Paul Simms (Paul Lynde) was a quiet and respectable attorney and a partner in the firm of McNish and Simms. He lived with his wife, Martha (Elizabeth Allen), and their two daughters, Barbara (Jane Actman), aged 21, and Sally (Pamelyn Ferdin), aged 14, in Ocean Grove, California.
While completing her studies at college, Barbara Simms eloped with Howie Dickerson (John Calvin), an intelligent but penniless graduate studying for his Masters degree in oceanography.
Returning from Las Vegas, Barbara and Howie moved in with the Simms’.
Stories centred around the bickering between Paul and Howie, and Paul’s desperate attempts to find Howie a suitable job. Howie experienced constant badgering and objections from Paul about Howie’s inability to support Barbara.
Although the eccentric Howie was a genius with an IQ of 185, he lacked the common sense to function in the world of business.
Howie’s parents, Barney and Grace, often made cameo appearances and were played by real-life married comedy couple Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
On 11 January 1982, Paul Lynde’s body was found by friends after he failed to appear at a dinner party. The 55-year-old comic actor had died of a massive heart attack.
Paul Simms
Paul Lynde
Martha Simms
Elizabeth Allen
Howie Dickerson
John Calvin
Barbara Dickerson
Jane Actman
Sally Simms
Pamelyn Ferdin
Barney Dickerson
Jerry Stiller
Grace Dickerson
Anne Meara
J.J. McNish
Herb Voland
Alice
Allison McKay
While completing her studies at college, Barbara Simms eloped with Howie Dickerson (John Calvin), an intelligent but penniless graduate studying for his Masters degree in oceanography.
Paul Simms 
