The series centered on the antics of the Taylor family, which, along with Tim, included his pedantic wife Jill (Patricia Richardson) and their three mischievous sons: the popular and athletic Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan), comedian and intellectual Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), and the socially awkward youngest son, Mark (Taran Noah Smith). The show is set in Metro Detroit, as evidenced by the many references to the area in the show (especially local colleges, whose shirts are worn by Tim in the show).