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List of Clarissa Explains It All episodes

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This is a list of episodes for the Nickelodeon children's sitcom Clarissa Explains It All, which aired from 1991 to 1994. The series lasted five seasons, each producing thirteen episodes.[1] Many of the episodes were shown in a different order than the order in which they were produced. Both the production numbers and the airing numbers are listed. A total of 65 episodes were produced. As of July 2018, only the first season is available on DVD.

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 13 March 23, 1991[2][3] June 15, 1991
2 13 February 14, 1992 September 12, 1992
3 13 September 19, 1992 February 13, 1993
4 13 February 27, 1993 October 16, 1993
5 13 October 23, 1993 October 1, 1994[4]

Episodes

Season 1 (1991)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"Clarissa's Revenge"Kenneth FrankelMitchell KriegmanMarch 23, 1991 (1991-03-23)[2][3]101
After Clarissa gets her first training bra, she tries to exact revenge on her brother for showing her bra at school, using a plan involving putting him into a straitjacket and having her friend Sam attach large helium balloons to him to carry him into the sky. Meanwhile, Sam wants to get out of the school football team. Her plan fails when Sam is lifted in the sky while holding the balloons, and crashes into a nearby tree. They burst and he falls to the ground, injuring his arm - meaning that he cannot play football.
22"No T.V."Maureen ThorpMitchell KriegmanMarch 30, 1991 (1991-03-30)103
Janet decides the household watches too much TV and begins an anti-TV rule. Family members try to gain access to TV through various schemes.
33"Clarissa News Network"Maureen ThorpEllis Weiner & Alexa JungeApril 6, 1991 (1991-04-06)105
Clarissa wants to become a TV journalist. Meanwhile, Janet faces a dance friend who steals one of her best moves, and Ferguson cons Marshall into buying a music cassette that he thinks will teach him Swahili.
44"Haunted House"Maureen ThorpTim BurnsApril 13, 1991 (1991-04-13)106
When Aunt Mafalda visits from Canada, Clarissa tries to scare her away by saying the house is haunted. It does not work, and Clarissa sets up a seance to contact Mafalda's dead husband.
55"New Addition"John FerraroBecky HartmanApril 20, 1991 (1991-04-20)108
Clarissa suspects that her parents are having another child when they plan to add a room to the house.
6[* 1]6"School Picture"Kenneth FrankelAlexa JungeApril 27, 1991 (1991-04-27)102
Clarissa hates having to wear uncool clothes on picture day and starts campaigning to wear what she wants. Meanwhile, Janet and Marshall argue over Janet's high school boyfriend.
77"Urge to Drive"Maureen ThorpPatty MarxMay 4, 1991 (1991-05-04)104
Clarissa tries to buy a car with money from Christmas cards. However, she hasn't earned enough to pay for the cards and she finds it difficult to sell them in July.
88"The Bully"Chuck VinsonAlexa Junge & Mitchell KriegmanMay 11, 1991 (1991-05-11)107
Many of Clarissa and Ferguson's things have disappeared, and Clarissa finds out the school bully, Clifford, is to blame.
9*9*"Brain Drain"Maureen ThorpNeena BeberMay 18, 1991 (1991-05-18)109
Ferguson convinces himself he is a genius after an IQ test. Clarissa tries to prove him wrong by joining him on the game show Brain Drain.
10*10*"Clarissa Makes a Cake"Maureen ThorpAlexa Junge & Mitchell KriegmanMay 25, 1991 (1991-05-25)110
Clarissa tries to help celebrate her parents' wedding anniversary by making a cake, but Janet and Marshall stop talking to each other over what to do on the night.
1111"Sick Days"Chuck VinsonPatty Marx & Alexa Junge & Neena BeberJune 1, 1991 (1991-06-01)113
Clarissa fakes sickness in trying to get out of her part in the school pageant. But, when the play turns out to be a success, Clarissa truly becomes ill.
12*12*"Cool Dad"Chuck VinsonGlenn Eichler & Peter GaffneyJune 8, 1991 (1991-06-08)112
Clarissa's father tries to get hip for her school's career night.
1313"Parents Who Say No!"Chuck VinsonMitchell KriegmanJune 15, 1991 (1991-06-15)111
Clarissa applies for a job at the Baxter Beach Carnival, even though her parents said no.
  1. ^ The broadcast order of the first-season episodes after the premiere is unknown, so they are shown here in production order. This matches the order of the episodes on the DVD release.

Season 2 (1992)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
141"Crush"UnknownNeena Beber & Mitchell KriegmanFebruary 14, 1992 (1992-02-14)201
Clarissa has a crush on a TV weatherman and begins predicting weather into all aspects of her family's life.
152"She Drives Me Crazy"UnknownMollie FermaglichFebruary 23, 1992 (1992-02-23)202
To win a new car, Clarissa enters her and Ferguson in a contest for siblings with great relationships.
163"Sam Darling"UnknownDouglas PetrieMarch 1, 1992 (1992-03-01)203
Clarissa is jealous of Sam spending all his time with her parents.
174"President Ferguson"UnknownMichael Borkow & Paul LiebersteinMarch 8, 1992 (1992-03-08)204
Clarissa wants to stop her brother's campaign for class president from taking all her family's time.
185"ME 101"UnknownNeena Beber & Mitchell KriegmanJune 7, 1992 (1992-06-07)207
Janet fails a quiz on how well she knows her daughter, and tries to get to know her daughter better.
196"Misguidance Counselor"UnknownNeena BeberJune 14, 1992 (1992-06-14)210
Clarissa's guidance counselor Mrs. Cheesebrow tries to enlist her in "normal" activities.
207"Sam in Love"Carl LautenSybil Adelman & Martin SageJune 28, 1992 (1992-06-28)211
Clarissa feels left out when Sam cancels plans with her to spend time with a new girlfriend, Elise Quackenbush.
218"A New Look"Carl LautenTeleplay by: Julia Poll
Story by: Mitchell Kriegman & Julia Poll
July 12, 1992 (1992-07-12)212
Marshall is approached by a talent scout to appear in an advertising campaign. Meanwhile, Clarissa wants to spend time with Clifford Spleenhurfer.
229"Total TV"UnknownAlison TaylorAugust 15, 1992 (1992-08-15)213
Clarissa finds it difficult to watch TV continuously for 24 hours for a science project.
2310"The Understudy"Richard SteirMollie FermaglichAugust 22, 1992 (1992-08-22)208
Clarissa is chosen as an understudy in the school play, but when the lead comes down with strep throat, Clarissa must learn her lines quickly.
2411"Can't Buy Love"UnknownDouglas PetrieAugust 29, 1992 (1992-08-29)209
Clarissa has a secret admirer. Meanwhile, Ferguson has become friends with an incredibly rich student. Clarissa discovers that Ferguson's new friend is using him for his own reasons.
2512"The Great Debate"UnknownSherri ZiffSeptember 5, 1992 (1992-09-05)206
Clarissa is worried about her parents marriage during a debate between them.
2613"The Return of Mafalda"UnknownSybil Adelman & Martin SageSeptember 12, 1992 (1992-09-12)205
Aunt Mafalda comes to babysit, but Clarissa is having a sleepover and has to get rid of her.

Season 3 (1992–93)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
271"Janet's Old Boyfriend"Carl LautenDouglas PetrieSeptember 26, 1992 (1992-09-26)301
Janet's old high school boyfriend Joey comes to town and visits the Darlings for dinner.
282"Sam's Swan Song"Liz PlonkaTeleplay by: Alison Taylor
Story by: Jennifer Morris
October 3, 1992 (1992-10-03)304
Sam's mother comes home from the Roller Derby with plans to change Sam's life.
293"Poetic Justice"Liz PlonkaNeena BeberOctober 10, 1992 (1992-10-10)303
Clarissa represents her school at a poetry banquet after her computer writes a strange but well-loved poem.
304"The Darling Wars"Carl LautenDouglas PetrieOctober 24, 1992 (1992-10-24)302
Clarissa and Ferguson try to scare each other when left home alone, fight a lot, & hear a person (they think it's a burglar) come in the kitchen which is actually their dad.
315"Punch the Clock"Liz PlonkaDouglas PetrieNovember 21, 1992 (1992-11-21)305
Clarissa seeks employment and ends up overworked with four jobs. Meanwhile, Marshall and Clifford go head-to-head in a battle of the refrigerator.
326"The Silent Treatment"Liz PlonkaAlan GoodmanNovember 28, 1992 (1992-11-28)306
Ferguson tries to get back at Clarissa after an argument by giving her the silent treatment. Meanwhile, Janet serves on a jury and fears the house is bugged.
337"Involunteering"Liz PlonkaAlan GoodmanDecember 12, 1992 (1992-12-12)307
There’s a Family Volunteer Day at Janet's children’s museum, and she encourages the family to take part in the festivities. But, when misfortune strikes the museum, the day’s events are moved to the Darling household. The kids get out of control until Clarissa manages to save the day, but not before Ferguson is left bound and gagged in his room.
348"Take My Advice... Please"Liz PlonkaNeena BeberDecember 19, 1992 (1992-12-19)308
Clarissa gives Ferguson bad advice to ruin his new romance with Fiona. But, when her advice is proven effective, Ferguson gains many girlfriends.
359"Marshall's Midlife Crisis"Liz PlonkaMollie FermaglichDecember 26, 1992 (1992-12-26)309
Marshall's birthday arrives, and he wants to take the entire family to Mango Island. A couple interested in buying their house stops his plan.
3610"Football Fever"Liz PlonkaMark CerulliJanuary 23, 1993 (1993-01-23)310
Ferguson tries to make the varsity football team after his father makes a bet with a neighbor. Meanwhile, Clarissa takes up photography.
3711"Life of Crime"UnknownSuzanne CollinsJanuary 30, 1993 (1993-01-30)311
Clarissa accidentally acquires a piece of adult underwear when hassled to leave the store at closing time.
3812"Marshall's Parents Visit"UnknownMollie FermaglichFebruary 13, 1993 (1993-02-13)312
Marshall's parents pay a surprise visit, and it upsets Clarissa that their carefree existence has morphed into an energetic lifestyle. Meanwhile, Sam acquires Pearl Jam tickets, prompting Clarissa to seek away out of her previous engagement, DJing her grandparents' anniversary party.
3913"Blind Date"UnknownNeena BeberFebruary 27, 1993 (1993-02-27)313
Sam sets himself and Clarissa on a double blind date, and Clarissa obsesses over what could happen on the date.

Season 4 (1993)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
401"The Flu"UnknownDouglas PetrieMarch 13, 1993 (1993-03-13)401
When Janet and Marshall become sick with the flu, Clarissa and Ferguson must take care of household chores.
412"ESP R Us"UnknownKaren SalmansohnMarch 27, 1993 (1993-03-27)402
Clarissa doesn't believe that Olivia has psychic powers, so Olivia takes a test offered through the mail, and the two become wrapped up in a money-making scam. Meanwhile, Ferguson sells cosmetics to a gullible Marshall and a down-in-the-dumps Janet.
423"Commitment"Liz PlonkaSuzanne CollinsApril 17, 1993 (1993-04-17)403
Clarissa begins to have commitment fears with her boyfriend Clifford.
434"Road Trip"Liz PlonkaAlan GoodmanMay 8, 1993 (1993-05-08)404
The family decides to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon other than their usual Lake Winnemucca. But, when tension arises from the overwhelming number of decisions, the Darlings learn a lesson about tradition.
445"The Bicycle Thief"Liz PlonkaJulia PollMay 22, 1993 (1993-05-22)405
Clarissa's bike, her only method of transportation, is stolen after leaving it in the front yard.
456"Boy Thoughts"Carl LautenDouglas PetrieJune 19, 1993 (1993-06-19)406
Clifford doesn't have time for Clarissa after he stars in Ferguson's hit Public-access television show.
467"Hero Worship"Carl LautenMollie FermaglichJune 26, 1993 (1993-06-26)407
Eve, the new girl at school, annoys Clarissa when she begins copying her style, but then is flattered.
478"A Little Romance"Carl LautenSuzanne CollinsAugust 14, 1993 (1993-08-14)408
Sam realizes that Clarissa is the perfect girl for him after too many bad dates. Meanwhile, in a spoof of Rear Window, Marshall and Ferguson suspect their neighbor Ned Soaperstein has murdered his wife Edna.
489"Tale of Two Moms"UnknownAlan GoodmanAugust 28, 1993 (1993-08-28)410
Sam's mom comes back to town, and Clarissa invites her to stay at the Darling household.
4910"The Zone"UnknownNeena BeberSeptember 10, 1993 (1993-09-10)409
Clarissa is chosen for a flute solo at the school music recital.
5011"Don't I Know You?"UnknownUnknownSeptember 11, 1993 (1993-09-11)411
Clarissa turns to an old journal for some helpful hints for the all school talent show, where she must complete with Cindy Sparkle.
5112"Babysitting"Liz PlonkaDouglas PetrieSeptember 25, 1993 (1993-09-25)412
Clarissa is guilted into babysitting troublemaker Elsie Soaperstein on her parents' anniversary.
5213"Educating Janet"Liz PlonkaMollie FermaglichOctober 16, 1993 (1993-10-16)413
Clarissa and Ferguson have issues with their mother when she begins teaching at their high school.

Season 5 (1993–94)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
531"The Cycle"UnknownAlan GoodmanOctober 23, 1993 (1993-10-23)501
Clarissa stores Olivia's brother's motorcycle in the garage with plans to buy it.
542"A New Mom"UnknownNeena BeberNovember 13, 1993 (1993-11-13)502
Clarissa's history assignment is to take something old, tired, and worn out, and reinvent it. Clarissa's something: her mother.
553"Editor in Chief"Liz PlonkaNeena BeberNovember 13, 1993 (1993-11-13)503
Clarissa must learn responsibility when she becomes editor in chief of her school newspaper.
564"Piper Comes to Visit"Liz PlonkaMollie FermaglichDecember 4, 1993 (1993-12-04)504
Piper, the unfriendly daughter of Janet's school friend, comes to stay. This means Clarissa has work ahead of her.
575"Alter Ego"Liz PlonkaSuzanne CollinsDecember 18, 1993 (1993-12-18)505
Clarissa goes to a party dressed up as a wild character and falls for a guy. But is he interested in Clarissa or her cool alter ego, Jade?
586"Sam's Dad"Liz PlonkaDouglas PetrieJanuary 8, 1994 (1994-01-08)506
Clarissa and Sam sign up for their school's intern program to become acquainted with their world.
597"The Firm"UnknownUnknownJanuary 15, 1994 (1994-01-15)507
Marshall joins an architectural firm with some great offers from the firm. But the family doesn't all feel the same.
608"Janet and Clarissa, Inc."Liz PlonkaSuzanne CollinsFebruary 10, 1994 (1994-02-10)508
Clarissa and Janet team up to sell Bouncy Balls health treats, but their attempts don't succeed.
619"Dear Clarissa"Liz PlonkaPeter MatteiMarch 12, 1994 (1994-03-12)510
After she is given her own advice column in the school newspaper, Clarissa discovers giving advice isn't as easy as she thought.
6210"Ferguson Explains It All"Liz PlonkaMitchell KriegmanApril 23, 1994 (1994-04-23)509
Ferguson decides to test out his new mind control glasses on his family, but Clarissa fights back.
6311"UFO"Liz PlonkaNeena BeberJuly 16, 1994 (1994-07-16)511
Clarissa interviews a woman who spotted a UFO, and discovers that science can be really weird.
6412"Clarissa Gets Arrested"Liz PlonkaDoug PetrieJuly 23, 1994 (1994-07-23)512
Clarissa and Sam protest against animals testing at Woolcott Industries, but they get arrested.
6513"The Last Episode"Liz PlonkaMitchell KriegmanOctober 1, 1994 (1994-10-01)[4]513
Clarissa finishes her last article for the newspaper, dedicated to the future. This raises the question: Where will everyone be in 20 years?

References

  1. ^ This is according to Nickelodeon sources long after the final episode was broadcast. As the episodes were produced and originally aired, there were no easily identifiable "seasons".
  2. ^ a b Television section, New York Times, March 17, 1991, and March 3, 1991.
  3. ^ a b Lipton, Laura (March 17, 1991). "Nickelodeon gets inside the head of a 13-year-old named Clarissa Darling". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  4. ^ a b TV Week guide, September – October 5, 2004, Bryan-College Station Eagle.