
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 tries to set up Skippy with a shy friend, but she thinks Alex is the one asking her out.

Jennifer's old buddy returns for a visit, but she has to try and woo him away from Mallory.

While working at a crisis center for class credit, Alex and a friend get a call from a suicidal student.

The kids hirer a young lovable housekeeper with no skills for cleaning.