The focus was on the Fitzpatricks, an Irish Catholic family of six who lived in Flint, Michigan. The father, blue collar Mike Fitzpatrick, (Bert Kramer) worked overtime as a steelworker to provide a life for the family; while his pregnant wife, Maggie (Mariclare Costello) also worked part-time at a diner as a waitress to help support the family's income. They had four children, eldest son Sean (Clark Brandon); introspective second son, Jack (Jimmy McNichol); only daughter Maureen (nicknamed Mo) (Michele Tobin) and youngest son, Max (Sean Marshall). At various times, all of the Fitzpatrick children had held down part-time jobs to help the often cash-strapped family. They also owned a dog, aptly named Detroit. Also involved in the family was R.J. (Derek Wells), who was Max Fitzpatrick's African-American best friend. A young Helen Hunt played neighbor Kerry Gerardi, supposedly a friend of Mo's, who was interested in the older Fitzpatrick brothers, Sean and Jack, which sparked a bit of a rivalry between the two. Much of the stories deal with moral lessons and also with growing up.

• Bert Kramer as Michael Fitzpatrick, a steelworker, and the patriarch of the family.
• Mariclare Costello as Margaret "Maggie" Fitzpatrick, the matriarch, works part-time at a diner to supplement the family income.
• Clark Brandon as Sean Fitzpatrick, the oldest son (16)
• Jimmy McNichol as Jack Fitzpatrick, the second oldest (15)
• Michele Tobin as Maureen "Mo" Fitzpatrick, the only daughter (14)
• Sean Marshall as Max Fitzpatrick, the youngest at 10, delivers newspapers.
• Helen Hunt as Kerry Gerardi, the girl next door, who intensified the rivalry between Jack and Sean.
• Derek Wells as R.J., Max Fitzpatrick's best friend.

• The Fitzpatricks at IMDb