A man’s man, Jim is the all-American guy, fiercely devoted to his beautiful wife Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith), and his three kids. He has it all, but he still sometimes wrestles with the former wild teenager lying not-so-dormant within. While supporting his family as a contractor in a design firm with his younger, architect brother-in-law, Andy, Jim still finds time to pursue his other passion, playing Chicago Blues with his six-man garage band.
Jim’s wife, Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith), is smart and sophisticated and loves her husband for his sense of humor and his strong sense of self. She loves him in spite of his frequent selfish and childish antics which, although at times annoying, challenge her to be playful as well. She’s champagne and strawberries to Jim’s beer nuts and bratwurst but they’re in love.
Dana (Kimberly Williams) is Cheryl’s sister. A VP in an ad agency, she’s single, strong-willed and gorgeous, but emotionally shortsighted and self-centered. She is hot on the trail of the perfect guy, but her guys all seem to have commitment issues like getting past the first date. In the meantime, Dana fills up her life enjoying her two nieces and her baby nephew, whom she adores, and verbally sparring with Jim.
Cheryl’s younger brother, Andy (Larry Joe Campbell), is an architect who’s in business with Jim and also plays in his band. Andy is Norton to Jim’s Ralph Kramden. Although he is a brilliant ball of creative energy, his sensitive nature is a great foil for sister Dana and brother-in-law Jim.
production details
USA / ABC – Touchstone Television – Brad Grey Television / x25 minute episodes / Broadcast 3 October 2001 – 2 June 2009
Executive Producers: Tracy Newman, Jonathan Stark, Suzanne Bukinik and Mark Gurvits
cast
James Belushi as Jim
Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl
Kimberly Williams as Dana
Larry Campbell as Andy
Taylor Atelian as Ruby
Billi Bruno as Gracie
