The essential episodes of Dr. Ken
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Dr. Ken — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Ken is a cranky but lovable HMO doctor juggling medicine and parenting who realizes that even when he's right, his unorthodox approach is often wrong. Allison, his wife and a therapist, helps keep him in check while juggling responsibilities with their two kids -- Dave, their youngest, is always making things interesting with his quirky attitude, plus their teenage daughter, Molly, keeping them on their toes. Meanwhile at the clinic, Dr. Ken's staff includes his loyal, but oh-so-irritating staff, including a sharp tongued receptionist; a faithful nurse who is a confidante and partner-in-crime; a sweet, naive resident who's relentless optimism and quest for romance are a constant source of curiosity and irritation; and his nemesis, the hospital administrator, who never misses a chance to put the screws to Dr. Ken and his staff.
- 02
Molly rebels and gets a Japanese tattoo, which spirals Ken and Allison into having a cultural face-off when Allison claims she is more Japanese than Ken is Korean. At a holiday dinner, they push their traditional dishes on their guests, while Dave documents the Thanksgiving events for a school project. Also, Julie, fearful of being alone due to a recent heartbreak, invites the office over to her place - but Damona and Clark try finding a way to leave early so they can make it to their other Thanksgiving plans.
- 03
Ken's love of basketball hasn't rubbed off on Dave, who would rather attend a city council meeting about California's drought than play in a game. Meanwhile, Allison is skeptical of letting Molly dress more provocatively; and Damona schemes to get more vacation days.
- 04
Ken feels that Molly is pulling away as a teenager and tries to reconnect by taking her and her friends to a concert for Emblem3 (guest starring/performing in the episode). Though she is embarrassed by her dad's antics at the concert, Molly does appreciate the effort and finally warms up to her dad -- just a little. Meanwhile, Allison takes Dave to a birthday party, but after he cuts his foot, he wreaks havoc on the Welltopia team when he is forced to face a big fear - a needle for the tetanus shot. Also, Damona struggles with how to break things off with Pat.
- 05
When Ken avoids giving Dave "the talk," Julie inadvertently does it herself. But then Ken has to fix things when Allison finds out that he took credit for doing it. Meanwhile, Clark takes questionable advice from Pat.
- 06
Ken, at the insistence of Allison, reluctantly joins a civics-minded community group - but it may not be what it seems.
- 07
A visit from Ken's college friend (guest star Jeff Ross as Doug), a touring stand-up comedian, ultimately spurs Ken to pursue his own lifelong dream of stand-up comedy. But when he does it, suddenly it's not as easy as he thought, nor does it go as he planned.
- 08
When a job opportunity opens up at Welltopia, Pat thinks Allison would be perfect for it, but Ken isn't so sure he wants to work so closely with his wife. Molly is stunned with her low SAT scores, and Dave has some ideas as to how to hide the results from their parents. Clark asks Damona's help in trying to find out what Clark's boyfriend, Connor, does for a living. Meanwhile, Ken's father, D.K., makes a surprise announcement.
- 09
Ken and Allison Share a Patient
On Allison's first work day at Welltopia, she and Ken try to prove the other wrong when it comes to a patient's diagnosis. After Damona introduces her new boyfriend, Eric, to co-workers, Pat surprises everyone and announces he's also dating someone. Meanwhile, it's Dave's first day of middle school, and he's nervous he won't be able to make friends, so he turns to D.K. to help reinvent his image.
- 10
When a neighbor girl (guest star Zooey Jeong, Ken Jeong's real-life daughter) stands outside the kitchen window staring at Albert, Molly and D.K. try to scare her off. Meanwhile, Ken is surprised when he learns that Pat, instead of him, is asked to emcee this year's annual Welltopia banquet; and Clark and Damona debate relationship styles as it relates to their individual partners.
- 11
When Ken learns D.K. got divorced, it forces him to take a look at his own marriage.
- 12
On Halloween, Allison is disappointed the holiday doesn't seem to scare Dave anymore, meaning her little boy is growing up, perhaps too fast. But that might change after D.K. tells a scary Korean gwishin (ghost) story. The Park family, as well as the gang at Welltopia, bring the story to life playing the various gwishins.
- 13
When D.K.'s friends mock Ken for not being able to speak their native language, Dave encourages his dad to join him at his Korean language lessons. Meanwhile, Molly's SAT vocabulary prep turns into a fun competitive battle with Allison; and Clark is thrilled to be voted to lead the nurses' contract negotiations until he realizes he has to go head-to-head with Pat in the discussions.
- 14
When Dave announces he's been invited to pitch his Hot Legs Duvet invention on "Shark Tank," Ken is excited. But then he gets nervous about throwing his son into the Tank when he realizes how tough the Sharks can be. Meanwhile, Molly heads to Welltopia to intern, and Pat is so impressed that he takes her under his wing.
- 15
After an awkward audition with Alison Brie, Hollywood producer/writer Dan Harmon makes Ken's life-long dream come true by casting him in a new comedy series that takes place at a community college. Meanwhile, Pat is ready to declare his love for Damona, but an unexpected visit from his ex-wife, Tiffany, throws him off course; and Allison is less prepared for Molly to leave for Stanford than she's letting on.
Shows like Dr. Ken
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
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- 02Comedy·Family·MedicalThe essential episodes of B Positive2020–2022·CBSB Positive follows Drew, a newly divorced dad who is at the end of his rope when faced with finding a kidney donor.
- 03Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of The Simpsons1989–present·FOX
The Simpsons is the longest running scripted show in US television history. - 04Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Family Guy1999–present·FOX
Family Guy follows Peter Griffin the endearingly ignorant dad, and his hilariously offbeat family of middle-class New Englanders in Quahog, RI. - 05Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of American Dad!2005–present·FOXIn American Dad!, Stan Smith leads the all-American family in this animated sitcom filled with wild and crazy extremes.
- 06Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Modern Family2009–2020Same network — ABC·
