Becker is an American situation comedy TV series created by Dave Hackel that aired on CBS for six seasons from November 2, 1998 to January 28, 2004. A total of 129 episodes were produced. The number of every episode appears as the change readout on the register at Reggie's diner.
Becker must convince a skeptical patient, Mr. Marino, that his diabetes has triggered a minor heart attack and that he needs treatment. Meanwhile, Jake takes a sculpting class in order to meet women.
Despite his best efforts, Becker cannot escape the sexual overtones that follow him throughout the day. As his day progresses, a bemused Becker is faced with various circumstances that make him all too aware of his sex life – or, rather, lack thereof.
Becker and Jake notice that Reggie is upset about something, but she refuses to tell them why. Becker presses Reggie for details, but she responds with a series of lies before finally revealing the truth.
Note: This episode marks the last television appearance of actor Noam Pitlik.
When a patient tries to set Becker up on a blind date, he initially declines the offer, but he eventually agrees to meet the woman. Meanwhile, Reggie's evening goes south when she realizes that the guy she is dating is just too nice.
Becker's attempt at friendship is short lived. With Margaret at home with the flu, the flaky Linda is left in charge of the office. Reggie receives an unwelcome visit from a former high-school classmate.
Becker is crabbier than ever when a flickering street light keeps him from getting any sleep. When the city refuses to make the broken street light a priority assignment, Becker takes matters into his own hands.
The arrogant Bronx doctor is once again complaining about the shortcomings of society, sparking another verbal sparring match with Reggie. But when his back goes out, he has no choice but to call her for help.
When Reggie announces that she has an extra ticket to a Rangers-Flyers hockey game, Jake and Becker each makes it his primary goal to be chosen as the lucky recipient.
When a self-serving reporter witnesses a heated argument between Becker and a man at the diner, he determines that Becker's comments are "politically incorrect" and uses his newspaper column to create a local controversy. Becker tries his best to ignore the situation but has a hard time letting it go and decides to confront the reporter and expose his hypocrisy.
Becker agrees to write an article for a fellow doctor's medical journal, but has trouble finishing the project when he cannot seem to acquire five minutes of quiet time before something or someone finds a way to interrupt his concentration.
Becker deals with a series of Valentine's Day issues with his usual cynical approach, but a late night hospital visit abruptly softens his perspective as he begins to understand why this holiday can be so important to others.
Becker is less than thrilled when his estranged father, Fred (Dick Van Dyke), makes an unannounced visit. Although Becker is unhappy to see his father, the others are instantly charmed by Fred's easygoing personality.
Becker copes with a patient who believes he can talk directly to God. Meanwhile, Linda decides to keep a jacket mistakenly returned to her by her drycleaner.
When Becker learns that his ex-wife Sandra is in town for a book signing tour, he feigns disinterest until he learns that chapters of her new self-help publication denounces "Angry Man," a pseudonym for Becker. When Becker confronts Sandra at her hotel, it becomes abundantly clear that their explosive chemistry remains fiercely intact.
When a patient's mother desperately needs Becker to watch her two kids for the day, he reluctantly agrees. But when the day turns into an unexpected sleepover at Becker's, his attempts to establish rules for the kids are ineffective.
When Becker's computer is stolen from his apartment, he is shocked to learn that the insurance company's reimbursement will not even cover the cost of a keyboard. Against his better judgment, he purchases a top-of-the-line system via shady means and soon realizes he has made a "fatal error."
Much to Becker's dismay, an alley cat finds its way into his office and refuses to leave. When they realize that the cat is sick, Becker is guilted into taking care of it.
Becker's cousin Barry invites him over to his house for dinner, and Becker learns first-hand that Barry and his wife are having major marital problems. However, Becker makes the situation worse by letting it slip that Barry once had an affair, which puts Becker in an awkward position.
Becker reluctantly agrees to shuttle Reggie, Margaret, Jake and Linda to various engagements in Queens when they learn that he is heading that way in his car. It quickly becomes a "what-was-I-thinking" scenario for the gang when Becker's road-rage behind the wheel causes an accident.
The original broadcast of this episode included cameos by Hilton Lucas from Cosby, Doug Heffernan from The King of Queens and Ray Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond. These cameos were cut from the syndicated and DVD versions.
A prime parking space, an unexpected tax refund and a flawless trip to the post office are just a few of the lucky breaks bestowed upon Becker. Unable to accept the idea that he might just be having a good day, he remains wary of each new stroke of luck and convinces himself that payback is on its way.
Becker tries to find a date for a medical fundraiser while everyone insists that he should just ask Reggie. Fearing that Reggie will misread his invitation, Becker struggles to find someone else to take to the event.
Linda decides to quit her job at Becker's office. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang are trying to figure out what a man in front of Reggie's diner is waiting for.
Becker is shot in the shoulder while trying to help Jake, who got robbed at gunpoint. He meets his surgeon, Elizabeth, with whom he frequently clashes.
While recovering from the shooting, Becker must put up with his neighbors. Elizabeth also returns, starting a relationship with Becker. Meanwhile, Margaret and Linda must find a temporary doctor while Becker is out.
Becker ends up spending Christmas Eve in the morgue while he tries to identify a man who died while in his office. Meanwhile, Reggie gets ready for her Christmas party.
Becker must undergo anger management classes after he verbally assaults two police officers. Meanwhile, Bob's mother kicks him out of the retirement home.
After receiving a faulty charge on his telephone bill, Becker has to fight the phone company to take it off. Meanwhile, Bob produces a set of inspirational tapes.
Becker accidentally leaves a phone message for the child of a deceased patient while annoyed with Linda and her friend (also named Linda). Now, Becker tries desperately to delete it before the person listens to it, ultimately accidentally informing the wrong family that their father died.
Becker and a priest go head-to-head over religion. Meanwhile, Reggie, Jake and Bob venture into online investments. Also, Linda can't stop laughing after hearing about Asperger syndrome.
Becker bets Jake 50 dollars that he never smokes again, but Jake increases the bet to 100 dollars that Becker won't make it through the day without a cigarette. Becker's attempts to quit smoking are rocky at best, but the two raise the stakes to 300 dollars.
Jake's disability benefits get cut off after he receives a driver's license renewal form in the mail. Meanwhile, Reggie performs a psychology experiment on Becker and then becomes paranoid about Becker trying to get even.
After being grateful to his doctor for saving his life at the gym, Becker's patient sues him on the advice of his hospital roommate, a lawyer who Becker insulted earlier. After being advised to settle, an incident in Central Park convinces him not to and he vows to fight it.
Becker buys a ticket for a pancake breakfast from a little girl. The breakfast becomes strained when Becker is forced to sit next to Doc Dome, a rival private practitioner with a dubious past.
Everyone is shocked when Jake announces that he got married over the weekend to a woman he met at a friend's wedding. After realizing he may have rushed things, Jake gets an annulment.
Becker helps a homeless man he discovered is a con artist when he learns the man is supposedly ill. Margaret is forced to act as nursemaid to a dog to earn extra money.
Becker takes Reggie's advice to be more sensitive with women. It helps at the office with Margaret, but backfires with a woman he is dating. Jake and Bob trade jobs.
Becker panics when he has to get an MRI, finally resorting to Valium to get through the claustrophobic test. Linda tries to date twins, but breaks up with them when they ask her to choose between them.
Becker is faced with telling a patient that he cannot possibly be the father of his wife's baby. Reggie, Bob, and Jake try to convince a suicidal man (Dave Foley) that life is worth living.
Becker believes that Christmas is a phony time of the year. Instead of embracing the Christmas spirit, he uses getting robbed as vindication for his position.
Becker is surprisingly concerned when he learns that his new neighbor Chris has left town without saying goodbye. Reggie assumes that Becker has more than casual feelings for Chris. Linda sublets her job for a week to a girl who actually manages to do less work than Linda.
Becker tries to convince Chris that he chose to be with her before he learned that Reggie was leaving town, but Chris doesn't believe him. Margaret and Linda try to find out the identity of a man who claims he is a former patient. Jake and Bob decide to follow in Reggie's footsteps and travel.
Neighbors Becker and Chris do whatever they can to annoy each other. Linda pretends she is from L.A. to impress a new man she is dating. Jake worries that Amanda is decorating his apartment too girly.
Becker tries to discourage a friend from expressing interest in Chris by telling him that she is gay. Unfortunately, the friend sets up Chris with a lesbian acquaintance. Bob buys a pair of walkie-talkies so that he and Jake can stay in constant contact.
Jake feels further handicapped by his blindness when he inadvertently allows a crook to rob the diner. He feels vindicated later when he thinks he has found the crook.
Chris is jealous when Becker plans to spend Christmas in Vermont with a magazine editor he is dating. Margaret invites Linda to go caroling with her church group. Bob fears that a street-corner Santa is out to get him.
Margaret is not expecting any special treatment on the tenth anniversary of her working with Becker. Chris finds Jake's old keyboard. Bob hides at the diner from an angry tenant who wants him to fix a clogged drain.
Jake and Bob assume from overhearing a phone call that Chris and Becker are sleeping together. Becker tries to scare a sexually active teen into using condoms.
Becker is upset when a patient substitutes his Christian Science faith for medical treatment. Linda tries to continue the charade of her "long-distance" relationship with a New York City resident. Bob brags that he is part Native American and tries to cash in on his newly discovered heritage.
Becker is stalked by a frisky, elderly neighbor whose life he had saved. Linda decides to tell the truth about where she resides to her boyfriend, who thinks she lives in L.A.
Becker is frustrated with his practice and applies for a research position in Baltimore, without telling his staff or friends. His suspicious behavior leads them to believe he's either ill or on drugs.
Becker feels stifled when Chris prohibits smoking in the diner and Margaret prohibits it in the office. Bob convinces Jake that Amanda is cheating on him. Linda persuades John to treat her friend Holli's dog.
Amanda leaves Jake for a deliveryman. Becker's withdrawal from smoking is driving everybody crazy - again. Chris awaits her delivery of hair conditioner.
A palm reader comes to the diner. Despite his own objections, Becker lets her take a look at his palm. Inspired by the psychic, Linda invests her inheritance in a grapefruit company.
Becker is frustrated with a couple who seek counseling on conception and keep misinterpreting his advice. Chris flirts with a fire marshal to avoid a ticket. Bob's attempt to charm a police officer out of a jaywalking ticket backfires.
After a series of erotic daydreams about Chris, Becker realizes he still has feelings for her but wonders if she feels the same way about him. After Linda's purse was stolen and she was involved in an accident on her way to work, she fears another bad thing is going to happen to her because she believes that bad things always happen in threes.
Becker and Chris address their developing relationship. Chris tries to have a hospital bill reduced. Jake sells his dreadlocks to pay the rent. Linda thinks about getting religion. Jake's old buddy Hector shows up at the diner.
Chris pressures Becker into setting a time and place for their first date. Hector convinces Jake to make extra money by sampling experimental medications. Linda makes Margaret feel guilty for flirting her way out of a traffic ticket.
Becker tries to plan a romantic first date with Chris, but unforeseen obstacles constantly appear. Jake receives shocking news about his grandmother after she dies in a retirement home.
Chris tries to get Becker to be more considerate of her feelings. Linda gets Margaret a night job with a "telemarketer." Hector tricks Jake into selling porn magazines.
Chris is frustrated when Becker repeatedly refuses to maintain his side of a conversation. Linda claims that she has met "the one." Hector tries to persuade Jake to invest in his latest get-rich-quick scheme.
Chris is incensed when Becker receives a free trip to Las Vegas and doesn't invite her. An "odd duck" plastic surgeon takes over Becker's practice during his absence.
Margaret is depressed about her career path after hearing about a childhood friend who has become wealthy. Becker tries to train Linda to give flu shots.
Chris plans a trip to Bermuda with Becker. Margaret looks forward to a weekend without Louis. A psychic tells Linda she's going to meet the man of her dreams.
Some important computer files disappear so Linda and Margaret try to find them, all the while thinking it was Linda's fault. Some out-of-town friends have come to see Becker but he's late, so Chris must entertain them. Becker is trying to get home on the subway but an old woman needs help getting to her destination. Becker stops to help her, but she needs to be helped again and again. When he finally gets her to her destination, she doesn't want to go up to the street.
The series concludes as Chris fears that Becker is going to break up with her after he invites her to dinner at a nice restaurant with no explanation. Jake decides how to spend the inheritance from his grandmother. Linda finds a boyfriend on the subway. There are some subtle story aspects, such as Ted Danson's real wife — Mary Steenburgen — appearing as a patient.
