In order to get a promotion at the advertising agency he works for, Ned Dorsey (Thomas Haden Church) agrees to enter into a marriage of convenience with journalist Stacey Colbert (Debra Messing), who is desperate to move out of her parents house.

Recurring characters: Harry Goz and Dori Brenner as Saul and Ellen Colbert.

To give the impression of a real marriage at a party for his colleagues, Ned constructs a fictitious history of his relationship with Stacey.

Recurring characters: John Getz and Natalia Nogulich as Les and Bernadette McDowell.

After accidentally meeting a handsome British guy, Stacey starts dating him. When she tries to tell him about her fake marriage with Ned, he gets the impression that they're having a real affair.

Guest star: Simon Templeman as Nigel Davies.

While looking for material for her next article, Stacey receives compromising information regarding one of Ned's biggest clients. After consulting with him, she writes a scathing exposé about the client which ends up harming Ned.

Recurring characters: John Getz and Natalia Nogulich as Les and Bernadette McDowell.

When Ned hires a gorgeous supermodel for a pick-up truck ad, she ends up getting real close to Eric. When this worries Amanda, Eric decides to take a stand for himself.

Guest star: Paulina Porizkova as Alexa Miroslav.

Stacey realizes that Ned's getting too close to her parents and decides to forbid him from spending time with them.

Recurring characters: Harry Goz and Dori Brenner as Saul and Ellen Colbert.

Ned falls in love with Mrs. Binder, an older woman who happens to be the best friend of Stacey's mom.

Recurring characters: Harry Goz and Dori Brenner as Saul and Ellen Colbert.

Guest star: Joanna Cassidy as Lucy Binder

Ned and Stacey visit a Halloween party at their building, and they end up getting closer than they expected.

Guest stars: Scott Paetty as Scott, and Kimberly Quinn as Rhonda

When Stacey's finances take a dive into the worst, Ned offers to help her.

Guest stars: Loretta Devine as Mrs. Duncan and Olivia Newton-John as herself

Ned, Stacey, Eric, and Amanda visit the Colberts for a Thanksgiving Day diner. However, a snow storm and other mishaps leads them into a series of family disagreements and disappointments.

Recurring characters: Harry Goz and Dori Brenner as Saul and Ellen Colbert.

Guest star: Susie Essman as Aunt Ceil

Ned gives Stacey some illegal help to buy a new bed, by bribing the salesman. However, Stacey finds herself unable to sleep in it due to the guilt for Ned's actions.

Guest star: Kevin Meaney as Chuck

When Amanda stumbles with Sam, a friend of her, she introduces him to Ned and Stacey. After knowing about their arrangement, both Ned and Stacey find themselves fighting for Sam's attention as a "buddy" and as a "boyfriend".

Guest star: John Slattery as Sam

Ned is bound to sleep with a powerful and sexy client. However, Stacey objects arguing the humiliation it poses with the clients he wants her to impress.

Recurring characters: John Getz as Les McDowell

Guest star: Claire Stansfield as Jordan, Kathy Griffin as Jeanne

Stacey skips Ned's New Year's Eve party to have a date with a friend, which eventually bothers Ned.

Recurring characters: John Getz and Natalia Nogulich as Les and Bernadette McDowell.

Guest star: Thomas Calabro as Don Morelli

When Ned's agency hires Clay, a young and smart executive, to work with him, Ned finds himself worried that he might be trying to take his place.

Recurring characters: John Getz as Les McDowell, James Karen as Patrick Kirkland

Guest star: Tim Conlon as Clay

In order to land Stacey a steady job, Ned starts dating a publishing executive only to realize she is a sex-crazed nymphomaniac.

Guest star: Farrah Forke as Megan Foster

When Eric's boss retires, Amanda convinces Ned to speak in favor of Eric with their boss. As a result, Eric gets the job, but only to have Ned trying to coerce him into some budget gymnastics.

Recurring characters: James Karen as Patrick Kirkland

Stacey meets with an old high school rival and tries to impress her with her relationship with Ned. However, she ends up seducing Ned afterwards.

Guest star: Lisa Edelstein as Janine

An important new homosexual client of Ned's notices Ned & Stacey's separate living arrangements, assumes they are in a lavender marriage. When Ned tries to explain to him, their business relationship is endangered.

Guest star: Stephen Kearney as Brent Barrow

Despite pain from a temperamental gall bladder, Ned refuses to be hospitalized. That is until his pain leads him to ruin Howard's birthday party.

Ned is forced to work with Bobby Van Lowe, a hot and young actor that has to make some PSA's. When he comments he is looking for an apartment, Ned recommends Amanda, but finds himself in the middle of trouble when Bobby makes a pass at Amanda.

Guest star: Jason Bateman as Bobby Van Lowe

After a series of fights, Amanda unknowingly convinces Stacey to move out of Ned's house. As she returns to her parents, both she and Ned find themselves receiving the unexpected advice from the Colberts.

Recurring characters: Harry Goz and Dori Brenner as Saul and Ellen Colbert.

Guest star: Kenny Johnson as Joey

During a poker game with his friends, Ned bets a night with Stacey, only to lose to his main rival in advertisement.

Guest star: Brian McNamara as Peter

Ned and Stacey agree to find a date for each other. Although Stacey's choice ends up being disastrous for Ned, she falls in love with Alex, a friend of Ned. However, her new romance ends up jeopardizing Ned's career and their marriage arrangement.

Recurring characters: James Karen as Patrick Kirkland, and Cameron Watson as Alex Palmer

After Ned throws her out of the house, Stacey decides to stay at Alex's house. The next day, Kirkland threatens to fire Ned and tells him to straighten out his life. Meanwhile, Eric takes Ned to a family gathering so Ned can tell Stacey his true feelings.

Recurring characters: James Karen as Patrick Kirkland, and Cameron Watson as Alex Palmer.

Originally scheduled for premiere on October 27, 1996, but it was pushed up at the behest of Fox executive Peter Roth.^[27]

Recurring characters: Cameron Watson as Alex Palmer.

Recurring characters:

Recurring characters:

Recurring characters: John Getz as Les McDowell, and James Karen as Patrick Kirkland

Recurring characters: Kathy Griffin as Jeannie

Guest star: Alex Trebek as himself

Guest star: Jennifer Lyons as Alice

Guest star: Christopher Hewett as himself