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Just The Ten Of Us

Just the Ten Of Us follows the adventures of the Coach Lubbock character from Growing Pains after he was fired from Dewey High in the two-part third-season episode "How the West Was Won." It premiered on ABC on 22 April 1988 for a brief run of four episodes and was picked up for the 1988-89 season.

PREMISE

Coach Lubbock, his pregnant wife Elizabeth, and their seven children find themselves transplanted from New York to the small city of Eureka in Northern California. Stories usually focused on Coach Lubbock's experiences as a teacher and coach at St. Augie's almost-all-boys Catholic school, his four teenaged daughters (Marie, Cindy, Wendy, and Connie), or the rivalry between prepubescent JR and Sherry.

BILL KIRCHENBAUER as Coach Graham T. Lubbock DEBORAH HARMON as Elizabeth Lubbock HEATHER LANGENKAMP as Marie Lubbock JAMIE LUNER as Cindy Lubbock BROOKE THEISS as Wendy Lubbock JO ANN WILLETTE as Constance Lubbock MATT SHAKMAN as JR Lubbock HEIDI ZIEGLER as Sherry Lubbock

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0. How The West Was One

Growing Pains episode leading to spin-off.

A lot of the furniture that was used during the series of Just the Ten of Us can be seen in the Growing Pains episode (ex: blue couch, red arm chair) and Graham is teaching in 108 at Dewey High. Graham also teaches in room 108 at St. Augie's

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The Opening Credits

The opening credits show the Lubbock clan leaving NYC and driving across the country to Eureka, California. Along the way, the Lubbocks stop through through St. Louis, and Colorado.

However, the quickest way to Eureka from NYC is

Meaning there was no reason for the Lubbocks to drive through Missouri and Colorado. That may be why their moving expenses were $800 more than they had planned (The Birthday Gift, season 1, episode 3).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udTBr7HFswY (season 2 intro)

Lyrics

Doin' It the Best I Can Lyrics by JOHN BETTIS

Life is a race and I know I can win it, 'Cause I'm learnin' the rules of the game. If I can stay on the ball, take it minute by minute, I just might make the hall of fame. What can I say? I'm doin' it the best I can, Leanin' on nobody but me. Oh, seein' it from where I stand, Nothin' comes easy. (Nothin' comes easy.) Oh, I'm always bringin' home second places, At the end of every one of my days, To a house filled with all of their faces, That keeps me doin' it the best I can. Yeah, I'm doin' it the best I can. I'll keep on doin' it the best I can. (Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo.)

Vocals by BILL MEDLEY (of The Righteous Brothers)

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1. Move It Or Lose It

Synopsis: "April 2nd. Moving day..." Thus begins the new life of Coach Lubbock and his family, who are uprooted from their home in New York. They travel to the West Coast to Eureka, California to take the only job Coach Lubbuck was able to find after being fired from Dewey High. There are a few surprises to adjust to, such as the fact that Coach Lubbock's new school, St. Augustine's Academy (better known as St. Augie's), is an all-boys school. The house the school is providing for them looks like something out of a horror movie. But the biggest surprise of all is when Coach Lubbock learns that he only got the job because a former student, Duane Johnson, is on the faculty, and only because Elizabeth wrote to Duane. Coach Lubbock is almost too proud to accept the situation, but he relents. Family and friends make a difference, which is one of the recurring themes of the series.

Date: April 22, 1988

The Lubbocks move from NYC on April 2nd and don't arrive to Eureka, California until April 26th. That's over three weeks to drive across the country.

Connie narrates the entire episode.

St. Augustine's: We Turn Catholic Boys Into Catholic Men

No address is listed on the front of the house.

St. Augustine's Glee Club stop by to welcome Coach, and his daughters, to the school by singing a St. Augie's original, "Welcome to Our World".

The house suffers additional damages in this episode. The Coach breaks the banister and breaks the front window when he throws a football to Duane (who didn't catch it).

Duane give Graham the championship football from when Graham was his coach at Dewey High. Graham signed the football, "Quitters never quit and winners never win".

JR is wearing an A Nightmare On Elm Street 4 t-shirt. JR constantly wears A Nightmare On Elm Street shirts throughout season one and two as a hidden joke among the cast (three of the four Lubbock Babes are in ANOES movies).

CONNIEMy life is definitely over. MARIE This looks like something out of Nightmare on Elm Street.

Elm Street shirts worn by JR throughout the series

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2. First Day of School

Synopsis: It's the first day of school for Coach Lubbock and his six oldest children: Marie (16), Wendy (15), Cynthia (15 and 11 minutes older than Wendy), Constance (14), Sherry (8), and JR (?). Things get off to a surrealistic beginning when JR tries to impress two new friends by telling them that Coach Lubbock killed a kid back in New York "just to watch him die." It ruins the day of the older girls, who can't understand why all the boys avoid them. Coach Lubbock enjoys the unexpected respect he receives from his students until Father Hargis shows up demanding an explanation.

Date: May 3, 1988

Connie and JR are wearing St. Paul school uniforms on their first day at St. Augies.

Marie says she wants to teach home economics. Later in the series, when the lubbocks try to save money, Marie and Elizabeth teach the rest of the kids how to make (sew) their own clothes

JR is wearing an A Nightmare On Elm Street shirt

CONNIE Wendy, what's it like to be so desperately shallow? WENDY It's not bad, actually.

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3. The Birthday Gift

Synopsis:   Amongst birthday presents including a YO COACH California license plate, Coach Lubbock finds a shoebox wrapped in plain brown paper containing a "major wad" of cash. $1233, to be precise. Someone knows that he needs money to pay off their moving expenses, which was $800 more than the estimate. He's not content to accept the money or Elizabeth's suggestion that it was provided by God and tries to get to the bottom of the matter. While Coach Lubbock suspects Duane and other friends or family, Elizabeth puts the girls on the spot. Connie breaks down and confesses that it was their doing. They'd come up with the inventive notion of raffling off a date with Cindy to the boys at St. Augie's. Coach Lubbock decides he can't keep the money and puts it in the poor box.

Date: May 10, 1988

Graham makes his first crack against French people, which becomes an on going joke throughout the series.

This is the first time we see the YO COACH California license plate that replaces the YO COACH New York license plate.

As Connie is lying in her bed, she is twirling a phone cord that is dangling beside her but the girls don't have a phone in their room.

Connie is wearing a St. Paul's skirt with St. Augie's hoodie (combining her two schools)

This is the first time we see the Bullet Boys poster in the attic

We also see a MODE banner poster in the attic as well

MARIE Do you always have to argue both sides to every question? CONNIE Yes! ... and no. CONNIE It was so sad, like a scene in a movie with Meryl Streep or Pam Dawber, or some other great actress like that. MARIE Do you really want to be the object of desire of every boy at St. Augustine's? ... We'll draw straws.

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4. Close Encounters

Synopsis: Coach Lubbock and Elizabeth head off on a camping trip in order to try to make some new friends amongst other adults in the St. Augie's community, leaving Marie in charge. Cindy and Wendy have invited boys over, which grows into a party. Marie rebels against always having to be the responsible one and gets into a deep conversation with a sympathetic guy named Mark, who has had similar experiences as an oldest child in a large family. Meanwhile, the camping trip is turning into a disaster. Elizabeth is the only homemaker among the wives, and she becomes the target of pointed remarks. The other couples begin to fight, ending the gathering. Coach Lubbock and Elizabeth return home to find the house a disaster area overrun by unauthorized boys. Marie has to explain why she rebelled, but Elizabeth is very understanding.

Date: May 17, 1988

This is the first time we see Johnny Dark, as Klause Dibie. Later, he becomes Danny of Danny's Pizzeria.

Kate, Klaus' wife, runs a new age women's center

JR is wearing an A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors shirt

Mark is also in episode 45 (Season 3, episode 19) Cindy Breaks A Date, as Derek

Marie kisses Mark in this episode. The first of four boys she kisses in the series (Mark, Warren, Carlos, and Russell)

This is the first episode with a Cassiopeia reference

CONNIE    Will you help me? I'm desperate! HOWIE      I will if you kiss me on the lips. CONNIE    I'm desperate, not stupid.

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5. Strangers In the Night

Synopsis: Coach Lubbock intercepts a note being passed around in one of his classes in which someone brags about being out with "the hottest Lubbock babe" the night before. He tries to use it to scare a confession out of one of the girls, but Wendy, Cindy, and Connie all stand up. After clearing Cindy, it comes out that both Wendy and Connie had been out with guys. While Coach Lubbock uses sports analogies to try to convince Wendy to be less wild, Elizabeth has a heart-to-heart talk with Connie, warning her that she's prone to get too involved emotionally. When the straightforward approach fails with Wendy, Coach Lubbock resorts to trickery, telling her he can tell what she's doing. But maybe it's not a trick: he stops Cindy from sneaking out.

Date: October 27, 1988

Graham is watching the Morton Downey, Jr. Show

This is the first episode of the second season and the first episode with a non pregnant Elizabeth and baby Melissa.

Graham teaches in classroom 108

This is the first time we see Graham and Elizabeth's bedroom. There is a crucifix above the bed

COACH Constance, what did you do? CONNIE I was merely engaged in a little social intercourse. (overreaction) We were talking! WENDY For a second there, I saw you in a whole new light. CONNIE Mom! They were kisses, not from our lips, but from our very souls! WENDY Oooooo... CONNIE It was nothing cheap, like you would do

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6. She Works Hard For the Money

Synopsis: The girls have been given the task of finding part-time jobs to bring in some extra income. They are not entirely successful. Wendy is distracted and ends up shopping. Marie becomes a volunteer. Connie gets a less-than-desirable job in a meat packing plant. Cindy, however, gets an $8 an hour job as a receptionist at a health club. But she doesn't do any real work - they're just exploiting her appearance. Her parents insist that she quit. When she does, she's replaced on the spot. Coach Lubbock cheers her up, and Connie helps her to get an even better-paying job where she works.

Date: November 3, 1988

50% off at Hunter's ad in newspaper with Want Ads.

The girls are searching the Want Ads in the Burger Barn

Cindy writes "Cindy D. Lubbock" on her application. In the series finale episode, Marie tells Cindy her middle name is Anne- not Diane (the cow's name).

Cindy makes $8/hr as a receptionist at the Eureka Fitness Center.

The lyrics Let's make something of it tonight can be heard over the muzak speakers in the Fitness club during the scene Graham sees the cardboard cut out of Cindy. Wendy later sings this song in season 3 whens he meets Dice at the pizzeria.

"scum bucket" is a popular insult in this episode/season

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7. Voice of God

Synopsis: One morning, Elizabeth finds herself having a real conversation with God. No one believes her until a tree branch comes crashing into the bedroom they would have been occupying if they hadn't been out praying. The "miracle" generates a circus of attention, but nothing more seems to be forthcoming from God. After a few days, everything is forgotten. The only one who understands in the end is Father Hargis, who sees it as God trying to get his attention

Date: November 10, 1988

damage done to the house: tree branch through roof

Marie sings Amazing Grace at the beginning of the episode

Graham sings Amazing Grace toward the end of the episode

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8. The Dinner Test

Synopsis: The Dinner Test is a Lubbock family tradition. Can prospective dates survive Coach Lubbock's intense scrutiny, or will they be thrown out on their keisters? Wendy comes up with a plan to get permission to go out on a date with someone (Bill) who would never pass the test: bring in a substitute who can pass. She and Cindy recruit fellow student Ed. He excels as "Bill." Highlights include saying grace in Latin and expressing a desire to become a teacher. He really likes Wendy, but she hardly notices him. Ironically, her date with the real Bill turns out to be a bust.

Date: November 17, 1988

Matthew Perry guest stars. He is another Friends star that has been on the show

Skylar Simpson is Cindy's date that failed the dinner test miserably

Three cartons of milk are in the fridge

"Bill" (Ed) goes 14 rounds before he is given the seal of approval by Graham. Wouldn't Graham have recognized Ed at St. Augie's during class?

CONNIE I want to see Dad throw this guy out on his firm, young but-tocks... It's the way I feel. CINDY Sorry I'm late. I didn't know where the library was.

COACH You can take out my stinkin' daughter. ELIZABETH Young man, you can take out any of our daughters.

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9. Coach's Court

Synopsis: Coach Lubbock falls through the porch railing and JR is hiding in the closet with a paper bag over his head. Coach's Court is called into session to get to the bottom of these mysteries. In the morning, JR stood up for Marie's honor when wrestler Warren made lewd remarks about her. When JR and Warren meet to fight it out, Marie intervenes, knocking out Warren with a clean left to the jaw. They find they like each other as a result. But when JR confronts Warren again later on the porch, he makes more rude remarks and Marie again slugs him, sending him through the railing and JR into the closet.

Date: November 23, 1988

Several "in the closet" remarks are made but never a gay joke.

Warren is known as Warren "The Killer" Worthington. Later, JR refers to him as Wormington

Cindy is seen with Gavin after a shopping trip to Hunter's. Gavin tells her he is rich. We find this is true in season 3 when Gavin takes them to the Virgin Islands via his private jet.

Wendy is watching Dallas

MARIE         Today I discovered the mystical connection between sex and violence. ELIZABETH  Recess is over! SHERRY      I've got a secret! WENDY       Grow up. SHERRY     Grow boobs.

no house numbers

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10. The Merry Mix Up

Synopsis: Wendy has a scheme to get into a dance club with Cindy. Problem: the minimum age is 17, and they're 16. Solution: Cindy will use Marie's ID, and Wendy will use her mother's. Cindy is escorted in by Buddy, but Wendy is turned away by the woman who replaces him. Elsewhere that evening, Father Hargis recruits Marie to help tutor his nephew Damien, a seminarian, in Latin. She is attracted to him although he's destined for the priesthood. The Mix-up: Buddy sends flowers the next day to the girl he knows as Marie, but everyone assumes they're for the real Marie and that Damien is giving up the priesthood for her. When Buddy shows up, Coach Lubbock tries to talk him out of the mistake he thinks he's making, while Marie tries to do the same with Damien. Cindy and Wendy try to avoid getting caught, but they're doomed.

Date: December 1, 1988

Elizabeth says she is 37- this means she had Marie when she was 20 years old

Sherry calls JR "ratboy"

Wendy and Cindy go to the Hot Spot Night Club

Marie talks about going into the convent but Elizabeth opposes. In season 3, we learn Elizabeth pressured Marie into going to the convent

Heather Langenkamp (Marie) said in an interview she studied Latin for almost 20 years

ELIZABETH     Marie! Don't pray in front of the TV! That's Satan's altar! CONNIE          Does it strike you as slightly bizarre that Wendy and Cindy are voluntarily watching the kids, or is it just me? ELIZABETH     Constance, you couldn't even find the kids two minutes ago. UNISON          Hi-yee... [CINDY, WENDY]

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11. The Unkindest Cut of All

Synopsis: Elizabeth tricks Coach Lubbock into getting getting a physical. He's in good health except for needing his hemorrhoids removed. Although he doesn't weasel out of the operation, he talks Elizabeth into agreeing to a cover-up, explaining his absence with a non-existent teacher's conference. However, Marie answers a call from the hospital, and she and Connie deduce that something is seriously wrong. Before the day is out, everyone is grieving for the imminent loss of Coach Lubbock. Monsignor O'Sullivan is even recruited to administer the last rites. When the truth comes out, grief turns to irritation (and hemorrhoid jokes).

Date: December 8, 1988

JR is wearing an A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors t-shirt

Wendy and Cindy say they are going ice skating with Todd and Skip

The nurse in the episode is also the principal's assistant at Dewey High (Growing Pains)

COACH          Dr. Constanza's a woman? You expect me to turn my head and cough for a woman? CONNIE          Why can't I just be dumb? I wish I was as ignorant as Cindy... Nah.

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12. A Christmas Story

  Synopsis: Coach Lubbock has been carefully saving money to buy Elizabeth a special Christmas present, an organ. But the plan is ruined when the family car develops a serious transmission problem. The only way to still be able to buy the organ is to sell the car. Coach Lubbock gives Gavin Doosler the task of selling it on a street corner. He's successful, but the buyer is Father Hargis. In the meantime, the girls came up with the money to fix the transmission as their Christmas present to Coach Lubbock.

Date: December 15, 1988

Graham and Marie go to the Little Sister's of the Poor to buy Elizabeth's Christmas present (an organ)

Graham is kissed on the cheek by Duane during their role play session

Graham is always teaching in room 108

This is the first time we meet Sister Ethel

There are two fire places in the Lubbock residence: kitchen and living room

The mechanic is also Mr. Pruitt in a later episode

Doosler sells Graham's car. Later in the season, Doosler plays a salesman in the play Death of a Salesman directed by Graham

Songs sung by family:

"Red River Valley" "Little Town of Bethlehem"

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13. Personal Best

Synopsis: St. Augie's changes a policy so the Lubbock girls can participate in PE, which is met with less than complete enthusiasm. In a practice run, it turns out that Wendy is very fast. Coach Lubbock tries to talk her into joining the track team. She's against the idea until JR tries to psyche her out of it. He's been training and wants to be fastest Lubbock in order to be noticed by his dad and perhaps to gain a nickname. Everyone else has one: Sherry is "the cute one," Cindy is the "pretty one," Marie is "the good one," Connie is "the melodramatic one," and Wendy is "the troublemaker." In a race at the first meet of the season, Wendy and JR take first and second. JR is now "the champ."

Date: January 5, 1989

JR has on his Gonna Getcha sweatshirt

Wendy is on a date with Roger (but we never see him)

In the intro, Sierra County is added to the list of destinations the Lubbocks drive through

Marie confesses she likes "sweaty men"

"Let's Get Physical" by Olivia Newton-John plays

Connie, Marie, Elizabeth and Sherry lead the crowd in an a Capella version of "I Am Woman, Here Me Roar"

JR is wearing an A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: Dream Master t-shirt

The theme song plays during the final race-- JR and Wendy tie

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14. Song of Constance

Synopsis: Connie wants very much to write something good enough to be included in the St. Augie's literary journal, but she's blocked until her mother suggests she write about what she knows. She produces purple prose about a purple rose. Although Duane and Sister Cyril disagree, Father Hargis labels the story as pornography, and Coach Lubbock agrees. But he's not really upset until Elizabeth tells him about her advice to write about her own experiences. He forbids Connie to ever write again. She rebels and puts copies of the story on everyone's lockers. Cindy and Wendy see it as titillation, while all the boys wear purple roses. Meanwhile, Elizabeth manages to convince Coach Lubbock that he's been wrong. With Connie on the verge of giving up on writing, he encourages her to continue even if some people don't understand.

Date: January 12, 1989

Elizabeth comes down into the kitchen late at night to make a sandwich and Connie is at the table writing.

Gavin has less than 30 submission that didn't make it to the literary magazine

Connie's story is called The Song of the Purple Rose

JR has National Geographic magazines under his bed

The hope chest that is usually at the end of Marie's bed is on the end of Connie's bed

No house numbers yet

Gavin is the voice over during the After School Special commercial. (Heather Langenkamp was in several After School Specials.)

CONNIE            I'm going to end up in Hollywood writing sitcoms, where they add canned laughter after every line. (audience laughs) See? Like that. WENDY             You're going to invade Connie's privacy and read her most intimate thoughts? COACH            Yeah. What's it to you? CINDY               Wendy just means that there's nothing juicy in there. COACH             No more writing. ... I don't want to catch you using your imagination anymore.