 1990 • 30 min

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)

Some Nights to Remember
S2 E16
Some Nights to Remember
Feb 12, 1990 • 30 min

John's New Job (1)
S2 E17
John's New Job (1)
Feb 14, 1990 • 30 min

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

John's New Job (2)
S2 E18
John's New Job (2)
Feb 21, 1990 • 30 min

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)

Babyface
S2 E19
Babyface
Feb 28, 1990 • 30 min

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

John's Night Out
S2 E20
John's Night Out
Mar 8, 1990 • 30 min

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

True Confessions
S2 E21
True Confessions
Mar 14, 1990 • 30 min

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

To John with Love
S2 E22
To John with Love
May 2, 1990 • 30 min

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

Aunt Red
S2 E23
Aunt Red
May 9, 1990 • 30 min

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

No More Mr. Nice Guy
S2 E24
No More Mr. Nice Guy
May 16, 1990 • 30 min

Pretty Man
S3 E1
Pretty Man
Sep 19, 1990 • 30 min

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

And Baby Makes Four (1)
S3 E2
And Baby Makes Four (1)
Sep 26, 1990 • 30 min

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

And Baby Makes Four (2)
S3 E3
And Baby Makes Four (2)
Oct 3, 1990 • 30 min

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

A Priest's Story
S3 E4
A Priest's Story
Oct 10, 1990 • 30 min

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

That's Big of Me
S3 E5
That's Big of Me
Oct 24, 1990 • 30 min

A new member proposes to both Kate and Louise.

Hot Lips Lacey
S3 E6
Hot Lips Lacey
Oct 31, 1990 • 30 min

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

Hole in One
S3 E7
Hole in One
Nov 7, 1990 • 30 min

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

The Blunder Years
S3 E8
The Blunder Years
Nov 14, 1990 • 30 min

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

Down and Out in Rego Park
S3 E9
Down and Out in Rego Park
Nov 28, 1990 • 30 min

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.

Homeward Bound
S3 E10
Homeward Bound
Dec 12, 1990 • 30 min

John wants his aging mother to move in with him.

Matter of Trust (1)
S3 E11
Matter of Trust (1)
Dec 19, 1990 • 30 min

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

Matter of Trust (2)
S3 E12
Matter of Trust (2)
Dec 19, 1990 • 30 min

Molly and Me
S3 E13
Molly and Me
Jan 5, 1991 • 30 min

Ralph falls for a married fellow toll-taker.

Love Stories (1)
S3 E14
Love Stories (1)
Jan 19, 1991 • 30 min

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

Love Stories (2)
S3 E15
Love Stories (2)
Jan 26, 1991 • 30 min

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

Love Stories (3)
S3 E16
Love Stories (3)
Feb 2, 1991 • 30 min

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

John and Kirk's Excellent Adventure
S3 E17
John and Kirk's Excellent Adventure
Feb 9, 1991 • 30 min

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

The Poet (1)
S3 E18
The Poet (1)
Feb 16, 1991 • 30 min

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.

The Poet (2)
S3 E19
The Poet (2)
Mar 2, 1991 • 30 min

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

Louise, the Hero
S3 E20
Louise, the Hero
Mar 13, 1991 • 30 min

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

Matthew and the Baby
S3 E21
Matthew and the Baby
Mar 20, 1991 • 30 min

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

John's Week Off
S3 E22
John's Week Off
May 1, 1991 • 30 min

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

Brothers
S4 E1
Brothers
Sep 19, 1991 • 30 min

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

Kirk's Ex-wife
S4 E2
Kirk's Ex-wife
Sep 20, 1991 • 30 min

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

Kate's Cop
S4 E3
Kate's Cop
Sep 27, 1991 • 30 min

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

Whose Soap Opera Is It Anyway?
S4 E4
Whose Soap Opera Is It Anyway?
Oct 4, 1991 • 30 min

Hello, Annie
S4 E5
Hello, Annie
Oct 25, 1991 • 30 min

Lust & Death
S4 E6
Lust & Death
Nov 8, 1991 • 30 min

The Bachelor Shower
S4 E7
The Bachelor Shower
Nov 15, 1991 • 30 min

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

I Do, Baby (1)
S4 E8
I Do, Baby (1)
Dec 13, 1991 • 30 min

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

I Do, Baby (2)
S4 E9
I Do, Baby (2)
Dec 13, 1991 • 30 min

Once I Had a Secret Love
S4 E10
Once I Had a Secret Love
Dec 20, 1991 • 30 min

Louise confesses to an affair with a club member.

'Twas the Fight Before Christmas
S4 E11
'Twas the Fight Before Christmas
Dec 27, 1991 • 30 min

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

Do the Wrong Thing
S4 E12
Do the Wrong Thing
Jan 3, 1992 • 30 min

The Big Payday
S4 E13
The Big Payday
Apr 1, 1992 • 30 min

John's Divided Heart
S4 E14
John's Divided Heart
Apr 15, 1992 • 30 min

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

Who's Who
S4 E15
Who's Who
Jun 12, 1992 • 30 min

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

Poor John (1)
S4 E16
Poor John (1)
Jul 15, 1992 • 30 min

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

Poor John (2)
S4 E17
Poor John (2)
Jul 22, 1992 • 30 min

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

The Write Stuff
S4 E18
The Write Stuff
• 30 min

John tries his hand at soap opera scripts.

Heartburn and Heartache
S4 E19
Heartburn and Heartache
Jun 7, 1992 • 30 min

A doctor links John's stomach pain to Kirk.

Adult Education
S4 E20
Adult Education
• 30 min

Kirk finally gets his high school diploma.

Freddy's Back
S4 E21
Freddy's Back
• 30 min

John babysits his boss's parrot.

The Nightmare Continues
S4 E22
The Nightmare Continues
• 30 min

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

Cast

Crew

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