"How Do You Sleep?" is the tenth episode in the fourth season of the NBC family sitcom Family Ties. It originally aired on December 12, 1985, and is the seventy-eighth episode of the series overall.
Synopsis[]
Alex hasn't slept in over a week. Lonely nights are spent triggering the smoke alarm, and even asking Skippy to spend the night. Elyse confesses that she has battled insomnia as well, and she is able to help Alex finally fall asleep.
Plot[]
Alex is experiencing insomnia and he has lots of schoolwork to do. He is reluctant to share the problem with anyone except Skippy (who has an interesting solution, that doesn't work for Alex). Once everyone knows, they become concerned (but also very affected) by his condition.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- The series is filled with characters joking about Alex's height, but while walking through the kitchen in the dark, the camera angle makes him look especially short.
- Pictures in Alex's room: a nice one of the Space Shuttle landing, Richard Nixon, and a huge one of William F. Buckley, Jr. right above Alex's headboard.
- Steven's assertion that the tryptophan in milk will help Alex sleep is challenged by scientists. It is claimed that the proteins in milk prevent tryptophan from having a sleep-inducing effect. (One example)
- While listening to "The Late Night Owl" on WADW, Alex hears Buddy Budson playing "Alone and Blue", at least until the smoke alarm interrupts.
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