- 7.6/10113 votes7.6/10(113)
#1 - Reservations for 12, Plus Ursula
Season 3 Episode 1
Aired 11/14/1988
A voluptuous maid disrupts a romantic Thanksgiving at the beach.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 7.5/1098 votes7.5/10(98)
#2 - The Candidate
Season 3 Episode 2
Aired 11/21/1988
Julia runs for a seat on the local board of commissioners, but her outspokenness may cost her the election.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 7.8/10104 votes7.8/10(104)
#3 - E.P. Phone Home
Season 3 Episode 3
Aired 11/28/1988
While touring Graceland on VIP tickets, Julia is touched when a truck driver tells how the King influenced his life.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 7.6/1094 votes7.6/10(94)
#4 - Getting Married and Eating Dirt
Season 3 Episode 4
Aired 12/5/1988
Bernice asks the ladies to be her wedding attendants when she receives a marriage proposal from a TV pitchman -- who habitually proposes to every woman he meets.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 8.3/10118 votes8.3/10(118)
#5 - Big Haas and Little Falsie
Season 3 Episode 5
Aired 12/12/1988
Mary-Jo contemplates breast enlargement after receiving an inheritance from her uncle Dude stipulating that she must spend it on something frivolous.
Director: Harry Thomason
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 6.9/1092 votes6.9/10(92)
#6 - Hard Hats and Lovers
Season 3 Episode 6
Aired 12/19/1988
Suzanne convinces Charlene that Bill should date more before they get serious, and the ladies plan revenge on a bunch of sexist hardhats working across the street.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
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- 7.5/1086 votes7.5/10(86)
#7 - But They're Really Great Curtains
Season 3 Episode 7
Aired 1/2/1989
Striking laborers from a textile factory besiege the company, and the Sugarbakers women come to respect them for surviving their terrible working conditions.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 8.4/10129 votes8.4/10(129)
#8 - The Wilderness Experience
Season 3 Episode 8
Aired 1/9/1989
The women embark on a wilderness survival course designed to build leadership -- but it's first-time camper Bernice who ultimately takes command.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 7.4/1099 votes7.4/10(99)
#9 - Tyrone
Season 3 Episode 9
Aired 1/16/1989
Acting as surrogate brother a troubled youth, Anthony remembers his own painful childhood, and when Julia puts her trust in Anthony's juvenile charge, it only gets her photo on the evening news.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 7.5/1094 votes7.5/10(94)
#10 - Mr. Bailey
Season 3 Episode 10
Aired 1/23/1989
The designers are determined that a recently deceased client's last wish be honored -- to leave her millions (and the ladies' prepaid services) to her cat.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: N/A
- 7.7/10115 votes7.7/10(115)
#11 - The Naked Truth
Season 3 Episode 11
Aired 2/13/1989
Mary Jo, Charlene and Anthony feign nonchalance at a nudist colony, the Sugarbakers' nieces visit.
Director: N/A
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 8.2/10113 votes8.2/10(113)
#12 - The Junies
Season 3 Episode 12
Aired 2/20/1989
Charlene becomes a part-time saleswoman for ""Lady Jun"" cleaning products, and when she repeatedly succumbs to psychological pressure from her friend Libby despite her stated intention to quit, Julia determines to rescue her from this ""cult"" -- and winds up taking on Lady Jun herself. Meanwhile, Anthony receives an unusual nomination from his junior college -- as homecoming queen -- and gets unexpected support from Suzanne.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: N/A
- 7.7/1094 votes7.7/10(94)
#13 - One Sees, the Other Doesn't
Season 3 Episode 13
Aired 2/27/1989
Suzanne didn't spend one week and $2,000 at a spa to be asked out by a blind client who can't appreciate her radiance -- especially since she finds it difficult to believe that he is attracted by her personality.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.5/1093 votes7.5/10(93)
#14 - Odell
Season 3 Episode 14
Aired 3/6/1989
Sugarbakers becomes the site of a Southern family feud after Charlene's brother arrives and announces he is marrying the daughter of a longtime family rival, Anthony partners Bernice in a dance contest.
Director: Dwayne Hickman
Writer: N/A
- 8.3/10108 votes8.3/10(108)
#15 - Full Moon
Season 3 Episode 15
Aired 3/13/1989
A full moon coincides with strange occurrences, including Mary Jo's sudden conviction that Claudia and her boyfriend are up to no good.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 6.4/1079 votes6.4/10(79)
#16 - Ms. Meal Ticket
Season 3 Episode 16
Aired 3/20/1989
Mary-Jo overreacts to J.D.'s losing his job and moving in with her, but a psychic helps her sort out her feelings.
Director: Hal Holbrook
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 7.8/1088 votes7.8/10(88)
#17 - The Engagement
Season 3 Episode 17
Aired 3/27/1989
Charlene, now happily engaged, dreads meeting Bill's intimidating mother and aunt, Mary Jo gives the dating game another try, with a much younger man.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: N/A
- 8.3/10106 votes8.3/10(106)
#18 - Come On and Marry Me, Bill
Season 3 Episode 18
Aired 4/10/1989
Charlene's wedding is in jeopardy when she finds Bill handcuffed to a scantily clad dancer after his stag party.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 8.1/10102 votes8.1/10(102)
#19 - The Women of Atlanta
Season 3 Episode 19
Aired 5/1/1989
A photographer shooting a magazine spread on the women of Atlanta asks the decorators to participate, but they become suspicious when he keeps encouraging sexier poses.
Director: Harry Thomason
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 8.0/1092 votes8.0/10(92)
#20 - Stand and Fight
Season 3 Episode 20
Aired 5/8/1989
When Mary Jo is mugged, the Sugarbaker women take a self-defense course.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: N/A
- 7.7/1088 votes7.7/10(88)
#21 - The Last Humorously-Dressed Bellboy in America
Season 3 Episode 21
Aired 5/15/1989
When she discovers him working as a bellboy/pianist, the accountant who absconded with her life savings offers Suzanne a deal.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
- 6.6/10104 votes6.6/10(104)
#22 - Julia Drives Over the First Amendment
Season 3 Episode 22
Aired 5/22/1989
A nearby newsstand selling pornography offends Julia, to the point where she drives her car straight through it, and pits her against an equally determined publisher in the ensuing court battle.
Director: David Trainer
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Designing Women Season 3
Every episode of Designing Women Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Designing Women Season 3!
Julia Sugarbaker, Mary Jo Shively, Charlene Frazier-Stillfield and Suzanne Sugarbaker are associates at their design firm, Sugarbaker and Associates. Julia is the owner and is...
Genre:Comedy
Network:CBS
Episodes
22
Avg. Rating
7.7
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
7.6
7.5
7.8
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"Reservations for 12, Plus Ursula" is the best rated episode of "Designing Women" season 3. It scored 7.6/10 based on 113 votes. Directed by David Trainer and written by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, it aired on 11/14/1988. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Candidate".