Hot in Cleveland: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Hot in Cleveland Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Stayin' Alive
Mar 26, 2014
After Victoria's husband, Emmet, escapes from prison, Victoria and the other women go to a hideout that Elka knows. When they arrive, they discover the hideout is not-so-secret and
Surprise!
Apr 2, 2014
Melanie shocks Alec with the news that she's pregnant; an FBI agent keeps an eye on the women in the wake of Emmet's disappearance; Joy learns that men now find her irresistible.
Dr. Who?
Apr 9, 2014
Joy's baby daddy Simon meets his son and grandson for the very first time as they pretend to be a happy family to get Wilbur into a prestigious pre-school. Melanie and Elka try to
The Undead
Apr 16, 2014
Elka throws a fake funeral for Victoria so she can join her husband in hiding. Her nemesis, Susan Lucci attends. Simon and Joy face a dilemma in their relationship.
Elka Takes a Lover
Apr 23, 2014
On the eve of Victoria's big movie premiere, Emmy visits with some surprising news while Elka announces she's taken a younger lover.
Rusty Banks Rides Again
Apr 30, 2014
Victoria wants to get nominated for an Oscar, so she gets her friends to convince Academy members to nominate her. Melanie is assigned a teen idol, Joy is assigned an indie darling
The One with George Clooney
May 7, 2014
The women attempt to adopt a dog but a shelter volunteer manages ruin their plans. Elka's relationships with Mamie and Roy take a surprising twist.
Brokeback Elka
May 14, 2014
Melanie uses an illness to get tickets to a sold-out concert. Meanwhile, Victoria becomes suspicious of an online acquaintance.
Bad George Clooney
Jun 4, 2014
The ladies take their depressed puppy, George Clooney, to Dr. Deb, a pet therapist who has her own radio show. Dr. Deb blames the women for George’s bad behavior and gives them ass
Bucket: We're Going to New York
Jun 11, 2014
Victoria resolves to come clean about something to her longtime friend, Maddie Banks, but gets cold feet in this KIRSTIE crossover episode. Melanie, Joy, and Elka cross things off
Undercover Lovers
Jun 18, 2014
Lines get blurred when Joy and Bob go undercover as a couple and Elka gets a political rival.
I Just Met the Man I'm Going to Marry
Jun 25, 2014
The women fly to Los Angeles to watch Victoria announce the Oscar nominations. Elka gets campaign advice from a statistics expert, Victoria has nerves over the unknown, and Joy mee
People Feeding People
Jul 2, 2014
Elka needs Ross Barkley’s endorsement for City Council so Melanie gets strong-armed into going on a date with him. Meanwhile, Joy hides her feelings for Mitch while he tries to get
Murder House
Jul 2, 2014
During a super storm, the ladies get stuck in the house with some unwanted guests: Victoria's island boyfriend, Melanie's downer friend and Joy's mother. Elka thinks the ghost of a
Playmates
Jul 9, 2014
Elka decides to write and direct a play about their life in Cleveland and the ladies are surprised and upset on how they are portrayed.
Auction Heroes
Jul 16, 2014
Joy decides to finally tell Mitch how she feels but a handsome dating coach gets in the way. Victoria is surprisingly taken with a very Clevelandy screenwriter.
Straight Outta Cleveland
Jul 23, 2014
Victoria gets a visit from the son she always forgets and Joy and Mitch debate their compatibility.
The Animated Episode
Jul 30, 2014
In an animated episode, the women endure dodgy beauty treatments, zombies, and a Cleveland that still has LeBron.
Strange Bedfellows
Aug 6, 2014
Things heat up between Victoria & J.J. and Melanie & Donald during Elka’s City Council debate against Councilman Powell.
The Italian Job
Aug 13, 2014
The women go to Melanie's radio co-host for advice, making Melanie feel slighted; Victoria meets J.J.'s family.
Mystery Date: Oscar Edition
Aug 20, 2014
While deciding on who will be her "plus one" for the Oscars, Victoria must choose between Melanie and Joy, forcing the two to compete.
Win Win
Aug 27, 2014
Victoria is up for an Academy Award; Elka faces a City Council election; Melanie gets a visit from her mother.
Don Elka
Sep 3, 2014
Simon sneaks back into Joy's life; Elka gets carried away with some new-found power.
The Bachelors
Sep 10, 2014
Every year, on their collective birthday, the women set each other up on blind dates.