<P> The series focuses mainly on newlyweds Paul Buchman, a documentary filmmaker, and Jamie Stemple Buchman, a public relations specialist, as they deal with everything from humorous daily minutiae to major struggles . Near the end of the show's run, they have a baby daughter, whom they name Mabel . </P> <P> Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser were paid $1 million per episode for the last season (with their contracts calling for them to be paid equally). However, ratings fell sharply that year as the series was shuffled away from its Tuesday slot to prop up a fledgling Monday night line - up of comedies on NBC . </P> <P> The show's theme song, "Final Frontier", was composed by Reiser and Don Was . The theme was originally performed by Andrew Gold, but a version performed by Anita Baker made its debut at the beginning of the sixth season . Baker's version was used on several episodes of the last two seasons, in addition to Gold's version, and appears on the show's soundtrack album . Gold's version is available on the collection Thank You for Being a Friend: The Best of Andrew Gold . </P> <Ul> <Li> Paul Reiser as Paul Buchman (born April 19, 1962), a filmmaker . After attending the New York University Film School, he struggled for recognition before finally succeeding in filmmaking in New York City . He and his family reside in Union Square . </Li> <Li> Helen Hunt as Jamie "James" Buchman (née Stemple, born February 19, 1963), the younger daughter of Gus and Theresa Stemple . After seven boyfriends at Yale University, she met Paul Buchman at a New York newsstand by stealing his copy of The New York Times with an implausible excuse . Her difficult relationship with her mother - in - law is an ongoing source of jokes on the show . </Li> <Li> Maui as Murray, the Buchmans' collie mix dog . He was a puppy when Paul found him, and Paul met Jamie while walking him . He sometimes chases an invisible mouse, and often ends up crashing into the bedroom wall . In a later episode, Jamie does discover the real mouse that Murray has been chasing . In the two - part series finale, The Final Frontier, adult Mabel says that Murray died when she was six, but she was not told until she was twelve . Twice voted the most popular dog by the readers of TV Guide, Murray is loyal and endearing while being very laid back and a bit thick - skulled . Maui was originally found in a Castaic, California, animal shelter by noted Hollywood animal trainer Boone Narr . Maui weighed 58 pounds and was primarily trained by Betty Linn . His first assignments came in TV commercials and as the backup for the top dog in the feature film "Bingo ." </Li> <Li> Anne Ramsay as Lisa Stemple, Jamie's older sister . Lisa has unfathomable psychological issues . Jamie is referred to as "Stella" in a book written by Lisa's therapist: "It was Stella's overprotectiveness that suffocated her ability to relate to others, and tethered her to a lifetime of insecurity and neurosis ." After an envious rage, she blames Jamie for all of her problems in an interview with her shrink that becomes a chapter of a book called "Manics ." With no place else to go, she does her laundry at Paul and Jamie's apartment while scavenging through her sister's clothes and food . Every visit from her parents triggers her eating disorder . In between bouts of weirdness, she still cares deeply for Paul and Jamie and is often trusted to house sit for them, usually with unfortunate results . </Li> <Li> Leila Kenzle as Fran Devanow, Jamie's best friend . She is the regional vice president at Farrer - Gantz Public Relations who hired Jamie as her assistant . Near 1989, Fran quits Farrer - Gantz to spend time with her obnoxious five - year - old son, Ryan, and husband, Mark . Jamie is then promoted to Fran's position . Fran and Mark's relationship lasts 10 years, and their separation shocks Jamie and Paul . After divorcing Mark, Fran returns to her old position at Farrer - Gantz, since Jamie had quit, but she, too, eventually quits and goes into business with Jamie . Fran and Mark eventually reconcile . </Li> <Li> John Pankow as Ira Buchman, Paul's cousin . He first appears in the episode "The Wedding Affair ." Ira is from the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn . He worked for Paul's father, Burt, at Buchman's Sporting Goods . Paul and Ira have a close friendship, but their hidden rivalry came out when Ira took ownership of Buchman's Sporting Goods upon Burt's retirement . Even so, he frequently appears as loving and supportive towards Paul and Jamie . </Li> <Li> Cynthia Harris as Sylvia Buchman, Paul's mother . Sylvia almost always gives Jamie a hard time, but occasionally does show kindness towards her daughter - in - law . </Li> <Li> Louis Zorich as Burt Buchman, Paul's father . Burt runs a sporting goods store--until he passes it on to Ira upon retirement . His signature line in the show occurs whenever he visits Paul and Jamie's apartment, exclaiming at the door, "It's me, Burt! Burt Buchman--your father!" </Li> <Li> Alyssa and Justin Baric (twins) as Mabel Buchman, Paul and Jamie's daughter . She was finally named when Jamie's overbearing mother proclaimed that "Mothers Always Bring Extra Love ." (This gag is a homage to The Dick Van Dyke Show where Rob and Laura explain how their son Ritchie got his middle name). Alyssa and Justin Baric played Mabel from the beginning of season six when Mabel was brought home from the hospital ("Coming Home"). They continued to play the role of Mabel for numerous episodes . Carter and Madison Gayle play the role at a later time . In the season six episode "Letters to Mabel," an 18 - year - old Mabel is played by Meredith Bishop . In the series finale, a teen Mabel is played by Cara DeLizia, and an adult Mabel is played by Janeane Garofalo . </Li> <Li> Richard Kind as Dr. Mark Devanow, Fran's ex-husband, with whom she is on good terms . A former obstetrician, Mark left Fran and their young son because he felt smothered and wanted to see the world . After returning to New York, he converts to Buddhism and works for a grocery store, although he eventually returns to his old profession . He eventually is able to win Fran back . </Li> </Ul>

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