
Steven and Elyse Keaton, once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-era American trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Son Alex P. Keaton is an ambitious young Republican, and his sister Mallory is a shallow victim of the corporate culture, obsessed with music, clothes and boys. Their only normal kid is young Jennifer, a bit of a tomboy. In later seasons, the Keatons add a fourth child, Andrew. Most of the comedy arose from the conflict between the liberal parents and the conservative children.

Alex pretends he is a supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment to impress an attractive feminist.

Mallory's afraid she'll lose her new boyfriend if she doesn't give in to his romantic requests.

Certain that he will be named class valedictorian, Alex becomes dismayed when his girlfriend wins the honor instead.

When Skippy learns that he is adopted, Alex accompanies him to meet his real mother.