The BEST episodes of Mr. Sunshine season 1
Every episode of Mr. Sunshine season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Mr. Sunshine season 1!
Ben Donovan, the self-involved manager of a second-rate San Diego sports arena, begins to re-evaluate his life on his 40th birthday. Working alongside him is his boss and arena owner, Crystal--attractive, powerful and highly erratic; Alice--the cute, tomboyish marketing director and Ben's friend with benefits; Alonzo--a former basketball player, handsome and unbelievably happy; Ben's assistant, Heather--pretty, sweet, but terrifying because she once lit a boyfriend on fire; Crystal's son, Roman--sweet-faced, clueless and Ben's newest employee; and a hapless operations crew whom Ben refers to collectively as the "Steves."
#1 - Self Help
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/1/2024
When the self-help guru scheduled for a seminar at the arena is arrested for fraud, the staff struggles to find a replacement act. Heather's obsession with Ben grows, which inflames Roman's jealousy. Alice's fear of public speaking returns.
#2 - The Best Man
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/1/2024
The arena puts on a wedding for two valued employees. Roman and Heather have their first fight. Ben struggles with the age difference with his girlfriend.
#3 - Family Business
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/1/2024
Ben's hockey idol is coming to visit the arena and Ben must convince him of their organization's family values in order to land him as coach of their hockey team. Crystal is distraught when her pet dog dies and everyone is walking on eggshells. Alonzo gets a chance to film a commercial but Alice is more excited than he is.
#4 - Cohen and Donovan
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/1/2024
The arena hosts a leadership conference with 3 charismatic leaders that turn out to be self-absorbed jerks. Crystal decides she needs to contribute to the arena's operation, much to Ben's dismay.
#5 - Crystal on Ice
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/9/2011
Ben discovers Roman has no place to stay and reluctantly takes him in, Crystal harbors animosity for a certain ice dancing group, and Alice feels guilty when she fails to keep up with her "perfect man."
#6 - Ben and Vivian
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/6/2011
Ben is in for a surprise when his one-night-stand turns out to be Crystal's new assistant, Vivian. When Ben and Vivian try to continue their "no strings attached" relationship, Ben discovers something about himself. Meanwhile, Crystal's efforts to be a responsible mom to Roman are derailed, and the mascot sends Alonzo over the edge.
#7 - Celebrity Tennis
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/23/2011
Ben and Alonzo compete against tennis legend Jimmy Connors and actor Fred Savage in a celebrity tennis tournament; a careless act brings Crystal closer to her son.
#8 - The Assistant
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/30/2011
When Roman becomes Alice's assistant, he surpasses her expectations; Alonzo makes a confession about a past relationship.
#9 - Hostile Workplace
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/2/2011
Ben's plan to get his employees to like him backfires. Meanwhile, Crystal invites Alice and Alonzo on a double date with her new beau, and Ben gives Heather the responsibility of finding a new halftime act when the Sunshine Center mascot suddenly quits.
#10 - Heather's Sister
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/23/2011
When Heather sets Ben up on a blind date with her sister, Stephanie, he finds he has a lot in common with her... until he realizes Stephanie is crazy. In an effort to help Roman muster the courage to ask Heather out, Ben finds himself reluctantly on a group date with Stephanie, Roman and Heather. Meanwhile, Crystal has asked Alonzo to walk her dog in a dog show, and Alice tries to impress her best friend who's come for a visit.
#11 - Employee of the Year
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/16/2011
Crystal holds a contest for Employee of the Year despite having chosen a winner already; Ben must cater to the needs of a teen heartthrob (Nick Jonas) who is set to perform at the arena.
#12 - Lingerie Football
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/14/2011
Ben helps Crystal find closure with her ex-husband, while Alice helps Alonzo deal with two billionaires. Meanwhile, Roman helps Ben by keeping Ben's date, the quarterback of a woman's lingerie football team, occupied.
#13 - Pilot
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/9/2011
Ben spends his 40th birthday trying to get rid of a hockey rink that won't melt, looking for an elephant lost in the building, and trying to fix a PR nightmare; Alice ends her casual relationship with Ben.