Samantha Who? Season 1 Episode Guide

Samantha Who? - Season 1 Episode Guide Photo

Episode 1 – Pilot – Original Air Date – 10/15/2007

What if you had the chance to start over? For Samantha Newly (Christina Applegate), this fantasy becomes a reality after a hit-and-run accident leaves her in an eight-day coma, on the premiere of “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

On the premiere episode, “Pilot,” Samantha awakens in the hospital and is surrounded by family and friends. The only problem is that she has no idea who they are – or who she is. Sam has retrograde amnesia, which allows her to fully function in the world but leaves her with no personal memories. Most people would deem this disorder a curse. But Sam may come to call it a miracle when she discovers what a horrible person she was before the accident.

As she sets out to rediscover herself, Sam is forced to rely on an eclectic bunch of friends and family. Regina (Jean Smart, “24,” “Designing Women”) and Howard (Kevin Dunn, “Transformers,” “Dave”) appear to be loving parents — when they’re not downplaying the fact that Sam hasn’t spoken to them in two years. Her supposed best friend, Dena (Melissa McCarthy, “Gilmore Girls”), is sincerely supportive, until her real best friend, party girl Andrea (Jennifer Esposito, “Crash,” “Spin City”), exposes the fact that Dena hasn’t seen or spoken to Sam since the seventh grade. Making things even more awkward, Sam has no recollection of her live-in boyfriend, Todd (Barry Watson, “What About Brian,” “7th Heaven”).
 
Sam quickly discovers she was a horrible person, vain, selfish and potentially surrounded by far more enemies than friends. She makes a conscious decision to improve herself moving forward. She vows to make better choices, even though her instincts may not always steer her in the right direction. She begins with Frank (Tim Russ, “Live Free or Die Hard,” “Star Trek: Voyager”), the doorman at her apartment building. Sam never gave him the time of day before, but upon actually saying hello to him, she discovers an incredibly observant and unlikely confidant.

Sam will need to continue to piece together things from her past to guide her in discovering who she is… or was. After all, sometimes to get to the end of the story, the only place to start is the beginning.

“Samantha Who?” stars Christina Applegate as Samantha, Jennifer Esposito as Andrea, Kevin Dunn as Howard, Melissa McCarthy as Dena, Tim Russ as Frank, with Barry Watson as Todd and Jean Smart as Regina.

Guest starring are William Abadie as Rene, Nakia R. Burrise as Dr. Kerry Hall, Jelynn Rodriguez as angry woman, Adam Jennings as barista and Brett Rickaby as AA leader.

The story for “Pilot” was by Cecelia Ahern and Donald Todd, and the teleplay by Todd. It was directed by Robert Duncan McNeill.

Samantha Who? - Season 1 Episode Guide Photo 

Episode 2 – The Job – Original Air Date – 10/22/2007

“The Job” – In one quick morning, Samantha discovers a handful of surprising things about her old self — not least of which is what she does for a living. When a board meeting offers a glimpse of her cutthroat and competitive workaholic former self, she ponders where new Sam should diverge from old Sam’s path. Ultimately, she learns that having a clean slate doesn’t necessarily mean you can ignore the past, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, OCTOBER 22 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Joy Osmanski as Tracy, Rick Hoffman as Chase Chapman, Frank Maharajh as Dr. Kegoshian, B.J. Clinkscales as waiter, Dana Sorman as Jerri and Jamison Haase as Vic.

“The Job” was written by Donald Todd and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel.

Episode 3 – The Wedding – Original Air Date – 10/29/2007

“The Wedding” – Overjoyed that somebody must have liked her, Sam jumps at the chance to assume her role as bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding. However she shows up to the wedding only to learn she’s been uninvited by the bride. At first dejected — and then motivated by the challenge of vindication — Sam sets out to apologize and be re-accepted by the bride, as a result leaving Dena in the dust yet again, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, OCTOBER 29 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Jessica St. Clair as Valerie, Kara Taitz as bridesmaid, Gerald Downey as Paul, Amanda Young as Paul’s wife and Curt Cornelius as Troy.

“The Wedding” was written by Christine Zander and directed by Michael Spiller.

Episode 4 – The Virgin – Original Air Date – 11/05/2007

“The Virgin” – While out at a club with Andrea, Samantha is hit on and comes to realize that she has no memory of sex. In essence a virgin, Samantha wrestles with the idea of re-experiencing her “first time” or holding off and waiting for the right guy, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Ryan Carlberg as Jason and Rand Holdren as Ryan.

“The Virgin” was written by Bob Kushell and directed by Barnet Kellman.

Episode 5 – The Restraining Order – Original Air Date – 11/12/2007

“The Restraining Order” – While out for a leisurely stroll with Todd, Sam runs into an ex-boyfriend and discovers that he has a restraining order against her. After a series of revelations, Sam begins to fear her constant need for attention stems from her poor relationship with her father. She sets out to win her dad’s love and affection — regardless of how outlandish the steps she must take to succeed may be — on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Todd Grinnell as Nathan, Emma Degerstedt as teenage Samantha, Jagger Chase as kid and Tony Jones as police sergeant.

“The Restraining Order” was written by Alex Reid and directed by Barnet Kellman.

Episode 6 – The Hypnotherapist – Original Air Date – 11/19/2007

“The Hypnotherapist” – Sam makes an appointment with a hypnotherapist in an effort to regain her lost memories. But her revelations lead her to conclude that Regina and Howard may not be her real parents. Meanwhile, Todd makes a shocking confession to Sam, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Editors note: This episode replaces “The Hockey Date” which moves to Nov. 26.

Guest starring are Kelsey Smith as young Sam and Dean Cochran as fireman.

“The Hypnotherapist” was written by Pamela Ribon and directed by Michael Spiller.

Episode 7 – The Hockey Date – Original Air Date – 11/26/2007

“The Hockey Date” – Feeling that it’s time for her daughter to start dating again, Regina shocks Samantha by setting her up on an unannounced blind date with Kevin (Eddie Cibrian, “Third Watch,” “Invasion”), the contractor hired to refinish their floors. When Sam inadvertently leads Kevin to believe that she’s an avid hockey fan, she finds herself turning to Todd for advice – which is complicated by the fact that he has a new girlfriend, Chloe (Kiele Sanchez, “Lost”). Meanwhile, Andrea is psyched to be flying to Rome with her latest fling, when “Samantha Who?” moves to its new time, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Kiele Sanchez as Chloe, Joy Osmanski as Tracy, Marilyn Sue Perry as cashier and Eddie Cibrian as Kevin.

“The Hockey Date” was written by Justin Adler and directed by Tucker Gates.

Episode 8 – The Break Up – Original Air Date – 12/03/2007

“The Break Up” – After falling hard for Kevin (Eddie Cibrian) and feeling that she may be in love with him, Samantha begins to move too fast in the relationship – which could scare Kevin into breaking up with her. Meanwhile, Sam begins to redirect her feelings for Kevin onto Todd, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Joy Osmanski as Tracy, Reggie Jordan as flower delivery guy, Timon Kyle Durrett as Russ and Eddie Cibrian as Kevin.

“The Break Up” was written by Ric Swartzlander and directed by Tucker Gates.

Episode 9 – The Car – Original Air Date – 12/10/2007

“The Car” – After borrowing her father’s car, Samantha gets into an accident and – afraid of his reaction — tries to cover it up by pushing it into a lake. But guilt soon begins to consume her when her dad feels sorry for his little girl and ends up buying Sam another car, thinking his was stolen. Meanwhile, when Regina finds out what Sam has done, she blackmails her into being a model for her party, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring is Arshad Aslam as barista.

“The Car” was written by Jim Reynolds and directed by Paul Lazarus. 

Episode 10 – The Girlfriend – Original Air Date – 12/17/2007

“The Girlfriend” – Samantha is forced to move back into the apartment when she discovers that she could be evicted for subletting it to Todd – who has just invited his new girlfriend, Chloe (Kiele Sanchez, “Lost”), to move in with him. Meanwhile, when Sam fails to show up for a makeover night with her mom, Regina and Dena end up bonding and having a girls’ night at the house, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, DECEMBER 17 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Kiele Sanchez as Chloe, Tanya Sinovec as girl and Beth Littleford as Audrey Rhodes.

“The Girlfriend” was written by Jessi Klein and directed by Julie Ann Robinson. 

Samantha Who? - Season 1 Episode Guide Photo 

Episode 12 – The Boss – Original Air Date – 04/14/2008

“The Boss” – Samantha is stunned when Winston Funk (Timothy Olyphant, “Live Free or Die Hard,” “Go,” “Deadwood”), the wealthy co-owner of the real estate firm, asks her to marry him — especially since Sam knows that Andrea is completely smitten by him and is worried that this could ruin their friendship — on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, APRIL 14 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Timothy Olyphant as Winston Funk, Rick Hoffman as Chase Chapman, Ossie Mair as driver and Jaclyn Kerhulas as sign language interpreter.

“The Boss” was written by Jenny Lee and directed by Julie Anne Robinson. 

Samantha Who? - Season 1 Episode Guide Photo 

Episode 13 – The Butterflies – Original Air Date – 04/21/2008

“The Butterflies” – Sam begrudgingly sets Dena up on a date with her boss in order to use her clueless friend to help persuade him to shut down a construction project that would destroy an endangered butterfly habitat. Meanwhile, Sam can’t understand why Todd has been ignoring her ever since they shared a passionate kiss, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, APRIL 21 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Rick Hoffman as Chase Chapman, Joy Osmanski as Tracy and Morgan Murphy as woman protestor.

“The Butterflies” was written by Kim Duran and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel. 

Samantha Who? - Season 1 Episode Guide 

Episode 14 – The Gallery Show – Original Air Date – 04/28/2008

“The Gallery Show” – In order to make it appear that she has moved on since her break up with Todd, Sam asks Craig (Jerry O’Connell, “Carpoolers,” “Crossing Jordan”) — a complete stranger — to accompany her to Todd’s photo gallery exhibit. But Sam soon learns that she may have already crossed paths with Craig at some point in the past, and not in a positive way. Meanwhile, Howard discovers that one of Todd’s photos on display features his daughter in a not-so-positive light, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, APRIL 28 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Kiele Sanchez as Chloe, Rick Hoffman as Chapman, Jerry O’Connell as Craig, Brandon Ford Green as guy, Natasha Leggero as woman customer, Ian Duncan as Cameron, Jim Rash as artist and Jonathan Schmock as hipster.

“The Gallery Show” was written by Alex Reid and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel. 

Episode 15 – The Affair – Original Air Date – 05/05/2008

“The Affair” – While Samantha continues her affair with Todd – who’s still seeing a clueless Chloe — she becomes convinced that Regina is having a rendezvous of her own. Meanwhile, Andrea toys with the idea of opening up a coffee shop with Dena, on “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, MAY 5 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Tony Winters as man and Soledad Campos as woman.

“The Affair” was written by Bob Kushell and directed by Paul Lazarus. 

Episode 16 – The Birthday – Original Air Date – 05/12/2008

“The Birthday” – As Samantha’s relationship with Todd begins to heat up, she decides to put it on hold until he breaks up with girlfriend Chloe (Kiele Sanchez, “Lost”), as he had promised. But Sam begins to think that Chloe is lying to Todd about her sick aunt in order to play the sympathy card. Meanwhile, Regina and Andrea bump heads over how to plan Samantha’s birthday party, on the Season Finale of “Samantha Who?,” MONDAY, MAY 12 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Guest starring are Kiele Sanchez as Chloe, Melody Butiu as nurse and Brian Catalano as orderly.

“The Birthday” was written by Donald Todd and directed by Dennie Gordon.