<P> The sitcom takes place in Glenlawn , a fictional California suburb ( certain episodes differ as to of what California city suburb was Glenlawn ) . Nellie Ruth `` Nell '' Harper ( Nell Carter ) agrees to look after the Kanisky household as a special favor to her dying friend Margaret Huffman Kanisky ( played in flashback by Sharon Spelman ) , who was the wife of police chief Carl Kanisky ( Dolph Sweet ) , serving as a parental figure to the Chief 's three teenage daughters , Katie ( Kari Michaelsen ) , Julie ( Lauri Hendler ) , and Samantha ( Lara Jill Miller ) . A foster son , Joey ( Joey Lawrence ) , was added to the Kanisky household in Season 3 . </P>
<P> The sitcom takes place in Glenlawn , a fictional California suburb ( certain episodes differ as to of what California city suburb was Glenlawn ) . Nellie Ruth `` Nell '' Harper ( Nell Carter ) agrees to look after the Kanisky household as a special favor to her dying friend Margaret Huffman Kanisky ( played in flashback by Sharon Spelman ) , who was the wife of police chief Carl Kanisky ( Dolph Sweet ) , serving as a parental figure to the Chief 's three teenage daughters , Katie ( Kari Michaelsen ) , Julie ( Lauri Hendler ) , and Samantha ( Lara Jill Miller ) . A foster son , Joey ( Joey Lawrence ) , was added to the Kanisky household in Season 3 . </P>
where did gim me a break take place
where did gim me a break take place
Glenlawn , a fictional California suburb
Glenlawn , a fictional California suburb