December 25, 1989

Christmas. Getting is good. Giving is better. Once you understand that, it’s always Christmas.

w: Jill Gordon | d: Betty Thomas

December 15, 1989

Helping a little kid got me fired. Public opinion got me rehired. I realize medicine is a business ... but the best part of all is listening to your heart ...

w: Phil Kellard & Tom Moore | d: Sheldon Larry
guest star: Jeffrey Tambor

December 9, 1989

Tonight Wanda and I said those three little words, ‘let’s not doit.’ I love you, Wanda Plenn.

w: Vic Rauseo & Linda Morris | d: Rob Thompson

music | “Love Shack” by The B-52s

December 3, 1989

Went on annual fishing trip with Dad. He still talks to the fish. Still does his bird calls. Still tells the same stories ... I can’t wait till next year.

w: Mitchel Lee Katlin & Nat Bernstein | d: Gabrielle Beaumont

November 30, 1989

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe if we all spent a little less time beholding -- we’d be a lot happier.

w: Phil Kellard & Tom Moore | d: Stephen Cragg

Vinnie recommends | “The Fly” (1958)

November 20, 1989

Love. It’s not just flowers and poems. It’s compromise and forgiveness. You don’t have to be a genius to know love is impossible to understand.

w: Jill Gordon | d: Matthew Diamond

music | “Channel Z” by The B-52s

November 13, 1989

$100,000, a six-week vacation, and my own air-conditioned office vs. Hector Gonzales ... no contest.

story: Michael Lazarou
teleplay: Nat Bernstein & Mitchel Lee Katlin and Michael Lazarou
d: Sheldon Larry

November 7, 1989

I know I’m supposed to be the smart one, but when it comes to the art of friendship, Vinnie’s a genius.

w: Vic Rauseo & Linda Morris | d: Sandy Smolan
guest star: Thora Birch

November 1, 1989

Moved out ... moved back in ... met Charmagne. Ate her nodule. Life is full.

w: Phil Kellard & Tom Moore | d: Rob Thompson

October 24, 1989

Got arrested. Almost lost a patient. Doesn’t take a lot of beer to cause a lot of trouble.

w: Mitchel Lee Katlin & Nat Bernstein | d: Johanna Demetrakas

music | “Real Love” by Jody Whatley
music | “What I Am” by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians

October 17/18, 1989

Went to see Batman. Parked at Mission Point. Removed Wanda’s appendix. Broke up. Got back together. What can I say? Just your average weekend.

w: Steven Bochco & David E. Kelley | d: Rick Wallace

October 7, 1989

Today I made my first really adult decision. I decided to stay a kid a little while longer.

w: Vic Rauseo & Linda Morris | d: Betty Thomas

September 22, 1989

Kissed my first girl. Lost my first patient. Life will never be the same again ...

w: Steven Bochco & David E. Kelley | d: Rick Wallace

music | “Wild Thing” by Tone Loc

September 21, 1989

Today is my 16th birthday. A major milestone because my driver’s license is at long last a reality. Which means tomorrow, Sept. 22, I’ll be behind the wheel on the way to the Harvest Dance with Wanda Plenn, the prettiest most beautiful girl in the whole world.

w: Steven Bochco & David E. Kelley | d: Rick Wallace