C.J. Barnes, Portrayed by David Spade (2004–2005), C.J. is a thirty-two year old man who is Cate and Paul's nephew and was once in the Army. He claims to have studied aerial photography during the Gulf War, and to have received a Purple Heart in combat, which is in complete contrast with his generally childish attitude. He is a teacher at the school and often tries to get women, but fails to do so. When C.J. first arrives, he claims to have had a job at the circus operating a tilt-a-whirl ride. He lives along with his Grandfather in the basement (having previously lived in a van, which was burned by that same Grandfather). He once dated Mrs. Krupp, his cousins' (Kerry and Bridget) math teacher, but he ended up cheating on her with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl. He once revealed that "C" in "C.J." stood for Corey (while trying to get a woman to go out with him) to Rory's girlfriend's sister Sissy, but Rory said that it did not stand for Corey, and he was just making it up.