Episode 1
Pilot
Harry is proposed to eighteen months after the death of his wife.
Episode credits
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Susan HarrisGuest stars Grace Zabriskie, Robin Pearson Rose, Victor DiMattia
TV series
Empty Nest
19887 seasons5.9 / 10
Widowed pediatrician Harry Weston is a miracle worker when it comes to dealing with his young patients, but he's more challenged by the other people surrounding him: daughters Barbara and Carol; his wisecracking office assistant, nurse LaVerne Todd; and obnoxious neighborhood mooch Charley Dietz. Thank goodness he always finds a friendly shoulder (and a warm, wet tongue) in Dreyfuss, his enormous dog.
Availability
Not streaming in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Empty Nest premiered October 8, 1988. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Synopsis
Widowed pediatrician Harry Weston is a miracle worker when it comes to dealing with his young patients, but he's more challenged by the other people surrounding him: daughters Barbara and Carol; his wisecracking office assistant, nurse LaVerne Todd; and obnoxious neighborhood mooch Charley Dietz. Thank goodness he always finds a friendly shoulder (and a warm, wet tongue) in Dreyfuss, his enormous dog.
Season 1 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch Empty Nest
Episode 2
The Check Isn't In the Mail
Carol gets all dolled up for a date with her contemptible ex-husband. Harry thinks Dreyfuss may be sick.
Episode credits
Guest stars Adrian Zmed, Craig Richard Nelson, Ann Ryerson, Leo Geter
Episode 3
Barbara Gets Shot
Harry tries to get Barbara to give up her police career after she is shot.
Episode credits
Written by Don ReoGuest stars Thom Sharp, Lindsay Parker, Mark Schiff, Ruth Silveira, Richard Fancy, Dean Fortunato, David Correia, John DeMita
Episode 4
Fatal Attraction
Neighbor Blanche thinks she is in love with Harry and comes on strong when showing her affection. An old friend of the family dies after an illness. Carol decides to move in and take care of her father.
Episode credits
Written by Susan HarrisGuest stars Rue McClanahan
Episode 5
Father of the Bride
Harry is ecstatic when Barbara accepts her surgeon boyfriend's marriage proposal, but she has second thoughts the night before the wedding.
Episode credits
Written by Susan HarrisGuest stars Sam McMurray
Episode 6
Harry's Vacation
Harry thinks he has become a burden on Carol and Barbara when they send him away on a vacation, despite his objections.
Episode credits
Written by Susan BeaversGuest stars Marcia Rodd, Tommy Hinkley, Lela Ivey, Abdul Salaam El Razzac, Joe Hart
Episode 7
Tinker to Evers to Tucson
When husband Nick is traded to a Japanese baseball team, Laverne is forced to quit. A sick Charley camps out on Harry's couch.
Episode credits
Guest stars Jason Bernard, Brandon Quintin Adams, Eva Charney
Episode 8
What's a Father to Do?
Harry makes plans to accompany Carol to see her photographs displayed in an art gallery, and also to attend a ceremony honoring Barbara with a gold medal of valor. The problem is, both events are on the same day.
Episode credits
Written by Rod ParkerGuest stars Raye Birk, Tim Haldeman, Xavier Garcia, Grace Albertson
Episode 9
Harry's Friend
Harry isn't too happy when Carol begins dating his old friend.
Episode credits
Written by Arnie KogenGuest stars Donnelly Rhodes, Diane Racine, Claude Knobler, Edan Gross
Episode 10
Libby's Gift
An organ that Libby ordered before dying finally arrives at the house and Harry becomes determined to learn to play it in time for his and Libby's anniversary. Barbara and Carol worry that he is going too far. A patient asks Harry for birth control.
Episode credits
Written by Rob LaZebnik, David SacksGuest stars Estelle Getty, Billy Gallo, Katie O'Neill, Lee Wilkof
Episode 11
The First Time, Again
Harry is encouraged to spend a weekend alone with his girlfriend. Jeffrey Millstein's imagination runs wild after he sees a scary movie.
Episode credits
Guest stars Barbara Babcock, Edan Gross, Dierk Torsek, Jarrett Lennon
Episode 12
Full Nest
Financial trouble forces Barbara to move back in with Harry but it's not all fun and games. A lonely Carol soon decides to move in as well.
Episode credits
Written by Susan BeaversGuest stars Brad Hall
Episode 13
Here's a Howdy-Do
Harry doesn't understand why no one likes his new girlfriend, but soon realizes they were right. When the relationship ends, Carol, who actually liked the lady, questions her own instincts.
Episode credits
Guest stars Judith Marie-Bergan, Susan Anspach, Charles Levin, Jana Marie Hupp, Nike Doukas, Whit Hertford, Rand Stone
Episode 14
Strange Bedfellows
Carol falls in love with a South American freedom fighter and announces she's going away with him. Jeffrey Millstein falls in love with Laverne.
Episode credits
Guest stars Betty White, Edan Gross, Franc Luz, Tom Nibley
Episode 15
Tears of a Clown
Carol becomes public relations director of the hospital and causes a multi-million dollar lawsuit when she reveals the mental problems of local celebrity Poko the Clown at a press conference. Charley convinces Barbara to pose as his fiance to get a promotion.
Episode credits
Guest stars Nancy Cartwright, Ian Abercrombie, Paul Sand, Diana Webster, Nicky Rose, Shaun Weiss
Episode 16
Blame It on the Moon
The Westons laugh when Charley says the full moon will bring love, but then realize he could be right. A rude doctor catches Harry's eye. Carol's finds romance when a man returns run-away Dreyfuss (who in turn finds love in the man's female dog). A stake-out leads Barbara into the arms of a high-school boyfriend.
Episode credits
Guest stars Katherine Cannon, Ray Buktenica, Greg Kean, Michael Garfield
Episode 17
Dumped
Barbara falls in love with neighbor, Dorothy's nephew, but is surprisingly not phased when he dumps her. Dorothy and Harry have an argument when Dorothy blames Barbara for the breakup.
Episode credits
Written by Susan BeaversGuest stars Bea Arthur, John Scott Clough, Cynthia Steele, Mary Garripoli, Matthew Kenemore, Christopher Robin
Episode 18
The More Things Change...
The hospital's new owner forces Harry to move his practice after 25 years in the same office. Meanwhile, Carol tries to amend the past after reading Emily's old diary and Charley tries out a new look.
Episode credits
Written by Rob LaZebnik, David SacksGuest stars Linda Thorson, James Staley, Jane Galloway, Tony Longo, Gregory Itzin
Episode 19
Man of the Year
When Harry receives a Man of the Year award, his estranged father comes to town for the ceremony, but Harry gets upset when he learns that his father didn't think he could make it as a doctor. Carol overhears the conversation and thinks her grandfather is dying.
Episode credits
Guest stars Marla Adams, Harold Gould, Peter Hobbs, Kat Sawyer-Young, William Bogert, Milt Oberman
Episode 20
Cyrano de Weston
Harry gives Charley advice on how to impress a new girlfriend, who turns out to be the same lady Harry is seeing. When a relative dies and leaves Barbara and Emily money, Carol is anxious to see what she'll be getting but isn't too thrilled when it arrives.
Episode credits
Written by Arnie KogenGuest stars Christine Belford, Ed Hooks
Episode 21
My Sister, My Friend
Harry promises to take Carol and Barbara with him to Paris if the two can go one month without fighting. Charley wins a greyhound in a card game.
Episode credits
Directed by Steve ZuckermanGuest stars Francis Guinan, Eva Charney, Jake Jundef
Episode 22
A Life in the Day
finale
Harry sees five patients: a week-old baby, a five-year-old whose father denies the boy's onset diabetes; a seven-year-old curious about sex; an eleven-year-old having the cast removed from his arm; a belligerent 14-year-old who uses drugs; and an 18-year-old picking up his medical records before going away to college. The end of the episode reveals that all of these have been the same patient at different ages.
Episode credits
Written by Rob LaZebnik, David SacksGuest stars Stephen Dorff, Matthew Perry, Richard Kind, Debra Engle, Billy O'Sullivan, Michael Lee Owens, Aeryk Egan
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Available now in United States
What to watch instead
These shows are available now and closely match Empty Nest.
More about Empty Nest
Cast
Richard MulliganDr. Harry Weston
Kristy McNicholBarbara Weston
Dinah ManoffCarol Weston
David LeisureCharley Dietz
Park OverallLaVerne Todd
Paul ProvenzaPatrick Arcola
Lisa RieffelEmily Weston
Marsha WarfieldDr. Maxine DouglasCredits
- Created by
- Susan Harris
- Written by
- Arnie Kogen, Rob LaZebnik, Susan Beavers, David Sacks, Dennis Snee, David Richardson, Bob Tischler, Susan Harris, Drake Sather, Kari Lizer, Cindy Chupack, Cheryl Holliday, Don Reo, Mitchell Hurwitz, Rod Parker, Ross Abrash, Lyla Oliver
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 170
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
NBCUnited States
Touchstone TelevisionUnited States- Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions
Themes
co-workers relationshipdoctorfamilyhospitalnursepediatriciansitcom