K.C. Martel Movies

After eight months at sea, Mike's lifelong friend Eddie (K.C. Martel) pays an unexpected return visit to Long Island. Under normal circumstances, Mike (Kirk Cameron) would be delighted--but instead, he keeps the notoriously irresponsible Eddie at arm's length, worried that his old pal might prove to be a bad influence on Luke (Jeremy Miller). Meanwhile, Ben (Jeremy Miller) shoots a video of the Seaver family on behalf of Carol, who is still studying in London. In the original network version of this episode, the cast of Growing Pains touchingly acknowledges the conspicuous absence of series regular Tracey Gold (Carol), who had been forced to leave the show because of severe health problems. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Mike (Kirk Cameron) and his new girl friend Tina (Melissa Young) go on a double date with Eddie (K.C. Martel) and HIS new girlfriend, whom he describes glowingly as "The One." Turns out that the "One" is Kate Macdonald (Chelsea Noble), Kirk's former sweetheart. As the evening progresses, Kate and Mike realize that they're still in love--meaning that, if Mike were to follow his heart, he'd end up breaking Eddie's in the process. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Ever on the lookout for new strategies to meet girls, Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Eddie (K.C. Martel) join "Parents Without Mates"--or, as they describe the organization, "the promised land of available babes." So as not to reveal their true motives, both boys pretend to be single dads. When Mike falls for the lovely Rachel (Kelly Rowan), he tries to impress her by introducing his 6-year-old "son"--actually his little sister Chrissy (Ashley Johnson) in disguise. Featured in the cast is Jessie Gold, the sister of series regular Tracey Gold (Carol). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Characteristically putting off a school project until the last minute, Ben (Jeremy Miller) desperately needs to go out and buy some glue. Accepting a ride from Mike (Kirk Cameron) Ben ends up embarking on a girl-chasing excursion with Mike and Eddie (K.C. Martel). Many, many strange things happen before the Seaver boys return home, a bit sadder, a bit wiser. Featured in the cast is Robin Thicke, son of series star Alan Thicke, and future Beverly Hills 90210 regular Jennie Garth. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, the family bands together to scotch the quarrel between Jason (Alan Thicke) and Mike (Kirk Cameron). Once a truce is reached, Mike moves out of the house and into the attic above the garage, a living arrangement that meets with Jason's approval, so long as Mike can come up with his own rent money. But when Jason catches Mike borrowing cash from Maggie (Joanna Kerns), another nasty fight ensues--and this one may drive a permanent wedge between father and son. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Maggie (Joanna Kerns) is pressed into service as a deejay for the school dance which she and Jason (Alan Thicke) have agreed to chaperone. Out on the dance floor, a disillusioned Mike discovers that his "dream girl" Lydia (Cathy Podwell) has a voice that would shatter glass, while Carol (Tracey Gold) suffers repercussions after tripping the light fantastic with Mike's pal Boner (Josh Andrew Koenig). And elsewhere, Ben (Jeremy Miller) and Stinky (Jamie Abbott) end up in a seedy diner during their quest for a legendary pinball machine known as The Flipper. With this episode, Growing Pains moved from Tuesday to Wednesday evening, where the series would remain for the rest of its third season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first episode of a two-part story, Mike (Kirk Cameron) bristles at the household rules and regulations set down by dad Jason (Alan Thicke), feeling that, as an 18-year-old college student, he should be treated as an adult. Things come to a head when Jason refuses to let Mike go on a skiing trip, even after the boy's college classes have been postponed. In high dudgeon, Mike runs out of the Seaver house--and spends the next several days living in his car! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Mike (Kirk Cameron), Boner (Josh Andrew Koenig) and Eddie (K.C. Martel) are invited to a college party by the old pal Roland. Upon arrival, they discover that many of the guests are indulging in cocaine--and they are expected to do likewise, lest they be written off as "uncool." When it first aired on February 10, 1987, this episode achieved "Very Special" status by virtue of its closing scene, in which Kirk Cameron appears out of character to issue a stern anti-drug statement. Keep an eye out for two soon-to-be-famous members of the supporting cast: Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Heidi Kozak (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Perennial underachiever Mike (Kirk Cameron) is elated when he is nominated as student body president. Unfortunately, he has been so chosen because he's certain to lose, thus assuring the incumbent's re-election. Upon discovering that her brother has been set up for a fall, Carol (Tracey Gold) secretly works overtime to make sure that Mike wins the race! Watch for an early appearance by a young Heather Graham (Twin Peaks, Scrubs). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While the rest of the Seavers are visiting Maggie's parents Ed and Kate Malone (Gordon Jump, Betty McGuire), Mike (Kirk Cameron) is allowed to hold a party at home. Unfortunately, things get out of control, and what started as a "mild" affair is quickly upgraded to "wild." Meanwhile, the family is shocked to discover that Ed and Kate are about to be turned out of their house...and when Jason (Alan Thicke) offers to lend the couple the money needed to pay the bills, he's in for yet another shock. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Mike (Kirk Cameron) would sooner go to a Bruce Springseen concert by his himself, but since it was dad Jason (Alan Thicke) who bought the tickets, it ends up a father-and-son night. Things go relatively smoothly until Jason inadvertently manages to embarrass Mike when the two of them are interviewed by the press. And back at home, mom Maggie (Joanna Kerns) and daughter Carol (Tracey Gold) have an argument on the subject of mice. Josh Andrew Koenig and K.C. Martel make their first series appearances as Mike's pals Boner and Eddie. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Both a classic movie for kids and a remarkable portrait of childhood, E.T. is a sci-fi adventure that captures that strange moment in youth when the world is a place of mysterious possibilities (some wonderful, some awful), and the universe seems somehow separate from the one inhabited by grown-ups. Henry Thomas plays Elliott, a young boy living with his single mother (Dee Wallace), his older brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton), and his younger sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore). Elliott often seems lonely and out of sorts, lost in his own world. One day, while looking for something in the back yard, he senses something mysterious in the woods watching him. And he's right: an alien spacecraft on a scientific mission mistakenly left behind an aging botanist who isn't sure how to get home. Eventually Elliott puts his fears aside and makes contact with the "little squashy guy," perhaps the least threatening alien invader ever to hit a movie screen. As Elliott tries to keep the alien under wraps and help him figure out a way to get home, he discovers that the creature can communicate with him telepathically. Soon they begin to learn from each other, and Elliott becomes braver and less threatened by life. E.T. rigs up a communication device from junk he finds around the house, but no one knows if he'll be rescued before a group of government scientists gets hold of him. In 2002, Steven Spielberg re-released E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in a revised edition, with several deleted scenes restored and digitally refurbished special effects. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This early-'80s made-for-TV movie includes most of the cast of the original Munsters TV series. An evil scientist creates android replicas of the Munster family in order to frame them for the robbery of an art-gallery. ~ John Bush, Rovi