When well-liked George becomes the first guy to be promoted from the assembly line to plant manager at a Los Angeles airplane parts factory, his life becomes a little more complicated. His pal Ernie and former compadres on the plant floor tease him about joining management. George's first test in the new position is to terminate one employee. He must choose either his acerbic line-inspector mother, Benny, or Ernie. George's hardworking and patient wife, Angie, copes with Benny's constant wisecracks and cares for the couple's kids, precocious 9-year-old Max and 13-year-old Carmen, who is dealing with the traumas of being a teenager.

After learning Benny had a one-night fling with a co-worker 35 years ago, George believes he has finally found his father. He meets Lalo - whose picture bears a striking resemblance to George -- and invites him over for Thanksgiving dinner. But George's bond is tested when he learns the truth.

When Angie finds she has more free time around the house, she volunteers with a variety of charities. Feeling invincible, she soon finds herself joining more organizations than she can handle, and it's up to George and the family to help her get back on track.

As a surprise for Angie's birthday, George arranges for her father Vic and sister Gloria to visit for the celebration. Upset about her upcoming divorce and jealous of her sister's marriage to a good man, Gloria makes an inappropriate advance towards George-which Max witnesses.

After giving a young ex-gang member, Marisol, a job at the factory and a chance for a new life, George is shocked when Angie takes further pity on Marisol and allows her to live in the Lopez home instead of with her abusive boyfriend. But after impressionable Carmen becomes intrigued with Marisol's lifestyle, even Angie must admit that she may have made a mistake. Meanwhile, Max joins a scouting troop and develops some disturbing new habits.