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.
where did gimme a break take place
Glenlawn, a fictional California suburb