The Best Episodes of American Housewife

Katie and Greg struggle to help the kids accept loss as a family friend suddenly passes away and as their pet pig, Hans Gruber, must be returned to his natural habitat.

Director: John Putch

Writer: Rick Wiener, Kenny Schwartz

When things start to fall apart at the last minute, Katie figures out a new way to make the spring gala a success. Meanwhile, Greg attempts to be a "fun dad" and winds up adopting a dog while Katie is occupied with the gala.

Director: John Putch

Writer: Sarah Dunn

Greg’s insistence on doing the family’s taxes prompts Katie to take matters into her own hands. Meanwhile, Oliver and Anna-Kat join forces in an attempt to win a popular radio contest; and when Taylor finally sees Pierce’s true colors, the family bands together to help her pull off an over-the-top apology for Trip.

Director: Rebecca Asher

Writer: Taylor Hamra

Katie ignores Greg's warning and takes Anna-Kat through a terrifying zombie-themed maze at the annual Halloween carnival. Once inside, Katie quickly regrets her decision and sends Anna-Kat to find help. Meanwhile, Greg has entered a pumpkin carving contest and is ready to go head-to-head against the previous year's winners.

Director: Melissa Kosar

Writer: Anthony Lombardo

Greg makes big plans to impress his parents when they visit for Thanksgiving; but his vision is shattered when his neighbor Spencer and Katie’s mom, Kathryn, arrive unannounced and nothing goes as intended.

Director: John Putch

Writer: Rick Wiener, Kenny Schwartz

Katie wants to prove to the Westport moms that she is fully capable of competing at Field Day at Anna-Kat’s school, but she ends up taking the competition a little too seriously. Greg enlists Taylor’s boyfriend, Trip, to help him make the family recipe for chili in a local competition, which makes Taylor and Oliver jealous.

Director: Chris Koch

Writer: Taylor Hamra

When Katie learns that the top prize is an all-expense paid vacation, she doubles her efforts to help Anna-Kat win top prize in cookie sales against her fellow troop members, The Wildflower Girls. Meanwhile, Oliver's attempt to help a student he befriends through the Teen Help Line center backfires.

Director: Eric Dean Seaton

Writer: Michael Hobert

Katie confronts a classmate's mom when she suspects Anna-Kat is being bullied at school. Meanwhile, Taylor sets out to complete the final item on her life skills checklist - teaching Greg to shoot a three-pointer - so that she can attend her senior prom. At the same time, Oliver is sympathetic when a caller at the Teen Help Line confides that no one asked her to prom.

Director: Melissa Kosar

Writer: Donald Diego

Katie pushes Cooper to share his passion for the culinary arts and ambition of becoming a chef with his autocratic father, Doyle Bradford. Meanwhile, Greg and Principal Ablin go head-to-head when the election results offer an interesting twist, and the Otto family gets the surprise of a lifetime.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Anna-Kat tells her parents that all she wants for her birthday is to walk to the library alone.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Katie and Greg dislike Taylor's new boyfriend, so they attempt to use reverse psychology to drive a wedge between them, which later backfires. After Spencer's over-the-top vision for Oliver's first date with a girl from his ballet class bombs, Greg helps Oliver make up for it with a romantic gesture.

Director: David L. Bertman

Writer: Bill Callahan

In order to impress the other moms at school, Katie, Taylor and Oliver travel to New York to track down Nathan Fillion at a "Firefly" convention, so Katie can convince him to attend the school's spring gala.

Director: David L. Bertman

Writer: Bill Callahan, Rick Wiener, Kenny Schwartz

With the kids away at the school dance, Katie and Greg look forward to a romantic evening alone; but Anna-Kat is crushed when the boy she likes doesn’t ask her to the dance, and Oliver begins to panic when the town psychic’s predictions begin to come true.

Director: Melissa Kosar

Writer: Sarah Dunn, Rick Wiener, Kenny Schwartz

Katie grows concerned when Anna-Kat is invited to join Westport's elite scout troop, The Wildflower Girls. Meanwhile, Taylor learns her Carnegie Mellon interview is scheduled with famous alumnus and Broadway star Brecken Phillips ; and, Oliver befriends the school recluse, Trevor.

Director: Chris Koch

Writer: Patrick Sheehan

Katie struggles with Taylor and Anna-Kat’s defiance, as Anna-Kat decides she’s now a vegetarian (under the influence of Tara Summers) and Taylor dies her hair blonde without Katie’s permission. Greg and Katie help Oliver come to terms with embarrassment after Oliver has a humiliating moment in ballet class.

Director: John Putch

Writer: Donald Diego

Westport is known for its Halloween tradition of leaving an anonymous note and goodies on a neighbor’s doorstep (called a “Boo”). Katie tries to play it cool but is absolutely giddy when the Ottos receive their first “Boo.”

Director: Melissa Kosar

Writer: Kat Likkel, John Hoberg

After feeling unappreciated by Greg and the kids, Katie ditches her family for a day at her favorite hideaway spot and leaves Viv in charge of the household. Viv takes this as an opportunity to see if she really is mom material.

Director: Melissa Kosar

Writer: Anthony Lombardo

The Otto children are beginning to experience struggles in their love lives after jumping into the dating world: Oliver is forced to choose between his girlfriend and his friend Cooper who come from two different worlds; Greg must play the “bad cop parent” to halt the PDA between Taylor and Trip; and Anna-Kat tries to make her relationship with Franklin official, without his consent.

Director: John Putch

Writer: Donald Diego

After spending years as a full-time mom, Katie goes back to work as a party planner, which brings new challenges of balancing home and work life into the mix.

Director: Ken Whittingham

Writer: Donald Diego

With Katie’s 40th birthday fast approaching, her self-esteem starts to wane. So Greg encourages her to go out and enjoy a night on the town with the girls, even suggesting she leave her wedding ring behind for a night of faux-single, silly fun. Meanwhile, Angela receives devastating news that will turn Doris’ life upside down. While Katie is away, Greg enlists the kids’ help to create a birthday present that is a heartfelt reminder of how much she is loved.

Director: Melissa Kosar

Writer: Michael Hobert

Katie teams up with Oliver in hopes of growing her lasagna-making endeavor from hobby to serious business venture. Meanwhile, a bout of writer's block forces Greg to look at new career opportunities. When a young YouTube sensation enlists Greg's help to ghostwrite his memoir, Greg is pushed out of his comfort zone.

Director: Alisa Statman

Writer: Jeremy Hall

Katie looks forward to sharing her favorite childhood Christmas tradition with Taylor, but a surprise visit from her mom threatens her holiday cheer; Greg is blindsided by Katie's good intentions; Oliver and Anna-Kat break a family heirloom.

Director: Chris Koch

Writer: Jonathan Fener

After Anna-Kat's big win with The Wildflower Girls, the Ottos head to California for an all-expenses paid family vacation. But when her birthday coincides with their trip, Katie is determined to have a relaxing kid-free day, one where she and Greg are free to do whatever they want. Meanwhile, Taylor loses all her money on Hollywood Boulevard and Anna-Kat is forced into busking to get them out of trouble; and after crashing their trip, Cooper surprises Katie by making her birthday wish come true.

Director: Chris Koch

Writer: Jonathan Fener

Greg plays dirty to convince Katie to let them keep Anna-Kat's beloved pet pig; Oliver and Viv compete for the attention of a new neighbor; Taylor considers leaving her boyfriend.

Director: Rebecca Asher

Writer: Sarah Dunn

After the passing of a family friend, the Ottos all react differently to the allotment of the deceased's inheritance.

Director: Helen Hunt

Writer: Lindsey Stoddart, Anthony Lombardo