Clarissa Explains It All

As events unfold in her life, Clarissa explains to the viewer the motivations behind people's actions.

Cast:Melissa Joan Hart , Jason Zimbler , Elizabeth Hess , Joe O'Connor , Sean O'Neal , David Eck , Sara Burkhardt , Nicolle Rochelle , Shannon Woodward , Heather MacRae , Bob Noble , Susan Greenhill , Danny Gura , Kristian Truelsen , Shane Obedzinski , Marisa Lauren , David Singletary , Phoenix Stone

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Revenge

Sun, Mar 3, 1991

Ferguson embarrasses Clarissa at school and so she is out to exact revenge using a straight jacket and balloons. Sam's father wants him get into the football team and he is determined to not be in it, with Clarissa's help.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ School Picture

Sat, May 4, 1991

Clarissa decides to rebel by wearing an outrageous outfit for her class picture, which Janet is horrified over.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ No T.V.

Sat, Apr 6, 1991

Ferguson and Clarissa have been fighting for control of the TV when Clarissa's mother decreed no TV for a week. The problem then becomes about how to fill in the time without getting on each other's nerves.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Urge to Drive

Sat, May 11, 1991

Clarissa wants to buy a car but needs to get the money first. She then sets out to raise the $1500 needed. When Clarissa has no success getting the money out of her parents, she decides to sell Christmas cards, in the middle of the year.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ Clarissa News Network

Sat, Apr 13, 1991

Clarissa decides to produce her own news network CDNN. Her family figures prominently in her news reports. Clarissa's biggest scoop turns out to be her mother's mid-life crisis.

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ Haunted House

Sat, Apr 20, 1991

Clarissa finds her Aunt Mafada's overly affectionate mannerisms annoying. She decides to haunt the house to encourage her to leave early. It backfires when it turns out that Aunt Mafada is interested in the supernatural.

7Season 1

S1.E7 ∙ Bully

Sat, May 11, 1991

Ferguson is being nice to Clarissa but she is suspicious of his motives. When she notices her Walkman has disappeared she manages to get to the bottom of it. Marshall receives a chain letter and Janet is horrified when he destroys it.

8Season 1

S1.E8 ∙ New Addition

Sat, Apr 20, 1991

Clarissa is convinced that her parents are trying to have another baby. To help persuade them to not have a new baby, she enlists the aid of Ferguson. Sam needs to come up with a new science investigation and Clarissa gives him an idea.

9Season 1

S1.E9 ∙ Brain Drain

Sat, May 18, 1991

Ferguson does an IQ test and, when he finds out that he is in the top 5% of the country, he becomes even more obnoxious, convinced that he is a genius. To make money, Ferguson decides to go on a TV game show called 'Brain Drain'.

10Season 1

S1.E10 ∙ Clarissa Makes a Cake

Sat, May 25, 1991

Clarissa tries to help celebrate her parents' anniversary by making a cake, but Janet and Marshall stop talking to each other over what to stro on the night.

11Season 1

S1.E11 ∙ Parents Who Say No!

Sat, Jun 15, 1991

Clarissa wants a job at the Baxter beach carnival but her parent's think she is too young and say no. She then sets out to get them to change their mind. They finally say yes, but the job doesn't quite work out how she expected.

12Season 1

S1.E12 ∙ Cool Dad

Sat, Jun 8, 1991

Marshall is invited to speak at Clarissa's school's career night, which she finds embarrassing. Clarissa tries to convince him not to go, unsuccessfully. Marshall decides to become 'cool' to fit in.

13Season 1

S1.E13 ∙ Sick Days

Sat, Jun 1, 1991

Clarissa doesn't want to go to Ancient Greece pageant day at school so she fakes being sick. Her parents don't believe her until she really does become sick. Then the pageant is revamped and suddenly Clarissa wants to go.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Crush

Fri, Feb 14, 1992

Clarissa gets a major crush on local weatherman Flip Fontana. Her rational head is horrified by the foolish state of her heart. Despite her best efforts, she can't stop daydreaming about him and trying to concoct ways to meet him.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ She Drives Me Crazy

Sun, Feb 23, 1992

With a Mazda Miata grand prize as incentive, Clarissa enters a magazine contest, "My Brother - What a Guy" and grossly exaggerates Ferguson's qualities.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Sam Darling

Sun, Mar 1, 1992

Sam stays with the Darlings while his father is away and becomes the perfect son. Sam and Clarissa are working on a school project, but he spends so much time being polite to her parents, that he never has time for Clarissa, and she feels left out.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ President Ferguson

Sun, Mar 8, 1992

Ferguson runs for school President and turns the Darling household into his campaign headquarters. Clarissa and Sam plot to suppress Ferguson's ego.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ The Return of Mafalda

Sat, Sep 12, 1992

Aunt Mafalda has been tasked with overseeing Clarissa and Ferguson while their parents are out of town. Clarissa worries that her demonstrative aunt will ruin her planned slumber party.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ The Great Debate

Sat, Sep 5, 1992

A great debate begins after the Darlings realize that Marshall's dream project is the same planned mini-mall development being protested by Janet. Clarissa worries that the debate may result in divorce.

7Season 2

S2.E7 ∙ Me 101

Sun, Jun 7, 1992

Clarissa wants to go to a Nirvana concert.

8Season 2

S2.E8 ∙ The Understudy

Sat, Aug 22, 1992

Clarissa is picked as the understudy for the lead actor of the school play. She's overjoyed by the 'easy' assignment until the lead falls ill on opening night. Clarissa attempts to quickly learn her lines but Ferguson's help interferes.

9Season 2

S2.E9 ∙ Can't Buy Love

Sat, Aug 29, 1992

Clarissa discovers that her secret admirer and Ferguson's new friend are one in the same.

10Season 2

S2.E10 ∙ Misguidance Counselor

Sun, Jun 14, 1992

Clarissa's overbearing guidance counselor encourages her to participate in normal teenage girl activities. After giving the recommended activities a try, Clarissa decides that being normal is overrated.

11Season 2

S2.E11 ∙ Sam in Love

Sun, Jun 28, 1992

Clarissa assists Sam in his pursuit of a girlfriend. Ferguson interprets the misplacement of his birth certificate as a sign that he's adopted.

12Season 2

S2.E12 ∙ A New Look

Sun, Jul 12, 1992

Clarissa finds herself attracted to the school bully. Marshall goes for a new look after being scouted by lady from a modeling agency.

13Season 2

S2.E13 ∙ Total TV

Sat, Aug 15, 1992

Clarissa attempts to watch television continuously for 24 full hours for a science project, but she finds the task more difficult than she imagined.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ Janet's Old Boyfriend

Sat, Sep 26, 1992

Marshall becomes jealous when Janet's ex-boyfriend, a successful writer, pays the Darlings a visit for dinner.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ The Darling Wars

Sat, Oct 24, 1992

After being left alone for the night, Clarissa and Ferguson take turns scaring one another. Over the course of the evening, the Darling war continues escalate until an unexpected guest frightens them both.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Poetic Justice

Sat, Oct 10, 1992

Clarissa turns to her computer to help her finish an assignment for which she must write a poem. Not only does the computer "write" a strange but well-loved poem, but also Clarissa is chosen to represent her school at a banquet for young poets.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ Sam's Swan Song

Sat, Sep 19, 1992

Sam's mom comes to town to play in a roller derby match. Although she is the "Most Valuable Slayer," she announces that she wants to quit the derby and take Sam back to Seattle to live with her for good.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Punch the Clock

Sat, Nov 21, 1992

Clarissa is broke and decides to get a job. She declines to use Ferguson's job placement business, but lets the librarian help her with her resume and job search. Clarissa gets multiple job offers, all of which she accepts.

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ The Silent Treatment

Sat, Nov 28, 1992

Ferguson has decided to torture Clarissa by giving her "The Silent Treatment." Clarissa retaliates by devising a software program designed to gross him out when he steps into the bathroom.

7Season 3

S3.E7 ∙ Involunteering

Sat, Dec 12, 1992

Janet recruits the whole family to participate in Volunteer Day at the Children's Museum. Clarissa desperately wants to get out of this assignment and lucks out when the museum closes because of boiler problems.

8Season 3

S3.E8 ∙ Take My Advice... Please

Sat, Dec 19, 1992

Ferguson has fallen in love and is asking everyone for advice, including Clarissa, who wants to give him the worst advice possible. Yet every bad idea she gives him works in his favor and all the girls go crazy for him.

9Season 3

S3.E9 ∙ Marshall's Midlife Crisis

Sat, Dec 26, 1992

During a midlife crisis, Marshall decides to move the family to a small South Pacific island. Clarissa does her best to change his mind before the house sells.

10Season 3

S3.E10 ∙ Football Fever

Sat, Jan 23, 1993

Ferguson tries out for the football team in an effort to win Marshall's bet with a neighbor. Clarissa uses exercise to get Ferguson into shape.

11Season 3

S3.E11 ∙ Life of Crime

Sat, Jan 30, 1993

Clarissa fears a future life of crime after accidentally stealing some lingerie from a store. Returning the merchandise proves to be harder than taking it.

12Season 3

S3.E12 ∙ Marshall's Parents Visit

Sat, Feb 13, 1993

Sam scores two tickets to a Pearl Jam concert. Clarissa wants to attend the concert but also feels obligated to DJ her grandparents' anniversary party.

13Season 3

S3.E13 ∙ Blind Date

Sat, Feb 27, 1993

Sam sets up himself and Clarissa on a double blind date. Clarissa is beseiged by visions of a blind date from hell. But after Sam describes how cool her date is, she begins to think that she might be the geek.

1Season 4

S4.E1 ∙ The Flu

Sat, Mar 13, 1993

When Marshall and Janet come down with the flu, it's up to Clarissa and Ferguson to take care of the household chores.

2Season 4

S4.E2 ∙ ESP R Us

Wed, Mar 17, 1993

Clarissa and her friend Olivia often share the same thoughts and tastes, so Olivia is convinced she's a psychic. Clarissa decides to have Olivia take a psychic test to prove her wrong.

3Season 4

S4.E3 ∙ Commitment

Sat, Apr 17, 1993

Clarissa likes Clifford, but she isn't ready to go steady. He dates another girl who spreads a rumor that Clarissa is too fickle to commit. Clarissa decides to prove her wrong by going steady with another boy.

4Season 4

S4.E4 ∙ Road Trip

Sat, May 8, 1993

The annual family vacation to Lake Winnemucca is usually filled with doom and disaster. But this year is going to be different. . .the whole family is going to the Grand Canyon!

5Season 4

S4.E5 ∙ The Bicycle Thief

Sat, May 22, 1993

Clarissa realizes how much she needs a bike after hers is stolen.

6Season 4

S4.E6 ∙ Boy Thoughts

Sat, Jun 19, 1993

Clarissa explains the thought processes of boys. Ferguson talks Clarissa's boyfriend into co-hosting his public access TV show.

7Season 4

S4.E7 ∙ Hero Worship

Sat, Jun 26, 1993

Eve, the meek and mousy new girl in school, worships Clarissa and starts copying her style. Clarissa gets fed up when she starts taking over her life.

8Season 4

S4.E8 ∙ A Little Romance

Sat, Aug 14, 1993

Clarissa and Sam find their friendship in jeopardy after going out on a romantic date.

9Season 4

S4.E9 ∙ The Zone

Fri, Sep 10, 1993

Clarissa goes to music class and the only instrument left is the flute. It used to be a drag to play but she's been playing effortlessly and beautifully. Mrs. Doppeldew, the music teacher, wants Clarissa to do a flute solo at next week's music recital.

10Season 4

S4.E10 ∙ Tale of Two Moms

Sat, Aug 28, 1993

Sam's mother, Debbie, is staying with the Darlings for a week during the Roller Derby playoffs. Personalities clash when Janet takes exception to Debbie's slovenly lifestyle.

11Season 4

S4.E11 ∙ Don't I Know You?

Sat, Sep 11, 1993

Clarissa searches her ancestor's diary for tips on how to win the school talent show. Ferguson tries to assist Marshall with his taxes.

12Season 4

S4.E12 ∙ Babysitting

Sat, Sep 25, 1993

Clarissa reluctantly agrees to babysit the neighbor's mischievous daughter, Elsie. Elsie proves too much for Clarissa to handle until Ferguson lends a hand.

13Season 4

S4.E13 ∙ Educating Janet

Sat, Oct 16, 1993

Janet's a substitute teacher at Clarissa and Ferguson's school for two weeks. Clarissa feels it's cramping her style and is miserable when Janet is offered a permanent position.

1Season 5

S5.E1 ∙ The Cycle

Sat, Oct 23, 1993

Since Clarissa's parents have forbidden her from buying a 'car', she comes up with a scheme to buy Olivia's brother's motorcycle.

2Season 5

S5.E2 ∙ A New Mom

Sat, Nov 13, 1993

To complete a homework assignment, Clarissa attempts to reinvent her mother.

3Season 5

S5.E3 ∙ Editor in Chief

Sat, Nov 13, 1993

After becoming editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, Clarissa learns that power is accompanied by responsibility.

4Season 5

S5.E4 ∙ Piper Comes to Visit

Sat, Dec 4, 1993

Piper, daughter of Janet's college roommate, visits for a week. Clarissa works to overcome Piper's aloofness.

5Season 5

S5.E5 ∙ Alter Ego

Sat, Dec 18, 1993

During a party, Clarissa falls for a drummer named Paulie while pretending to be a 'hypercool' dressed character called Jade. Clarissa initially assumes the Jade alter-ego when meeting Paulie but eventually reveals her true self.

6Season 5

S5.E6 ∙ Sam's Dad

Sat, Jan 8, 1994

Problems arise after Clarissa and Sam are respectively assigned internships under the other's father.

7Season 5

S5.E7 ∙ The Firm

Sat, Jan 15, 1994

Clarissa composes an essay for a scholarship. Marshall considers a lucrative job offer from a large corporate firm.

8Season 5

S5.E8 ∙ Janet and Clarissa, Inc.

Sat, Feb 5, 1994

Janet and Clarissa invent a delicious snack that bounces. Mother and daughter then collaborate to market their creation as a novelty health snack called Bouncey Balls.

9Season 5

S5.E9 ∙ Ferguson Explains It All

Sat, Apr 23, 1994

Ferguson reads a book on mind control then uses the included glasses to hypnotize friends and family. Clarissa counters Fergs attempts to control her mind by fighting fire with fire.

10Season 5

S5.E10 ∙ Dear Clarissa

Sat, Mar 12, 1994

Clarissa pens a school paper advice column under the pseudonym, Alice B. Talking. Ferguson prepares for performing a stand-up comedy routine for talent night.

11Season 5

S5.E11 ∙ UFO

Thu, Jun 16, 1994

Clarissa is assigned to write an article about a local woman's sighting of an UFO. After interviewing the elderly lady, Clarissa decides to investigate further.

12Season 5

S5.E12 ∙ Clarissa Gets Arrested

Thu, Jun 23, 1994

Clarissa and Sam get arrested for protesting against a local company's animal testing.

13Season 5

S5.E13 ∙ The Last Clarissa

Sat, Dec 3, 1994

Clarissa finishes her last article for the newspaper, dedicated to the future. This arises the question: Where will they be in 20 years?