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{{about|the sitcom|the episode of ''American Horror Story: Cult''|Charles (Manson) in Charge|the king|King Charles III}}
{{short description|American comedy television series}}
{{short description|American comedy television series}}
⚫
{{about|the sitcom|the episode of ''American Horror Story: Cult''|Charles (Manson) in Charge}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image = Charles in Charge.jpg
| genre = [[Sitcom]]
| image = Charles in Charge.jpg
| creator = [[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]]<br />Barbara Weisberg
| genre = [[Sitcom]]
| creator = [[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]]<br />[[Barbara Weisberg]]
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[Scott Baio]]|[[Willie Aames]]|[[Julie Cobb]] |[[James Widdoes]] |[[April Haney|April Lerman]] |[[Jonathan Ward (actor)|Jonathan Ward]] |Michael Pearlman |[[Jennifer Runyon]] |[[Sandra Kerns]] |[[Nicole Eggert]] |[[Josie Davis]] |[[Alexander Polinsky]]|[[Ellen Travolta]] |[[James Callahan (actor)|James T. Callahan]]|[[Justin Whalin]]}}
| starring = {{unbulleted list|[[Scott Baio]]|[[Willie Aames]]|[[Julie Cobb]] |[[James Widdoes]] |[[April Haney|April Lerman]] |[[Jonathan Ward (actor)|Jonathan Ward]] | Michael Pearlman |[[Jennifer Runyon]] |[[Sandra Kerns]] |[[Nicole Eggert]] |[[Josie Davis]] |[[Alexander Polinsky]]|[[Ellen Travolta]] |[[James Callahan (actor)|James T. Callahan]]|[[Justin Whalin]]}}
| theme_music_composer = {{unbulleted list|[[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]]|Al Burton|[[David Kurtz (composer)|David Kurtz]]}}
| theme_music_composer = {{unbulleted list|[[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]]|Al Burton|[[David Kurtz (composer)|David Kurtz]]}}
| opentheme = "Charles in Charge" performed by [[Shandi Sinnamon]]
| opentheme = "Charles in Charge" performed by [[Shandi Sinnamon]]
| composer = {{unbulleted list|[[David Kurtz (composer)|David Kurtz]] (1987–88)|Timothy Thompson (1988–89)|Todd Hayen (1989–90)}}
| composer = {{unbulleted list|[[David Kurtz (composer)|David Kurtz]] (1987–88)|Timothy Thompson (1988–89)|Todd Hayen (1989–90)}}
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| num_seasons = 5
| num_seasons = 5
| num_episodes = 126
| num_episodes = 126
| list_episodes = List of Charles in Charge episodes
| list_episodes = List of Charles in Charge episodes
| executive_producer = {{unbulleted list|[[Al Burton]]|{{Small|'''Co-executive producers:'''}}|Jane Startz|Michael Jacobs {{Small|(seasons 2–4)}}}}
| executive_producer = [[Al Burton]]
| producer = {{unbulleted list|Michael Jacobs |{{Small|(season 1)}}|Roseanne Leto {{Small|(pilot)}}|Mitchell Bank|Todd E. Kessler {{Small|(seasons 2–4)}}}}
| producer = {{unbulleted list|Michael Jacobs |{{Small|(season 1)}}|Roseanne Leto {{Small|(pilot)}}|Mitchell Bank|Todd E. Kessler {{Small|(seasons 2–4)}}}}
| editor =
| editor =
| location =
| location =
| camera =
| camera =
| runtime = 22 minutes
| runtime = 22 minutes
| company = {{unbulleted list|Al Burton Productions|[[Scholastic Productions]]|[[Universal Television]]}}
| company = {{unbulleted list|Al Burton Productions|[[Scholastic Productions]]|[[Universal Television]]}}
| distributor = {{unbulleted list|[[MCA TV]] (1987-1990) (seasons 2-5)|[[NBCUniversal Television Distribution]]<br />(current)}}
| network = {{unbulleted list|[[CBS]] (1984–1985)|[[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]] (1987–1990)}}
⚫
| first_aired = {{start date|1984|10|03}}
| network = {{unbulleted list|[[CBS]] (1984–1985)|[[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]] (1987–1990)}}
| picture_format = [[NTSC]]
| last_aired = {{end date|1990|11|10}}
| audio_format =
⚫
| first_aired = {{start date|1984|10|03}}
| last_aired = {{end date|1990|11|10}}
}}
}}


'''''Charles in Charge''''' is an American [[sitcom]] television series that premiered on October 3, 1984, on [[CBS]]. The series was a production of Al Burton Productions and [[Scholastic Productions]] in association with [[Universal Television]] and starred [[Scott Baio]], who had previously starred in ''[[Happy Days]]'', in the title role. [[Willie Aames]], who had previously been a cast member on ''[[Eight Is Enough]]'', also starred as Charles’s best friend Buddy Lembeck.
'''''Charles in Charge''''' is an American [[sitcom]] television series that premiered on October 3, 1984, on [[CBS]]. The series was a production of Al Burton Productions and [[Scholastic Productions]] in association with [[Universal Television]] and starred [[Scott Baio]], who had previously starred in ''[[Happy Days]]'', in the title role. [[Willie Aames]], who had previously been a cast member on ''[[Eight Is Enough]]'', also starred as Charles’ best friend Buddy Lembeck.


''Charles in Charge'' joined the CBS Wednesday night lineup at 8:00 pm, placing it against ABC’s hit action series ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' and the new [[Michael Landon]]-led ''[[Highway to Heaven]]'' on NBC. At the time, with the exception of their Monday-night comedies (''[[Kate & Allie]]'' and ''[[Newhart]]''), CBS's sitcom lineup was not performing well in the ratings and ''Charles in Charge'' did not do much to change that. Still, the network allowed the show to remain in production to complete the 22 episodes it had ordered for the season.
''Charles in Charge'' joined the CBS Wednesday night lineup at 8:00 pm, placing it against ABC’s hit action series ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' and the new [[Michael Landon]]-led ''[[Highway to Heaven]]'' on NBC. At the time, with the exception of their Monday-night comedies (''[[Kate & Allie]]'' and ''[[Newhart]]''), CBS's sitcom lineup was not performing well in the ratings and ''Charles in Charge'' did not do much to change that. Still, the network allowed the show to remain in production to complete the 22 episodes it had ordered for the season.


After the February 27, 1985, episode, CBS placed ''Charles in Charge'' on hiatus. Two episodes had yet to air, and CBS aired them on March 13 and April 3, 1985. The network then dropped ''Charles in Charge'' from its Wednesday lineup in favor of the mystery drama series ''[[Double Dare (TV series)|Double Dare]]''; the show was moved to Saturday, where it aired in reruns for several weeks until it was replaced by the drama ''[[Cover Up (TV series)|Cover Up]]''. None of these series were renewed for a second season, nor were either of the two comedies that shared the hour with ''Charles in Charge'' (''[[Dreams (TV series)|Dreams]]'' and ''[[E/R]]'').
After the February 27, 1985, episode, CBS placed ''Charles in Charge'' on hiatus. Two episodes had yet to air, and CBS aired them on March 13 and April 3, 1985. The network then dropped ''Charles in Charge'' from its Wednesday lineup in favor of the mystery drama series ''[[Double Dare (TV series)|Double Dare]]''; the show was moved to Saturday, where it aired in reruns for several weeks until it was replaced by the drama ''[[Cover Up (TV series)|Cover Up]]''. None of these series were renewed for a second season, nor were either of the two comedies that shared the hour with ''Charles in Charge'' (''[[Dreams (TV series)|Dreams]]'' and ''[[E/R]]'').
Line 38: Line 35:


==Premise==
==Premise==
⚫
The series takes place in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]]. Charles, who has no given surname, is a student at Copeland College (fictional, perhaps meant to represent [[Rutgers University]], whose main campus is in New Brunswick) and is 19 years old when the series begins.
⚫
{{:List of Charles in Charge episodes}}
⚫
The series takes place in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]]. Charles, whose last name is never revealed, is a student at Copeland College (fictional, perhaps meant to represent [[Rutgers University]], whose main campus is in New Brunswick) and is 19 years old when the series begins.


===First season===
===First season===
Needing a place to live while attending school, Charles applies for a job working for Stan and Jill Pembroke, an affluent couple in search of a live-in housekeeper. An arrangement is reached where Charles would take the job with the Pembrokes while he attended Copeland, and in lieu of a salary, he would receive [[room and board]] for his duties as caretaker for their children Jason, Douglas, and Lila, all three of whom are not much younger than he is. In addition to this, as well as his escapades with his best friend Buddy, Charles has a crush on fellow Copeland student Gwendolyn Pierce and spends quite a bit of his free time trying to court her, which never seems to work.
Needing a place to live while attending school, Charles applies for a job working for Stan and Jill Pembroke, an affluent couple in search of a live-in housekeeper. An arrangement is reached where Charles would take the job with the Pembrokes while he attended Copeland, and in lieu of a salary, he would receive [[room and board]] for his duties as caretaker for their children Jason, Douglas, and Lila. In addition to this, as well as his escapades with his best friend Buddy, Charles has a crush on fellow Copeland student Gwendolyn Pierce and spends quite a bit of his free time trying to court her, which never seems to work.


===Syndication changes===
===Syndication changes===
When the show returned in 1987, only Scott Baio and Willie Aames returned from the original cast, as the producers reworked the story to accommodate the changes in cast.
When the show returned in 1987, only Scott Baio and Willie Aames returned from the original cast, as the producers reworked the story to accommodate the changes in cast.


The second season's first episode featured Charles returning to New Brunswick from his summer vacation, only to discover an unfamiliar family living in the Pembrokes' home. He learns that the Pembrokes left New Jersey while he was away and have moved across the country to [[Seattle]]. The new family, the Powells, agreed to sublet the house from the Pembrokes, which included retaining Charles's services as live-in babysitter.
The second season's first episode featured Charles returning to New Brunswick from his summer vacation, only to discover an unfamiliar family living in the Pembrokes' home. He learns that the Pembrokes left New Jersey while he was away and have moved across the country to [[Seattle]]. The new family, the Powells, agreed to sublet the house from the Pembrokes, which included retaining Charles' services as live-in babysitter.


The Powell clan consisted of mother Ellen and grandfather Walter, who was Ellen's husband's widowed father and who was living with them to fulfill his son's role as he served overseas in the U.S. Navy. Like the Pembrokes, the Powells also had three children, daughters Jamie and Sarah and younger brother Adam.
The Powell clan consisted of mother Ellen and grandfather Walter, who was Ellen's husband's widowed father and who was living with them to fulfill his son's role as he served overseas in the U.S. Navy. Like the Pembrokes, the Powells also had three children, daughters Jamie and Sarah and younger brother Adam.


Charles's previously unseen widowed mother Lillian became a central character in the revival series. She was played by [[Ellen Travolta]], which marked the second time that she had played mother to a character portrayed by Baio; she had done the same thing on ''[[Joanie Loves Chachi]]'' several years earlier (although she first played cousin Jimmy Baio’s mother on a 1978 episode of “The Love Boat.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Love Boat - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0636699/}}</ref>)
Charles' previously unseen widowed mother Lillian became a central character in the revival series. She was played by [[Ellen Travolta]], which marked the second time that she had played mother to a character portrayed by Baio; she had done the same thing on ''[[Joanie Loves Chachi]]'' several years earlier (although she first played cousin Jimmy Baio’s mother on a 1978 episode of ''The Love Boat''<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Love Boat - IMDb|website=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0636699/}}</ref>).


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 82: Line 78:
| Michael Pearlman || Jason Pembroke || {{cMain|Main}} || {{cGuest|Guest}} || colspan="3" {{cNone}}
| Michael Pearlman || Jason Pembroke || {{cMain|Main}} || {{cGuest|Guest}} || colspan="3" {{cNone}}
|-
|-
| [[James T. Callahan]] || Walter Powell || {{cNone}} || colspan="4" {{cMain|Main}}
| [[James Callahan (actor)|James T. Callahan]] || Walter Powell || {{cNone}} || colspan="4" {{cMain|Main}}
|-
|-
| [[Sandra Kerns]] || Ellen Powell || {{cNone}} || colspan="2" {{cMain|Main}} || {{cGuest|Guest}} || {{cRecurring}}
| [[Sandra Kerns]] || Ellen Powell || {{cNone}} || colspan="2" {{cMain|Main}} || {{cGuest|Guest}} || {{cRecurring}}
Line 95: Line 91:
|}
|}


Michael Pearlman and Jennifer Runyon are the only other actors, besides Baio and Aames, to reprise their roles on the show after the first season. Pearlman appeared in the second-season premiere, "Amityville". (Lisa Donovan played Jill Pembroke in that episode.) Runyon appeared in "Twice Upon a Time (Part 1)" and "Twice Upon a Time (Part 2)".
Besides Baio and Aames, Michael Pearlman and Jennifer Runyon are the only other main cast members to reprise their roles on the show after the first season. Pearlman appeared in the second-season premiere, "Amityville". (Lisa Donovan played Jill Pembroke in that episode.) Runyon appeared in "Twice Upon a Time (Part 1)" and "Twice Upon a Time (Part 2)". (Gymnast [[Julianne McNamara]] appeared in both seasons 1 and 2 as cheerleader Paula Thackery.) British singer [[Samantha Fox]] appeared in one episode as famous singer Samantha Steel, who Charles becomes involved with before ending the relationship due to her being married. [[Mindy Cohn]] appeared once as Buddy's sister named Bunny who had problems with alcoholism.


In the final two seasons, Sandra Kerns only made three more appearances (once in season 4 and twice in season 5). Baio and Aames are the only two cast members who appear in every single episode.
In the final two seasons, Sandra Kerns only made three more appearances (once in season 4 and twice in season 5). Baio and Aames are the only two cast members who appear in every single episode.
Line 104: Line 100:
The song was performed by the ''[[a cappella]]'' group [[The Blanks]] in the medical [[sitcom]], [[Scrubs (TV series)|''Scrubs'']], and was featured on their 2004 album, ''[[Riding the Wave (album)|Riding the Wave]]''.
The song was performed by the ''[[a cappella]]'' group [[The Blanks]] in the medical [[sitcom]], [[Scrubs (TV series)|''Scrubs'']], and was featured on their 2004 album, ''[[Riding the Wave (album)|Riding the Wave]]''.


==Home media==
==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Charles in Charge episodes}}

⚫
{{:List of Charles in Charge episodes}}

==Home release==
===DVDs===
[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Pictures]] released a three-disc set of the first season of ''Charles in Charge'' on [[DVD]] in [[North America]] on February 14, 2006. Due to poor sales, no further seasons were released.
[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Pictures]] released a three-disc set of the first season of ''Charles in Charge'' on [[DVD]] in [[North America]] on February 14, 2006. Due to poor sales, no further seasons were released.


Line 138: Line 140:
All five seasons of the series were made available for streaming through [[Amazon Video]] and season one only on [[Hulu]] Plus.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00192CFL0 Amazon Video: Charles in Charge] Retrieved January 23, 2013</ref> In addition, the entire series can be streamed on the NBC.com app.
All five seasons of the series were made available for streaming through [[Amazon Video]] and season one only on [[Hulu]] Plus.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00192CFL0 Amazon Video: Charles in Charge] Retrieved January 23, 2013</ref> In addition, the entire series can be streamed on the NBC.com app.


==Syndication==
==Syndication reruns==
When ''Charles in Charge'' returned to television, an arrangement had been made with stations owned by [[Tribune Broadcasting]] to carry the program in first run. Through this arrangement, the show was also able to gain nationwide carriage as its Chicago affiliate, [[WGN-TV]], was a [[NewsNation|national cable superstation]].
When ''Charles in Charge'' returned to television, an arrangement had been made with stations owned by [[Tribune Broadcasting]] to carry the program in first run. Through this arrangement, the show was also able to gain nationwide carriage as its Chicago affiliate, [[WGN-TV]], was a [[NewsNation|national cable superstation]].


In 1988, with the series nearing the 100-episode mark, distributor MCA Television began advertising in trade publications that it would begin selling reruns of ''Charles in Charge'' to local stations for a fall 1989 launch. The show reached the mark when the 1988-89 season ended, and the show began airing daily in syndication shortly thereafter. After the final episode aired in 1990, the syndication package added them, as well; the package included the first 22 episodes that had aired on CBS and the 78 that had aired over the first three seasons in syndication.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collectors.com/entertainment-item/scott-baio-willie-aames-1988-ad-charles-in-charge-mca-tv/-6167401195609390166|title=Scott Baio Willie Aames 1988 Ad- Charles In Charge MCA TV|website=Collectors.com}}</ref>
In 1988, with the series nearing the [[100 episodes|100-episode mark]], distributor MCA Television began advertising in trade publications that it would begin selling reruns of ''Charles in Charge'' to local stations for a fall 1989 launch. The show reached the mark when the 1988-89 season ended, and the show began airing daily in syndication shortly thereafter. After the final episode aired in 1990, the syndication package added them, as well; the package included the first 22 episodes that had aired on CBS and the 78 that had aired over the first three seasons in syndication.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collectors.com/entertainment-item/scott-baio-willie-aames-1988-ad-charles-in-charge-mca-tv/-6167401195609390166|title=Scott Baio Willie Aames 1988 Ad- Charles In Charge MCA TV|website=Collectors.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Television|United States}}
⚫
* [[List of Charles in Charge episodes|List of ''Charles in Charge'' episodes]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0086681|title=Charles in Charge}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0086681|title=Charles in Charge}}
* {{Amg movie|319778|Charles in Charge}}
* [http://www.sitcomsonline.com/charlesincharge.html ''Charles in Charge'' Online]
* [http://www.sitcomsonline.com/charlesincharge.html ''Charles in Charge'' Online]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Charles In Charge}}
[[Category:1980s American sitcoms]]
[[Category:1980s American sitcoms]]
[[Category:1984 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1984 American television series debuts]]
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[[Category:1990s American sitcoms]]
[[Category:1990s American sitcoms]]
[[Category:American television series revived after cancellation]]
[[Category:American television series revived after cancellation]]
[[Category:CBS original programming]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television shows about child care occupations]]
[[Category:CBS sitcoms]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Fictional nannies]]
[[Category:Fictional nannies]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated sitcoms]]
[[Category:Television series about families]]
[[Category:Television series about families]]
[[Category:Television series by Universal Television]]
[[Category:Television series by Universal Television]]
[[Category:Television series created by Michael Jacobs]]
[[Category:Television series created by Michael Jacobs (producer)]]
[[Category:Television shows about child care occupations]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New Jersey]]

Latest revision as of 19:05, 21 December 2024

This article is about the sitcom. For the episode of American Horror Story: Cult, see Charles (Manson) in Charge.
Charles in Charge
GenreSitcom
Created byMichael Jacobs
Barbara Weisberg
Starring
Theme music composer
Opening theme"Charles in Charge" performed by Shandi Sinnamon
Composers
  • David Kurtz (1987–88)
  • Timothy Thompson (1988–89)
  • Todd Hayen (1989–90)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes126 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerAl Burton
Producers
  • Michael Jacobs
  • (season 1)
  • Roseanne Leto (pilot)
  • Mitchell Bank
  • Todd E. Kessler (seasons 2–4)
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseOctober 3, 1984 (1984-10-03) –
November 10, 1990 (1990-11-10)

Charles in Charge is an American sitcom television series that premiered on October 3, 1984, on CBS. The series was a production of Al Burton Productions and Scholastic Productions in association with Universal Television and starred Scott Baio, who had previously starred in Happy Days, in the title role. Willie Aames, who had previously been a cast member on Eight Is Enough, also starred as Charles’ best friend Buddy Lembeck.

Charles in Charge joined the CBS Wednesday night lineup at 8:00 pm, placing it against ABC’s hit action series The Fall Guy and the new Michael Landon-led Highway to Heaven on NBC. At the time, with the exception of their Monday-night comedies (Kate & Allie and Newhart), CBS's sitcom lineup was not performing well in the ratings and Charles in Charge did not do much to change that. Still, the network allowed the show to remain in production to complete the 22 episodes it had ordered for the season.

After the February 27, 1985, episode, CBS placed Charles in Charge on hiatus. Two episodes had yet to air, and CBS aired them on March 13 and April 3, 1985. The network then dropped Charles in Charge from its Wednesday lineup in favor of the mystery drama series Double Dare; the show was moved to Saturday, where it aired in reruns for several weeks until it was replaced by the drama Cover Up. None of these series were renewed for a second season, nor were either of the two comedies that shared the hour with Charles in Charge (Dreams and E/R).

One year later, after seeing the success of some cancelled network series after they were revived for first-run syndication (which was a significant trend at the time), Universal decided to rework and relaunch Charles in Charge in syndication. The show premiered on local stations at the midway point of the 1986-87 season, with the first episode of the new series premiering on January 3, 1987. Four seasons were produced for syndication, with the last episode airing on November 10, 1990. In total, 126 episodes were produced, 22 in the abbreviated first season and 26 in each of the syndicated seasons.

Premise

[edit]

The series takes place in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Charles, who has no given surname, is a student at Copeland College (fictional, perhaps meant to represent Rutgers University, whose main campus is in New Brunswick) and is 19 years old when the series begins.

First season

[edit]

Needing a place to live while attending school, Charles applies for a job working for Stan and Jill Pembroke, an affluent couple in search of a live-in housekeeper. An arrangement is reached where Charles would take the job with the Pembrokes while he attended Copeland, and in lieu of a salary, he would receive room and board for his duties as caretaker for their children Jason, Douglas, and Lila. In addition to this, as well as his escapades with his best friend Buddy, Charles has a crush on fellow Copeland student Gwendolyn Pierce and spends quite a bit of his free time trying to court her, which never seems to work.

Syndication changes

[edit]

When the show returned in 1987, only Scott Baio and Willie Aames returned from the original cast, as the producers reworked the story to accommodate the changes in cast.

The second season's first episode featured Charles returning to New Brunswick from his summer vacation, only to discover an unfamiliar family living in the Pembrokes' home. He learns that the Pembrokes left New Jersey while he was away and have moved across the country to Seattle. The new family, the Powells, agreed to sublet the house from the Pembrokes, which included retaining Charles' services as live-in babysitter.

The Powell clan consisted of mother Ellen and grandfather Walter, who was Ellen's husband's widowed father and who was living with them to fulfill his son's role as he served overseas in the U.S. Navy. Like the Pembrokes, the Powells also had three children, daughters Jamie and Sarah and younger brother Adam.

Charles' previously unseen widowed mother Lillian became a central character in the revival series. She was played by Ellen Travolta, which marked the second time that she had played mother to a character portrayed by Baio; she had done the same thing on Joanie Loves Chachi several years earlier (although she first played cousin Jimmy Baio’s mother on a 1978 episode of The Love Boat[1]).

Cast

[edit]
Actor Character Seasons
1 2 3 4 5
Scott Baio Charles Main
Willie Aames Buddy Lembeck Main
Jennifer Runyon Gwendolyn Pierce Main Guest Does not appear
James Widdoes Stan Pembroke Main Does not appear
Julie Cobb Jill Pembroke Main Does not appear
April Lerman Lila Pembroke Main Does not appear
Jonathan Ward Douglas Pembroke Main Does not appear
Michael Pearlman Jason Pembroke Main Guest Does not appear
James T. Callahan Walter Powell Does not appear Main
Sandra Kerns Ellen Powell Does not appear Main Guest Recurring
Nicole Eggert Jamie Powell Does not appear Main
Josie Davis Sarah Powell Does not appear Main
Alexander Polinsky Adam Powell Does not appear Main
Ellen Travolta Lillian Does not appear Recurring Main

Besides Baio and Aames, Michael Pearlman and Jennifer Runyon are the only other main cast members to reprise their roles on the show after the first season. Pearlman appeared in the second-season premiere, "Amityville". (Lisa Donovan played Jill Pembroke in that episode.) Runyon appeared in "Twice Upon a Time (Part 1)" and "Twice Upon a Time (Part 2)". (Gymnast Julianne McNamara appeared in both seasons 1 and 2 as cheerleader Paula Thackery.) British singer Samantha Fox appeared in one episode as famous singer Samantha Steel, who Charles becomes involved with before ending the relationship due to her being married. Mindy Cohn appeared once as Buddy's sister named Bunny who had problems with alcoholism.

In the final two seasons, Sandra Kerns only made three more appearances (once in season 4 and twice in season 5). Baio and Aames are the only two cast members who appear in every single episode.

Theme song

[edit]

The theme song was composed by David Kurtz, Michael Jacobs, and Al Burton, and performed by Shandi Sinnamon. The theme music was mellower in the first season, and was remixed for the syndication run.

The song was performed by the a cappella group The Blanks in the medical sitcom, Scrubs, and was featured on their 2004 album, Riding the Wave.

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of Charles in Charge episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
122October 3, 1984 (1984-10-03)April 3, 1985 (1985-04-03)CBS
226January 3, 1987 (1987-01-03)June 27, 1987 (1987-06-27)Syndication
326December 26, 1987 (1987-12-26)June 18, 1988 (1988-06-18)
426December 31, 1988 (1988-12-31)November 18, 1989 (1989-11-18)
526December 30, 1989 (1989-12-30)November 10, 1990 (1990-11-10)

Home release

[edit]

DVDs

[edit]

Universal Pictures released a three-disc set of the first season of Charles in Charge on DVD in North America on February 14, 2006. Due to poor sales, no further seasons were released.

In September 2007, Arts Alliance America (which subsequently changed its name to Virgil Films & Entertainment during the summer of 2007) announced it had acquired the rights to the series.[2] They subsequently released seasons 2–5 on DVD. Seasons 4 and 5 were Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) releases, available exclusively through Amazon.com.[3][4]

DVD name Ep # Release date
The Complete First Season 22 February 14, 2006
The Complete Second Season 26 November 20, 2007
The Complete Third Season 26 May 20, 2008
The Complete Fourth Season 26 March 24, 2009
The Complete Fifth and Final Season 26 July 28, 2009

Streaming

[edit]

All five seasons of the series were made available for streaming through Amazon Video and season one only on Hulu Plus.[5] In addition, the entire series can be streamed on the NBC.com app.

Syndication reruns

[edit]

When Charles in Charge returned to television, an arrangement had been made with stations owned by Tribune Broadcasting to carry the program in first run. Through this arrangement, the show was also able to gain nationwide carriage as its Chicago affiliate, WGN-TV, was a national cable superstation.

In 1988, with the series nearing the 100-episode mark, distributor MCA Television began advertising in trade publications that it would begin selling reruns of Charles in Charge to local stations for a fall 1989 launch. The show reached the mark when the 1988-89 season ended, and the show began airing daily in syndication shortly thereafter. After the final episode aired in 1990, the syndication package added them, as well; the package included the first 22 episodes that had aired on CBS and the 78 that had aired over the first three seasons in syndication.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Love Boat - IMDb". IMDb.
  2. ^ "Charles in Charge DVD news: Announcement for Charles In Charge - The Complete 2nd Season - TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on 2012-04-19.
  3. ^ Where Does the 4th Season of the Scott Baio Series Currently Stand? Archived 2009-02-08 at the Wayback Machine TVShowsOnDVD.com. January 28, 2009.
  4. ^ Charles in Charge – The 5th and Final Season is Available on DVD in July! Archived 2009-06-07 at the Wayback Machine TVShowsOnDVD.com. June 5, 2009
  5. ^ Amazon Video: Charles in Charge Retrieved January 23, 2013
  6. ^ "Scott Baio Willie Aames 1988 Ad- Charles In Charge MCA TV". Collectors.com.
[edit]
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