Mike's mother, who thinks her son has married beneath him, visits from Chicago. Her cooking scores with Matthew, but Vivian can't stomach her nit-picking nature.
Without consulting each other, the Atwoods drop some big money: Mike buys a big-screen TV from a ""guy"" whom Al knows; Vivian loses interest in Laura's shop.
It looks as if the torch is being passed when a new producer retools the guys' show - Mike is in (the studio) and Al is out (in the field).
Vivian and Michael are reluctantly drawn into a comedic dating circus when Al decides to pursue Vivian's best friend, Laura, and asks for Michael's help.