The author of the best-selling book "I Know More Than You" (and its sequel, "I Still Know More Than You..."), Bob has helped thousands of people reach the top. His motto is simple, straight and no-nonsense: "The only thing standing between you and your goals is you... and your goals."

Yet for a man who has inspired so many, Bob Patterson himself has a long way to go. He's a complex guy, a sensitive guy... but he's also a little self-important, self-absorbed and self-deluding. Thousands of Americans may clamor to take his seminars, buy his tapes and read his books, but the truth is, the public Bob Patterson is a facade.

Bob's been in a slump ever since his wife, Janet (Jennifer Aspen, "Party of Five"), walked out on him eight months ago. As loathe as he is to admit it, Janet gave Bob his edge. The tension she brought to their relationship -- emotional and physical -- motivated the motivator.

In the premiere episode, "Pilot," while desperately trying to prepare himself for a career rejuvenating seminar in La Jolla, Bob's world is thrown into further turmoil when his mentor and partner, Landau (Robert Klein), surprises him by hiring Claudia (Chandra Wilson), a newly wheelchair-bound klutz, as his new assistant; and Janet walks back into his life on a spiritual quest to "find herself," making things even more complicated when she wants to move back in with Bob - on a purely celibate basis. To make matters worse, Bob wants John Tesh (as himself) fired from his new motivational infomercial due to his insecurity issues with height; and Landau attempts to inspire Bob to re-enter the dating world by challenging him to ask out a sexy water girl.

"Bob Patterson" stars Jason Alexander as Bob Patterson, Robert Klein as Landau, Jennifer Aspen as Janet, Chandra Wilson as Claudia, Phil Buckman as Vic and James Guidice as Jeffrey.

Guest starring are John Tesh as himself, Jay Paulson as Les, Brian George as Hashlesh, Alex Meneses as the water girl, Daniel Riordan as the announcer and Connie Selleca as herself (v.o.).

The story for "Pilot" was by Jason Alexander & Mike Markowitz & Peter Tilden, and the teleplay by Jason Alexander & Ira Steven Behr & Tim Doyle & Peter Tilden. The episode was directed by Barnet Kellman.

Jason Alexander, Ira Steven Behr and Peter Tilden are executive producers. "Bob Patterson" is from 20th Century Fox Television and Touchstone Television.

Need to write? Here's where to send mail to Bob Patterson.