Grounded for Life
Overview
At just 32, Sean Finnerty navigates the chaos of fatherhood after becoming a young dad when his girlfriend Claudia got pregnant right out of high school. Now married, he juggles life with their 14-year-old daughter Lily and two energetic sons, often torn between the responsibilities of parenting and his yearning for freedom. Complicating matters are his critical father Walt and carefree brother Eddie, whose antics add to the familial mayhem. As stories unfold, interruptions and lively debates ensue, capturing the essence of family life in all its noisy, chaotic glory.
Episodes
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1
Lily B. Goode
In an attempt to draw attention, Lily kisses her geeky neighbor, Brad O'Keefe, while in his car. When Sean discovers them, he reacts in a bizarre fash...
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2
In My Room
Sean accidentally discovers a fake ID in Lily's room. He and Claudia decide to confront their daughter about her rebellious actions, but Lily offers l...
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3
I Wanna Be Suspended
Title: I Wanna Be Suspended Plot: Jimmy misses the deadline for his science project after his parents take him to a Ramones concert. Desperate to hel...
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4
Devil with a Plaid Skirt
Jimmy's assertion of being possessed by a demon and the length of Lily's skirt lead Sean to feel as though he’s engaged in a conflict with Sister He...
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5
Action Mountain High
Title: Adventure Peak Plot: Lily's day at an amusement park takes a turn for the worse when she asks Sean for a ride home. Displeased by the situatio...
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6
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Lily is devastated when Sean tells her they can’t afford to send her on the ski trip with her friends. Her frustration escalates when she discovers ...
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7
Like a Virgin
Title: Like a Virgin Plot: Claudia is excited about her upcoming trip to New Jersey, hoping to strengthen her relationship with Lily. However, her pl...
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8
Devil's Haircut
Sean (Donal Logue) makes an effort to hide the truth after he gives Henry (Jake Burbage) a haircut at home instead of bringing him to a professional b...
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9
Eddie's Dead
Sean (Donal Logue) attempts to prevent Eddie (Kevin Corrigan) from making a move on a woman (guest star Julie Claire) whom Claudia (Megyn Price) is co...
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10
Catch Us If You Can
Sean snares a fly ball that's still in play, leading to a heartbreaking loss for the Yankees. Meanwhile, Claudia's plans for a bachelorette party for ...
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11
Jimmy's Got a Gun
Walt surprises Jimmy with a BB gun for his birthday, sparking a fierce rivalry between him and Sean. The playful competition quickly escalates, result...
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12
Jimmy Was Kung-Fu Fighting
In their quest to save for a dream getaway to Mexico, Sean and Claudia take on extra shifts at their jobs. However, this decision throws their househo...
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13
Loser
Sean steps in to referee Henry's soccer match but ends up making a questionable call that benefits Henry's team. This decision backfires when Henry's ...
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14
Mrs. Finnerty, You've Got a Lovely Daughter
Lily feels downhearted after she and her friends are rejected while performing at the school's talent show, leaving Sean and Claudia with some clarify...
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15
Love Child
When Lily finds out that she was born out of wedlock, she is heartbroken and confronts Sean for answers.
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1
Baby, You Can't Drive My Car
When the Finnertys discover their car is gone one night, tensions rise within the family. Sean is heartbroken over the vehicle's disappearance, while ...
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2
Dream On
Claudia’s dream about Eddie prompts Sean to rekindle his wife's passion, but things take a turn for the worse during a surprise visit to her workpla...
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3
Don't Let Me Download
Claudia is taken aback when she stumbles upon some provocative images on Jimmy's computer, prompting her to urge Sean to confront him. However, Sean p...
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4
Rubber Sold
Sean becomes anxious when he learns that Lily plans to go to a party at Brad's. His concern intensifies after he catches a glimpse of their quirky nei...
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5
Bang on a Drum
Sean and Eddie decide to bring their high school band back together for a wedding reception, but Sean starts to feel uneasy when he notices Lily is ov...
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6
Smoke on the Daughter
Title: Smoke on the Daughter Plot: After a particularly tough day at work, Claudia succumbs to the temptation of a co-worker's cigarette, which spira...
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7
I Saw Daddy Hitting Santa Claus
Sean is infuriated with Walt, who’s dressed as Santa, after he guarantees Henry a $350 Astro Jammer Battle Buggy for Christmas. In retaliation, Sean...
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8
Let's Talk About Sex, Henry
Title: Conversations with Henry Plot: When Henry stumbles upon Sean and Claudia in a compromising moment, Sean resolves to address the subject of sex...
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9
Is She Really Going Out with Walt?
The Finnertys' attempt to reintroduce Walt (Richard Riehle) to the social scene goes awry when he starts mingling with a woman they disapprove of. At ...
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10
We Are Family
When Claudia's influential Uncle Sal (Vincent Pastore) asks for a favor, things take an unexpected turn, causing Sean to worry that Sal might have tie...
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11
Mr. Roboto
Title: Mr. Roboto Plot: Jimmy's class hosts a robot science fair, and Sean goes above and beyond to craft a winning robot for his son. When the jud...
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12
Don't Fear the Reefer
Sean decides to tackle some tree trimming but inadvertently triggers a blackout just as the Super Bowl begins. However, his main worry shifts to what ...
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13
Take It to the Limit
Lily's excessive credit card spending derails Sean's intentions to treat Jimmy and his friends to an expensive waterpark outing. Meanwhile, Eddie keep...
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14
Eddie Said Knock You Out
Title: Eddie’s Knockout Challenge Plot: Sean takes on a dare from his irritating neighbor, Mr. O'Keefe, to engage in a boxing bout. However, he beg...
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15
Safety Dance
During the school dance that Sean and Claudia are supervising, Sister Helen stumbles upon Lily and Dean in a compromising situation, caught with a bot...
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16
Relax!
Sean attempts to persuade a gay colleague to reveal his sexuality before the rumor spreads that he’s already taken the leap for him. At the same tim...
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17
The Kids Are Alright
After Sean and Claudia score a free weekend getaway in Atlantic City, Eddie volunteers to babysit the boys. Initially hesitant about his offer, they e...
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18
Swearin' to God
Sean takes advantage of a nun's unexpected curse word to secure Claudia and the children all their heart's desires from St. Finnian's.
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19
Eddie and This Guy with Diamonds
Title: Eddie and the Diamond Dilemma Plot: Sean finds himself behind bars after purchasing questionable diamond earrings for Claudia from Eddie's dub...
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20
I Fought the In-Laws
Claudia's parents are in town, and their seemingly small jabs hit a nerve with the already insecure Sean, driving him to the brink of madness. At the ...
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21
Dust in the Wind
Sean and Eddie decide to fulfill their deceased cousin's last request by spreading his ashes, which are kept in a Tupperware container, at the old wat...
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22
Oops!...I Did It Again
Sean finds a home pregnancy test in the garbage, leading him to believe that Lily is expecting. However, it could be Claudia who has surprising news f...
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1
We Didn't Start the Fire
Claudia receives the results of her pregnancy test, and Sean decides to commemorate the happy news with a big investment: a bar that Eddie intends to ...
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2
Mustang Lily
Sean misses his chance to secure a loan from Claudia's father, Stephen Root, after he accidentally loses the car he gifted Lily for her birthday in a ...
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3
Cat Scratch Fever (a.k.a. The Bitch Is Back)
The atmosphere at the bar becomes charged when Sean brings in his high school crush as the new bartender. Meanwhile, during a concert, Lily panics aft...
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4
Drive Me Crazy
Lily has once again flunked her driving test, but this time the blame lies squarely with Sean. He intentionally undermined her preparation by sharing ...
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5
Just Like a Woman
The guys tease Sean when he struggles to remove the lugnuts from the car, forcing him to ask his wife to flag down a trucker for help while he waits i...
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6
Henry's Been Working for the Drug Squad
After participating in his school's drug-awareness day, Henry becomes convinced that his family is involved with drugs. He decides to confront Sean by...
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7
Cuts Like a Knife
Sean struggles to fend off Claudia's romantic advances after deceiving her into believing he has finally had a vasectomy. At the same time, Brad seize...
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8
Who Are You?
Title: Who Are You? Plot: Sean and Claudia are taken aback when they discover that Jimmy has been stealing items from stores, prompting them to explo...
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9
Welcome to the Working Week
Lily indulges in a shopping binge using her "emergency credit card," which leads her to find a job at the bar to settle her mounting expenses. Meanwhi...
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10
Claudia in Disguise with Glasses
Title: Claudia's Glasses Mishap Plot: Chaos ensues at a wedding reception when Claudia misplaces her glasses, leading to a series of humorous misunde...
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11
Tonight's the Night
Title: The Night of Surprises Plot: On her significant 16th birthday, Lily finds herself sharing a bed with an unexpected companion after Dean's atte...
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12
Oh, What a Knight
Title: A Knight to Remember Plot: To support Lily in her quest for the crown at the Knights of Hibernia's beauty pageant, Sean decides to become a me...
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13
Part Time Lover
After the dump shuts down for the day, Walt suddenly has a lot of spare time on his hands and starts spending it at home. This frustrates Lily, who st...
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1
Your Father Should Know (1)
Following Sean's confrontation with Brad's father, who is gloating about Lily and Brad's night together, Sean turns to Claudia, only to discover that ...
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2
Your Father Should Know (2)
Title: Your Father Should Know (2) Plot: Claudia believes it's crucial to mend the rift between their families and invites the O'Keefes for dinner....
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3
All the Young Nudes
Sean and Eddie decide to bring in strippers at the bar to boost their finances, but soon find themselves facing protests from the PTA. The surprising ...
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4
I Right the Wrongs
Brad feels hurt by Lily's reluctance to be seen with him, prompting Sean to attempt a makeover of Brad's nerdy persona. However, Sean's efforts backfi...
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5
I Just Paid to Say I Love You
Title: I Just Paid to Say I Love You Plot: Brad organizes a dreamy evening for Lily in New York City, but a single mishap derails their plans, lead...
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6
S.A.T. and Sympathy (a.k.a. S.A.T. Out of Hell)
Title: S.A.T. and Sympathy (a.k.a. S.A.T. Out of Hell) Plot: As Lily and Brad nervously prepare for their S.A.T. exams, Claudia decides to spice thin...
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7
Pay You Back with Interest
Eddie decides to purchase an electric car to win over a girl, but Sean makes the poor choice of lending him money without informing Claudia. This over...
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8
Ticket to Ride
Following a wild night out, Lily finds herself with a brutal hangover, her car oddly parked on the porch, and no recollection of how she got there. To...
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9
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Sean has a candid conversation with Jimmy about the facts of life. Meanwhile, Brad inadvertently stumbles upon Claudia in the nude.
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10
Baby Come Back
Title: Baby Come Back Plot: Sean's jealousy flares up when Claudia is invited to model for a fashion photographer. Upset, she walks out, leaving him ...
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11
Been Caught Stealing
Sean and Eddie walk into the bar only to find it has been burgled. Rather than alerting the authorities, Walt oddly pushes for a cleanup. Meanwhile, L...
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12
(She's Got) Kegs
Sean is eager to attend a Sex Pistols concert, but Claudia is preoccupied with studying for an important college exam, and Lily has a science project ...
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13
My Ex-Boyfriend's Back
Lily can't help but feel bitter about how swiftly her ex-boyfriend has moved on since their breakup. Meanwhile, Eddie struggles with his stand-up act,...
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14
Communication Breakdown
Title: Miscommunication Mayhem Plot: Sean neglects to pass on a crucial note from Claudia's professor, leaving her in the dark. Meanwhile, Jimmy trie...
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15
All Apologies
Title: Unforeseen Revelations Plot: While on a romantic escape at a hotel, Claudia and Sean stumble upon an adult movie and discover it was filmed in...
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16
I Think We're Alone Now
Sean and Claudia seize the opportunity of an unoccupied house to enjoy some quality time together. Meanwhile, Lily comes to the realization that Brad ...
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17
Can't Get Next to You
At school, Lily, Brad, and Jimmy commit to abstinence pledges. In a surprising turn, Brad proposes to Lily. Meanwhile, in an effort to distance himsel...
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18
Racketman
Brad (Bret Harrison) discovers that his father, Dan (guest star Gregory Jbara), has been boasting about his years of tennis lessons. However, when Sea...
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19
Me and Mrs. O
Title: Me and Mrs. O Plot: In an effort to lift Brad's spirits following his parents' recent separation, the Finnertys organize a birthday celebratio...
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20
Tombstone Blues
Claudia is adamant about not allowing Brad to be part of the family portrait. Meanwhile, her father-in-law, played by guest star Richard Riehle, decid...
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21
Pictures of Willy
Title: Snapshots of Trouble Plot: Eddie convinces Sean to assist him in sneaking into his former girlfriend’s place to retrieve some compromising p...
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22
It's Hard to be a Saint in the City
Sean is struggling to keep the bar afloat, prompting Claudia to urge him to think twice about managing it. With St. Patrick's Day approaching, Eddie i...
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23
Beat on the Brat
Sean takes it upon himself to discipline one of Henry's misbehaving friends. Meanwhile, Lily confronts Brad, urging him to make a choice between her a...
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24
The Cheat Is On
Claudia decides to replicate Lily's school assignment, unaware that Lily herself had lifted the essay from another source. Sean suggests to Sister Hel...
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25
You're So Vain
Claudia's dad, Tony, is back at the Finnertys for a surgery, and the whole family is rallying around him with support, except for Sean, who remains un...
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26
Pressure Drop
Claudia takes it upon herself to manage everything at home in an effort to help Sean with his hypertension and elevated blood pressure, but things qui...
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27
Get a Job
Lily is not happy with Brad's new job, as it consumes all his time. At the same time, Walt struggles to secure employment, prompting Sean and Eddie to...
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28
Space Camp Oddity
Lily feels uneasy when Brad shares stories about a girl named Lana from his past at space camp. Frustrated by her suspicions, Brad decides to take act...
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1
The Policy of Truth
Title: The Truthful Pact Plot: After confessing to his romantic encounter with his former space camp friend, Lana (guest star Mila Kunis), Brad seeks...
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2
Man, I Feel Like a Woman
Title: Man, I Feel Like a Woman Plot: Sean is unwell, leading Eddie to persuade him that he’s experiencing sympathetic pregnancy symptoms. Meanwhil...
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3
One Is the Loneliest Number
With Eddie dedicating all his free time to Faye, lonely Sean becomes increasingly critical of her, even going so far as to "accidentally" crash into h...
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4
Day Tripper
After being kicked out of his apartment, Eddie takes refuge in the Finnerty basement. Claudia expresses her displeasure, warning him that any misstep ...
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5
You Better You Bet
Claudia is furious with Sean after discovering he spent the money meant for the baby's crib on gambling, only to use his winnings to buy a new TV. Whe...
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6
Psycho Therapy
Title: Psycho Therapy Plot: Brad and Lily are locked in a fierce competition for the position of student body president, but their constant bickering...
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7
I'm Looking Through You
Title: I'm Looking Through You Plot: Sean welcomes his longtime friend Dave, a children's entertainer known as "J.J. Bodybuddy," into his home, but h...
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8
Mystery Dance
As the bar faces financial struggles, Sean and Claudia find it hard to keep up with their expenses. In an effort to help, Sean decides to apply for a ...
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9
Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?
Feeling down about her lack of sexiness during pregnancy, Claudia's spirits lift when her charming study partner, Steve, begins to flirt with her. How...
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10
Tom Sawyer
Lily feels insecure after discovering that she isn't considered "school smart." When Brad gets an interview at Yale, jealousy kicks in, prompting her ...
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11
The Letter(s)
Title: The Correspondence Plot: Sean is furious upon receiving notifications from the Home Owner's Association demanding he tidy his property, while ...
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12
Crazy
Eddie's former girlfriend, Amy, showcases revealing pictures of him at an art exhibit, leaving him too intimidated to request their removal... since s...
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13
Hello, Goodbye
In the final episode, Claudia and Sean are unable to attend Lily's graduation, inadvertently ruining her senior prank when Claudia goes into labor. At...
