Steve Douglas (Fred MacMurray) and his youngest son, Chip (Stanley Livingston), are caught in the snares of designing women (Patricia Barry and Debbie Megowan), respectively.

Chip collects items for the school's annual rag drive. One neighbor notices all the strange happenings at the Douglas home. Bub appears drunk, Robbie carries a dummy in the house, and Chip talks to the dummy and drops it out the window.

Bub tries to fit into family life, but the boys find things difficult when Bub speaks against a PTA mother, shows up at school with a forgotten lunch, and seems to interfere with girlfriends. Turns out, all the help was needed.

A telecast of a countdown to a 1957 satellite launch provides the backdrop for a Monday morning in the Douglas household. Everyone seems to be unusually tired and for good reason: Bub accidentally set the clocks an hour ahead instead of turning them back one hour with the end of Daylight Savings Time. Written by The A Train

Robbie (Don Grady) finds out that a popular girl in school likes him, except that she (Cheryl Holdridge) confuses Robbie with Mike (Tim Considine). Unaware of this, Robbie ambushes Mike and pounces on him outside their front door after seeing them together, thinking Mike has moved in on her. Written by The A Train

The Douglas's stove breaks down on Thanksgiving Day. There's no way to get it fixed that same day and every restaurant in town is booked. Meanwhile Chip befriends a Native American and invites him to dinner. He in turn shows how to roast a turkey outdoors without a grill. Written by The A Train

While Mike and Robbie go camping in the woods, Chip and Steve go rafting in the backyard.

Lonesome George Gobel is in town for a benefit and escapes to the Douglas household for some quiet time.

Robbie (Don Grady) is overwhelmed, when his mechanic friend (Marta Kristen), Pig, puts on a dress and perfume and becomes the lovely Peggy.

The boys want a raise in their allowance, but Steve tells them that they are spending money recklessly and not doing their chores. Bub has been picking up the slack and doing their work for them. Everyone has bad dreams that night.

While working on a Social Studies project on teenage marriages for school, Mike (Tim Considine) and his girlfriend Jean (Cynthia Pepper) have everyone convinced that they've eloped.

Robbie is tired of all the teachers at school calling him Mike's brother and making comparisons about how each of the boys are different.

When Bub has to go out of town for a few days, Steve asks Mike to call an agency and hire a maid. Mike asks Robbie to make the call, and Robbie asks Chip to make the call. Chip calls an agency but it is a marriage agency who matches people. Written by Bernie

Steve's cousin Selena comes to visit and is only too happy to help around the house. When everyone is grateful for her help, Bub thinks he is being replaced and decides to take a job at a movie theater.

Chip wants to fight the school bully who has no interest in fighting with Chip.

Steve's sister, an efficiency expert, pays a visit and within a few days transforms total chaos into a smooth, efficient household. Written by The A Train

Robbie learns the grass is always greener on the other side when he is envious of his friend Hank's home, which seems perfect for a teenager. But Hank is envious of Robbie's life in a happy home and great family.

Jean (Cynthia Pepper) is upset when it seems Mike (Tim Considine) is never available in the evenings. Mike and Tim (Andrew Colmar) are building her a hi-fi set for her birthday.

Robbie's girlfriend Vivian suspects something is going on between Robbie and Judy (the same girl who confused Robbie with Mike) and asks her brother to follow them. Written by The A Train

Mike has to finish the layout and write a sports article for the school paper by himself in between running in a track meet and going to a dance with Jean.

Chip is tired of being the youngest brother, and wishes he could be older than someone. He gets his chance when a baby is left in Steve's car.