Step by Step

Watch Step by Step

  • TV-G
  • 1991
  • 7 Seasons
  • 6.5  (16,092)

Step by Step is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1991 to 1998. The show stars Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers as two single parents who fall in love and decide to merge their families. The show follows the lives of the family members as they navigate the ups and downs of blended family life.

The Lambert family consists of Frank (Patrick Duffy), a contractor and father of three boys, JT (Brandon Call), Mark (Christopher Castile), and Cody (Sasha Mitchell). The Foster family consists of Carol (Suzanne Somers), a hair salon owner, and her three children: Dana (Staci Keanan), Karen (Angela Watson), and Brendan (Josh Byrne). The two families come together when Frank and Carol spontaneously get married while on vacation in Jamaica.

The show focuses on the challenges that come with merging two families, such as dealing with different parenting styles, sibling rivalries, and fitting into a new household. The show also touches on issues such as teenage rebellion, dating, and the ups and downs of running a small business.

Staci Keanan plays Dana, the oldest child in the Foster family, who is a responsible and studious teenager. She often clashes with JT, the middle child in the Lambert family, who is more of a troublemaker and ladies' man. The youngest member of the Lambert family is Cody, who is delivered to the family by helicopter in the pilot episode. Cody's love of sports and general goofiness causes friction with his older brothers.

Angela Watson plays Karen, the middle child in the Foster family, who is a fashion-obsessed teenager with dreams of becoming a model. Mark, the middle child in the Lambert family, is a brainy kid with a love for science and computers. He often feels left out in the family's more athletic pursuits.

Christopher Castile plays Mark, the middle child in the Lambert family, who is a brainy kid with a love for science and computers. He often feels left out in the family's more athletic pursuits. Josh Byrne plays Brendan, the youngest member of the Foster family, who is a cute and mischievous child.

Peggy Rea portrays Ivy Baker, Carol's mother who loves to cook and often uses old-fashioned methods. Bronson Pinchot plays Frank's business partner, Jean-Luc Rieupeyroux. He is a flamboyant and quirky Frenchman who often provides comic relief on the show. Patrika Darbo plays Penny Baker, Carol's sister who is a wise-cracking divorcée. Emily Mae Young plays Lily Foster, Carol's niece who comes to live with the family in later seasons.

Other recurring characters on the show are David Lascher who played Brendan's friend and eventual love interest, Joey Russo. Marla Sokoloff portrays Gia Mahan, a rebellious teenager who is Dana's best friend. Sasha Mitchell portrays Cody's biological father, Frank's ex-girlfriend's brother, whom the Lamberts take in during the second half of the series.

The show features a number of guest stars throughout its run, including Fred Willard, Michelle Williams, and Clive Revill.

Step by Step was created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, who also created other popular shows like Full House and Family Matters. The show ran for seven seasons and 160 episodes before it was cancelled by CBS in 1998.

Overall, Step by Step is a heartwarming and humorous look at the challenges and joys of blended family life. It features a charming cast of characters, witty writing, and memorable storylines that have endeared it to audiences for generations.

Step by Step is a series that is currently running and has 7 seasons (160 episodes). The series first aired on September 20, 1991.

Step by Step
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Seasons
Movin' On Up
19. Movin' On Up
June 26, 1998
In the Series Finale, Carol and Frank and family (no none of them have moved yet) have a major decision to make when an offer on the old homestead is made. Leaving everyone in the family excited to be moving on...except it's youngest member, Lilly. Meanwhile, Carol battles Lilly when the little stinker begins acting up in school. Throwing paint and balls as she fights to get her own way.
We're in the Money
18. We're in the Money
June 19, 1998
After two long years traveling the world the Codeman returns and he's bearing gifts. A 50 thousand dollar check to Frank and Carol being the most prominent of the ones handed out. But the winfall soon sends the two into a bickering free fall that has Cody worried they might break-up.
The Understudy
17. The Understudy
June 12, 1998
Al's over confidence of getting the lead role in an upcoming play has her heart broken and angry when she doesn't get the role. Instead she's given the lowly role of a maid and understudy to the star of the play. She refuses to learn the lead role and places the entire play in jeopardy when it comes out that the star of the play can't go on.
And Justice for Some
16. And Justice for Some
June 5, 1998
Frank has tickets to a Bucks-Bulls game and invites JT along and the two end up having a great time. Until that is, JT, asks Frank to switch seats with him and ends up winning a truck during a half-time contest. Frank sees it as his truck sense he bought the tickets but JT sees it a different way and the two butt heads. Meanwhile, Dana begins a new woman's safety seminar and invites a handsome police officer to teach them how to defend themselves. A move that has Dana and Karen in a battle for the officers attention.
The Half Monty
15. The Half Monty
February 27, 1998
Frank and Carol's "perfect" marriage is put on display when Frank is forced by Carol to miss his Bucks game and attend a couples meeting with people from the church. The meeting soon dissolves into a bitter dispute about everything that's wrong in the marriage. Meanwhile, JT and Rich need 400 dollars to take Dana and Sam on a ski trip. So the two resort to trying out as male strippers and get caught.
Pain in the Class
14. Pain in the Class
January 30, 1998
Frank's arch enemy has him reluctant to attend their high school's 25th anniversary reunion. A blow hard named Roy Tucker, who's only joy seems to be in reliving his past wins over Frank. Though once the reunion begins a secret comes to light that may, for the first time, give Frank the advantage. Meanwhile, JT and Rich throw a pay-per-view watching party to get the money to buy a new TV. Unaware they are also responsible for babysitting Lilly. Lilly later disappears when JT won't pay her attention.
Feet of Clay
13. Feet of Clay
January 23, 1998
Rich and Dana's schedules leave them with very little time to be with each other. So, in a compromise, the two decide to take a pottery class at the Community Center. A class that has one of them far exceeding the others achievements and it's not sitting well with the other. Meanwhile, in an attempt to spice up their love life's, Carol and Frank dress up as characters and pretend to be strangers. An arrangement that catches the attention of JT and Karen.
Goin' to the Chapel
12. Goin' to the Chapel
January 16, 1998
Carol and Dana butt heads over the 'no hanky panky' rule when she catches Dana and Rich in a compromising position several times. Dana soon determines that the only way to get her control freak mother off her back is to get married and that is exactly what she drags a, very reluctant, Rich to do. Meanwhile, JT's break-up with Sam is forgotten and he's not back to his lying ways by insisting he's now a fitness finatic to get a hot aerobics instructor to go out with him.
Phoney Business
11. Phoney Business
January 9, 1998
JT's NEW career as an agent lands Al a job as a model in a suntan lotion spot. But his not reading of the contract leaves he and Al shocked when it's turned into an ad for a local sex line by the sleazy producer. Leading Frank to play the good Dad and...threaten to throw the producer out of a window. Meanwhile, Dana and Carol (once again) play Nazi food guards and try forcing the family into eating better. Though this time it comes with a twist ending.
Too Many Santas
10. Too Many Santas
December 19, 1997
JT plays Santa at the mall and accidently reveals himself to Lilly and causes numerous problems when he has to explain to the youngster what he was doing.
Goodbye, Mr. Chip
9. Goodbye, Mr. Chip
December 5, 1997
Rich and JT began to fight like a married couple and forces Frank to intervene and push them to solve their problems. Solution? Getting therapy with Dana. Though it's poor Dana who feels like pulling her hair out by the roots once the first session begins. Meanwhile, Karen has a new boyfriend who also doubles as her personal gopher. A situation that prompts Carol to once again meddle in her daughters relationship.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
8. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
November 7, 1997
Rich's old friend, Cassie, arrives back in town with her family and picks back with Rich where they left off in Jr. high. This doesn't sit well with Dana who becomes increasingly jealous as Rich spends all of his time with Cassie. Forcing Dana to do the unthinkable in her quest to win back Rich's attention. Meanwhile, Frank's scheming Cousin Bert Lambert arrives back in Port Washington and Frank is convinced that he's back in town to cause some kind of trouble.
Dream Lover
7. Dream Lover
October 31, 1997
It's Halloween and the kids host their own party at an old anandoned house that features JT meeting a girl who's already dead. Meanwhile, Lilly gets frightened at her own party.
Can't Buy Me Love
6. Can't Buy Me Love
October 24, 1997
An old friend could spell the end of the Lambert-Foster's income problems. The friend in question is Kevin McGowan, an old high school classmate of Carol's, quickly agrees to give Frank a job on his new construction project. McGowan soon turns this to his advantage when he hits on Carol. Meanwhile, Karen wants to pledge a sorority at EWU but she's not exactly the one that the group wants most. She doesn't find out though till it's too late.
Poetic Justice
5. Poetic Justice
October 17, 1997
Dana is upset when her poem recieves a lesser grade than Karen's in college and suspects the teacher is only giving Karen good grades to butter her up. A fact that she is soon proven right on when the teacher indeed hits on Karen. It is then up to the girls to expose the creep for what he is. Meanwhile, Marks surprises everyone when he announces he has a new 'sugar mama'. A girl that's bent on trouble and leads Mark into her chosen lifestyle the more time they spend together.
Take This Job and ...
4. Take This Job and ...
October 10, 1997
JT is desperate for a job and quickly talks his girlfriend into hiring him when he hears the garage needs help. Though she is at first reluctant, Sam agrees. And as can be expected it turns out that JT is not exactly coordinated around the garage and it soon causes tension between the two. Meanwhile, an outstanding debt lands Frank a boat as payment. One that he soon becomes Carol-esque obsessed with.
Your Cheatin' Heart
3. Your Cheatin' Heart
October 3, 1997
On the eve of a friends wedding, Rich begins to act strange as he and Dana prepare to attend. Rich's behavior has Karen convinced that he's cheating on Dana, an idea that draws her and Al into tailing their sisters boyfriend. But the discovery they make is not at all what they first conclude. Meanwhile, a horny Frank and Carol desperately try to find a moment alone to do...the "toe to toe tango", but find it nearly impossible.
A Star is Born
2. A Star is Born
September 26, 1997
A Hollywood producer comes to Port Washington (Why? who knows) and holds auditions for the role of a waitress in his upcoming film. Karen, Dana and Al tryout, but its Al who blows everyone out of the water with her subtle performance. So good in fact that they add a second scene re-written especially for her. With all the set side hoopla now going to her head, Al, decides she's found what she wants to do with her life.
Making the Grade
1. Making the Grade
September 19, 1997
Karen's headed to college and finally feels like an adult until she meets her fellow classmate, Carol. Only in Carol's "mind" would she think that taking everyone of her daughters classes wouldn't upset Karen, which it does. Setting up a confrontation between mother and daughter. Meanwhile, Dana and Rich butt heads over his grades, or lack there of, as she pushes him to study harder. Also, JT goes shopping without ever leaving the house (and gets caught).
Description
Where to Watch Step by Step
Step by Step is available for streaming on the CBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Step by Step on demand at Max, Amazon Prime, Amazon, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    September 20, 1991
  • IMDB Rating
    6.5  (16,092)