Anthony is a struggling actor and single dad trying to provide a stable environment for his 8-year-old son, Tuga. As soon as Anthony moves back into his parents' home, he immediately remembers why he left in the first place. His mother Flo is always understanding and supportive, but his cantankerous father Joe wants Anthony to abandon his acting hopes and take a "real job" working in the family beauty salon/barber shop. To complicate things, Anthony's old room is being rented out to a Latina medical student, Lydia, leaving Anthony alone in the garage. Torn between teaching his son about determination and providing for him, Anthony is about to put his dreams on hold. It takes Tuga to remind him that, aside from each other, their dreams are all they have
Preparing for his first date in 10 years, Anthony turns to his parents for advice on how to gently tell Tuga the truth after setting the date which upsets Tuga, but he doesn't know yet that his mom left for good.
When Anthony convinces his mom to become more independent and socialize without Joe, it leaves the men of the house to take care of themselves, and Joe begins to realize how much he takes Flo for granted.
When Joe and Flo criticize Anthony's parenting skills and his leniency with Tuga, Anthony announces that he no longer wants their help. After a taste of life without the support of his family, however, Anthony realizes that Tuga needs a father more than he needs a buddy, and the family comes to terms on how they can raise Tuga together.
Anthony wrecks Joe's car, but Lydia takes the blame because she thinks Joe will be more forgiving of her than he would be of Anthony. Although Lydia learns that is not the case. Plus, Joe tries to be nicer and understanding to Anthony after the accident (which he doesn't think he caused) by taking hanging out together
Anthony discovers that Tuga has lied to his teachers about his father's profession as he is embarrassed that his father is not a successful actor. Tuga tells people that Anthony is a heroic fire-fighter. Things get even worse as Anthony takes on a very demanding role in a movie and plays a robbing thug-- much to the dismay of his family members
Anthony goes against Joe's wishes and plans what he believes is the perfect birthday surprise for Flo, to reunite her with her old band mate and give his mom one more moment in spotlight. However, when Anthony learns the truth about why Flo stopped performing, he goes to great lengths to protect her from getting hurt.
Joe criticizes the way Anthony coaches Tuga's tee-ball team and insists on taking over. Things turn even uglier when Joe's "winning is everything" philosophy clashes with Anthony's laid-back style. Meanwhile, Lydia struggles with keeping her medical knowledge and studies away from the salon when working, as she frightens the customers with her input.
Anthony puts his career dreams on the line when he accepts Joe's bet that he can land an acting job before Joe does. Meanwhile, Lydia is hesitant to speak at a medical school fund-raiser when she discovers they only asked her is because of her nationality.
When Joe buys Tuga a bike, Anthony has to admit the reason he is against the gift is that he doesn't know how to ride a bike, which of course involves Joe. Meanwhile, Lydia tutors a boy-genius medical student, but things get complicated when she realizes he has a crush on her and wants her to deflower him.
When the future of dodge ball at Tuga's school is in question because some of the parents think it's too rough, Anthony and Joe challenge the skeptical parents to a game with the winning team being able to give their recommendation to the school board. Meanwhile, Lydia must make a decision about her future in medicine after she continually faints at the sight of blood.
Anthony becomes concerned when he realizes that Tuga's new best friend is imaginary. Seeing it as a deeper problem, Anthony and John visit a child psychiatrist and are told that their anger toward each other may be the root of Tuga's problem. Meanwhile, Lydia enhances her cleavage in an attempt to improve her love life.
When Tuga has to do a school project about his family, he worries that the kids will continue to tease him because his mother doesn't live with him. Determined to teach Tuga the true meaning of family, Anthony, Joe and Flo go overboard producing a home movie.
Anthony reconnects with a childhood friend with a rap sheet, raising concern from Joe that he might be a bad influence.