Life with Bonnie Season 1, Episode 21: Ding, Ding, Ding Went the Truth

1

Pilot

In the pilot episode, Bonnie traded quips and tips with two authentic Italian chefs during an offbeat-cooking segment. The unscripted segments of the talk show, along with the talented cast of regulars, make for a truly unique comedy mix. The Life with Bonnie cast includes the gifted and funny David Alan Grier as David Bellows, the producer who struggles with the daily challenge of … Bonnie. He's aided by the makeup and cue card artists, played by Holly Wortell and Chris Barnes, veterans of the famed Second City improvisational group. Anthony Russell portrays Tony Russo, Bonnie's sidekick piano player who comes straight to her show from his Vegas lounge act. At home, Gloria (Marianne Muellerleile) is a houseguest more than a housekeeper. Bonnie's husband, Mark (Mark Derwin), is a hard-working family practice doctor who does his best to survive life with Bonnie. Together they are raising three young children, Samantha (Samantha Browne-Walters), Charlie (Charlie Stewart) and infant Conno

2

Weather or Not

Morning at the Molloy house finds Bonnie and Mark getting the kids ready for school, or at least trying to: a distracted Samantha is engrossed in the back of the cereal box and Charlie can't find his gym shorts. Meanwhile, due to a last minute cancellation on Morning Chicago, the station's local weatherman, Johnny Volcano (David Duchovny) — who is very eager to promote a film he has written, directed and starred in — has been booked.

3

Dream

When Bonnie complains about her overwhelming workload, Mark comments that her job is hardly busy, and this sets Bonnie in a tailspin. Meanwhile, Samantha's teacher calls to report that Samantha has been daydreaming a lot and needs to concentrate more in school?but Bonnie feels there's nothing wrong with daydreaming, as she is quite the daydreamer herself

4

Don't Act Your Age, Just Act

It's Tony's birthday and the gang is celebrating both on the show and at a local club that night. Worried that everyone will think their marriage is on the rocks because of a revelation earlier that day on Morning Chicago, Bonnie tells Mark to act like they're the perfect married couple at Tony's party.

5

Duets

The station owner's son (Kevin Pollak), who has a crush on Bonnie, co-hosts Morning Chicago. Meanwhile, the Morning Chicago gang — David, Holly, Marv and Tony — have to baby sit her kids

6

Is It Just Us?

Mark is forced to work late when his long-term nurse retires, and Bonnie questions the age and attractiveness of her replacement. Meanwhile, on Morning Chicago, Bonnie cooks up pizzarustica and interviews an author who is ""out of this world

7

A Day in the Life

It's Halloween and the Molloy family is going all out — Charlie and Samantha go trick-or-treating dressed as Conan O'Brien and Alice in Wonderland, respectively, and the Morning Chicago gang dresses in their Halloween best to welcome a fashion designer (Martin Mull) and his furry friends for a costume fashion show.

8

Happy Day

The station owner, Mr. Portinbody (Carl Reiner), warns the Morning Chicago gang that an investment group is coming into town from Nashville and a few changes need to take place for their visit.

9

Money Plus Marlens Makes Four

Bonnie welcomes guest author Q.T. Marlens (Jonathan Winters) to Morning Chicago, along with all of his multiple personalities, and Mark tries to balance the family's checkbook — despite Bonnie's habit of not recording her checks.

10

Partly Sunny

Bonnie and Mark debate who in the house is really in charge, and Bonnie welcomes Johnny Volcano (David Duchovny) back to Morning Chicago to promote his upcoming appearance with Bonnie on the soap opera Moments of the Day.

11

What If?

In the Midst of her 15 year anniversary, Bonnie Dreams of being married to Tom Hanks.

12

Christmastime in the City

A snowstorm brings everyone closer together, as the Molloy family, stranded in Chicago for the holidays, celebrates Christmas with the Morning Chicago gang.

13

Okay, Thanks

Bonnie welcomes local gossip columnist Rappin Rip (Rip Taylor) to Morning Chicago, and Samantha has a crush on a classmate.

14

Deuce is Wild

Holly tells her new singer beau that she's the producer, so he makes a surprise visit and asks to perform on the show. Bonnie also does a segment with chef Kazu Uehara.

15

Assaulted Nuts

A fireman (Michael G. Hagerty) who responds to the Molloys' squirrel problem is nonresponsive when he appears on the show to give safety tips. Juggler: Sam Pancake. Gloria: Marianne Muellerleile. Samantha: Samantha Browne-Walters.

16

Psychic

Bonnie welcomes psychic Kevin Powalski (Robin Williams) to ""Morning Chicago,"" and tends to her sick family when they all come down with the flu

17

The Graduate

Tony goes back to school to get his high school diploma, and everyone from the Molloy family to the Morning Chicago gang helps him study for his test — the only way he knows how — set to music. Meanwhile, Mark surprises Bonnie with a nightgown, which would be a lovely gift if it weren't size extra large.

18

Buy the Book

Bonnie stages a fake show to appease her boss' (guest star Carl Reiner) demanding wife (guest star Teri Garr), who wants to promote a book he hates.

19

In Need of Assistants

Bonnie has hired a man from a shelter to be her assistant and, in the face of his incompetence, has a hard time letting him go.

20

Stealing Home

When Bonnie notices things are missing around the house, she reluctantly suspects Gloria may be stealing to help her unemployed sister. Meanwhile, Bonnie welcomes a magician and Russian dancers to Morning Chicago.

21

Ding, Ding, Ding Went the Truth

Bonnie dings Mark's new car and is afraid to tell him, and both Rip Taylor and Martin Mull return to Morning Chicago — Mull to reprise his role of a designer and to host a doll fashion show.

22

Till Next Time

On the season finale, Gloria's friend Mary Ellen passes away, forcing the Molloy family to deal with issues of mortality. At Gloria's request, Bonnie, Mark and the Morning Chicago gang attend Mary Ellen's funeral and give her the send-off she deserves.