Season 1

&nbsp Season 1 (2010–2011)

Series	Season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production code	U.S. viewers (millions)
1	1	"Pilot "	Ted Wass	David Kendall & Bob Young	August 17, 2010 (2010-08-17)	1001	2.15
Melissa "Mel" Burke is having trouble with her niece, Lennox. As she tries to juggle being a councilwoman and a guardian, she gets a little overwhelmed. Her assistant, Rhonda, suggests she get a nanny. Mel is hesitant to do so until she finds out Lennox wrote a poem about her principal, Miss Lunt (Vernee Watson), that wasn't so nice. Mel relents and decides to hire a nanny. Before leaving for a meeting, Joey "Joe" Longo knocks on her door. He apologizes for an outburst (seen earlier in the episode) and asks if she can get him a job. Mel realizes he was the head of her brother-in-law's company. (It is mentioned that her brother-in-law ran off leaving the company in disarray and it is implied that he ran off with the millions Joey made for him and left his wife to take the blame. The result is her being in federal prison and the reason the kids have to stay with Mel.) She explains that there is a hiring freeze downtown so she can't get him a job. Joey then offers to be her new nanny. Joey takes Ryder to school so Mel won't miss her meeting. Mel comes home later to take Lennox to school so she can apologize to Miss Lunt. If she doesn't apologize, Lennox cannot go back to school. Mel finds that Ryder is still at home and Lennox is gone. After leaving, Joey sees an online posting from Lennox and realizes she's on the roof. He convinces her to go eat her "big bowl of stink" instead of letting Mel eat it for her. Mel comes back impressed until she finds out Joey paid Lennox fifty dollars to go to the school and apologize. They later decide to give him being the nanny a try.
2	2	" Moving On"	Ted Wass	David Kendall & Bob Young	August 17, 2010 (2010-08-17)	1002	2.18
Joey moves into Mel's basement with a meager amount of his belongings, with his ex-wife having most of the good stuff. Mel then convinces him to stand up for himself and get back his widescreen TV. But the presence of television in the living room ruins Mel's date with a fellow politician (Philipp Karner). Meanwhile, Mel encourages Lennox to make friends at her new school.
3	3	" Nanny Love"	Ted Wass	Seth Kurland	August 24, 2010 (2010-08-24)	1004	1.92
Joe's newfound job ruins his dating life. But, when things start heating up with a sorority sister (Maïté Schwartz) of Mel's, Mel offers him some advice: lie. The truth becomes outrageously stretched, until it blows up in the dysfunctional family's face.
4	4	"Boys R Us Boy Toys Boys R Us "	Ted Wass	Jennifer Glickman	August 31, 2010 (2010-08-31)	1003	1.60
Lennox's new relationship with a bad boy is no concern for her Aunt Mel, who becomes involved with a bartender/musician (Hal Ozsan). With the girls no longer thinking clearly, Joe must talk some sense into Mel, while managing to organize her closet.
5	5	"The Perfect Storm "	Steve Zuckerman	Larry Reitzer	September 7, 2010 (2010-09-07)	1008	1.64
Mel's father Russell Burke (Christopher Rich) comes over and undermines Mel's authority concerning Lennox's studying and bribes Joe with a Rolex.
6	6	" Spies and Lies"	David Trainer	Brenda Hsueh	September 14, 2010 (2010-09-14)	1006	1.40
Joe's suspicious behavior prompts Mel to assume that he is in a relationship, when in reality he has teamed up with a former co-worker in hopes of finding Mel's brother-in-law, Lewis. Meanwhile, Mel and Lennox team up to conquer what they think is Ryder's bully, after they discover him missing his new shoes and backpack. It turns out that Ryder himself gave his possessions to a friend, in hopes of repaying him since his family was impacted by Ryder's parents' dishonest investment.
7	7	" Close and Personal Up Close and Personal"	David Trainer	Miriam Trogdon	September 21, 2010 (2010-09-21)	1007	1.32
Celeste Vega (Valery Ortiz), a TV reporter doing a story on Mel's life is more intrigued with Joe's duties as a nanny and is out to make Mel look like an incompetent councilwoman.
8	8	" Dancing with the Stars of Toledo"	Ted Wass	Matt Boren	September 28, 2010 (2010-09-28)	1005	0.96
Mel agrees to appear at a Dancing with the Stars type charity event with Joe helping her to get ready for it. Mark Ballas and Finola Hughes guest star.
9	9	" Seoul Man"	Tim O'Donnell	David Kendall & Bob Young	October 5, 2010 (2010-10-05)	1009	0.90
A crackdown on illegal domestic workers working for city council members begins and Mel pleads with Joe to get his birth certificate so he can continue working for her. But what Joe hasn't told Mel is that he wasn't actually born in America, he was born in an American army hospital in Korea and that finding his legal papers is a daunting task because of him moving around as a kid. Meanwhile, Lennox and her best friend Phoebe agree to go to the school dance together as friends but rumors soon escalate that they are going as a lesbian couple.
10	10	"In Lennox We Trust "	Steve Zuckerman	Jennifer Glickman	October 12, 2010 (2010-10-12)	1011	1.28
Mel is pleased when she learns Lennox is dating the mayor's son. However, she learns that the boy's good nature is just a façade. Guest stars include Ted McGinley as the mayor and Katherine Helmond (who co-starred for eight years in the structurally similar series, Who's the Boss?) as the family's deceptively senile neighbor.
11	11	" A Fright in the Attic"	David Tranier	Seth Kurland	October 19, 2010 (2010-10-19)	1010	1.52
On Halloween, Joe hears noises in the attic and goes up there to check. He finds out that Mel's brother-in-law, Lewis (John Ross Bowie), who is still hiding from the law. Lennox and Ryder have been bringing him food and want to spend some time with him before he turns himself in. They end up fooling Mel and Joe, who follow Lewis and the kids to a Halloween party. In the end Lewis is taken away by who they believe is a police officer when he was actually hired by Lewis, who escapes the law once again. Julia Duffy guest stars as Mirna Sherwood, Mel and Joe's neighbor. Allusion to Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: Upon spotting a witch at the party, Mel says to Joe, "Been there. Done that," referring to the titular character she played from 1996-2003.
12	12	"Joe Knows"	Steve Zuckerman	Jennifer Glickman	October 26, 2010 (2010-10-26)	1015	1.38
Joe and Mel create web episodes, titled "Joe Knows", to promote his financial advice. He quickly gains popularity, not by his initial premise, but rather Mel's branding. Lennox starts to develop a crush on her chemistry tutor, who turns her down.
13	13	"Enemies with Benefits"	Steve Zuckerman	Jordana Arkin	June 29, 2011 (2011-06-29)	1012	1.54
Joe's ex-wife Tiffany (Megan Hilty) seeks a renewal of their relationship when she has a pregnancy scare; Lennox struggles with popularity issues.
14	14	"Don't Train on My Parade "	Steve Zuckerman	Matt Boren	July 6, 2011 (2011-07-06)	1019	1.08
When Joe starts dating Mel's personal trainer, the two find it difficult to balance Joe's new romance and Mel's workout needs. Meanwhile, Lennox tries to maintain a friendship with Beckett, despite her feelings toward him.
15	15	"Lost In Translation "	Steve Zuckerman	Seth Kurland	July 13, 2011 (2011-07-13)	1021	1.03
Mel enlists Joe's translating services when a Japanese client comes to town, only to regret her decision after Joe interferes with a possibility of romance. Meanwhile, Ryder plays the role of mediator for Lennox and her ex-best friend, who must work on a project together.
16	16	"Joe Versus the Reunion "	Jeff Melman	Larry Reitzer	July 20, 2011 (2011-07-20)	1020	0.98
Mel, sympathizing for Joe's unfortunate year, pretends to be Joe's girlfriend at his college reunion. Meanwhile, Lennox and Ryder, left home alone, dream of throwing a wild party, only for it to be quite mild. Allusion to My Fake Fiancé: Joe accuses Mel of barging into his reunion and pretending to be his "fake fiancée," a nod to the 2009 ABC Family movie in which Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence both starred in.
17	17	"Toledo's Next Top Model "	David Trainer	Jordana Arkin	July 27, 2011 (2011-07-27)	1017	0.88
An encounter with a scout (Vivica A. Fox) leaves Lennox wanting to become a model, but her decision isn't final until she obtains Mel's permission. Meanwhile, Joe helps Ryder ask a girl named Holly (Rachel G. Fox) out, but she ends up controlling his life.
18	18	"The Mel Word "	Steve Zuckerman	Sarah Jane Cunningham & Suzie V. Freeman	August 3, 2011 (2011-08-03)	1028	1.02
Mel plans her cousin's (Leslie Grossman) lesbian wedding, and is put in an awkward position when her soon to be cousin-in-law hits on both her and Joe. Lennox and Ryder attempt to create a documentary exposing the prejudice of the nuptials.
19	19	"Auction Hero "	David Tranier	Jennifer Glickman	August 3, 2011 (2011-08-03)	1018	1.05
When Mel auctions Joe off at a charity event, she is shocked by how much the bidder is willing to pay; it seems the winner wants more than Joe's housekeeping services. Meanwhile, Lennox must write a novel in ten days to prove to her teacher that she has what it takes to be a writer.
20	20	"Waiting for Mr. Right"	David Tranier	Matt Boren	August 10, 2011 (2011-08-10)	1014	1.04
Mel's last single friend (Christine Lakin) accepts a marriage proposal, so Mel pushes herself to make a dull relationship work, despite Joe's misgivings. Meanwhile, Lennox gives Ryder a "hipster" makeover to impress his crush from school.
21	21	"Young Love "	Ted Wass	Jennifer Glickman	August 17, 2011 (2011-08-17)	1023	0.98
Mel begins dating a younger man, George (Scott Michael Foster). Elsewhere, Lennox and another classmate named Roman (Chris Brochu) compete to become editor of the school blog.
22	22	"Mel & Joe's Anniversary "	Ted Wass	Seth Kurland	August 17, 2011 (2011-08-17)	1024	1.14
George has a party to introduce Mel to all of his friends. Meanwhile, Joe gets upset at his ex-wife, Tiffany, for disrespecting their anniversary.
23	23	"Going the Distance?"	Ted Wass	Jordana Arkin	August 24, 2011 (2011-08-24)	1025	1.02
Mel reexamines her romance with George. Elsewhere, Holly introduces her parents (Sean O'Bryan and Wendy Makkena) to Ryder.
24	24	"All Politics is Local "	Shelley Jensen	David Kendall & Bob Young	August 24, 2011 (2011-08-24)	1016	1.07
Mel's dad comes back to town to support a bill Mel opposes. Meanwhile, Lennox's poetry proves popular with a classmate who's an aspiring singer.
25	25	"The Other Longo "	David Trainer	Seth Kurland	August 31, 2011 (2011-08-31)	1013	0.89
Joe's younger brother (Matthew Lawrence) arrives in town and is attracted to Mel. Meanwhile, Lennox dodges a sick Ryder in order to ensure that she is able to attend a highly anticipated party.
26	26	"Teacher/Teacher "	Jeff Melmen	Larry Reitzer	August 31, 2011 (2011-08-31)	1029	0.96
Ryder lands in hot water with his teacher (Andrew Lawrence) because of Joe. Elsewhere, Mel gets Lennox into an over-18 concert.
27	27	"Play Ball "	Leonard R. Garner, Jr	Ed Driscoll	September 7, 2011	1026	0.94
Mel recruits Joe to play on her office softball team. Meanwhile, Ryder wants Lennox to feature Holly in the school blog.
28	28	"A House Divided "	Ted Wass	Sarah Jane Cunnigham & Susie V. Freeman	September 7, 2011	1022	0.83
Mel and Joe get into a property dispute with their neighbor; Ryder films a PSA starring Lennox.
29	29	"Do As I Say, Not As I Did "	David Trainer	Julie Brown	September 14, 2011	1027	1.27
Mel insists that Joe follow Lennox to her school dance.
30	30	"The Settlement "	Jeff Melmen	David Kendall & Bob Young	September 14, 2011	1030	1.39
Joe considers new found possibilities, when he comes into a large sum of money.