BEN SORTS THROUGH HIS CONFUSION ABOUT SUE AND MS. YOUNG, ON ABC'S "life as we know it"

"Family Hard-ships" - Ben learns an eye-opening lesson when his older brother, Sam, comes to visit and, if only for a moment, Dino finds a reason to appreciate his mom again. Meanwhile, Michael and Mia have an awkward discussion about just how far they will go with their friendship, on "life as we know it," THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"life as we know it" stars Sean Faris as Dino, Jon Foster as Ben, Chris Lowell as Jonathan, Missy Peregrym as Jackie, Kelly Osbourne as Deborah, D.B. Sweeney as Michael Whitman, Lisa Darr as Annie Whitman, Marguerite Moreau as Ms. Monica Young and Jessica Lucas as Sue.

Guest starring are Sarah Strange as Mia Tynan, Becky Ann Baker as Amanda Conner, Dylan Baker as Roland Conner, Josh Meyers as Sam Conner, Richard Sali as Stuart Fielder, Jessica Harmon as Zok Cresswell, Megan Ory as Greta, Jonathan Young as Jerry, Peter Williams as Hal Morello, Colby Wilson as Greenburg, Natasha Peck as the bouncy redhead, Charles Payne as the smooth bouncer and Eme Aneke as the gym teacher.

"Family Hard-ships" was written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz and directed by Rick Wallace.

"life as we know it" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

This program carries a TV-14,D,S parental guideline.