archytele The Vault
Season guide

Spin City: Season 1

24 episodes Premiered Sep 17, 1996 Updated Jul 21, 2026

Spin City is an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996, to April 30, 2002, on ABC. The show is set in a fictionalized version of the New York City mayor's office. It revolves around Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, who serves as Mayor Randall Winston's key strategist and handler. Mike is aided by his staff, which includes a press secretary, a chief of staff, a gay activist, an accountant, and

Season overview

Spin City is an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996, to April 30, 2002, on ABC. The show is set in a fictionalized version of the New York City mayor's office. It revolves around Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, who serves as Mayor Randall Winston's key strategist and handler. Mike is aided by his staff, which includes a press secretary, a chief of staff, a gay activist, an accountant, and a speechwriter. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of this group of individuals as they navigate the challenges of working in the mayor's office.

Advertisement

Episodes

S1·E1

Pilot

Sep 17, 1996 · 22 min

Michael Flaherty and his team grapple with a garbage strike and a political gaffe by the Mayor who accidentally insults gays. In addition, Ashley questions Mike's commitment to the

S1·E2

The Great Pretender

Sep 24, 1996 · 22 min

When Mike is named Sexiest Man in New York by ""Manhattan"" magazine, he has difficulty living up to the notoriety at home. In the meantime, the staff must deal with Mayor Winston'

S1·E3

The Apartment

Oct 1, 1996 · 22 min

Michael and the Mayor work around the clock to negotiate an end to the garbage strike, which leaves Stuart in charge of the office, to everyone's dismay. And, though they just move

S1·E4

Pride and Prejudice

Oct 8, 1996 · 22 min

Michael allows a TV crew into the office for a profile on himself, and one of his quotes lands him in hot water with Ashley. In the meantime, Carter goes behind Michael's back to g

S1·E5

The Rivals

Oct 15, 1996 · 22 min

The former Mayor of New York is a constant critic of the current administration, and a plan to appease him has tragic consequences. Meanwhile, Michael and Ashley try to avoid their

S1·E6

A Star is Born

Oct 22, 1996 · 22 min

When Mayor Winston's nominee for the Public Schools Chancellor proves an embarrassment to the administration, James urges Mike to stick with the controversial candidate. In the mea

S1·E7

Grand Illusion

Oct 29, 1996 · 22 min

Carter and Nikki plan a fake wedding to make a point about the mayor's stance on same-sex marriages. Meanwhile, Paul is a transformed man when the eye patch he wears after a minor

S1·E8

The High and the Mighty

Nov 12, 1996 · 22 min

Michael needs a favor from famed real estate developer Dan Donaldson, but the price Mike has to pay may not be worth it. In the meantime, Paul finds it hard to crow about the city'

S1·E9

Meet Tommy Dugan

Nov 19, 1996 · 22 min

An opinionated school janitor becomes ""Mayor for a Day"" when he wins an essay contest intended for schoolchildren. Meanwhile, the Mayor wants to change his image.

S1·E10

The Competition

Nov 26, 1996 · 22 min

When the Mayor's office competes against City Council in an annual Thanksgiving contest, the stakes are high, since the losers must croon a show tune in front of the press. James h

S1·E11

Dog Day Afternoon

Dec 10, 1996 · 22 min

Mike tries to appease the disgruntled Police Commissioner by honoring a beloved police dog who has recently died. But things go awry on the way to the funeral when Paul and Carter

S1·E12

Criss Cross

Dec 17, 1996 · 22 min

Michael substitutes for the Mayor on a political talk show, facing off against Ashley on a hot-button issue. Meanwhile, Paul plays City Hall Santa while battling a terrible bout of

S1·E13

Bye Bye Love

Jan 7, 1997 · 22 min

The office rallies to lift Mike's spirits after his break-up with Ashley, but he resists their best efforts. That is, until he decides he needs a friend and reaches out to Nikki in

S1·E14

Starting Over

Jan 14, 1997 · 22 min

Michael is uncomfortable with his newly single status when he realizes he's actually on a date with new assistant district attorney Danielle Brinkman. Meantime, Paul meets the pres

S1·E15

Gabby's Song

Jan 28, 1997 · 22 min

Mike butts heads with a hard-nosed new chief of staff appointee, Gabby Sanchez, who is unmoved by his best efforts to win her over. Meanwhile, Paul ponders taking his relationship

S1·E16

Kiss Me, Stupid

Feb 11, 1997 · 22 min

It's Valentine's Day, and Carter's old flame Spence wants to meet with him. Meantime, Mike goes on a date from hell with a beautiful friend of Nikki's, and Paul's romantic evening

S1·E17

An Affair to Remember

Feb 18, 1997 · 22 min

For the Mayor's 50th birthday, Paul is determined to get his ""old friend"" George Stephanopoulos to attend the event; as Michael arranges for birthday wishes from David Letterman,

S1·E18

Snowbound

Feb 25, 1997 · 22 min

A major snowstorm hits Manhattan, causing a chain reaction of mishaps at City Hall. Mike desperately tries to meet his longtime crush on her last night in the city; Paul accidental

S1·E19

Striptease

Mar 4, 1997 · 22 min

Michael discovers that his new girlfriend, Gayley, is paying for law school by moonlighting as a stripper. Meantime, Claudia catches Paul in a lie, and Nikki plays mind games with

S1·E20

Deaf Becomes Her

Mar 18, 1997 · 22 min

It's damage control time when the Mayor's inept new sign-language interpreter inadvertently offends the deaf community, and Michael rushes to appease one of its leaders, Sarah Edel

S1·E21

Hot in the City

Apr 1, 1997 · 22 min

On the personal front, Mike struggles with his ex-girlfriend, Carrie, who is desperate to bear his child (with or without his participation). At the office, he's playing peacemaker

S1·E22

Bone Free

Apr 29, 1997 · 22 min

The men in the office find love-or rather, lust-is in the air, causing more than a few problems. And Nikki wonders whether her new heartthrob, George, is a struggling writer or an

S1·E23

The Mayor Who Came to Dinner

May 6, 1997 · 22 min

The Mayor separates from his wife and moves in with Michael, much to Mike's chagrin. Meanwhile, designer Isaac Mizrahi helps the Mayor's office with a charity fashion show and give

S1·E24

Mayor Over Miami

May 13, 1997 · 22 min

Despondent over his separation with his wife, the Mayor decides on a whim to take a road trip with Paul, leaving Mike in charge of New York City and scrambling to find out where th