In the pilot episode, Bonnie traded quips and tips with two authentic Italian chefs during an offbeat-cooking segment. The unscripted segments of the talk show, along with the talented cast of regulars, make for a truly unique comedy mix. The Life with Bonnie cast includes the gifted and funny David Alan Grier as David Bellows, the producer who struggles with the daily challenge of … Bonnie. He's aided by the makeup and cue card artists, played by Holly Wortell and Chris Barnes, veterans of the famed Second City improvisational group. Anthony Russell portrays Tony Russo, Bonnie's sidekick piano player who comes straight to her show from his Vegas lounge act. At home, Gloria (Marianne Muellerleile) is a houseguest more than a housekeeper. Bonnie's husband, Mark (Mark Derwin), is a hard-working family practice doctor who does his best to survive life with Bonnie. Together they are raising three young children, Samantha (Samantha Browne-Walters), Charlie (Charlie Stewart) and infant Conno
Morning at the Molloy house finds Bonnie and Mark getting the kids ready for school, or at least trying to: a distracted Samantha is engrossed in the back of the cereal box and Charlie can't find his gym shorts. Meanwhile, due to a last minute cancellation on Morning Chicago, the station's local weatherman, Johnny Volcano (David Duchovny) — who is very eager to promote a film he has written, directed and starred in — has been booked.
When Bonnie complains about her overwhelming workload, Mark comments that her job is hardly busy, and this sets Bonnie in a tailspin. Meanwhile, Samantha's teacher calls to report that Samantha has been daydreaming a lot and needs to concentrate more in school?but Bonnie feels there's nothing wrong with daydreaming, as she is quite the daydreamer herself
It's Tony's birthday and the gang is celebrating both on the show and at a local club that night. Worried that everyone will think their marriage is on the rocks because of a revelation earlier that day on Morning Chicago, Bonnie tells Mark to act like they're the perfect married couple at Tony's party.
The station owner's son (Kevin Pollak), who has a crush on Bonnie, co-hosts Morning Chicago. Meanwhile, the Morning Chicago gang — David, Holly, Marv and Tony — have to baby sit her kids
Mark is forced to work late when his long-term nurse retires, and Bonnie questions the age and attractiveness of her replacement. Meanwhile, on Morning Chicago, Bonnie cooks up pizzarustica and interviews an author who is ""out of this world
It's Halloween and the Molloy family is going all out — Charlie and Samantha go trick-or-treating dressed as Conan O'Brien and Alice in Wonderland, respectively, and the Morning Chicago gang dresses in their Halloween best to welcome a fashion designer (Martin Mull) and his furry friends for a costume fashion show.
The station owner, Mr. Portinbody (Carl Reiner), warns the Morning Chicago gang that an investment group is coming into town from Nashville and a few changes need to take place for their visit.
Bonnie welcomes guest author Q.T. Marlens (Jonathan Winters) to Morning Chicago, along with all of his multiple personalities, and Mark tries to balance the family's checkbook — despite Bonnie's habit of not recording her checks.
Bonnie and Mark debate who in the house is really in charge, and Bonnie welcomes Johnny Volcano (David Duchovny) back to Morning Chicago to promote his upcoming appearance with Bonnie on the soap opera Moments of the Day.
In the Midst of her 15 year anniversary, Bonnie Dreams of being married to Tom Hanks.
A snowstorm brings everyone closer together, as the Molloy family, stranded in Chicago for the holidays, celebrates Christmas with the Morning Chicago gang.
Bonnie welcomes local gossip columnist Rappin Rip (Rip Taylor) to Morning Chicago, and Samantha has a crush on a classmate.
Holly tells her new singer beau that she's the producer, so he makes a surprise visit and asks to perform on the show. Bonnie also does a segment with chef Kazu Uehara.
A fireman (Michael G. Hagerty) who responds to the Molloys' squirrel problem is nonresponsive when he appears on the show to give safety tips. Juggler: Sam Pancake. Gloria: Marianne Muellerleile. Samantha: Samantha Browne-Walters.
Bonnie welcomes psychic Kevin Powalski (Robin Williams) to ""Morning Chicago,"" and tends to her sick family when they all come down with the flu
Tony goes back to school to get his high school diploma, and everyone from the Molloy family to the Morning Chicago gang helps him study for his test — the only way he knows how — set to music. Meanwhile, Mark surprises Bonnie with a nightgown, which would be a lovely gift if it weren't size extra large.
Bonnie stages a fake show to appease her boss' (guest star Carl Reiner) demanding wife (guest star Teri Garr), who wants to promote a book he hates.
Bonnie has hired a man from a shelter to be her assistant and, in the face of his incompetence, has a hard time letting him go.
When Bonnie notices things are missing around the house, she reluctantly suspects Gloria may be stealing to help her unemployed sister. Meanwhile, Bonnie welcomes a magician and Russian dancers to Morning Chicago.
Bonnie dings Mark's new car and is afraid to tell him, and both Rip Taylor and Martin Mull return to Morning Chicago — Mull to reprise his role of a designer and to host a doll fashion show.
On the season finale, Gloria's friend Mary Ellen passes away, forcing the Molloy family to deal with issues of mortality. At Gloria's request, Bonnie, Mark and the Morning Chicago gang attend Mary Ellen's funeral and give her the send-off she deserves.
Bonnie's producer, David, decides to pick her up for work in the morning — as she's always late — and in his haste leaves without turning off his iron, causing his home to go up in flames. Feeling guilty and somewhat responsible, Bonnie invites him to move in with her family while his house is being renovated, much to Mark's frustration, when Life with Bonnie premieres on its new date and time.
With David still staying at the Molloy home after his house burned down, Bonnie hears David talking about her in his sleep and is convinced he has a crush on her.
At the end of her rope with houseguest David, Bonnie pays a visit to David's home to speak with the contractors played by the Smothers Brothers who agree to get the job done faster if they can appear on Morning Chicago.
Bonnie accidentally gets involved in Mark's boss' marital problems when they learn she's having the famous marriage therapist, Dr. Bill, on Morning Chicago.
Bonnie is forced to take Charlie, Conner and Frankie to work with her while Gloria stays home struggling with her mood swings, and Rappin' Rip (Rip Taylor) returns to the set of Morning Chicago.
Mr. Portinbody tells Bonnie and the gang that he wants a ""Wizard of Oz"" themed show for Hallowe'en, with Bonnie as Dorothy, Tony as the cowardly Lion, David as the Tin Man, Marv as the Scarecrow, Holly as the Wicked Witch, Gloria as Glinda, Charlie and Frankie appear as Munchkins. Lenord returns with Hallowe'en costume fashion show for seniors.
When Bonnie comes down with a case of food poisoning the gang at ""Morning, Chicago"" do the show from Bonnie's hospital bed.
The construction is finally done on David's house, but when Bonnie and the Morning Chicago gang pitch in to help with the move, their efforts to lend a hand result in disaster. Meanwhile, Bonnie attempts to jump with the U.S Amateur Jump Rope Champions -- Jumping for Joy.
When Anna is hired to take over Craft Service for the set of Morning Chicago, Bonnie and the gang don't know how to tell her that her food is inedible. Meanwhile gossip about the cast and crew is leaked to the press and all eyes point to local gossip columnist Rappin' Rip who recently visited the set.
Bonnie dreams she was never the host of ""Morning Chicago"" and gets a chilling glimpse of what the show would be like without her.
Bonnie and friends help Tony deal with a thug out to collect his gambling debt.
Bonnie's older Vicki shows up with a much younger boyfriend, and when Bonnie, Mark and the gang are fed up with them showing their effection even if it is on ""Morning Chicago"", He asks Bonnie not to tell Vicki that he's on the show he's going to ask her a question, Bonnie thinks he's going to propose marriage but it's a relief that he asked her to go out on the road with his band.
Bonnie and Mark are going through a rough patch in their relationship, so the gang pitches in to prepare a romantic anniversary dinner for them...with mixed results. Meanwhile, Bonnie plays the drums with Seiichi Tanaka and his percussionists on Morning Chicago.
When Bonnie finds a suspicious note in Charlie's pocket, she initially thinks he's being harassed by a bully, but later finds out the note is from a girl in his class who wishes to kiss him. Meanwhile, Bonnie and the ""Morning Chicago"" gang welcome 12-year-old cooking prodigy Chef Rio to the show, and David has a pit crew come to the set to rotate the wheels on his podium.
Bonnie and the Morning Chicago gang participate in the station's annual telethon, and their slot — as usual — is in the middle of the night. Hard pressed to fill the time, everyone pitches in with whatever talents they have.
When Bonnie mentions her favorite soup from childhood during a cooking segment on Morning Chicago, the company asks her to film a commercial. Bonnie agrees, only to find that the young director (Dax Shepard from MTV's PUNK'D) is looking for something other than Bonnie's wholesome image to sell their soup.
When Gloria tries a computer dating service, Bonnie and the gang pitch in to help her prepare for the date, including Holly, who lends her expertise with hair, complete with hair extensions. Meanwhile Bonnie welcomes back Chef Compatelli and his mother to Morning Chicago.
David has his anger management session at Bonnie's house, much to her dismay, the gang helps in any way they can Tony plays the piano, Holly's there to meet guys, Mark just wants them out of the house, Marv just sits there and watches, which leads to an argument between Bonnie and Mark and the rest of the ""Morning, Chicago"" gang including Gloria.
At the request of ""Morning Chicago"" station owner Mr. Portinbody, Bonnie reluctantly goes for a consultation with a plastic surgeon, who leaves his mark on her.
When Tony slips on a banana in the craft service area, Bonnie and the ""Morning Chicago"" gang accompany him to the hospital ( in an ambulance driven by two ""familiar"", bickering paramedics). Mark treats him for a concussion and, while out cold in his hospital bed, Tony flashes back to his childhood days at his family's storefront trattoria. After recounting his dream, Bonnie and the gang pitch in to give him a touching surprise.