Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (2002)

While picking up a box of donuts one morning, Ben is harassed by an old bully from school, Jimmy Solaray, and by Jimmy's son. They call him a sissy; Ben retorts by saying he's going to join the military.

Ben calls Katz at work with the shocking news that Berman's is closing, the latest casualty in a renovation of Pullman Square -- Ben's old hangout. He wants to do something about it, natch, though he does it in a misguided way.

Ben's wisdom teeth hurt, which he shows his dad (along with a mouthful of cereal). He fears going to Dr. Zelbar because of his violent history with him -- apparently, Ben used to fight him.

Looking through the P.U. class catalog, Katz encourages Ben to take an adult education course.

Ben hears from an old friend named Bruce (at 1 in the morning), who tells him that he and some others will be in town over the long weekend. Ben decides to throw a party, and when Katz threatens to bring his guitar, Ben tells him he's not invited.

Laura tells Katz she'll be participating in a ""Walk for Hunger"" this Saturday, and asks him to sponsor her.

Laura tells Katz she wants to buy a used car, and Katz says he can help her out by asking the dealer the right questions (""How much is this car? How much is that car?"").

Katz goes on three dates with best-selling author and gastrointerologist Alice Webber, and -- surprise -- Ben over-reacts, fearing his dad will get married again (""I don't mention her name in the house,"" he says cattily).

Neighbor Mr. Graham (whose wife either died or left him, depending on who you ask) has asked Ben to take care of his pigeons on the roof for a week.

Katz comes in, having just gone for a walk.Ben points out that for old people, everyday things like walking, chewing and swallowing become hobbies. Katz wants to get a plot at the municipal gardens. Ben finds this odd, until Laura says that lots of old people do it.

Tragedy strikes when the family TV dies (""Maybe you should give it mouth-to-mouth,"" offers Katz). Ben, of course, is most stricken by this event, unable to live even a day without it. He also can't wait for Katz to get home so they can go buy one together; instead, he has a 72-inch TV delivered to the house.

When the paper doesn't get delivered for a few days, Ben observes that Katz is hooked on the news. Katz denies it and bets him that he can go longer without news than Ben can go without talking.

Ben hears about a new system of therapy called ""brief therapy,"" wherein the patient is cured with only 10 questions. Katz is skeptical, of course, citing the example of Jonas Salk, which he then realizes is a bad example, since what he did worked. Laura brings up the Meyers-Briggs test, and Katz refers to them as ""vaudeville.""

Katz's friend Carlton Campbell, host of radio show ""Campbell's Couch,"" has asked Katz to fill in for him one night (""Does he know you well?"" asks the typically supportive Ben

Katz is called to testify as an expert witness in the trial of a boy named Roger who broke into an elderly couple's home, tied them up, then wrote with permanent markers all over their walls. The issue is whether he's mentally competent to stand trial, and it's up to Katz to determine that. Ben wants to know why Katz is doing this, instead of the ""charlatans"" they usually get (""They were busy,"" Katz says), but when he learns that it pays $400 an hour, he encourages this new pursuit of his dad's. Eventually, Katz finds Roger not competent to stand trial.

Ben starts working at Steve's Bakery, his very first job. He has to get up at 4 A.M. to start work, and he gets fired on his 3rd day, for being 4 hours late.

Ben and Dr. Katz meet at Julie's bar for a fun night on the town, but Dr. Katz reveals some startling news: Laura is engaged. Ben insists he's fine with it, but his actions (and words) prove otherwise.

Conan O'Brien steals a couple of Dr. Katz's jokes, and Katz becomes obsessed with the incident. After recounting the events to Ben and Laura, Ben plots to sell some of his own jokes to Conan O'Brien.