Brother's Keeper (1998)
"Imagine taking care of someone really immature, and your 8-year-old son as well."
Synopsis
Widower and professor Porter Waide has his life turned upside down with the arrival of his football player brother, Bobby, who's gotten into so much trouble that he's been contracted to live with a responsible relative. This move also disrupts the lives of Porter's impressionable son, Oscar, and Bobby's perpetually annoyed agent, Dena.
Creator
Donald Todd, Jonathan Axelrod, James Widdoes
Network
ABC
Episodes
Pilot
Porter is blindsided by the arrival of his football player brother and certainly unprepared to tackle the concept that Bobby's new million-dollar contract requires him to move into Porter's responsible household.
Who's Your Daddy?
After taking Uncle Bobby's advice, Oscar ends up in the vice-principal's office. But it's Porter and Bobby who are punished when the vice principal sends them to a parenting class.
Since You Came Here
Porter's worried about Bobby's influence when Oscar decides he wants to be a bus driver instead of going to college. Since Oscar's been spending so much time with Bobby, Porter has been left with gaps in his day so Bobby suggests he get a hobby.
Sneaking Into The Movies
When Oscar and Rose are allowed to go to the movies by themselves, Rose persuades Oscar to sneak into an extra film without paying; and when Oscar inadvertently confesses, Porter decides to teach his son a lesson.
Cleaning Lessons
When Porter berates Bobby for not cleaning up after himself, Bobby reacts in a typical fashion: he hires a maid; Oscar pays Rose to do his chores.
Trick or Treat
Bobby's gross costume frightens Oscar more than he wants to let on, ruining his favorite holiday of the year. Bobby tries to comfort Oscar after a particularly bad nightmare.
Kick Ball, Get Check
Bobby finds himself in a football-kicking slump after he promises to make a field goal for Oscar during a Monday Night Football game. ABC's NFL Monday Night Football commentators Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Boomer Esiason guest star as themselves.
You're in Trouble
Bobby is shocked when he fails his mandatory drug test, which leaves Oscar doubting the integrity of his football-playing uncle. The strictly drug-free Bobby is determined to clear his good name with the help of Porter and Dena. Guest star: Karl Malone.
The Boss of Me
Porter puts his foot down when Bobby attempts to decorate and lavish Oscar with enormous birthday gifts, so Bobby buys the family a larger house.
Note
When Bobby mocks Porter for putting encouraging notes in Oscar's school lunches just as their mother did to him, Porter realizes that his parents treated their sons very differently and had very different expectations of them.
Pillow Talk
Porter becomes depressed after he gives a talk on Abraham Lincoln to Oscar's class and literally bores the students to sleep; Bobby hopes to shine up his brother's image in class.
Date
Porter scares off his blind date Gretchen; Bobby, Oscar and Rose try to convince Porter to ask Rose's mother Marilyn out.
You Are Me
Porter is very proud of his trophy date, gorgeous model Amy, who has a thing for sensitive intellectuals. Trouble is, she fancies herself a brain herself, even though her head is obviously mostly air. Porter claims he is interested in her for her mind.
Box of Stuff
The brothers' mother sends them a box of stuff from their childhood, reviving ancient rivalries; The box also contains a sweater which belonged to Laura, Porter's first girlfriend.
Game Ball
Porter accidentally ruins Bobby's priceless championship-game football; Bobby gets kicked out and moves in with Dena.
Dating the Teacher
Porter discovers that Bobby is dating Oscar's teacher Ginny, he orders him to put a stop to the relationship; Porter inadvertently asks Ginny out on a date.
An Odd Couple of Days
After impulsively setting out on the road Porter, Bobby and Dena find themselves broken down at a garage with a couple of feuding brothers-in-law whose relationship strangely reflects on their own.
Everybody Says I Love You
The Waide men seek their mother's advice when they can't say "I love you;" Their mothers off-the-wall revelations only make matters more complicated.
Security Farce
When Bobby tries his hand at being a shock jock while hosting a sports radio talk show, he ends up insulting his listeners and prodding an irate caller to meet him at home to settle a score -- inadvertently giving out Porter's address over the air.
With Friends Like Porter
After realizing that he has no friends, Porter tries unsuccessfully to become pals with a group of construction workers who are fixing his home.
Politically Impolite
When Porter and Bobby are both scheduled to appear on "Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher" on the same episode, Bobby humiliates Porter by stealing his notes. But Bobby finds himself in a desperate search for intelligence when he's invited back to the show, which includes political legend Dr. Henry Kissinger.
The New Client (1)
While a jealous Bobby pouts over the attention Dena is giving to her new client, Gino, a race car driver, Porter humors Oscar by letting him punish his father for a high school prank that happened years ago.
The Duel (2)
Porter's scheme to win Dena's heart by trying to outwit Gino begins to backfire on the lovesick professor. A small earthquake shakes up the usually unflappable Bobby, he demands to be traded.
Cast
Details
Original Title
Brother's Keeper
Status
Canceled
Seasons
1
Episodes
23
Production
Axelrod-Widdoes Productions, Donald Todd Productions, USA Network
