Season 6 (Empty Nest)

Empty Nest: Season 6
Season	6
Network	NBC-TV
Country	United States
Began	September 25, 1993
Ended	May 21, 1994
Number of episodes	26
Creator	Susan Harris
Producers	Gil Junger Dennis Snee Steven Sullivan Ursula Ziegler
Previous	Season 5
Next	Season 7

The sixth season of Empty Nest premiered on NBC-TV on September 25th, 1993, and concluded on May 21st, 1994. It consisted of twenty-six episodes.

Cast

Main Cast

• Richard Mulligan as Dr. Harry Weston
• Dinah Manoff as Carol Weston
• David Leisure as Charley Dietz
• Park Overall as Laverne Todd
• Marsha Warfield as Dr. Maxine Douglas
• Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo

Recurring Cast

• Bear the Dog as Dreyfuss
• Paul Provenza as Patrick Arcola
• Kari Lizer as Doris

Special Guest Stars

• Don Adams as Himself
• Loni Anderson as Casey MacAfee

Episodes

Picture	Title	Original Airdate	Episode #	No. in Series	Prod. Code	Directed by	Written by
File:EN121.jpg	When The Rooster Dies	September 25, 1993	1	121	6.01 / 121	Steve Zuckerman	Peter Gallay
	Harry decides to sell his practice and retire, leaving a devastated Laverne behind. But before leaving for vacation he must decide if the hospital's inner-city clinic must close down. Sophia Petrillo moves back into Shady Pines and becomes friendly with the Westons. Guest Stars: Michael McGuire as Dr. Marty Fitzgerald; April Grace as Irene; Rudy Salazar as Pregnant Woman; Barbara Lux as Street Woman.
File:EN122.jpg	Bye-Bye, Baby..Hello, Part 1	October 2, 1993	2	122	6.02 / 122	Steve Zuckerman	Pat Dougherty
	Carol wants Patrick to grow up and demands that he go for a job interview. When he turns down the job, she throws him out -- only to discover she's pregnant with his child. Maxine gives Laverne the okay to come up with ideas for a new system for the clinic -- one that drives everyone crazy. Guest Stars: Brian Reddy as Mr. Vogle; S. Marc Jordan as Mr. McCully; Kimberly Newberry as Female Patient; Ryan MacDonald as Mr. Jensen; Jake Price as Delivery Boy; Russ Fega as Arm Man; Julie Stein as Miss Hidalgo.
File:EN123.jpg	Bye-Bye, Baby..Hello, Part 2	October 9, 1993	3	123	6.03 / 123	Steve Zuckerman	Pat Dougherty
	Carol can't decide whether to tell Patrick he is about to become a father and is shocked when Charley proposes to her. Laverne discovers Carol is pregnant but refuses to tell Maxine, who jumps to the conclusion that Harry has knocked up one of his patients. Guest Stars: Stephanie Dunham as Diane; Courtney Peldon as Libby.
File:EN124.jpg	Mama Todd, The Sequel	October 16, 1993	4	124	6.04 / 124	Steve Zuckerman	Steven Sullivan, Ursula Ziegler
	Laverne must hide her new boyfriend when her former mother-in-law visits, as she is unaware that Laverne and Nick divorced over a year ago. Carol struggles to find a godfather for her unborn child, and Charley wants to be chosen. Guest Stars: Ann Guilbert as Mama Todd; Trevor Goddard as Joe.
File:EN125.jpg	Mom's The Word	October 23, 1993	5	125	6.05 / 125	Steve Zuckerman	Regina Stewart Larsen
	Carol frets after a successful date with a new man because she is afraid to tell him she's pregnant. Laverne and Maxine clash over plans for a surprise baby shower for Carol. Guest Stars: Tony Carriero as Mike; Stan Roth as Waiter; Debbie Gregory as Tracie.
File:EN126.jpg	Diary of a Mad Housewife	October 30, 1993	6	126	6.06 / 126	Steve Zuckerman	Bob Tischler
	Worried that she feels no bond with her unborn child, Carol discovers her mother's diary and learns that she was an unplanned pregnancy The clinic staff are bothered by a mime who with an ulcer and an especially-insistent hypochondriac -- and Maxine feels she's failed as a doctor when Harry discovers the latter may have a malignant lump. Guest Stars: Fred Stoller as Mr. Garrison; Marty Pollio as Kenny Finnegan.
File:127.jpg	Mother Dearest	1993	7	127	6.07 / 127	Steve Zuckerman	Paul B. Price
	Maxine's mother Josephine visits and drives her daughter crazy. Maxine and Harry trick her into seeing an optometrist, and it's discovered that her headaches are due to incipient glaucoma. Charley intercepts the lab results that reveal the sex of Carol's unborn child. Harry and Casey MacAfee try to set time for a date. Guest Stars: Marla Gibbs as Josephine Douglas; Loni Anderson as Casey MacAfee; Annie Corley as Anita.
File:EN128.jpg	No Volunteers, Please	November 13, 1993	8	128	6.08 / 128	Steve Zuckerman	Rick Newberger
	A somewhat-socially awkward woman named Doris brings Dreyfuss home, and Harry asks her to volunteer at the clinic. Doris then raises Maxine's eyebrow as she begins to send Laverne roses and dinner invitations. Carol's jogging partner persuades her to pre-enroll her unborn child in a posh preschool, and finds herself telling appalling lies about her family to impress the handsome interviewer. Guest Stars: Kari Lizer as Doris; Peter Sands as Mr. Ellis; Mary Kane as Brenda.
File:EN129.jpg	Das Boob	November 20, 1993	9	129	6.09 / 129	Steve Zuckerman	Dennis Snee
	Harry and Charley get stranded at sea. Maxine refuses to face her fear of public speaking. Carol ponders possible names for her baby.
File:EN130.jpg	The Girl Who Cried Baby	November 27, 1993	10	130	6.10 / 1130	Steve Zuckerman	Susan Beavers
	Harry and Maxine compete to sell charity opera tickets. After a series of false alarms, Carol finally delivers her baby -- during the opera. Guest Stars: Jeanine Jackson as Rachelle; Jane Lynch as Tammy; David Cromwell as Dr. Rubenstein; Tom Nibley as Rachelle's Husband; J. David Krassner as Man.
File:EN131.jpg	Superbaby	December 11, 1993	11	131	6.11 / 131	Steve Zuckerman	Peter Gallay
	While Harry worries that he's a boringly proud grandparent, Carol thinks her baby is unusually polite and neat and fears the hospital gave her the wrong child. Guest Stars: Richard McKenzie as Rudnick, Geraldine Leer as Mrs. Stanford, Mark L. Taylor as Mr. Stanford, Harvey Vernon as Bundy.
File:EN132.jpg	Read All About It	December 18, 1993	12	132	6.12 / 132	Steve Zuckerman	Greg Phillips
	When Maxine breaks a tooth, Harry must fill in for her at a newspaper interview. But the reporter gets along with him so well that he gives Harry all the credit for the clinic, infuriating Maxine and Laverne. Charley takes Dreyfuss to the vet as a favor to Carol and falls for the attractive female veterinarian. Guest Stars: Megan Gallagher as Dr. Heather Cook; Eric Christmas as Mr. Garrison; Robert Costanzo as Mr. Millard; Jeannie Elias as Jane Walsh; Kimberly Cullum as Kid.
File:EN133.jpg	Love a la Mode	January 8, 1994	13	133	6.13 / 133	Steve Zuckerman	Steven Sullivan, Ursula Ziegler
	Charley announces that he's going to marry Patty, his favorite waitress from the local pancake house. Guest Stars: Heidi Swedberg as Patty Olsen; Marian Mercer as Ursula Dietz; Richard Stahl as Fred Dietz.
File:EN134.jpg	What's A Mother to Do?	January 15, 1994	14	134	6.14 / 1134	Steve Zuckerman	Ellen Sandler, Cindy Chupack
	When Carol rejects Charley's gifts for Scotty because they might harm his development, Harry decides she needs perspective and suggests she join a mother-infant group. But the experience only convinces Carol that she's the worst mother in the whole world -- especially after she accidentally locks Scotty in the car. Laverne and Harry convince Maxine to get a long-overdue physical, and are concerned when she asks for emergency leave upon receiving the results. Guest Stars: Lisa Darr as Laurie; Anna Gerger as Bella; Jack Kruschen as Heshy; Michael A. Nickles as Athlete; Rachel Fox as Mommy #1.
File:EN135.jpg	Gesundeit	January 22, 1994	15	135	6.15 / 135	Steve Zuckerman	Dennis Snee
	When baby Scotty keeps sneezing, Carol fears he is allergic to dust. It becomes apparent that Scotty is allergic to Dreyfuss, so a heartbroken Harry gives the dog to Charley. Laverne becomes convinced the sealed second floor of the clinic is haunted by the ghosts of six murdered gangsters, and sets out to exorcise them with a takeaway Chinese meal. Guest Stars: Bill Cobbs as Jerome; Irena Ward as Sandy; Jean Speegle Howard as Mildred; Gary Hudson as Drake.
File:EN136.jpg	Under the Gun	January 29, 1994	16	136	6.16 / 136	Steve Zuckerman	Regina Stewart Larsen
	Harry worries about Oscar, a young patient who has developed an ulcer from being bullied at school. Laverne becomes obsessed with a scandal involving the mayor of her hometown, and Sophia promises to introduce her to a famous anthropologist. Guest Stars: John Reilly as Adam Blakely; Jonathan Carrasio as Oscar; Andrew Keegan as T.J.
File:EN137.jpg	Brotherly Shove	February 5, 1994	17	137	6.17 / 137	Dinah Manoff	Drake Sather
	Charley quits his job on the cruise ship and winds up working at his successful brother Dieter's used car lot. But when Charley lands a difficult sale, Dieter takes the credit. Guest Stars: Peter Scolari as Dieter Dietz; Philip Baker Hall as Jerod; Maureen Arthur as Mrs. Carlton; Dennis Bailey as Salesman.
File:EN138.jpg	The Ballad of Shady Pines	February 12, 1994	18	138	6.18 / 138	Steve Zuckerman	Rick Newberger
	Laverne misses out on clinic work to help out at Shady Pines, and Sophia's boyfriend Nathan makes a pass at her. Maxine and Charley house sit for the Westons when Carol and Harry go to Orlando. Guest Stars: Bill Dana as Nathan; Elmarie Wendel as Vivian; Ruth Engel as Sylvia; Phil Leeds as Milt; Sid Melton as Horace; Jean Sincere as Eileen.
File:EN139.jpg	Hog Heaven	March 5, 1994	19	139	6.19 / 139	Steve Zuckerman	Bob Tischler
	Laverne goes hog-wild when her old boyfriend roars into town on his motorcycle, but Harry is concerned about where this could lead. Carol becomes an amateur filmmaker after her uncle sends her a video camera. Guest Stars: Eric Allan Kramer as Sam; Don Gibb as Jake.
File:EN140.jpg	Charley's Millions	March 12, 1994	20	140	6.20 / 140	Steve Zuckerman	Rick Newberger
	When a Belgian perfume tycoon leaves Charley a million in her will, the responsibility of his new wealth drives Charley crazy. He assembles a group of those who have influenced his life -- Harry, Carol, Sophia and Don Adams -- and takes them on vacation to New Orleans. Laverne's beloved cat General Lee dies, and she replaces him with an iguana. Guest Stars: Don Adams as Himself; Chuck McCann as Coach Biederbeck, Nita Talbot as Mrs. Koontz; Liz Sheridan as Mrs. Coover; Gera ldine Leer as Bonnie; Paul B. Price as Mr. Gurman.
File:EN141.jpg	Half That Jazz	April 2, 1994	21	141	6.21 / 141	Doug Smart	Regina Stewart Larsen, Dennis Snee
	Harry asks his jazz idol Sonny Baxter to come out of retirement and play a benefit for the clinic. Sophia puts a curse on Charley after he dumps her niece. Guest Stars: Eydie Gorme as Heckler; Steve Lawrence as Sonny Baxter; Mike Larsen as Stage Manager.
File:EN142.jpg	The Devil and Dr. Weston	April 9, 1994	22	142	6.22 / 142	Steve Zuckerman	Kari Lizer
	Margaret Randall, a philanthropist who donated an x-ray machine to the clinic, makes no bones about her desire for Harry. Meanwhile, Carol helps the timid Doris come out of her shell by helping her sell roll-on mousse. Guest Stars: Audrey Meadows as Margaret Randall, Kari Lizer as Doris; Basil Langton as Edgar; Joy Claussen as Louise; John Petlock as George; Richard Tanner as Bartender.
File:EN143.jpg	A Foreign Affair	April 16, 1994	23	143	6.23 / 143	Steve Zuckerman	Peter Gallay
	Maxine dates an African cultural attaché who is intelligent, cultured and sexy, but his cultural attitudes turn out not to be very enlightened. Sophia and Charley get Carol hooked on the dog races. Guest Stars: J.A. Preston as Roland, Marlon Archey as Frederick; Aixa Clemente as Doctor.
File:EN144.jpg	Lordy, Lordy, Landlordy	April 23, 1994	24	144	6.24 / 144	Steve Zuckerman	Cody R. Farley
	The clinic staff is evicted when Laverne blows a fuse trying to get the clinic's landlord to fix the building's electricity. Then they discover that their most persistently-obnoxious and freeloading patient is actually the owner of the building. Sophia convinces Carol she needs to spend time away from baby Scotty, but she can't bring herself to leave him with the babysitter she hires. Notes: Fred Applegate as Mr. Hackler; Debra Jo Rupp as Danielle; Patricia Coleman as Mrs. Griffin; Jill Pierce as Woman.
File:EN145.jpg	Best Friends	May 21, 1994	25	145	6.25 / 119	Doug Smart	Paul B. Price, Bob Tischler
	Carol becomes upset when her childhood friend Zoe starts dating Harry. A Southern patient admitted to the clinic turns out to be in a blood feud with Laverne's family. Guest Stars: Morgan Fairchild as Zoe; Tracey Walter as Mr. Malloy; Richard Reicheg as Mr. Griswald; Paul B. Brice as Waiter.
File:EN146.jpg	Absence Makes the Nurse Grow Weirder	May 21, 1994	26	146	6.26 / 110	Steve Zuckerman	Steven Sullivan, Ursula Ziegler
	When Harry fills in for a doctor in his old practice, he hits it off with his nurse Denise. Laverne is disturbed by her feelings of jealousy -- particularly when Harry starts showing up in her dreams. Guest Stars: Wendie Malick as Denise; Paul Willson as Dr. Barshilon; Molly Snee as Shea; Brittany Smith as Shanna.

Development

Lisa Rieffel's departure

Near the start of Season 5, Kristy McNichol left the series unexpectedly for health reasons, leaving no time for a sendoff episode for Barbara. Lisa Rieffel joined the cast to play the third Weston daughter, Emily -- Emily was originally created with the notion that if Kristy McNichol or Dinah Manoff ever planned on leaving the show, they could bring in another Weston sister that had already been established with the audience.

However, Emily never caught on with the audience, and after only half a season Lisa Rieffel left the show. Following the cancellation of The Golden Palace, Sophia Petrillo was added to Empty Nest as a way to fill the void that was left by McNichol and Rieffel. She would occasionally mention Dorothy, but nothing about Rose or Blanche, and none of the The Golden Girls cast members appeared during Sophia’s time on Empty Nest.

Release

Broadcast history

The season originally aired Saturdays at 9:30-10:00 PM (EST) on NBC from September 25th, 1993, to May 21st, 1994.