Ep 5. Gary on the Air

Gary Unmarried season 2 episode 5, titled "Gary on the Air," follows divorced dad Gary Brooks as he tries to navigate his busy life as a single parent and successful radio host. In this episode, Gary takes his radio show out of the studio and into the community, broadcasting live from a local restaurant.

As Gary prepares for his big broadcast, he faces numerous challenges, both personal and professional. On the family front, he struggles to balance his job with his responsibilities as a father, especially when his daughter Louise has a school project due that same day. Meanwhile, his ex-wife Allison (played by Jay Mohr's real-life wife Nikki Cox) tries to get Gary to attend their son's parent-teacher conference, forcing him to choose between his professional obligations and his responsibilities as a co-parent.

At the radio station, Gary faces his own set of problems. His co-host Dennis (played by Dean Collins) is sick and unable to attend the live broadcast, leaving Gary to host the show alone. To make matters worse, Gary's boss wants him to change the format of his show and do a segment on healthy eating - a topic that Gary has zero interest in.

Despite these obstacles, Gary soldiers on and manages to put on a successful show. He interviews the restaurant's chef, who whips up some delicious food for the listeners, and even takes calls from his loyal listeners. However, just when things are going smoothly, Gary gets a call from Louise's school, informing him that she has been taken to the hospital. Gary rushes to be by his daughter's side, leaving the broadcast in the hands of his producer and wrapping up the show a little early.

In the end, all is well - Louise is okay and Gary gets to attend his son's parent-teacher conference. However, the episode underscores just how difficult it can be to balance work and family, especially when your job requires you to be on the air for hours at a time. Despite the challenges, Gary remains committed to his family and his job, striving to be the best father and radio host he can possibly be.