Season 3

September 26, 1956

Jim and Margaret are excited about Betty going to the state college they attended. Betty, who wants to, at first, changes her mind.

October 3, 1956

Kippy promises Bud a date with his beautiful cousin, Marissa.

October 10, 1956

Jim tries discouraging Betty from moving into an apartment. Bud and the family await the arrival of Charlie, a homing pigeon.

October 17, 1956

The Andersons entertain an aspiring writer—aspiring for 30 years.

October 24, 1956

After listening to a lecture in class on the origins of giving gifts, Betty announces that she doesn't want a birthday party or presents.

October 31, 1956

To teach Bud a lesson, Jim gives him ten dollars a week for allowance, but he's not to spend the money on anyone else but himself, even indirectly.

November 7, 1956

Jim and Margaret complain about the children's sloppy clothes. The kids judge the antiquated attire they choose for a PTA costume party.

November 14, 1956

Betty becomes insecure after she overhears Bud tell Jim that she’s not the kind of girl boys whistle at.

November 21, 1956

Bud and Kippy get a job working at a newspaper.

November 28, 1956

Jim is reluctant to let Betty go to New York to be a bridesmaid to her friend Barbara—afraid she’ll get hurt, somehow.

December 5, 1956

Betty is going steady according to the rules of her school’s social set. But a guy with a chip on his shoulder challenges her preconceptions.

December 12, 1956

The Andersons try bringing an old man out of his dream world.

December 19, 1956

Jim’s sister comes for Christmas, and the kids are less than thrilled—particularly, Kathy.

December 26, 1956

The boss's son goes to work in Jim's office.

January 2, 1957

A Spanish immigrant, Frank, fixes the Andersons lawn and then charges a high price.

January 9, 1957

The Anderson family becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island.

January 16, 1957

Margaret takes a small, much-needed break from her daily duties.

January 23, 1957

Bud tells the family they are to set up for a lawn party that is tomorrow.

January 30, 1957

While listening to Bud’s short wave radio, the family overhears a distress call from a boat.

February 6, 1957

Bud squanders Jim's money at a carnival.

February 13, 1957

Betty's new boyfriend, a jet pilot, is transferred to Alaska.

February 20, 1957

Looking for adventure, Bud travels to a neighboring town.

February 27, 1957

The Anderson home is disrupted by a visit from actor Cornel Wilde.

March 13, 1957

Bud buys a car for $10.

March 20, 1957

When Bud receives a traffic ticket, he is forced to become a crossing guard.

March 27, 1957

Bud…a hero? A chain reaction of events, starting with a girl who wants to use Bud to make her boyfriend jealous, leads to Bud becoming a hero of the town.

April 3, 1957

Betty has to choose between a flower queen contest and a track race, occurring on the same afternoon.

April 17, 1957

Kathy is apprehensive about the prospect of competing at the county spelling bee.

April 24, 1957

Bud obsesses over getting credit for a generous donation he made.

May 1, 1957

Jim and Margaret take care of a baby Betty is supposed to babysit, so she can go out.

May 8, 1957

Henry Pruett, a traveling salesman, knocks on the Anderson’s door. It turns out she, Jim and Henry all attended college together.

May 15, 1957

Bud gets advice from Jim on how to win over Judy, while Judy asks Margaret.

May 22, 1957

Margaret tries to help a young woman overcome her fear of having a baby.

May 29, 1957

Jim and Margaret are called in to help Margaret's dad, who's about to hand over his printing office and retire.

June 5, 1957

Sageman helps the Andersons regain their self-confidence.