Norm Henderson is an ex-hockey player who was banned from hockey for life for gambling and tax evasion. Now he must do five years of community service as a social worker or go to prison. His co-workers are a collection of burnouts and basically inept losers, with one exception: Laurie, who ends up spending a lot of time trying to bail out Norm.
Genre: Comedy
Cast:Norm MacDonald , Laurie Metcalf , Ian Gomez , Max Wright , Artie Lange , Faith Ford , Nikki Cox , Amy Wilson , Patricia Belcher , Kate Walsh , Bruce Jarchow , Kyle Sabihy , Ron Pearson , Randall Carver , Fred Stoller , Patricia Bethune , Mitch Rouse , Johnny Galecki
Taylor, whom Norm has helped stop being a hooker, starts her new job, as a social worker in the office, but Denby thinks she's still turning tricks. Norm gets Laurie to help him hit on Shelly, the new probation officer in the office.
Realizing his wiener dog, Wiener Dog, can make $200 dollars a breeding session, Norm sets out to make some fast money off his dog to buy a baseball card for a young boy Shelly is a big sister to, so he can impress Shelly.
In order to impress Shelly, Norm tries to get a bunch of toys for the orphan toy donation box Shelly is trying to collect for. Helping him out is his brother, who has just come to town.
Laurie helps Norm confront his fear of death after Danny's father passes away, so that Norm can in turn console Danny.
Norm tries to convince Shelly to date him and he starts to win her over despite the fact she can't date a client. But then she finds he's been violating his probation requirement of no gambling.
Laurie is talked into running for city councilman after a heartless politician stops by the office briefly for photo ops. Norm tries to help.
Norm slips and says "I love you" to Shelly so he tries to convince her he uses the phrase with everyone. Laurie runs for city council against an opponent threatening to close half the social service offices in the city. Look for sight gag.
To emerge from the depression he is in because Shelly broke up with him, Norm takes Laurie's advice to help a client (played by Drew Carey) who also has a history of gambling addiction. When trouble ensues, Denby hopes for the worst.
Norm's relapse into gambling lands him, his brother, and his friends in jail. Laurie tries to break his addiction. To bail out his brother, being held on thousands in unpaid parking tickets, Norm must see his bookie to collect on a win.
Norm and Denby try to pick up women to get over ex's; Denby's failed marriage and Norm's ended relationship with Shelly who moved to Colorado. Heads butt when Denby and Norm win dates with the lady Norm has been trying to get.
Norm stumbles upon a self-proclaimed homeless, jobless teen who boxes like an upcoming pro, and selfishly uses him to make money to pay off his bookie.
It's the Secret Santa drawing at the office and Danny gets Taylor, but things go wrong as Taylor is shocked and made uncomfortable by the gift she gets. Norm and Artie try to bring a merry Christmas to Laurie, who doesn't like the holiday.
Danny awaits Taylor decision on whether to go out with him. Laurie's twin sister visits, or "the hot one" as Norm dubs her. Complications arise.
Unable to meet his rent and the faced with the land lady moving into his place of her own accord, Norm gets a job as a male escort. Taylor is shocked by the news.
Laurie sets Norm up with a surprise date and when things go south, the two end up taking somebody else's limo that's going to a music awards ceremony and they become romantically involved. Taylor and Danny's relationship gets more serious.
Norm continues to pursue Jenny, even though she's engaged. Norm and her future husband verbally battle it out for Jenny's love.
Things between Norm and Jenny become strained when Norm is worried about getting married after only a couple weeks of knowing each other.
In this episode, viewers are encouraged to pick up on 50 references to classic movies. Norm confronts his fear of doctors, Laurie confronts her fear of puppets; Danny confronts his fear of public speaking; Artie confronts his fear of peeing in front of strangers.
Norm tries to think of a way to pay for Jenny's veterinarian school studies. Jenny's fiancé takes his revenge upon Norm for stealing her away at the alter. Taylor, Laurie, and Danny enlist Denby's help with a dead man.
Danny becomes jealous when an old football player Taylor knew, shows up at the office as a new employee. Laurie struggles to understand why she doesn't win an award for being one of the best social workers, and seeks advice from her old teacher.