Growing Pains

Growing Pains

1985
6.5
8 Seasons
Comedy

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.

Season

Episodes

Episode 1
Ep 1

Pilot

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.

Episode 2
Ep 2

Springsteen

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

Episode 3
Ep 3

Jealousy

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

Episode 4
Ep 4

Carol's Article

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

Episode 5
Ep 5

Superdad!

Maggie accuses Jason of monopolizing the children.

Episode 6
Ep 6

Mike's Madonna Story

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

Episode 7
Ep 7

Weekend Fantasy

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

Episode 8
Ep 8

Slice of Life

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.

Episode 9
Ep 9

Carol's Crush

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

Episode 10
Ep 10

Dirt Bike

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.

Episode 11
Ep 11

Standardized Test

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

Episode 12
Ep 12

A Christmas Story

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

Episode 13
Ep 13

The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver

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

Episode 14
Ep 14

First Blood

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

Episode 15
Ep 15

Slice of Life II

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.

Episode 16
Ep 16

The Seavers vs. the Cleavers

The PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.

Episode 17
Ep 17

Charity Begins at Home

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

Episode 18
Ep 18

Reputation

Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.

Episode 19
Ep 19

The Anniversary That Never Was

Maggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.

Episode 20
Ep 20

Be a Man

Custodian Mike watches a wild party explode in his home.

Episode 21
Ep 21

Career Decision

Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.

Episode 22
Ep 22

Extra Lap

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

Cast

Alan Thicke

Alan Thicke

Jason Seaver

Joanna Kerns

Joanna Kerns

Maggie Seaver

Kirk Cameron

Kirk Cameron

Mike Seaver

Tracey Gold

Tracey Gold

Carol Seaver

Jeremy Miller

Jeremy Miller

Ben Seaver

Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson

Chrissy Seaver

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio

Luke Brower