A busy working mom tackles an identity crisis by forming a garage band. In the comedy's pilot episode, Rita (Nicole Sullivan) invites her postal carrier (Tisha Campbell-Martin) and an out-of-work neighbor to join her fledgling rock group.
Rita skips out on Shannon's karate lesson to jam with the band and lies to Shannon about it. When Hallie exposes the truth, Rita tries to make it up to Shannon by buying her a dog. Meanwhile, Kip is determined to stay in the band against Hallie's wishes.
Good intentions go awry when Rita helps out with Patty's love life. Elsewhere, Rita and Jay are not enthused by Hallie and Kip's plan to get tattoos.
Rita and Patty take a trip to the guitar shop, where they meet two young musicians who invite them to watch their band perform, much to a jealous Jay's chagrin.
Rita feels unappreciated by her demanding family when Jay's surprise dinner wins rave reviews from the kids.
Weekend-getaway plans for Rita and Jay go awry when the sitter cancels. Rita reluctantly leaves Hallie in charge, but only after setting up a surveillance camera.
Rita and Jay's plan to teach Hallie about money backfires when Hallie gets a job and tastes freedom. She soon loses interest in going to college, but when she sees the effect work has on Rita's life, college becomes much more appealing.
Jay becomes the target of ridicule after Rita reveals his tender side to his buddies. Meanwhile, Kip and Hallie help Shannon out with a film project for school. Tony Danza guest stars.
Rita advises her daughter about sex after she learns Hallie's friends are pressuring her to have it with Kip. Meanwhile, Jay participates in Career Day at Shannon's school.
Rita volunteers Jay for a committee that turns out to be an excuse for dads to watch sports. Meanwhile, Rita is called for jury duty. Both are pleased with how relaxing their new responsibilities are and realize they need to make free time a priority. Elsewhere, Hallie and Kip become vegetarians.
Owen's wife kicks him out of the house when his band time interferes with his job hunt. Rita offers him her place to crash, and Owen soon sees an unexpected side to his bandmate.
Rita and Patty fear Kip is cheating on Hallie, but soon learn he's spending time performing with a younger band that writes great songs. Inspired by the group's creativity, Rita tries to pen some tunes, but finds the process difficult until Jay reminds her of letters she once wrote to him.
Patty helps out around the house when Rita comes down with a cold, but Rita soon grows jealous of the bond Patty forms with Shannon. Meanwhile, a video-game rivalry brings Kip and Jay closer together.
Facebook reunites Rita with a former band mate (Deborah Gibson) against whom she holds a grudge. While they reconnect, Kip and Hallie compete for friends on that same social networking site.
Hallie is grounded for sneaking out to a college party; Patty urges Rita to let her personal trainer (Jessie Pavelka) join the band; and Shannon persuades Rita and Jay to host a birthday party for her dog.
Rita sets out to impress Jay's visiting aunt Mavis (Mimi Kennedy) after discovering she dislikes her.
Jay's new client invites Rita's band to play at a company event. However, an overexcited Jay offers too much unsolicited advice. Meanwhile, Shannon devises a profitable scheme to persuade Hallie to do chores.
Rita competes at a fund-raising event with the mother (Melissa Peterman) of a student who has been socially bullying Shannon at school. Meanwhile, Hallie buys a used car that makes Jay remember the old days.
Fearing that the spark has gone out of their relationship, Jay and Rita each plan surprise Valentine's Day celebrations.
Rita quits the band after a promotion at work leads to an overwhelming schedule. Jay and the girls notice she just isn't the same without her music and set out to get Rita back on track.