September 30, 1979
Alice's sour reaction to Tommy's matchmaking efforts threatens Mel's new promotional gimmick which is free meals to customers if his waitresses don't smile.
Episode 3
Mel Loves Marie
October 7, 1979
Mel gives a big engagement ring to his girlfriend Marie, but the sparkle quickly fades when he insists that she sign a premarital agreement.
Episode 4
Vera Robs the Cradle
October 21, 1979
Just one dance lesson and Tommy falls head over heels for his instructor, Vera.
Episode 5
Flo's Chili Reception
October 28, 1979
Mel is convinced that his chief competitor is romancing Flo just to get the recipe for Mel's Texas-style chili, rated by a food critic as being ""the best in the West.""
Episode 6
Little Alice Bluenose
November 4, 1979
Vera's boyfriend objects to her sketching nude males in art class.
Episode 7
Carrie Sharples Strikes Again
November 11, 1979
The return of Mel's domineering mother does nothing for his ego because after his back goes out, the customers flock in, for his mother's cooking.
Episode 8
Mel's in the Kitchen With Dinah
November 18, 1979
Things get hotter than Mel's chili when Dinah Shore invites Mel to prepare his recipe on her show and bring along one, but only one waitress.
Episode 9
Cabin Fever
December 2, 1979
Mel, his girlfriend and the waitresses spend the weekend packed like sardines in a fishing cabin.
Episode 10
My Cousin, Art Carney
December 9, 1979
Vera asks Art Carney, a sixth cousin on her father's side, to endorse Mel's chili, so it can be marketed frozen as Chili con Carney.
Episode 11
Mel, the Magi
December 23, 1979
A yule tale (with a touch of O. Henry's ""The Gift of the Magi"") finds the girls pooling their meager resources to celebrate Christmas at the diner.
Episode 12
Good Buddy Flo
January 6, 1980
Flo takes the wheel herself when she learns that her trucker beau has a female partner.
Episode 13
Alice in TV Land
January 13, 1980
Tommy stirs up trouble by candidly discussing his elders on a TV talk show.
Episode 14
Alice Beats the Clock
January 27, 1980
Mel installs a time clock which prompts the waitresses to demand overtime for the Sunday cleanup they used to do for nothing.
Episode 15
Carrie's Wedding
February 3, 1980
Mel is delighted that his mother is planning to remarry until he meets his prospective stepfather.
Episode 16
My Funny Valentine Tux
February 10, 1980
Tommy has his heart set on taking his girl to a formal Valentine's dance and he needs a tuxedo.
Episode 17
Auld Acquaintances Should Be Forgot
February 17, 1980
Mel plays host to a buddy whose wife has just left him.
Episode 18
Flo's Farewell
February 24, 1980
A wealthy Houston restaurateur offers Flo a job she finds hard to refuse.
Episode 19
For Whom the Belle Toils
March 2, 1980
Mel hires Belle, a Mississippi belle who rings Mel's chimes as ""one of the best waitresses I've ever had."" However, Belle is now aiming for lusher pastures as a country-music writer.
Episode 20
One Too Many Girls
March 9, 1980
The new waitress Belle is making big points with her old boss Mel, but she's scoring zero with Alice and Vera.
Episode 21
Vera, the Vamp
March 16, 1980
Heartbroken over her boy friend's sudden lack of attention, Vera begs Belle to transform her into a sex goddess.
Episode 22
Profit Without Honor
March 23, 1980
Mel signs a profit-sharing agreement with the girls just before learning he'll get a tidy sum for letting the city condemn his property.
Episode 23
Cook's Tour
March 30, 1980
Mel is receptive to an infatuated tour guide, as long as she keeps steering tourists into his diner.
Episode 24
Here Comes Alice Cottontail
April 6, 1980
Alice allows Tommy to stay with Mel, prompting a wager between Alice and Mel, she bets that he will kick Tommy out and Mel bets that Alice will snoop on her son.
