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The Best Episodes of Mr. Sunshine

Every episode of Mr. Sunshine ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Mr. Sunshine!

Binge this in 3h 18m•Peaking at 7.4/10

Ben Donovan is a self-involved manager of a second-rate San Diego sports arena who begins to re-evaluate his life on his 40th birthday. Working alongside him is his boss and arena owner, Crystal--attractive, powerful and

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 9 - Ben and Vivian
    7.4/10(143 votes)

    #1 - Ben and Vivian

    S1:E9

    Ben is in for a surprise when his one-night-stand turns out to be Crystal's new assistant, Vivian. When Ben and Vivian try to continue their "no strings attached" relationship, Ben discovers something about himself. Meanwhile, Crystal's efforts to be a responsible mom to Roman are derailed, and the mascot sends Alonzo over the edge.

    Director:Bryan Gordon
    Writer:Eric Gilliland

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  2. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 7 - Celebrity Tennis
    7.3/10(114 votes)

    #2 - Celebrity Tennis

    S1:E7

    It's a dream come true for Ben when he teams with Alonzo to play doubles against tennis legend Jimmy Connors and actor Fred Savage in a celebrity tennis tournament. Meanwhile, Ben feels the need to reveal to Alonzo his past with Alice, and a careless act on Crystal's part brings her closer to son, Roman.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Bryan Adams

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  3. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 8 - The Assistant
    7.2/10(109 votes)

    #3 - The Assistant

    S1:E8

    When Alice asks Ben for an assistant, he gives her Roman. Roman may not be what Alice had in mind, but she finds a connection with him that surpasses her expectations. Meanwhile, Crystal wants to honor a passing friend with a funeral at The Sunshine Center, and Alonzo comes clean about a past relationship.

    Director:Elliot Hegarty
    Writers:David Windsor, Casey Johnson

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  4. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 4 - Hostile Workplace
    7.0/10(130 votes)

    #4 - Hostile Workplace

    S1:E4

    Ben's plan to get his employees to like him backfires. Meanwhile, Crystal invites Alice and Alonzo on a double date with her new beau, and Ben gives Heather the responsibility of finding a new halftime act when the Sunshine Center mascot suddenly quits.

    Director:Bryan Gordon
    Writer:Eric Gilliland

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  5. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 6 - Lingerie Football
    7.0/10(123 votes)

    #5 - Lingerie Football

    S1:E6

    When Ben discovers it's Crystal's anniversary with Billy, one of her ex-husbands, he encourages her to find him so she can get the closure she's needed from their relationship. While he helps Crystal, Ben looks to Roman to entertain his date – the hot quarterback of a woman's lingerie football team – and Alice lends Alonzo a hand with two unruly, internet billionaires.

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Matthew Carlson

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  6. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 3 - Heather's Sister
    6.9/10(151 votes)

    #6 - Heather's Sister

    S1:E3

    When Heather sets Ben up on a blind date with her sister, Stephanie, he finds he has a lot in common with her... until he realizes Stephanie is crazy. In an effort to help Roman muster the courage to ask Heather out, Ben finds himself reluctantly on a group date with Stephanie, Roman and Heather. Meanwhile, Crystal has asked Alonzo to walk her dog in a dog show, and Alice tries to impress her best friend who's come for a visit.

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Sally Bradford McKenna

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Mr. Sunshine

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  7. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    6.8/10(246 votes)

    #7 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    On what would have been just a typical day at work – trying to get rid of a hockey rink that won't melt so the circus can go on that night, looking for an elephant lost in the building and arranging an impromptu press conference to repair one of his boss's PR nightmares – Alice ends her casual relationship with Ben to commit to another man. This happens on Ben's 40th birthday, just as he's realizing he doesn't want to be alone.

    Director:Thomas Schlamme
    Writers:Alex Barnow, Matthew Perry, Marc Firek

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  8. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 2 - Employee of the Year
    6.8/10(185 votes)

    #8 - Employee of the Year

    S1:E2

    Crystal decides to hold a contest to determine the Employee of the Year, but unbeknownst to the staff, a winner has already been pre-determined. Meanwhile, as Ben contends with catering to Eli's needs, he must also keep the rest of the employees from being distracted by the fake contest and get the arena ready in time for Eli's performance.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writers:Alex Barnow, Marc Firek

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  9. Mr. Sunshine Season 1 Episode 5 - Crystal on Ice
    6.6/10(126 votes)

    #9 - Crystal on Ice

    S1:E5

    Ben discovers Roman has no place to stay and reluctantly takes him in. Crystal harbors animosity for a certain ice dancing group, and Alice feels guilty when she fails to keep up with her "perfect man," Alonzo.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Matthew Carlson

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Best Episodes Summary

"Ben and Vivian" is the best rated episode of "Mr. Sunshine". It scored 7.4/10 based on 143 votes. Directed by Bryan Gordon and written by Eric Gilliland, it aired on 4/6/2011. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Celebrity Tennis".