Like most American sitcoms in the 1980s, the series sometimes dealt with moral conflicts, but not in a heavy-handed fashion. Valerie had switched careers, now working as a freelance graphic artist, so she could be more available to her sons.

A jock with a big-man-on-campus attitude, Rich was especially known for calling David 'Hogie' (or ' Hoagie'). Another neighbor, busybody Patty Poole ( Edie McClurg), began appearing occasionally, as did David's friend Rich ( Tom Hodges). Barbara was written out of the show, and the close friend/cohort role became occupied by neighbor Annie Steck ( Judith Kahan), mother of a teenage daughter Rebecca (played in one episode by Paula Hoffman).

In season two, Harper and producer/husband Tony Cacciotti had increasing creative control over the show, and the candy-coated tinges of storytelling were completely replaced by realistic humor. The family dog, Murray, died in a season-one story line although the plot of the episode ('Dog Day Afternoon') mentions that Murray was 17 years old and already in mediocre health, his death is the result of injuries he suffered from a fall from a storm-downed tree in the Hogan's backyard. Valerie worked as the buyer for an auction house and was matched in wit and charm by her best friend, Barbara Goodwin ( Christine Ebersole). She contended with the regular uproar caused by girl-crazy and sometimes narcissistic 16-year-old David ( Jason Bateman) and his 12-year-old fraternal twin brothers, irresponsible and jockish Willie (Danny Ponce), and brainy Mark (Jeremy Licht)-whose spotless academic and behavioral record at school came to be pierced by occasional bursts of rebellion. Originally, the show was known as Valerie and its stories revolved around Valerie Hogan ( Valerie Harper), who lived in Oak Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and struggled with everyday problems raising her three sons during her airline pilot husband Michael's ( Josh Taylor) long absences due to his demanding work schedule. Main article: List of the Hogan Family episodes Valerie Seasons 1 and 2

John Hillerman as Lloyd Hogan (season 6).

Josie Bissett as Cara Eisenberg (seasons 5–6).

Angela Lee as Brenda Walker (seasons 5–6).

Willard Scott as Peter Poole (seasons 3–4).

Steve Witting as Burt Weems (seasons 3–6 previously made guest appearances in season 2).

Tom Hodges as Rich (seasons 2–5, guest appearance in season 6).

Christine Ebersole as Barbara Goodwin (season 1).Sandy Duncan as Sandy Hogan (seasons 3–6), replaced Valerie as the mother figure of the family.Valerie Harper as Valerie Hogan (seasons 1–2).

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