Eliza demonstrates such an amazing gift for spelling any word given to her that her father Saul insists on coaching her himself. As Eliza's success continues, Saul's newfound devotion grows...causing huge changes for the entire family.

Willie Stark is an uncorrupted small-town mayor in 1950s Louisiana. He gets picked by the political machine to run as a wild card candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial race. But, when Willie realizes that he is being manipulated, he veers off on his own to become the darling of the electorate's downtrodden and forgotten hicks. Covering the campaign for a local paper is Jack Burden, whose editorial pieces become so admiring of Willie that he's fired....

When her mother suddenly dies, Sara must abandon her plans to become a ballerina and join her estranged father on Chicago's gritty South side. She feels out of place until she is befriended by a black classmate and her handsome brother, Derek. Sara and Derek's shared love for dance leads to romance-- and opposition from their families and friends.

This drama centers on Hank Chinaski, the fictional alter-ego of author Charles Bukowski, who wanders around Los Angeles, trying to live off jobs which don't interfere with his primary interest, which is writing.

A working-class Irish family is torn between right and wrong when two brothers live out their destinies on opposite sides of the law.

Ben Crane is a Kentucky horse trainer who watches in horror as a championship filly breaks a leg during a practice run. Ordinarily the horse would have to be put down, but today Ben's daughter, Cale, is at the track. Ben impulsively buys the horse, which causes him to lose his job. The rehabilitation process of the horse is almost too much for a farm that's already struggling to survive in a modern economy, but the horse turns out to be a much-needed...

Ron Clark story: This drama is based on events in the life of Ron Clark, a passionate and innovative teacher who left his small town to teach in one of Harlem's toughest schools. Clark uses persistence and unconventional methods to reach his students and encourage them to reach their full potential. Fielder's choice: Advertising executive Phillip Fielder has no complications in his life until his sister dies unexpectedly, leaving him with temporary...

Judge Kay Woodbury opens her door to a teen named Sally that is bright beyond her years, but very troubled. Kay locates Sally's father, Jim, and hires him to be her landscaper to try to rekindle a father and daughter relationship between Sally and Jim.

Irene is a working-class mother struggling to keep her marriage together while keeping her cocaine habit a secret. While in rehab she falls in love with a fellow addict, but when one of them relapses, their commitment to each other and sobriety shatters.