In the House

When Jackie Warren's husband goes through a mid-life crisis and announces that he is having an affair, she decides to make a new life for herself. Once a wealthy socialite, she enters the work force for the first time and gets her own place to live. Jackie squeezes into a less-than-lavish but charming house owned by former football player Marion Hill, whose stellar career was ruined by a freak accident. To cover expenses while he trains for a comeback, he moves into the apartment above his garage and rents his main house to Jackie and her two children. The kitchen becomes common ground for the tenants and their landlord. With only two years of law school as her experience, Jackie is hired as a legal assistant by Heather Comstock, a young no-nonsense power attorney. While she's working, Jackie must find someone to take care of her children. Despite her misgivings about Marion, Jackie's overly dramatic teenaged daughter Tiffany and her brainy young son Austin convince her to give him a c

When a female bully at school harasses Austin, he asks Jackie and Marion for advice. Unfortunately, he must choose between two opposing philosophies: Jackie says he should protect himself and fight back, while Marion advocates a non-violent approach. Meanwhile, Tiffany fights with her boyfriend on the telephone and agonizes about whether to call him back or wait for him to call her.

Jackie is out of the house celebrating her son Austin's birthday, so Marion plans a reunion with his ex-girlfriend, who thinks he still has an active football career. But Jackie unexpectedly brings the party back to the house and upsets Marion's romantic evening. Meanwhile, Heather dates a single father and asks Jackie's advice on bonding with his daughter.

It's been nearly 20 years since Jackie went on a date, but Marion tries to get her to meet men at a popular night club. However, when Marion's former grade school football coach comes for a visit, Jackie finds an eligible bachelor in her own living room.

Austin persuades Jackie to continue the family tradition of visiting their mountain cabin at the beginning of the spring season. But when Jackie's car breaks down, Marion must drive them. Their plans are thrown into further turmoil by Jackie's ex-husband Milton, who brought his new young bride to the cabin for a romantic weekend.

Jackie and Heather help Marion get an audition for a sportscaster job on a local news show. For the audition, he interviews basketball star Spud Webb. Marion gets the job! But when he refuses to do the broadcast without his lucky hat, the station owner issues an ultimatum: either the hat goes or Marion goes. Meanwhile, Tiffany participates in a school charity drive to get closer to a cute classmate. Also, Austin asks his family to help him prepare for a school spelling competition.

Marion and his friend Carlton Banks discover that a boy is dating both Tiffany and Carlton's little sister, Ashley, at the same time, so they decide to teach the duplicitous guy a lesson in respect.

Marion takes a liking to an attractive neighbour, with whom Austin has been spending some time; meanwhile, Jackie delivers pizzas to earn extra money, and Heather practices hugging after her therapist tells her to be more friendly.

To Jackie's discomfort, one of Marion's former professional football teammates, Clayton Whitmore, comes to town to play poker with the old gang. That night, while the guys play poker, Austin sneaks downstairs to watch, and they invite him to play. Everyone is amazed by Austin's gambling prowess. Meanwhile, Heather manipulates Jackie into planning Heather's 30th birthday party -- and confronting the dilemma of finding ways to persuade guests to attend.

When Austin finds out that Marion is coaching a kids' football league with Marion's former grade school football coach Sam Wilson, he tries to impress Marion by making the team; and Sam accepts Austin hoping to date a grateful Jackie. Unfortunately, Austin is smaller than the other boys and plays terribly. Sam promises Marion that he will leave Austin on the bench during the game; meanwhile, Austin secretly tells Tiffany that he hates football but intends to stay on the team rather than disappoint everybody. On the day of the first game, half of the team stays home with chicken pox. Then one of the players gets injured late in the game, and Austin is the only alternate left on the team. He hides in the locker room, pursued by Jackie and Marion. Jackie realizes why Sam accepted Austin; Marion reassures Austin they're friends for life no matter what choices Austin makes. When Austin decides to play, he gets a chance to score a touchdown but becomes overconfident and is tackled. Meanwhile

Jackie ex-husband, Milton is thrown out by his new wife when he accidentally says Jackie's name during sex. Jackie refuses to allow him to live in her part of the home, but Marion lets Milton sleep in his room. Unfortunately, Milton drives Marion crazy with his annoying habits, and the next day Marion tries to force Milton back to Sasha. When Milton rents a romantic hotel suite, Marion calls Sasha to persuade her to reconcile with Milton. She refuses, causing a dejected Milton to lock himself in the hotel bathroom. After Marion calls Jackie at work, she rushes over and persuades Milton to come out of the bathroom. Grateful for her support, Milton hugs Jackie--just as Sasha enters....

Marion bakes cookies for his physical therapist, Tonia, to thank her for helping him heal. But she wrongly thinks he is in love with her and aggressively pursues him by sneaking into his room wearing sexy lingerie. Meanwhile, Jackie wants Tiffany to join a fancy social club managed by the snobbish Mrs. Mason. Mrs. Mason and the other ladies come over to interview Tiffany, and they almost witness Marion leading the scantily clad Tonia out of the house. Later, Jackie agrees to help Marion convince Tonia that he is in love with someone else. Marion takes Tonia to an expensive restaurant. Jackie comes in, kisses Marion passionately and says that they are in love. Tonia dejectedly leaves. Unfortunately, Mrs. Mason was sitting behind them and witnessed the entire incident. Tiffany is glad to be rejected by the social club.

After Jackie moves back East with her son Austin, sidelined pro-football player Marion Hill revels, at least temporarily, in having his house back to himself. Plus, he is supposed to find out soon from a medical diagnosis if he can play football again. But a trip to the sports clinic immediately changes his outlook - with comedic reverberations. When Marion finds out he'll never play football again from the insensitive new doctor at the sports clinic, Maxwell Stanton, he doesn't know what to do, until his next door neighbor and physical therapist Tonia convinces him to buy the clinic, which is about to be closed in corporate downsizing. With partner Tonia in tow, they head off to meet with a loan officer. But it seems they weren't the only ones with this good idea. Dr. Stanton is looking to buy the place as well. When both parties learn that neither can make the deal on their own, they're left with only one option... a three way split.

Tonia and Maxwell come up with a get rich quick scheme - the ""Butt Ball"" - to help fund their sports clinic. All they need is a celebrity endorser to get the ball rolling. When Olympic Gold-Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee drops out, they turn to their partner, ex-pro football star Marion, to step in and save the day.

Overwhelmed by Tonia's demands on their time, Marion and Maxwell conspire to get themselves off her daily social calendar by fixing her up with Gary, the water delivery man. But when the first date lands him in the emergency room, the guys have trouble convincing Gary to go out with Tonia a second time. With the promise to 100 free gym hours sweetening the pot, Gary agrees to see Tonia again, and Marion and Maxwell decide to go along to make sure things go smoothly. But Tonia is on to their plan and has one of her own.

Marion helps an obnoxious football player facing a career-ending injury. Meanwhile, Tiffany convinces Tonia to flirt with a client.

Heated competition between Marion and Maxwell results in L.A. Lakers, Eddie Jones, a prospective client, being knocked out cold.

A hotshot college football star poised to break one of Marion's last standing records catches Tiffany's eye. But Tonia has a bad feeling about the young man's intentions - feelings Marion initially discounts. Meanwhile, Maxwell scrutinizes a parade of would-be receptionists.

Marion, Tonia and Maxwell's partnership falls apart in the aftermath of an earthquake that leaves the sports clinic in ruins. Meanwhile, Tiffany reconsiders going to college.

Seeking an upgrade, Maxwell urges Marion to date the contractor who's fixing up the clinic. Meanwhile, Tonia dates L.A. Lakers basketball star Derek Fisher.

Marion gives his pal Tito a job at the sports clinic, where he's a real piece of work for Max and Tonia. Meanwhile, Tonia and her boyfriend Derek face a complication in their romance.

Marion makes a brief appearance during Tonia's meeting with an ad agency, and lands an underwear-modeling gig. Meanwhile, Tiffany decides to move out.

Marion and Maxwell's on-shore escapade continues, while out-at-sea, Mercedes frets that Maxwell has ditched her.

Marion's life hits a crossroads when he begins to fret over whether he and Maxwell should sell their clinic while Tonia gets offers from the WNBA. Meanwhile, Carl and Raynelle move in with Marion and Tiffany temporarily, but the three friends soon regret the whole idea.

Tiffany and Graham's relationship heats up while Marion is introduced to Valerie's inquistive daughter Brianna. Also, Marion's nana pays him a visit and explains to her grandson that she's getting engaged and Mercedes and Maxwell face problems in the bedroom.

Marion's suspiciousness about Nana's fiancee Ted causes the relationship to collapse on the eve of their wedding. Also, a letter left from Tiffany reveals that she has eloped with Graham.

Marion accidentally kills Brianna's goldfish. Meanwhile, Maxwell tries to reconcile with Mercedes with the help of a counselor. Raynelle's new boyfriend becomes too clingy.

Maxwell and Mercedes struggle to conceive a child while Marion encounters Valerie's ex-husband Justin, who has plans for reconciliation.

In the series finale, Marion awaits news on an NFL franchise. Carl and Raynelle try to decieve their parents. Maxwell and Mercedes continue to try to conceive a child. Marion reconciles with Valerie. Marion finally opens up to Maxwell. Also, Mercedes reveals the news of her pregnancy. Valerie tells Marion that she and Brianna are moving back to New York. The NFL franchise is finalized and Marion decides to also move back to New York to be with Valerie and Brianna while taking the liaison job there. Now that Marion won't be needing his place, he gives it up to Carl and Raynelle to have along with Tiffany and Graham once they return. As everyone leaves to celebrate, Marion looks back on all the great things he has done for others and most importantly the people he shared them with.