6.8/10141 votes#1 - From Dummy to Daddy
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 9/24/2003
After hearing the shocking news that their son Junior is going to become a father, Michael and Jay freak out. They try to talk with him and help him realize he can't support a family living in their garage and having no job, so Michael offers him a job at his firm. Due to Michael's teasing with the boy, he gets late for his first day and Michael fires him after his second tardiness. But seeing that his son needs all the help he can get, Michael gives him another chance. Meanwhile, Tony feels guilty about having spicy thoughts about Claire and Franklyn is still out for Junior's spot on the Kyle family.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: Don Reo
7.1/10151 votes#2 - The Sweet Hairafter
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 10/1/2003
Michael meets his friend Jimmy at the golf club and is impressed with how much hair he's grown with the help of some ""miracle"" pills called ""Come Hair Now"". As he starts to take them in overdose, weird stripes of hair rise from his chronically bald head. He's jealous of his hair and won't let anyone touch it. He also starts to get paranoiac that Jay is trying to kill him after they make a life insurance, but turns out it was just one of the side effects of the pill. Meanwhile, Kady becomes very jealous of Claire when she volunteers to be on the big sister program.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: N/A
7.0/10128 votes#3 - Jr. Executive
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 10/8/2003
Michael wants Jr. to learn the family business by starting at the bottom, so he assigns Jr. to do menial jobs around Kyle Trucking. Jr., however, decides to use the fact that he's the boss' son to his advantage and convinces other employees to do his work for him. Meanwhile, Claire arranges a secret date with a guy she met on the Internet in a Shakespeare chat room.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: N/A
6.7/10131 votes#4 - Jay Goes to School
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 10/15/2003
Jay decides to go to college and get her psychology degree, which Michael fully reprehends her for. He doesn't want her to put the household in second because it would jeopardize the entire family and eventually could ruin their marriage. After going to a real psychologist, Michael and Jay come to terms and she agrees to scale back her classes as he decides to let her pursue her dream. Meanwhile, Junior's friends turn his old crib into some sort of vehicle.
Director: Damon Wayans
Writer: Kim Wayans
7.2/10149 votes#5 - Meet the Parents
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 10/22/2003
Vanessa's parents come over the Kyles house to discuss the future baby's situation. Michael is outraged with the demands from the Scotts, but Calvin's size makes Michael think twice before taking any drastic measures. They take the Scotts out for dinner and are left with the bill. Realizing they have a couple of con artists on their hands, Michael and Jay stand up for themselves and set the baby's true needs – which don't include a new house for the Scotts as Calvin wanted.
Director: Damon Wayans
Writer: Kim Wayans
6.9/10128 votes#6 - He's Having a Baby
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 10/29/2003
Worried about Junior's fathering skills, Michael decides to enroll him in a parenting course. Junior is reluctant to attend, so Michael gives him a water balloon that Junior should keep for a week as if it was the baby. If it breaks, he'll have to attend the course. Michael doesn't let Junior have it easy, and Junior insists that more than wanting to teach him how to be a good parent, Michael doesn't have any trust in him.
Director: Damon Wayans
Writer: N/A
6.5/10136 votes#7 - The Funeral
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 11/5/2003
The Kyles are willing to support Michael's inconsolable employee, Larry, who can't get over losing his 103-year-old grandmother. But Larry goes overboard when, at the funeral, he asks little Kady to kiss his ""Grammy"" goodbye and for Jay to sing his beloved grandmother's favorite R&B song.
Director: Damon Wayans
Writer: N/A
6.9/10129 votes#8 - Ultrasound
Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 11/12/2003
When Jay works hard to get in shape and run a marathon, Michael thinks that, since he's a man, he too can run the marathon - without any real training. Meanwhile, bible-quoting Tony asks the gorgeous Claire to dress ""ugly"" so he won't feel so turned on.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: N/A
7.3/10132 votes#9 - Marathon
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/19/2003
The Kyles and Vanessa's parents escort her to her first ultrasound. When asked if they wanted to know the baby's sex, Michael is the only one who stands out with a positive answer. Obsessed with knowing whether he's having a grandson or a granddaughter, he tries by all means to have the doctor tell him. He finally assumes it's a boy, and tells Jay and eventually the rest of the family. But in the end the situation reverses as they all confirm with the doctor the real sex of the future Kyle and leave Michael out in the rain. Meanwhile, Franklyn freaks out with the idea of losing Kady to ""Smilin' Willie"" and tries to learn how to be a dance master.
Director: Dean Lorey
Writer: Dean Lorey
7.0/10125 votes#10 - While Out
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 11/26/2003
Much to Claire's delight, Michael and Jay forget to recite their house rules — ""No friends, no fires, no freedom, no fun"" — before going out for the night. As a result, Claire decides to throw a party so she can get in with the so-called right crowd. Things get raucous when someone spikes the punch and a drunken Tony fulfills a fantasy and streaks down the street naked.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/10126 votes#11 - Michael's Band
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 11/26/2003
When Michael's old friend and former bandmate, Johnny ""Saxophone"" Watson, comes to town for a gig, it turns out Johnny's piano player can't make it. Michael eagerly accepts an invitation to take the man's place, but refuses to admit that his musical skills have gotten rusty. Meanwhile, love is blind when it comes to Franklin realizing that his little sister, Aretha, is a much better singer than the tone-deaf Kady.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.8/10122 votes#12 - The Lady is Not a Tramp
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 12/10/2003
Michael's imagination takes off when he finds a package of condoms in daughter Claire's backpack — the same day her boyfriend, Tony, is returning from a month in the desert. Annoyed that her father is jumping to conclusions, Claire decides to give him a taste of his own unique brand of discipline. Meanwhile Jr. accidentally gives Kady his pet dog's medicine — and Kady pretends to turn into a dog.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/10128 votes#13 - Of Mice and Man
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 12/17/2003
When Jay finds mouse droppings, she demands that Michael hire an exterminator to get rid of them, but, as usual, Michael is determined to handle it himself. Meanwhile, Claire is also freaked out by a rodent when she accidentally runs over a squirrel while driving home.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/10129 votes#14 - Moving on Out
Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 12/24/2003
Tired of living in the garage, Jr. looks for an apartment and enlists his buddy, John, to be a co-signer… except that John has to dress up and pose as Jr.'s grandmother for the realtor. When Jr. and Vanessa's families come to visit the couple's new apartment, Jay is shocked to find that her new grandchild might be living in a run-down building with yellow police tape around the entrance.
Director: Dean Lorey
Writer: Dean Lorey
6.9/10129 votes#15 - Candy Wars
Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 12/31/2003
When Kady wants to spend some quality time with her father, she enlists Michael's help in the school candy drive. But when the father of last year's winner claims he can prevail once again, a competitive Michael loses sight of helping Kady and commits to selling an exorbitant number of chocolate bars.
Director: Dean Lorey
Writer: Dean Lorey
7.1/10121 votes#16 - Jr. Sells His Car
Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 1/7/2004
Jr. restores his prized 1964 Impala, but then he and Vanessa surprise everyone when they decide to sell it in order to have money for their new baby. Meanwhile, Franklin seeks advice from Michael on how to act more like a normal kid.
Director: N/A
Writer: Don Reo
6.9/10124 votes#17 - The Anniversary Present
Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 1/14/2004
Michael and Jay try to hide their disappointment when they don't receive the wedding anniversary gifts each are expecting from each other. Meanwhile, with Franklin's help, novice cook Claire hopes to prepare a gourmet dinner for her parents' anniversary present.
Director: Damon Wayans
Writer: N/A
6.7/10135 votes#18 - Illegal Smile
Season 4 Episode 18 - Aired 1/21/2004
The day after an anti-wrinkle injection goes awry for Michael and he ends up with an unnatural expression, he has to fight a traffic ticket in court. The judge is angered by his frozen grin and sentences him to a night in jail, where Michael's cell mate, Big Guy, thinks Michael is coming on to him since he keeps smiling at him.
Director: Kim Wayans
Writer: N/A
7.0/10131 votes#19 - Outbreak Monkey
Season 4 Episode 19 - Aired 1/28/2004
When an ecstatic Michael scores a ticket to see basketball star LeBron James play at Madison Square Garden, his excitement quickly turns to paranoia when, just days before the game, everyone in the Kyle household – except Michael – comes down with the flu. To ensure that he won't miss the game, he goes to absurd extremes to keep from getting sick, including spraying disinfectant on his family and using a ten-foot grabber to hand Jay her orange juice.
Director: George O. Gore II
Writer: N/A
6.3/10130 votes#20 - Empty Nest (1)
Season 4 Episode 20 - Aired 2/4/2004
During a rare occasion when Michael and Jay have the house to themselves, they find themselves reminiscing about the fun times they've had with their kids and various friends. Some of these memorable moments include Jay's obsession with her weight and Michael's visit to a proctologist.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.5/10124 votes#21 - Empty Nest (2)
Season 4 Episode 21 - Aired 2/11/2004
During a rare occasion when Michael and Jay have the house to themselves, they find themselves reminiscing about the fun times they've had with their kids and various friends. Some of these memorable moments include Jay's obsession with her weight and Michael's visit to a proctologist.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.1/10137 votes#22 - Calvin Comes to Stay
Season 4 Episode 22 - Aired 2/18/2004
Calvin, Vanessa's gregarious father, has an argument with his wife, Jasmine, gets kicked out of the house and moves in with the Kyles, against their wishes. When he starts eating everything in sight and keeps everyone awake with his loud snoring, a frustrated Michael comes up with a clever plan to get Calvin back home.
Director: Damon Wayans
Writer: N/A
7.0/10133 votes#23 - Calvin Goes to Work
Season 4 Episode 23 - Aired 2/25/2004
When the overwhelmingly strong and gregarious Calvin, Vanessa's dad, begs Michael to give him a job at Kyle Trucking, Michael does so reluctantly and his worst fears are realized. Calvin's way of dealing with customers and merchandise leaves a little to be desired, and now Michael must find a way to get rid of the man without getting himself hurt in the process. Meanwhile, Claire gets Franklin to help her with her science paper.
Director: Eric Laneuville
Writer: N/A
6.8/10129 votes#24 - Romantic Night
Season 4 Episode 24 - Aired 3/3/2004
Wanting to spend quiet time together, Michael plans a romantic evening with Jay at an exclusive hotel. Then, when Jr. mistakenly cancels the reservation, Michael tries to create a romantic night at home. But things take a disastrous turn when Michael hurts his head trying to shut off the water valve, Jay handcuffs them to each other – but can't find the key – and a burnt roast almost causes the house to burn down.
Director: Dean Lorey
Writer: Dean Lorey
7.1/10133 votes#25 - The Director
Season 4 Episode 25 - Aired 3/10/2004
In his excitement to tape a basketball game, Michael accidentally records over a home video of Kady's first steps, which happens to be one of Jay's most cherished family moments. When Jay decides to have a family home movie night, Michael must act quickly and enlists Franklin's help to reenact that moment of Kyle family history.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of My Wife and Kids Season 4
Every episode of My Wife and Kids Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of My Wife and Kids Season 4!
Michael Kyle is a loving husband and modern-day patriarch who rules his household with a unique and distinct parenting style. As he teaches his three...
Genres:ComedyFamilyDrama
Network:ABC
Season 4 Ratings Summary
"From Dummy to Daddy" is the best rated episode of "My Wife and Kids" season 4. It scored 6.8/10 based on 141 votes. Directed by Eric Laneuville and written by Don Reo, it aired on 9/24/2003. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The Sweet Hairafter".