2Mow Better Blues
At home: Tim is tuning up his ride-on lawnmower, Jill is making the boys donate unnecessary stuff for a rummage sale and Mark breaks his dad's precious 20-year old torque wrench. In the Tool Time show: Tim hides a blowtorch from Al "to make an important point".
3Off Sides
Tim and the boys are watching American football on TV when Jill reminds him that they have a dinner reservation at Chez Pierre because it was supposed to be their romantic night out. Tim has to give up the football - but sneaks a portable radio with an earpiece underneath his clothes into the restaurant in order to listen to the match. The boys get a peculiar new babysitter, Sir Larry Houdini!
4Satellite on a Hot Tim's Roof
In Tool Time: Tim is working on a wood table, with predictable results. Al is going to help out Lisa with her bookshelf. At home: Tim decides to install a huge new satellite dish all by himself. He is also jealous about a guy who's willing to help Jill prepare for a job interview on a Saturday.
6Adventures in Fine Dining
At home: When the Boys manage to get the whole family kicked out of a pizza place because of their behavior, Jill points out that since Tim has encouraged the boys' bad behavior, he should be the one to teach them how to behave. In Tool Time: Besides showing how to lay floor boards, Tim takes the time to give a speech about manners. He also demonstrates the new Binford nail gun. With predictable results.
7Nothing More Than Feelings
Jill has ignored the car's oil warning light for two days, and the car becomes inoperative. Tim then gives a speech on Tool Time about respect for the machines. He tells the audience about the oil light incident that happened to "a friend". Tim gets support from two audience members with similar experiences. When they start sharing experiences about each other's wives, Tim lets it slip out that Jill drools A LOT in her sleep - with a predictable reaction from Jill when the show airs...
8Flying Sauces
In Tool Time: Tim has a tip on how to avoid hitting oneself on a finger while holding a nail. Tim also has received a fan letter which he decides to read out aloud to the audience. The writer of the letter and his friends are construction workers who have invented a way of "cooking with power and steel". Tim invites them to demonstrate this on the show. At home: Brad and Randy are ashamed of being seen in public with their "geek brother". Jill thinks she and Tim should tell Brad and Randy not to torment their little brother but Tim has another idea: they have to "out-torment" Brad and Randy. They try Jill's idea but when that seems to have no effect, Tim gets a chance to try his idea... Tim then finds some old 8-track tapes in the basement and he and Jill start quizzing each other about the music of the 1960s and 1970s.
9Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble
Jill mentions the need for another sink in the bathroom and Tim promises to add one plus a whirlpool, and anything else Jill wants. Tim decides to make a Tool Time special about a bathroom re-do at his home because that way he does not have to pay for anything. Of course, things don't go as smoothly as planned...
10Reach Out and Teach Someone
Tim starts his dream hot rod project: he has only a frame to 1934 Ford Roadster to begin with, but it's a start. Jill is more interested in the clogged sink which to Tim is not an urgent matter to deal with. Because of that, Jill has already tried to unclog it herself and managed to drop Tim's precious screwdriver in. Suddenly Tim gets very upset and decides to teach the basics of plumbing to Jill. Soon they have a fight. Afterwards, Tim apologizes but Jill doesn't feel she owes him an apology in return. In Tool Time: Tim decides to teach basic home repair to women "in a simple language even a woman can understand".
11Look Who's Not Talking
At home: Jill starts experiencing stage fright when the time to give a speech approaches. Tim promises to clean the house while Jill concentrates on the speech. True to his manners, Tim decides to rewire the vacuum cleaner with, you guessed it, more power! In Tool Time: Tim gives a house cleaning tip for men.
12Yule Better Watch Out
In Tool Time: Tim gives a Yuletime tip: never plug in a frayed wire, and grunts Jingle Bells. He also demonstrates his great invention: a rotating Christmas tree. With the usual results. At home: Tim has decided to beat Dr. Johnson in the neighborhood Christmas decoration contest. The competition soon gets out of control. Jill is upset that Randy did not get the part of Josef but the inn-keeper in the school Christmas pageant and decides to make Randy stand out by making him an outstanding costume. Mark learns a shocking secret: there is no Santa Claus.
13Up Your Alley
In Tool Time: Tim demonstrates how to hang a drywall. At home: At Tim's suggestion, the family goes bowling. Tim's obsession for winning soon turns a time of family fun into bloody competition. Randy and Brad run into the bowling alley arcade bully.
14For Whom the Belch Tolls
It's family night at the Taylors. Randy would like to re-watch 'Bury Me Again', Tim suggests 'Bayonette Hell' but it's Jill's time to choose and she wants to see 'The Sound of Music'. Then Tim's college buddy Stu calls that he's in town. Tim agrees to meet him over a beer because Jill doesn't want him in their home. However, Tim can't tell Stu he is not welcome... In Tool Time: Tim demonstrates how to heat insulate a window.
16Jill's Birthday
At home: Jill's birthday is coming up and Tim has forgotten it. Luckily for him, the boys remind him. Jill says she doesn't need any presents - especially because the previous year, he got her a pressurized window washer. This year, she tells, Tim has to get her something thoughtful. In Tool Time: The show is shooting a makeover of a house - live. Tim has a truck on site. All that is needed for a catastrophe... Elsewhere: Tim learns a secret of Al's when they visit a women's clothes store to find a gift for Jill.
17What About Bob?
In Tool Time: Al is excited because Bob Vila is in town signing his new book. When Al utters "I can't believe I actually got to talk to the pioneer of home repairs", Tim's ego can't take the blow. Then, Tool Time sponsor Mr. Binford announces that Bob Vila will be the guest in the following day's episode. What's even worse, Mr. Binford wants Tim to face Bob Vila in a challenge... At home: Tim makes Jill prep him for trivia questions. Randy has been bad at school - he got caught for bullying. Jill announces that she will invite the boy, Curtis, to come to their house so that Randy can apologize in person. However, when Curtis asks Jill how old she is and compares her to his grandma, then tells on the phone to his mom that their house is cooler and that Jill is much heavier than her, Jill's goodwill starts to evaporate.
18Baby, It's Cold Outside
Valentine's Day is coming up. Brad is trying to figure out a card for Jennifer. Tim has made a weekend reservation for him and Jill at Stone Creek Lodge. The boys will go to Aunt Helen so that Tim and Jill have privacy; at least that's the plan. On Tool Time: The sponsor, John Binford, announces that Tim's family is to go camping for the weekend - and the whole experience will be filmed for Tool Time. Tim comes up with a solution: They will film it to look like the family camped the whole weekend, when they really only make a quick side trip on their way to Aunt Helen.
19Unchained Malady
At home: Tim receives a chain letter with the instructions that it be sent forward to 10 people within 24 hours or else something bad will happen. Tim doesn't buy into that and disregards the letter, despite Jill's warnings. Randy breaks his new bike and has to figure out how to explain that to his parents. In Tool Time: Tim is late because his car battery had been dry and someone had parked in his space on the parking lot. He tells Al about the letter and he also warns Tim of the consequences. Turns out he sent Tim the letter and then later found a $20 bill on the street and won a shovel in a radio contest... and Lisa asks if she can stay the night at Al's place because the heating at her place does not work. Even after he accidentally dyes his hands green, Tim refuses to believe in the chain letter's curse because George Foreman himself is coming to make an appearance in Tool Time.
20Birds of a Feather Flock to Taylor
22Luck Be a Taylor Tonight
In Tool Time: It has been Tim and Al's week of salute to painting. Tim brings up the subject of women thinking that men are insensitive and don't listen. He claims that men are sensitive to other things like details. Tim's guys poker night is in jeopardy because one of the regulars won't be able to make it. They invite Al as a substitute. At home: Tim wants the women and kids out of the house for the duration of the men's poker night, but that is not going to happen. One of the men is Jill's sister's husband Charlie and they are having marriage problems. Charlie is about to leave but Tim talks him out of it and the poker night is a go. He also gives Charlie advice on how to apologize to his wife. Meanwhile, Jill gives her sister advice on Charlie.
23Al's Fair in Love and War
24Stereo-typical
In Tool Time: It's the "Salute to Saws" week. Tim's special guest is Janeen Ray Heller, who can play the saw. At Home: The speakers of Tim's stereo system blow up (sadly, not literally) and he goes to buy new ones. The thing is, he can't restrain himself and ends up buying a whole home entertainment system...
1Read My Hips
In Tool Time: It's "Salute to Safety" week. The Guys from K & B Construction are back for a safety demonstration. Tim reads a letter from a viewer who thinks Tim has taken the show too far with all the macho grunting stuff. Tim burns the letter with a construction-use flame thrower. At home: Randy teases Brad about Jennifer wanting a kiss. Jill has prepared a surprise romantic evening for two, but Tim goes from Tool Time to a bar with the construction workers. And Tim is so thick he can't take a hint when he calls home and Jill says that she is "really looking forward to" seeing him and listening to Billie Holliday while waiting. He promises to be at home in 15 minutes but actually arrives after two hours. Jill isn't pleased...
2Rites and Wrongs of Passage
In Tool Time: Tim's guest, Angus McLain, has come to tell about The Highland Games in Detroit. Tim and Al will be participating in the games. At home: Tim has bought tickets to the biggest monster truck rally in the history of Detroit, which means that Jill will get the house all for herself on Sunday. Brad's principal calls the Taylors and tells that Brad hid a dissected frog in her food. Turns out that Brad's schoolmate had dared him to do it. Brad gets grounded and Jill says that means no truck rally for him, but Tim wants to allow Brad to go. They have an argument about it but eventually come to a compromise. Then comes the evening when the police bring Brad home...
3Overactive Glance
Tim and Jill are going out for a dinner. Tim glues his hands together. Jill has asked Karen to babysit for the boys. Jill watches a Tool Time on tape and sees Tim checking out a woman's behind. Tim is then accused of having the wandering male eye with no control. Tim guarantees he's not going to "check out babes" while on dinner with Jill. Then he is approached in the restaurant by an ardent fan, Kiki Van Fursterwallenscheinlaw...
5Heavy Meddle
It's weekend. Tim reveals to Al that he is going to put the 350 Chevy engine in his hot rod. Tim has invited "some friends" to help him. Al wants to come too. Tim thought Al would be spending the weekend with Greta (last seen in season 1 episode 21, "Al's Fair in Love and War"). But Greta broke up with him. So Tim invites Al. Karen has broken up with Greg and is visiting Jill. When Tim tells that Dave Gibbons is coming, Jill wants to introduce him to Karen. Tim can see what Jill has in mind and protests - he needs Dave in the garage. Another friend of Tim's, Bob, brings his pregnant wife with him. The next to arrive are Hank and Wanda. And Tim's original plan was that no one bring along their wife. Then Jill gets the idea that they should barbecue...
6Haunting of Taylor House
On Tool Time: Tim is demonstrating how to make a brick wall. Since it's Halloween, he also dresses up as a monster in an attempt to scare Al. Together, they carve jack-o-lanterns. Except that Tim has invented a new method for achieving the same result - with, you guessed it, more power! With predictable results. At home: Tim has turned the basement into a "haunted house" for Brad's Halloween party. Brad has agreed to dress up as "Raggedy Andy" because Jennifer is coming as Raggedy Ann. But Brad is stunned when she comes as a biker chick with another boy, having changed her mind because she claims Brad had been insensitive to her. Also, the impolite Curtis is back!
7Roomie for Improvement
In Tool time: It's Tool Time's salute to lubricants. Michael and Mario Andretti are going to make an appearance in the show. At home: Mark has chicken pox and Tim's never had it, which means that Tim has to move to Al's place for a while. Which means Tim finds out the answers to questions he never wanted to ask...
8May the Best Man Win
In Tool Time: Tim has a huge project: renovating a house from top to bottom. Mr Binford's daughter arrives to announce that she is now the show's producer, which means Tim is no longer in charge. At home: Jill gets a week's job at Inside Detroit magazine. She has to be at work 8 o'clock the next morning and Tim has to be at the project house at the same time. Who's going to get the boys off to school?
9Where There's a Will, There's a Way
At home: Jill has been trying to get Tim to go to see a lawyer with her in order to update their will. Tim finally agrees to do it. In Tool Time: Al has been building a cabin for 4? months without any power-tools. Naturally, it is Tim's opinion, that Al needs... yep, more power. He then demonstrates log-cutting with a dangerously powerful Binford chainsaw nicknamed "widowmaker"...
10Let's Did Lunch
On Tool Time: Al claims he can distinguish types of wood by their smell, even blindfolded. Tim agrees to set up a test for Al. At home: Brad and Randy decide to build a catapult. Tim has tuned up his weed whacker - with predictable results. Karen and Dave stop by on their way to the opera. Dave asks a favor from Tim; should Karen ask, Tim is to say that Dave was at lunch with him the previous day. He's actually seeing another woman, but doesn't want to hurt Karen.
12I'm Scheming of a White Christmas
14Howard's End
At home: Jennifer is going away for a while and leaves his goldfish Howard in Brad's care (the episode title might be a clue as to how that ends up). Jill complain's about Tim's reckless driving on her car. Tim decides to tune up the car. Next, Tim learns Jill has opened her own bank account and Jill overhears Tim say to Mark that Jill's car is really his car because he paid for it. They then get into a huge argument about whether possessions belong to one of them or whether they are mutually owned. Once again, Tim has to consult Wilson on how to make up with Jill. In Tool Time: Tim demonstrates a heavy duty drum sander in use. Lisa FINALLY gets more lines to say to the Tool Time audience! Tim has rewired the sander to be more powerful. Which has the usual results.
15Love Is a Many Splintered Thing
16Dances with Tools
At home: The boys pull a prank on a sleeping Tim. Tim and Jill's wedding anniversary is coming up. Tim bribes the boys to reveal Jill's surprise gift for him. When he finds out how cool it is, he realizes he has to give Jill something she really wants - ballroom dancing lessons with him! The problem is, Tim can't dance at all. The boys try to pull a prank on a sleeping-as-far-as-they-know Al. In Tool Time: Tim demonstrates a nail gun. With disastrous effects.
17You're Driving Me Crazy, You're Driving Me Nuts
In Tool Time: Tim and Al have built a wooden home entertainment center rack. To which Tim has made "a little adjustment" that was not in the original plan. At home: Tim and Jill are going to Sheila's wedding. Karen is babysitting the boys. Tim has tossed the driving instructions away since he is confident that he knows the area and how to find the church. However, it is not so easy when it is dark and snowing...
18Bye Bye Birdie
A woodpecker keeps Tim awake at night. He's trying hard to get rid of it, but Mark has been feeding it and named it Pete. Brad tries to fake being sick in order to be able to stay home because his math homework is not done since Jennifer used to do it until she refused and Brad broke up with her. When Brad flunks in math Randy suggests that he tell Jill that Jennifer left him and he's depressed because of it. This works, until Jennifer turns up and Jill learns the truth. Tim and Jill have to teach Brad and they find out that multiplying compound fractures is not as easy as they thought it would be... In Tool Time: Tim demonstrates how to lay a new floor. Tim has one of his genius ideas regarding how to scrape off the old floor. With the usual results.
19Karate or Not, Here I Come
On Tool Time: Tim has invited an expert to demonstrate how to cut wood using karate. Al believes he can do it too - and he does! Tim's ego can't take this and he tries it too - with predictable results. At home: Brad and Randy won't let Mark play football with them. They say Mark is a geek and a chicken. Tim and Jill agree that Mark should find a way to improve his confidence. Tim suggests karate, Jill gymnastics. Naturally, Mark chooses karate. In karate class, Mark's partner is a bully, and the boy's mother gets into a fight with Jill and Tim.
20Shooting Three to Make Tutu
21Much Ado About Nana
On Tool Time: Tim and Al are building a deck. Surprisingly, there is NO catastrophe! At home: Tim's mother-in-law comes for a visit from Texas. To everyone's surprise, she is no longer super-fat; in fact, she is slim. Since Jill's parents are moving to a new condo, her mother has decided to give some items to her daughters. Jill wishes for their antique wooden clock, but her mother has chosen a tea set for her. Jill is unable to tell her mother about how she feels about the clock, and Tim fails to understand what's the problem.
23To Build or Not to Build
At home: Mother's day is approaching and Tim wants to prove to Jill that he and the boys can actually buy something from the heart. In Tool Time: Tim presents Binford products that clear drain and toilet clogs. Surprisingly, there is no catastrophe. Tim demonstrates how to pour a concrete foundation. Sadly, again no catastrophe.
24Birth of a Hot Rod
At home: Tim's project hot rod is finally in the stage where he can see if it starts up. It doesn't. Tim takes a break. Jill wants him to fix a doorknob, the burner on the stove, the gas line and the ice dispenser. Tim keeps postponing them all because of the hot rod. Jill declares that she will fix the stove and the ice dispenser. Tim forbids that and promises he will fix everything, "soon". Jill becomes tired of waiting and calls a repairman to fix the stove. Tim does not approve. Then the repairman sees the hot rod and in an instant forgets all about the stove... In Tool Time: It's Lawn Care Week. Tim gives a speech about mowing the lawn and presents several types of grass. Later during the week, they will salute clippers and sprinklers, but first they salute fertilizers.
25The Great Race
In Tool Time: Tim announces the poll winner of The Most Popular Guest on Tool Time. The winner will be returning for another episode - despite Tim's attempt to rig the vote. Tim ends up in a lawnmower racing contest against the guest in question. Lisa finally gets more than one scene! At home: Karen has won a day at a spa for two and plans to take Jill with her. Brad and Randy say they won't exclude Mark from their activities if he passes a non-squealer test: he has to hold a tadpole inside his mouth for three seconds. unfortunately, Mark swallows it when Randy gives him a pat on the back. Jill decides to teach the two a lesson...
2Aisle See You in My Dreams
12'Twas the Blight Before Christmas
18The Eve of Construction
Tim agrees to build a house for Habitat for Humanity on his show, with famous athletes helping out, but Al and Jill challenge him by agreeing to lead a separate team (made up of women) to see who can build a house faster. Meanwhile, Brad doesn't know what to do after giving Ashley a locket he found, not telling her that it was lost by one of Jill's friends.
20It Was the Best of Tims, It Was the Worst of Tims
23What You See Is What You Get
After an acquaintance of hers gets cosmetic surgery to please her husband, Jill gets mad at Tim for suggesting that she could benefit from some improvements. On Tool Time, Tim and Al attempt to refurbish a table. Meanwhile, Brad and Randy challenge Mark to a series of games, with the loser having to do cleanup chores around the house.
24Reality Bytes
Randy starts a romantic correspondence with a woman in St. Louis on a computer bulletin board, presenting himself as a 32-year-old dermatologist rather than a 12-year-old, but his bluff is endangered when she decides to come meet him. Meanwhile, Tim helps Mark with his science project, but has to fight the urge to do it all himself. Also, Tool Time gets a visit from the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-61).
1Back in the Saddle Shoes Again
5He Ain't Heavy, He's Just Irresponsible
7Let's Go to the Videotape
10Ye Olde Shoppe Teacher
Mr. Art Leonard, Tim's favorite old metal shop teacher, is invited for an appearance on Tool Time, along with some of his old classmates. Unfortunately, during a taping of the show it becomes clear that the man who inspired a young Tim Taylor to seek more power is losing much of his own when his crippling arthritis is revealed, as well with his bitterness about his condition.
12'Twas the Night Before Chaos
14Brother, Can You Spare a Hot Rod?
Everyone is stunned when Tim impulsively sells his hot rod to a pizza magnate - especially Brad, who helped him build it, so Tim and Brad try and talk the millionaire into selling it back. Meanwhile, Randy is embarrassed that Jill still goes along with him when shopping for clothes.
16Bachelor of the Year
After a Detroit magazine selects Al as the city's most eligible bachelor, women begin constantly flirting with him, causing him to lose sight of his priorities and making Ilene jealous. But the reasons for the flirting may not be what they seem.
18A House Divided
For a segment on Tool Time, Tim agrees to fix the furnace is Benny's aunt's basement, but disaster strikes when Benny fails to tell him that there are TWO gas leaks in the house. Benny soon wears out his welcome as Tim's house guest, as everyone struggles to repair the aunt's home while she is out of town.
22Tool Time After Dark: Part 1
23Tool Time After Dark: Part 2
After eating polish food, Tim's stomach is bothering him so he stays up all night watching old Tool Time episodes. |
24Sisters and Brothers
Jill's sister Carrie, a globetrotting photographer, comes to visit, and their different paths in life create conflict. Meanwhile, Tim can't seem to stop arguing with his brother Marty, and the strife even spills over to create friction between Al and his brother Cal.
