The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd

2025-03-25T03:42:00Z

50.1.173.79: /* Season 1 (1987) */

{{Short description|American comedy-drama television series}}
{{one source|date=April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| genre = [[Comedy drama]]
| creator = [[Jay Tarses]]
| writer =
| director =
| starring = [[Blair Brown]]
| theme_music_composer = [[Patrick Williams (composer)|Patrick Williams]]
| opentheme =
| composer =
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 5
| num_episodes = 65
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = [[Bernie Brillstein]]
| producer =
| editor =
| cinematography =
| camera = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]]
| runtime = 23:30 (NBC episodes)<br />22:50 (Lifetime episodes)
| company = {{Plainlist|
* You And Me Kid Productions
* [[Warner Bros. Television]]
}}
| network = [[NBC]]
| first_aired = {{start date|1987|5|21}}
| last_aired = {{end date|1988|6|29}}
| network2 = [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]]
| first_aired2 = {{start date|1989|4|17}}
| last_aired2 = {{end date|1991|4|13}}
}}
'''''The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd''''' is an American [[comedy-drama]] television series that aired on [[NBC]] from May 21, 1987, to June 29, 1988, and on [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] from April 17, 1989, to April 13, 1991. It was created by [[Jay Tarses]] and stars [[Blair Brown]] in the title role.

==Premise==
The show depicts the life of Molly Bickford Dodd, a divorced woman in New York City with a lifestyle that could be described as both [[yuppie]] and [[Bohemianism|bohemian]]. Molly seems to drift from job to job and relationship to relationship. Her ex-husband, a ne'er-do-well [[jazz]] musician, still cares for her. In fact, nearly every man (and the occasional woman) she meets adores her. Her warmth and emotional accessibility are the root cause of most of Molly's problems in life. The [[BBC]]'s [[Radio Times]] characterised the show as "An American comedy-drama series starring Blair Brown intelligent, attractive and independent, Molly Dodd has the world at her feet—so why must it always trip her up?<ref>Radio Times, 29/08/1990</ref>

==Cast==
* [[Blair Brown]] as Molly Dodd
* [[James Greene (American actor)|James Greene]] as Davey McQuinn, elevator operator/doorman
* [[Allyn Ann McLerie]] as Florence Bickford, Molly's mother
* [[William Converse-Roberts]] as Fred Dodd, Molly's ex-husband
* [[Richard Lawson (actor)|Richard Lawson]] as Det. Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of Molly's romantic interests
* [[David Strathairn]] as Moss Goodman, one of Molly's romantic interests

Additional cast included:
* [[Maureen Anderman]] as her best friend Nina.
* [[Sandy Faison]] as Mamie Grolnick, Molly's younger sister.
* [[Victor Garber]] as Dennis Widmer
* [[Richard Venture]] as Edgar Bickford, Molly's father
* [[George Gaynes]], [[John Pankow]], [[J. Smith-Cameron]], and [[Lewis Black]].

==Episodes==
''NOTE: Production Codes were taken from the Library of Congress.''

===Season 1 (1987)===
{{Episode table |background = #FFD700|overall = 5 |season = 5 |title = 18 |director = 14 |writer = 24 |airdate =18 |episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1 (#01)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Here's Why Cosmetics Should Come in Unbreakable Bottles
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|5|21}}
| ShortSummary = Molly Dodd, a newly-divorced woman in her mid-30's, begins facing life's challenges.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2 (#02)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Here's Why There Are Instances When Vegetables Aren't Necessarily Good for You
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|5|28}}
| ShortSummary = Molly's boss’s jealousy over her boyfriend drives her to resign from her job.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3 (#07)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Here's Why You Should Stay Out of Coffee Shops If You Don't Drink Coffee
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|6|4}}
| ShortSummary = Nick the Garbage Man invites Molly on a trip to the Bahamas.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4 (#10)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Here's Why You Should Never Wear High Heels to the Bank
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|6|11}}
| ShortSummary = During a musical project, Molly can't get her ex-husband out of her mind.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5 (#11)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Here's Why It's Not Good to Stare at People in Restaurants
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Allan Burns
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|6|18}}
| ShortSummary = Molly is shocked to find her father dining with a new woman.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6 (#05)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Here's Why It's Tough to Sell Watermelons After Midnight
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Judith Kahan
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|6|25}}
| ShortSummary = Molly sees a psychologist after a break-up.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7 (#06)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Here's Why a Torch Is Too Heavy to Carry in a Purse
| DirectedBy = Arlene Sanford
| WrittenBy = Judith Kahan
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|7|2}}
| ShortSummary = Molly receives mixed reactions from her friends after seeing a psychologist.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8 (#09)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Here's Why They Call the Little One a Jingle and the Big One the Blues
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jeffrey Lane
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|7|9}}
| ShortSummary = Fred calls up Molly to sing on stage with him.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9 (#13)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Here's Another Bedtime Story
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|7|16}}
| ShortSummary = Molly receives a job offer from Birmanyi, and questions if any romance is involved.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10 (#03)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Here's Why It's Good to Have a Cake Burning in the Refrigerator
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Sheree Guitar
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|7|23}}
| ShortSummary = Molly celebrates her 35th birthday, Nina has a baby, and Robin is separated from her husband. Molly has a poem published in an obscure poetry journal.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11 (#04)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11
| Title = Here's Why Henry David Thoreau Chose the Pond
| DirectedBy = Arlene Sanford
| WrittenBy = Laurie Gelman
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|7|30}}
| ShortSummary = Molly's ex-boss withholds her backpay.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12 (#12)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12
| Title = Here's Why You've Gotta Bake a Batch of Cookies Every Once in a While
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Daniel Finneran
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|8|6}}
| ShortSummary = Molly's poetry teacher makes a pass at her, causing her to lose interest in the subject.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 13 (#08)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13
| Title = Here's Why Good Guys Sometimes Wear Black
| DirectedBy = Mark Cullingham
| WrittenBy = Wendy Kout
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1987|8|13}}
| ShortSummary = Molly gets a new piano student, who is a Hasidic Jew.
| LineColor = FFD700
}}
}}

===Season 2 (1988)===
{{Episode table |background = #FFA500|overall = 5 |season = 5 |title = 18 |director = 14 |writer = 24 |airdate =18 |episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 14 (#14)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Here's Why You Shouldn't Get Too Attached to Your Cat
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|3|24}}
| ShortSummary = Molly meets a handsome police detective, and consoles a friend who was robbed.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 15 (#16)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Here Are a Few Variations on a Sexual Theme
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush & Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|3|31}}
| ShortSummary = Molly is informed by her psychiatrist that she no longer wants her as a patient, and the reason for it.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 16 (#17)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Here Comes That Cold Wind Off the River
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|4|7}}
| ShortSummary = Molly is informed of some bad news after attending the theater with her family.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 17 (#18)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Here's a Bunch of Photos from an Old Album
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|4|14}}
| ShortSummary = The death of Molly's father reunites her with her brother.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 18 (#19)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Here's a Side Effect of Serious Moonlight
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|4|21}}
| ShortSummary = A deadbeat, who claims to be a cousin of Molly, moves in with her.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 19 (#20)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Here's a Message from Your Local Bag Lady
| DirectedBy = Arlene Sanford
| WrittenBy = James Stark
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|4|28}}
| ShortSummary = A bag lady shouts out obscenities at Molly.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 20 (#21)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Here's a Little Known Ingrid Bergman Incident
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Norma Safford Vela
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|5|25}}
| ShortSummary = The will of Molly's father is read.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 21 (#22)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Here's Who Ordered the Pizza
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Eric Overmyer
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|6|1}}
| ShortSummary = Molly finally meets the mystery man in apartment 12-F.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 22 (#23)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Here's What Happened to That Earring You Lost
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|6|8}}
| ShortSummary = Molly's friend finds out who robbed her apartment.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 23 (#24)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Here's a Reason to Keep Your Goats in the Barn
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|6|15}}
| ShortSummary = Fred catches Molly and Moss almost kissing each other, and Dennis calls up Molly from jail.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 24 (#25)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11
| Title = Here's Talkin' to Yourself
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|6|22}}
| ShortSummary = Fred urges Molly to come see him play at a jazz club.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 25 (#15)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12
| Title = Here's Another Cryptic Message from Upstate
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1988|6|29}}
| ShortSummary = Molly's new boss forgets that he was the one who hired her.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 26 (#26)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13
| Title = Here's That Old Shadow on the Wall
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Bob Brush & Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|4|17}}
| ShortSummary = Molly's bike is stolen, and she confronts Moss about their relationship.

'''Note:''' This episode was originally scheduled to be shown on NBC on July 6, 1988, but the network had cancelled the series by then; it was later shown on Lifetime on the night of the Season 3 premiere.
| LineColor = FFA500
}}
}}

===Season 3 (1989)===
{{Episode table |background = #B11030 |overall = 5 |season = 5 |title = 18 |director = 14 |writer = 24 |airdate =18 |episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 27 (#27)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Here's a Cute Way to Wrap up the Holiday Season
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|4|17}}
| ShortSummary = Molly quits her sales clerk position at Goodman's Bookstore, and goes on a blind date for New Year's Eve.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 28 (#28)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Here's Why You Order from the Spanish Side of the Menu
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Eric Overmyer
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|4|29}}
| ShortSummary = Molly looks for a job in the city and is introduced to Arthur Feldman by her mother.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 29 (#29)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Here's the Groovy Piano Bar Episode
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Eric Overmyer
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|5|6}}
| ShortSummary = Molly contemplates a job offer in the publishing business.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 30 (#30)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Here's a Little Night Music
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Daniel Stern
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|5|13}}
| ShortSummary = Molly finds herself saddled with two uninvited houseguests.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 31 (#31)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Here's Why You Should Lock Your Bathroom Door
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Craig Volk
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|5|20}}
| ShortSummary = Molly accepts a position at the publishing house.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 32 (#32)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Here's a Clever Yet Practical Gift Idea
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|5|27}}
| ShortSummary = Molly begins a relationship with detective Nathaniel Hawthorne.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 33 (#33)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Here's Why You Should Always Make Your Bed in the Morning
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|6|3}}
| ShortSummary = Nathaniel takes Molly home for dinner.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 34 (#34)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Here's a Rough Way to Learn a Foreign Language
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = [[Albert Innaurato]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|6|10}}
| ShortSummary = Molly gets a visit from Moss Goodman, her old boss from the bookstore.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 35 (#35)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Here's Some Ducks All in a Row
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|6|17}}
| ShortSummary = Molly and Davey try to help the police find Molly's assailant.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 36 (#36)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Here's a Major Organ Interlude
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Jodi Rothe & Christine Vertosick
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|6|24}}
| ShortSummary = Jury duty forces Molly to miss the first days at her new job.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 37 (#37)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11
| Title = Here's a Shot in the Dark
| DirectedBy = William Converse-Roberts
| WrittenBy = Christine Pittel
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|7|1}}
| ShortSummary = Molly's dead father visits her in a dream.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 38 (#38)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12
| Title = Here's an Unexpected Twist on the Old Biological Clock
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|7|8}}
| ShortSummary = Molly experiences a frequent case of nausea.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 39 (#39)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13
| Title = Here's a Leisurely Stroll Through the Park
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Eric Overmyer
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1989|7|15}}
| ShortSummary = Molly finally gives her mother and Arthur Feldman her blessing.
| LineColor = B11030
}}
}}

===Season 4 (1990)===
{{Episode table |background = #700070 |overall = 5 |season = 5 |title = 18 |director = 14 |writer = 24 |airdate =18 |episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 40 (#40)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Here's Why Pink Isn't Necessarily a Girl's Favorite Color
| DirectedBy = Steve Dubin
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|4|6}}
| ShortSummary = Molly discovers she is pregnant.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 41 (#41)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Here Are Just a Few Things That Could Possibly Go Wrong
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|4|13}}
| ShortSummary = Molly wonders who the identity of her baby's father could be.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 42 (#42)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Here's Why You Can Never Have Too Much Petty Cash
| DirectedBy = Steve Dubin
| WrittenBy = Sarah Paley
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|4|20}}
| ShortSummary = Molly can't seem to find the down payment on her condo.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 43 (#43)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Here's a Perilous Research Project
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Albert Innaurato
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|4|27}}
| ShortSummary = While researching her new book, Molly spends a day at the courthouse with Nathaniel.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 44 (#44)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Here's Something I Forgot to Mention
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|5|4}}
| ShortSummary = Moss displays pregnancy books at the store, and Molly tells Nathaniel about her pregnancy.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 45 (#45)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Here's Why Restaurants Have a Minimum
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|5|18}}
| ShortSummary = Nathaniel suggests that he and Molly live together.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 46 (#46)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Here's Another Lost Weekend
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata & Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|5|25}}
| ShortSummary = Molly spends the weekend with Nina and her baby at Nina's country farm.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 47 (#47)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Here Are a Couple of Games You've Probably Played
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|6|1}}
| ShortSummary = Molly gets to know her new neighbors over a game of "Twist of Fate."
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 48 (#48)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Here's a Rare Photo Opportunity
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = David Suehsdorf
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|6|8}}
| ShortSummary = Molly sees her baby for the first time on a sonogram.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 49 (#49)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Here's an Expensive Item with No Returns, Refunds or Exchanges
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser & Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|6|15}}
| ShortSummary = Molly receives a surprising gift from Fred.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 50 (#50)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11
| Title = Here Are Some Things That Go Bump in the Night
| DirectedBy = Jeff Lieberman
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|6|22}}
| ShortSummary = Molly settles on her apartment, and notices that something is bothering her boss.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 51 (#51)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12
| Title = Here's a Quick and Easy Recipe for Leftovers
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|6|29}}
| ShortSummary = Molly holds a hectic Thanksgiving dinner in her apartment.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 52 (#52)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13
| Title = Here's a Good Reason to Check Your Answering Machine on a Regular Basis
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1990|7|6}}
| ShortSummary = On the day after Thanksgiving, Molly finally learns the identity of her baby's father.
| LineColor = 700070
}}
}}

===Season 5 (1991)===
{{Episode table |background = #000000 |overall = 5 |season = 5 |title = 18 |director = 14 |writer = 24 |airdate =18 |episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 53 (#53)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = Here's a Neat Way to Tie Up the Loose Ends
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|1|19}}
| ShortSummary = Molly confronts the father of her baby, and when he proposes marriage, she is caught off-guard and accepts.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 54 (#54)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Here's a New Way of Looking at Cappuccino
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|1|26}}
| ShortSummary = Molly and Ron, her neighbor and Lamaze coach, discuss childbearing with another couple in a cappuccino cafe.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 55 (#55)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Here's When the Fat Lady Sings
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser & Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|2|2}}
| ShortSummary = Molly and Florence go to the beauty salon to get ready for the opera, and Molly receives a wedding ring.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 56 (#56)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Here Are Some Overnight Lows
| DirectedBy = Steven Dubin
| WrittenBy = Elaine Arata & Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|2|9}}
| ShortSummary = Molly goes through an unexpected tragedy, and the idea of impending motherhood.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 57 (#57)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Here's a Pregnant Pause
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser & Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|2|16}}
| ShortSummary = Molly talks directly to the camera for the entire episode.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 58 (#58)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Here's a Good Excuse for Missing the Party
| DirectedBy = Blair Brown
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser & Elaine Arata
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|2|23}}
| ShortSummary = At Molly's baby shower, she is nowhere to be found, because she has gone into labor.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 59 (#59)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Here's One Way to Fill Every Waking Moment
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = James Ryan
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|3|2}}
| ShortSummary = As Molly deals with motherhood, her thoughts drift to a fantasy, including ''All My Children'' star [[Jean LeClerc (actor)|Jean LeClerc]] as a mysterious Frenchman in a Parisian bistro.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 60 (#60)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Here's a High Dive Into a Shallow Pool
| DirectedBy = Kenneth Frankel
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|3|9}}
| ShortSummary = Molly learns she has been "promoted" to a human resources position, the first assignment of which is to fire her friend Bernie.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 61 (#61)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = Here's How to Break the Other Leg
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Richard Dresser
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|3|16}}
| ShortSummary = Molly and Arthur join Fred and Florence for the opening night of the play Arthur is producing.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 62 (#62)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Here's How to Put an Egg in Your Shoe and Beat It
| DirectedBy = Blair Brown
| WrittenBy = Carl Capotorto
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|3|23}}
| ShortSummary = Molly is caught in the middle of her feuding neighbors, Ron and Ramona.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 63 (#63)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11
| Title = Here's Why You Shouldn't Talk to Strangers in the Park
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Cindy Lou Johnson
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|3|30}}
| ShortSummary = Florence and Arthur have some surprising news for Molly about their relationship.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 64 (#64)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12
| Title = Here's When Life Begins at
| DirectedBy = Don Scardino
| WrittenBy = Cindy Lou Johnson
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|4|6}}
| ShortSummary = Molly celebrates her 40th birthday with her best friend Nina.
| LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 65 (#65)
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13
| Title = Here's a Little Touch of Harry in the Night
| DirectedBy = Jay Tarses
| WrittenBy = Jay Tarses
| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1991|4|13}}
| ShortSummary = Molly reminisces about the early days when she was singing with a guitarist named Harry in "The Fred Dodd Quintet".
| LineColor = 000000
}}
}}

==Production==
''The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd'' had story lines that often did not resolve in a single episode.

The show was filmed using a [[Single camera setup|single camera]].

Production took place in Hollywood for the first two seasons before moving to [[Kaufman Astoria Studios]] in New York in season 3.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-22-ca-1075-story.html|title=A New Day and Night for Blair Brown|last=Champlin|first=Charles|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 22, 1989}}</ref>

Tarses wrote and [[Television director|directed]] many of its episodes (and made a number of [[cameo appearance]]s).

Blair Brown was given special billing above the title in the opening credits on the Lifetime episodes.

==Reception and network change==
NBC first aired the series as a summer replacement in 1987, running 13 episodes. ''Molly Dodd'' was critically acclaimed and a moderate [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] success (it was featured in the network's then-powerhouse [[Must See TV|Thursday night lineup]]), but was not featured in the network's fall schedule. It again was a mid-season replacement for NBC in spring 1988 with 12 episodes (a season-ending 13th episode was produced but not aired). NBC canceled ''Molly Dodd'' after the second season.

After its NBC cancelation, cable network [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] picked up the series, first re-airing the 26 episodes originally produced, and then commissioning three more 13-episode seasons for 1989, 1990, and 1991. When they were rerun on Lifetime, the original 26 episodes were time-sped (usually during both acts), and the opening titles trimmed. After production ceased, Lifetime continued to air ''Molly Dodd'' in reruns until 1993.

==Awards and nominations==
The show earned Brown five [[Emmy Award]] nominations as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, one for each year of the show's run. Brown won a [[CableACE Award]] for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series in 1991, during the fifth and final season's airing. Tarses was also the recipient of multiple nominations.

==Music rights==
Despite some demand for the show on [[DVD]] or streaming services, the original producers did not clear music rights for subsequent broadcast. Although Brown often sang as Molly, the cost to secure the rights to the music itself would be substantial. In an interview, Brown indicated "all the songs that I sang, they never got the rights. So [the show is] in a vault somewhere and will never see the light of day."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/12/blair-brown-interview-uma-thurman-molly-dodd-1202217401/ |title=Blair Brown On Uma Thurman, Queen Lear – And The Mystery Of 'Molly Dodd' |last=Gerard |first=Jeremy |date=December 15, 2017 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|id=0092336|title=The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd}}
*[http://www.epguides.com/DaysandNightsofMollyDodd/ ''The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd''] at epguides.com
*[http://www.richardlawson.net/tv-mollydodd.html Richard Lawson Official Website: The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd] – features the video clip of Molly and Nathaniel's first meeting, plus other clips and production stills

{{Lifetime Shows}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Days And Nights Of Molly Dodd, The}}
[[Category:1987 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1991 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s American comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s American comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:American television series revived after cancellation]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Lifetime (TV channel) television dramas]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York City]]
[[Category:NBC comedy-dramas]]

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The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd