I think that too many episodes had the same plot: Carl says or does something stupid that makes Harriet angry with him, and they have a fight. Then after a few scenes, we see Harriet sitting upset somewhere in the house, Carl walks in and talks to her, (a sappy music plays of course...) Harriet forgives him (they say to each other "I love you Mrs. Winslow", "I love you too, Mr. Winslow." of something like that). Then they hug - the audience is clapping and the epidode ends. don't you think that it makes the show a bit boring and predictable???

Thats what a family sitcom is.....

No no no no no, I agree with rial. It got OOOOOLD!

Well, those plots were always sub-plots, which took a backseat to the much funnier main plots, which often involved Steve. So I guess they didn't care about how similar they were to each other. But admit it, it worked for this show.