Growing Pains

1985 - 1992

Pilot

24th September 1985

Episode 1

Maggie goes back to work as a journalist, prompting psychologist Jason to move his office into their home so he can keep his eye on the kids. Things don't get off to a great start: the first night he gets a call from the police that Mike has been picked up for illegally driving a car.

Springsteen

1st October 1985

Episode 2

Jason embarrasses Mike at a Bruce Springsteen concert when they are interviewed together.

Jealousy

8th October 1985

Episode 3

Jason fumes when Maggie spends long hours on a toxic waste story with handsome co-worker Fred.

Carol's Article

15th October 1985

Episode 4

Maggie gives an honest assessment of Carol's writing of an article for her school magazine; Mike and Ben discover track betting.

Superdad!

29th October 1985

Episode 5

Maggie accuses Jason of monopolizing the children.

Mike's Madonna Story

5th November 1985

Episode 6

Mike's infatuation with a Madonna look-alike worries Maggie.

Weekend Fantasy

12th November 1985

Episode 7

Jason and Maggie want to go to a mountain lodge for a weekend, but are reluctant to leave the kids alone.

Slice of Life

19th November 1985

Episode 8

Coming across a compatibility test in Jason's office, Maggie decides she and Jason should fill it out, but her answers don't tab with his. Meanwhile, Mike feigns interest in karate when his real goal is a girl attending the course.

Carol's Crush

26th November 1985

Episode 9

Carol develops a crush on a family friend, who thinks of her as his little sister.

Dirt Bike

3rd December 1985

Episode 10

Mike hurts more than his pride when he takes a nasty fall off a dirt bike that he promised his parents he wouldn't go near.

Standardized Test

10th December 1985

Episode 11

Mike doodles on his aptitude test and winds up with an IQ score of 27.

A Christmas Story

17th December 1985

Episode 12

A depressed department store Santa consulting Jason decides to commit suicide by leaping down the Seavers' chimney.

The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver

7th January 1986

Episode 13

Mike backs out of the family-bowling match so he can date a snobbish girlfriend.

First Blood

14th January 1986

Episode 14

Jason faces off against Ben's hockey coach, who's teaching the boys to play dirty; Mike learns ballroom dancing.

Slice of Life II

21st January 1986

Episode 15

Maggie casually mentions to Jason that she might be pregnant; Mike acts as a weekend servant to Ben; and Carol wants to divorce her class-project husband.

The Seavers vs. the Cleavers

28th January 1986

Episode 16

The PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.

Charity Begins at Home

18th February 1986

Episode 17

Ben gives Jason a very expensive birthday present, causing speculation on how he can possibly afford it.

Reputation

25th February 1986

Episode 18

Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.

The Anniversary That Never Was

Episode 19

Maggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.

Be a Man

11th March 1986

Episode 20

Custodian Mike watches a wild party explode in his home.

Career Decision

Episode 21

Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.

Extra Lap

Episode 22

Mike's practical-joker uncle Bob visits from the hereafter.

Top Cast

Alan Thicke•Joanna Kerns•Kirk Cameron

Fatherhood has taken on a whole new meaning for Jason Seaver, who has assumed the chores of cooking, cleaning and minding the kids so that his wife, Maggie, can pursue a career in journalism after spending 15 years as a housewife.

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Full Cast

Alan Thicke Image

Alan Thicke

Jason Seaver

Joanna Kerns Image

Joanna Kerns

Maggie Seaver

Kirk Cameron Image

Kirk Cameron

Mike Seaver

Tracey Gold Image

Tracey Gold

Carol Seaver

Jeremy Miller Image

Jeremy Miller

Ben Seaver

Ashley Johnson Image

Ashley Johnson

Chrissy Seaver

Leonardo DiCaprio Image

Leonardo DiCaprio

Luke Brower

Full Crew

Neal Marlens

Producer

Arnold Margolin

Producer

Steve Marshall

Producer

Steve Dorff Image

Steve Dorff

Original Music Composer

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