Dick Loudon and his wife Joanna decide to leave life in New York City and buy a little inn in Vermont. Dick is a how-to book writer, who eventually becomes a local TV celebrity as host of "Vermont Today." George Utley is the handyman at the inn and Leslie Vanderkellen is the maid, with ambitions of being an Olympic Ski champion; she is later replaced by her cousin Stephanie, an heiress who hates her job. Her boyfriend is Dick's yuppie TV producer, Michael Harris. There are many other quirky characters in this fictional little town, including Dick's neighbors Larry, Darryl, and Darryl...three brothers who buy the Minuteman Cafe from Kirk Devane. Besides sharing a name, Darryl and Darryl never speak.
Episodes
1. In the Beginning...
Dick and Joanna Loudon purchase the Stratford Inn, a remnant of colonial times in scenic Vermont. Their caretaker, George Utley, and his family have tended the inn for decades. Dick hires a maid, Leslie, and meets their next-door neighbor (and habitual liar) Kirk. The inn opens for business amid myriad start-up problems.
2. Mrs. Newton's Body Lies A'Mould'ring in the Grave
Dick and Joanna learn that there's a body buried in the basement. The Loudons try to get the body moved to the church cemetery, only to find that she was a witch.
3. Hail to the Councilman
Dick gets his hopes up after two city officials suggest he run for town council.
4. Shall We Gather at the River?
Joanna falls through the ice at the annual River Day festival. Dick is on the outs when Joanna blames him for everything bad that happens in her life.
5. This Probably is Condemned
Dick and the gang pitch in to help Kirk get the Minuteman up to code after its shut down.
6. No Tigers at the Circus
Dick spirals into a profound depression after the Stratford is denied in its bid to be classified an historic landmark.
7. The Perfect Match
Leslie's high school sweetheart returns from far off places to ask for her hand in marriage, to Kirk's obvious displeasure.
8. Some are Born Writers...Others Have Writers Thrust Upon Them
Dick praises an aspiring writer's work to avoid hurting her feelings. The writer's enthusiastic husband quits his job to allow his wife to write full time. It's up to Dick to secure her an agent and teach her to write, all before their savings runs out in a month and a half.
9. No Room at the Inn
The inn is swamped when 24 guests are snowed in on Christmas Eve. While Kirk tries to keep the guests entertained, Dick tries to find room for a traveller named Joseph and his pregnant wife.
10. The Senator's Wife Was Indiscreet
A U.S. Senator's wife checks into the inn and holds a press conference to announce she's divorcing her inattentive husband.
11. Sprained Dreams
Dick jeopardizes Leslie's lifelong dream of becoming a world-class skier when he accidentally falls on her.
12. The Way We Thought We Were
George's old flame visits the inn. Both are disappointed when the other isn't as they remember.
13. The Visitors
Dick and Joanna cant wait for their 'fun' friends to visit, but soon become perturbed after their friends treat the Loudons not as friends, but innkeepers.
14. What is This Thing Called Lust?
Leslie's attractive cousin Stephanie visits Vermont to settle her emotions as she nears her wedding day. Stephanie soon finds herself lusting after Kirk.
15. Breakfast Theater
Washed-up comic Manny Silver visits the Stratford, reminding Dick of the 'debt' he owes Manny for starting his writing career. Manny shames Dick into letting him perform in the inn, over Joanna's strenuous objections.
16. Ricky Nelson, Up Your Nose
Kirk goes into the hospital for surgery to remove a foreign object from his nose, leaving Larry, Darryl and a very svelte Darryl in charge of the cafe. Dick and Joanna, about to go to New York for a writer's conference have to bail out the boys when an unexpected crowd turns up at the cafe.
17. A View from the Bench
Dick, Kirk, and George go to Boston to use their bench passes for a Celtics game. Dick loses his pass. Meanwhile, Leslie and Joanna wait at the inn for incoming guest, Daniel J. Travanti.
18. The Boy Who Cried Goat
When Kirk's cafe is robbed, his history of deception comes back to haunt him as the insurance investigator refuses to believe his story.
19. Heaven Knows Mr. Utley
George is the town laughingstock when he claims to have spied an UFO.
20. You're Homebody 'til Somebody Loves You
Dick inadvertently insults Joanna, calling her a homebody. Joanna takes a job with a travel agency in an attempt to assert herself.
21. Grandma, What a Big Mouth You Have
Kirk's grandmother visits on the same night he finally gets a date with Leslie.
22. I Enjoy Being a Guy
Dick loves being 'just one of the guys' when Chester and Jim invite him to join their golf foursome. Dick is distressed to find that their gambling habit and lousy golfing abilities make him the big winner. Dick tries to figure out a way to give the money back without breaking 'the guy code'.
Cast & Crew
Bob Newhart
Dick Loudon
Mary Frann
Joanna Loudon
Tom Poston
George Utley
Julia Duffy
Stephanie Vanderkellen
Peter Scolari
Michael Harris
William Sanderson
Larry
Tony Papenfuss
First Darryl
John Voldstad
Second Darryl
