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Episode Info

Episode #5 - Season 1, Episode 5

First Aired: November 3, 1982

Plot

Steven's father Jake (played by John Randolph) is coming for a visit.  They've fought in the past, so Steven assembles a list of acceptable topics of conversation, and even those fail.  At a moment of high tension, Jake reveals that he is dying.

Quotes

Jake:  Less learnin'; More earnin'  [picked up by Steven later]

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Jake (speaking of Alex's girlfriend):  As long as she's cute and can cook, that's all that matters.

Steven (presumably trying to find some common ground):  Darn right, Dad.  [Elyse glares at him].

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Trivia

  • Steven and his father replay the famous "Tastes Great. Less Filling" debate about Lite Beer (so common in the 1980s).
  • Alex (of course) mentions Richard Nixon, to which his grandfather replies, "Nixon.  One of the greatest" (in opposition to Steven and Elyse's feelings).
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