Roc

- Season 1

(1991)

In this pilot episode of the sole prime-time scripted U.S. series since the 1950s to present a full season live, the menfolk of the Emerson family of East Baltimore separately plan their birthday gifts for Roc's wife Eleanor, whom they all adore. The thrifty Roc is proud to have furnished their home with salvage from his job on a sanitation truck, so he has her gift at hand, but his boom or bust brother Joey is flat broke, staying over on their couch until his trumpet-playing lip heals up. Their father Andrew always honors Eleanor with the same present. Hard-working ...

Roc's brotherly blood boils when rambling, gambling Joey misuses Roc's loan, by playing the ponies. A loan shark and his huge enforcer show up, but Roc pays them off to save Joey a beating. Their father drives a further wedge between the brothers when he reveals that their late mother had an affair, so he always wondered if one of the men is not an Emer-son. Despite their differences Joey and Roc have always loved each other. Do they want blood tests ?

Roc and Eleanor at last have time for romance, but Roc has a problem. Eleanor: Ella Joyce. Andrew: Carl Gordon. Joey: Rocky Carroll.

Forced to retire, a co-worker (Al Fann) thinks nobody cares, so Roc (Charles S. Dutton) throws him a party---but nobody cares.

Trumpeter Joey's on the verge of being kicked out on the curb, due to his gambling losses and mooching off the other Emersons. The sympathy Joey's earned during his recuperation from a split embouchure is wearing thin. Roc goes through the Baltimore Sun want ads with him, but Joey judges the few jobs he's qualified for, as beneath him. Father Andrew recalls how when he was scuffling as a young buck, any kind of job afforded him some dignity. So, Roc offers to get his Joey a job with him, as a Charm City garbage man, but taunts Joey that he wouldn't last a week. ...

Roc's temper simmers when his wife Eleanor receives flowers from an older man, an ex-patient of hers, recovering from a major heart attack. Nurse Eleanor explains that such a response from a patient is a normal part of a healthy recovery, on leaving a hospital, to thank the staff who saved his life. But when the patient sends her a huge diamond, Roc boils with jealousy. Next the wealthy man shows up at the Emersons' front door, in an elegant suit, looking exactly like Samuel L. Jackson, and in Roc's eyes, way too healthy.

Remaining "one of the guys" is tough when Roc (Charles S. Dutton) is promoted, and tougher when he has to fire one of the guys.

Andrew's youngest brother (Richard Roundtree) drops one bombshell after another on the family, each increasingly upsetting to Andrew (Carl Gordon).

Joey (Rocky Carroll) and Eleanor's co-worker almost hit each other before hitting it off, but they're a couple with only one thing in common---or two, if you count fighting.

Joey (Rocky Carroll) and Eleanor's co-worker almost hit each other before hitting it off, but they're a couple with only one thing in common---or two, if you count fighting.

After an argument over cramped living quarters, Roc takes Joey's idea of buying a bigger house at a foreclosure auction. Eleanor has a change of heart after an emotional discussion with the former owner.

Roc and Eleanor decide to have a baby, but after trying with no results, there may be a problem. Part 1 of two.

Know what this is about? Be the first one to add a plot.

After Joey strikes out with a woman at a bar, he is taken back when she falls for his father. Marriage plans fall apart when she decides to get back together with her previous boyfriend, an even older gentleman.

A wedding brings Roc face to face with Eleanor's family, who think Roc's a doc, thanks to his mother-in-law.

Reverend Hill suggests that Joey Emerson, an unemployed musician, give trumpet lessons to some of the congregation's children. During the "lessons," Joey makes telephone calls, bets on horse races and gives his students no musical guidance at all. Then Roc promises Reverend Hill that Joey and his students will play in the church's next musical recital.

Roc's boss Stan had a brief sexual encounter with a woman at a sanitation convention. Now Stan's wife Connie has thrown him out of the house. Roc gives Stan some honest advice and invites him home for dinner. But over the next few weeks, Stan asks Roc for too much emotional support and imposes on the Emersons for a place to sleep.

Joey, Andrew and Roc offer a meal to a pregnant homeless woman, Linda, who suddenly goes into labor in the middle of their kitchen. The baby is stillborn. Linda's husband, Donald, comforts his wife and promises to find work and shelter. Roc is so moved my their courage that he vows to show more concern for people who are less fortunate.

On strike, Roc joins Eleanor working at the hospital, but working for her has him coming apart.

Roc is ready to train the new trainee until he figures out that it is a women. After the first day of work Angela starts to "focus in on Roc". Roc insisted he is not attracted to her. Will Roc keep his hands away from Angela?

Andrew swears off women when a lover dies.

Roc tries to organize his neighbors against the drug dealer who moves in across the street.

Joey auditions to join Les McCann on tour.

Joey obtains management rights to a singing group, who are unmoved by Roc's suggested moves.

Roc, Joey and Andrew tell their most harrowing dreams in order to get Eleanor to share hers.