List of Charles in Charge episodes

The following is an episode listing for the situation comedy television series Charles in Charge. In the United States, the first episode of the series originally aired on October 3, 1984. The first season aired on CBS. The second through fifth seasons aired in syndication. The series ended on November 10, 1990 after 126 episodes. All five seasons are available on DVD.

Charles in Charge follows Charles (Scott Baio), a college student working as a live-in babysitter. In the first season, Charles worked for the Pembroke family. In the second season, the Pembrokes sub-let their house to the Powell family, who Charles then worked for in the remaining seasons.

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 22 October 3, 1984 April 3, 1985
2 26 January 3, 1987 June 27, 1987
3 26 December 26, 1987 June 18, 1988
4 26 December 31, 1988 November 18, 1989
5 26 December 30, 1989 November 10, 1990

Episodes

Season 1 (1984-1985)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1"Pilot"Alan RafkinMichael JacobsOctober 3, 198483510
Charles has a date with Gwendolyn Pierce on the same night he has to watch the Pembroke children.
2"Extracurricular Activity"Tony SingletaryMichael JacobsOctober 10, 198459302
Charles encourages the children to try new activities at school.
3"Another Saturday Night"Tony SingletaryMichael JacobsOctober 17, 198459304
Buddy and Gwendolyn argue over Charles' Saturday night.
4"War"Lee LochheadJudy Pioli & Marc SotkinOctober 24, 198459311
Charles shows a young woman, Megan Harper, (Meg Ryan) what it's like to take care of children every day, kissing her as well.
5"Cousin Elliot"Alan RafkinMike Reiss & Al JeanNovember 7, 198459303
The Pembrokes' cousin Elliot (Jerry Levine) arrives, and Charles must keep them out of trouble.
6"Slumber Party"Alan RafkinPamela PettlerNovember 14, 198459301
Charles wants to escape from women for one night, but Lila has her friends over for a slumber party.
7"Discipline"Alan RafkinMichael JacobsNovember 21, 198459307
Charles talks to Douglas' teacher about a bad grade, whose beauty immobilizes him.
8"Trick or Treat"Alan RafkinMichael JacobsNovember 28, 198459316
On Halloween, Charles helps Buddy prepare for a date by finding out what she likes.
9"A Date with Enid"Alan RafkinMichael Jacobs & Pamela PettlerDecember 5, 198459318
Douglas falls in love with Lila's friend, Enid.
10"Friends and Lovers"Alan RafkinJudy Pioli & Marc SotkinDecember 12, 198459308
Charles and Gwendolyn decide to see other people, but Charles gets jealous when Gwendolyn makes a date with another man.
11"Home for the Holidays"Alan RafkinMichael JacobsDecember 19, 198459319
Mr. Pembroke's mother visits the family for Christmas, but she doesn't like how the children like Charles.
12"Accidental Puppy"Alan RafkinJudy Pioli & Marc SotkinDecember 26, 198459324
Charles wins two tickets to a Bruce Springsteen concert and must decide whether to take Buddy or Gwendolyn. Meanwhile, Jason and Douglas bring home a puppy that they want to keep.
13"The Commotion"Alan RafkinGeorge TibblesJanuary 2, 198559325
Charles is unable to work on his schoolwork because of distractions in the house.
14"Mr. President"Alan RafkinLarry BalmagiaJanuary 16, 198559328
Cousin Eliot runs for class president, and Gwendolyn convinces Charles to run against him.
15"Jill's Decision"Alan RafkinJudy Pioli & Marc SotkinJanuary 23, 198559329
Mrs. Pembroke gets a promotion that means longer hours at work for her and more responsibilities at home for Charles.
16"Pressure from Grandma"Alan RafkinMarc SotkinJanuary 30, 198559327
Grandma Irene visits and offers Charles another job.
17"Snowed In"Alan RafkinJeffrey Ferro & Fredric WeissFebruary 6, 198559330
A blizzard traps Charles in the house with the children and a group of Lila's friends.
18"Charles 'R' Us"Alan RafkinMichael JacobsFebruary 13, 198559331
Charles and Buddy start a business to recruit household helpers. Megan Harper (Meg Ryan) reappears as a potential helper.
19"Charles' Spring Break"Alan RafkinJudy Pioli & Marc SotkinFebruary 20, 198559332
Everything goes wrong for Charles, Buddy, and Gwendolyn on their trip to Florida for spring break.
20"The Wrong Guy"Alan RafkinJeffrey Ferro & Fredric WeissFebruary 27, 198559333
Lila wants to go on a date with a boy that her parents do not approve of. Douglas has a problem; he got kissed by a girl and doesn't know what to do. Matthew Perry plays a minor role in this episode.
21"Mr. Brilliant"Alan RafkinPamela PettlerMarch 13, 198559326
Charles invites Mrs. Pembroke's old friend over for dinner.
22"Meet Grandpa"Alan RafkinJudy PioliApril 3, 198559334
Grandpa Harry visits the house unexpectedly.

Season 2 (1987)

No. Title Directed by(s) Written by Original air date Production
code
1"Amityville"Phil RamunoMichael JacobsJanuary 3, 198778009
After returning from a trip, Charles finds that the Pembrokes are moving and a new family, the Powells, are living there. Guest stars: Karen Mistal as Heidi, Michael Pearlman as Jason Pembroke, Lisa Donovan as Jill Pembroke, Tammi Caudell as Patti and Jeff Robie as Sid.
2"The Naked Truth"Bob ClaverSeth WeisbondJanuary 10, 198778002
Charles and Buddy take Adam to their art class where Professor Wycliffe (Jack Fletcher) mistakes Adam for a young art prodigy; Buddy ends up meeting a girl named Rebecca Stansbury (Signy Coleman) that poses nude for art class.
3"Feud for Thought"Phil RamunoKathy Greer & Bill GreerJanuary 17, 198778026
Adam becomes the target of a bully, and Charles tries to help. Guest Stars: Lisa Aliff as Gina, Robert Costanzo as Hank Holloway, and Mark Venturini as Herman Holloway
4"The Egg and Us"Bob ClaverAdrienne Armstrong & Mitzi McCall-BrillJanuary 24, 198778017
Jamie and Sarah take care of eggs for their school project; Walter's old friend Gloria (Betsy Palmer) comes to visit him and Walter finds out she's Buddy's grandmother.
5"The Loan Arranger"Bob ClaverChuck LorreJanuary 31, 198778024
Charles must talk to a loan officer named Stanley Willard (Ben Stein) when he loses his student loan because of bad grades.
6"American Teen"Phil RamunoDavid WechterFebruary 7, 198778019
Charles tries to convince Sarah to submit an essay she wrote to American Teen Magazine; Adam gets the family involved in a jigsaw puzzle. Guest stars: Nikolette Scorsese as Louise, Julianne McNamara as Paula Thackery and Jeff Robie as Sid
7"Buddy Comes to Dinner"John RobinsMitchell Bank, Sandy Sprung & Marcy VosburghFebruary 14, 198778025
Buddy gets injured at dinner, and Charles must take care of him; Jamie tries to teach Sarah the rules of dating but instead gets taught a lesson. Guest star: Maylo McCaslin as Lauren Andrews
8"A Fox in the Henhouse"Zane BuzbyChuck LorreFebruary 21, 198778012
Lt. Matty Whitford (Stephen Parr), a shipmate of the deployed Commander Powell visits Mrs. Powell, but he wants more than her company; Charles and Walter try to combine their food recipes and end up getting sick from it.
9"Pizza Parlor Protest"Lee MillerMaxine Lapiduss,
Sally Lapiduss,
Pamela Eells
February 28, 198778018
Charles' college plans to turn Sid's Pizza Parlor into a parking lot. Guest stars: James Karen as Harrison Bartlett/Hamburger Harry and Jeff Robie as Sid
10"Trade Off"Phil RamunoJim Fisher & Jim StaahlMarch 7, 198778021
The Powell family tries bartering for the things they want.
11"Dating"Phil RamunoDavid Rimmer & Ellen SandhausMarch 14, 198778005
Dating causes problems for Charles and the family.
12"Music, Music, Mayhem"Phil RamunoJoan Brooker & Nancy EddoMarch 21, 198778029
Charles buys Buddy's old cassette player which ends up destroying Walter's tape causing problems between Buddy and Charles. Guest star: Julianne McNamara as Paula Thackery
13"Buddy in Charge"Scott Baio & Madeline Rae CripeBill Greer, Kathy Greer & Bob UnderwoodMarch 28, 198778033
Buddy takes care of the children. Guest star: Susan Ursitti as Debbie
14"Isn't That What's Her Face?"Zane BuzbyMitzi McCall-Brill & Adrienne ArmstrongApril 4, 198778032
A famous movie star asks Charles to keep her secret that she is going to Copeland College.
15"A Date From Heck"Phil RamunoAlan MoskowitzApril 11, 198778023
Charles has a date with a woman... and her family.
16"Mama Mia"Jules LichtmanKathy Greer & Bill GreerApril 18, 198778036
Lillian (Ellen Travolta), Charles' mother, visits and takes care of the children.
17"Weekend Weary"Judi EltermanJim ParkerApril 25, 198778031
Mrs. Powell makes Charles take a weekend off.
18"The Case of the Mock-Turtle Mystery"Jules LichtmanLeslie FullerMay 2, 198778020
Charles defends Adam who is accused killing Sarah's turtle.
19"U.F. Oh No"Phil RamunoLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerMay 9, 198778001
Charles and the family have a UFO sighting.
20"Twice Upon a Time (Part 1)"Scott BaioMitchell BankMay 16, 198778041
Gwendolyn Pierce, Charles' first love, returns.
21"Twice Upon a Time (Part 2)"Madeline Rae CripeMitchell BankMay 23, 198778042
Charles and Gwendolyn get engaged.
22"A Job From Heck"Jules LichtmanAlan MoskowitzMay 30, 198778027
Jamie gets a job as a waitress at Sid's Pizza Parlor.
23"Baby Doll"Zane BuzbyKathy Greer & Bill GreerJune 6, 198778039
Sid's Pizza Parlor is getting a new chef, and Charles needs help promoting the introduction party.
24"Lillian Putts a Round"Phil RamunoMitzi McCall-Brill & Adrienne ArmstrongJune 13, 198778003
Charles' widowed mother meets a man at a golf club.
25"Her Brother's Keeper"Thomas KleinBill Greer, Kathy Greer & Seth WeisbordJune 20, 198778003
Charles and Buddy help the shy brother of a woman Charles likes.
26"The Undergraduate"Phil RamunoLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerJune 27, 198778034
Mrs. Powell's married cousin (Kay Lenz) wants Charles.

Season 3 (1987-1988)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1"Yule Laff"Bob ClaverKathy Greer & Bill GreerDecember 26, 198778057
A snowstorm traps Charles and the Powell family in a cabin on Christmas.
2"Piece of Cake"Bob ClaverLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerJanuary 2, 198878040
Charles prepares for an upcoming visit from Commander Powell.
3"Dorm Warnings"Scott BaioJohn VorhausJanuary 9, 198878045
The Powell family thinks Charles wants to move out of the house.
4"Speechless"Phil RamunoHarvey SilbermanJanuary 16, 198878022
Buddy loses his voice, and Charles must overcome his fear to give a speech.
5"Infatuation"Bob ClaverAnita DoohanJanuary 23, 198878037
Charles has a crush on a model.
6"Role Model"Bob ClaverKathy Greer, Bill Greer, Mitzi McCall-Brill & Adrienne ArmstrongJanuary 30, 198878043
Jamie enrolls at a modeling school.
7"The Extremely Odd Couple"Zane BuzbyLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerFebruary 6, 198878038
Walter and Lillian argue, and Charles is caught in the middle.
8"Poppa, the Sailor Man"Gary BrownKathy Greer & Bill GreerFebruary 13, 198878054
Walter's estranged father visits.
9"Bottle Baby"Scott BaioMitchell BankFebruary 20, 198878053
Buddy's sister, Bunny (Mindy Cohn), visits. However, he discovers that she is an alcoholic.
10"Dear Charles"Steve RobmanKathy Greer, Bill Greer & Robert SchechterFebruary 27, 198878035
Charles becomes a newspaper advice columnist.
11"The Pickle Plot"Zane BuzbyMitzi McCall-Brill & Adrienne ArmstrongMarch 5, 198878047
Charles' uncle tries to convince him to drop out of school and work for him.
12"The Buddy System"Madeline Rae CripeMitzi McCall-Brill, Adrienne ArmstrongMarch 12, 198878050
After a self-help class, Buddy turns into a different person.
13"Sarah Steps Out"Brian LevantLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerMarch 19, 198878046
Charles and Buddy spy on Sarah's date (Scott Grimes).
14"Trading Papers"Zane BuzbyAdam I. LapidusMarch 26, 198878044
Charles and Sarah accidentally hand in each other's school assignments.
15"Five Easy Pizzas"Madeline Rae CripeManny BasaneseApril 2, 198878051
A food critic visits the pizza parlor while Charles is managing the restaurant.
16"Getting In"Scott Baio & Madeline Rae CripeKevin Parent & Myles BerkowitzApril 9, 198878013
Charles and Buddy pledge a fraternity.
17"Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow"Gary BrownDonald RossApril 16, 198878048
Charles and Buddy foil a robber at the pizza parlor.
18"Dutiful Dreamer"Scott BaioKathy Greer & Bill GreerApril 23, 198878061
Charles has a dream about the family's problems.
19"Berkling Up Is Hard To Do"Bonnie FranklinLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerApril 30, 198878049
Some well-intentioned advice causes misunderstandings.
20"Runaround Charles"Mary Lou BelliLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerMay 7, 198878058
Charles makes too many commitments for the same night.
21"Where the Auction Is"Scott BaioLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerMay 14, 198878059
The children buy Charles at a charity slave auction.
22"The Boy Who Loved Women"Bob ClaverLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerMay 21, 198878056
Jamie and Sarah go out with the same boy.
23"Barbelles"Scott BaioKathy Greer & Bill GreerMay 28, 198878060
Charles is threatened by his date's ex-boyfriend.
24"The Blackboard Bungle"Scott BaioLee Aronsohn & Marc ShefflerJune 4, 198878052
Charles becomes a teacher's aide in Jamie's class.
25"The Heart Burglar"Madeline CripeJohn B. Collins, Bill Greer & Kathy GreerJune 11, 198878030
Buddy's girlfriend has feeling for Charles which they hid from Buddy.
26"May the Best Man Lose"Pat Fischer-DoakJohn VorhausJune 18, 198878055
Charles, Buddy, and the Powell children compete against each other in a school contest.

Season 4 (1988–1989)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1"No Nukes Is Good Nukes"Scott BaioLee AronsohnDecember 31, 198878408
While Commander Powell is home, Sarah is arrested for protesting the nuclear weapons on her father's ship.
2"Ninny and the Professor"Doug RogersLee AronsohnJanuary 7, 198978403
Charles' professor disagrees with the grade he gives a student.
3"Duelling Presleys"Scott BaioDavid Ankrum & Jack LukesJanuary 14, 198978410
Lillian hires an Elvis impersonator for the diner.
4"Adam See, Adam Do"Norman AbbottLee AronsohnJanuary 21, 198978416
Adam studies Charles' girlfriend (Erika Eleniak) and dating techniques.
5"Yesterday Cafe"Phil RamunoKathy Greer & Bill GreerJanuary 28, 198978407
Lillian starts a 1950s-style restaurant called the "Yesterday Cafe".
6"Fatal Obsession"Scott BaioSteven FeldFebruary 4, 198978414
A woman at camp pursues Charles despite his having a girlfriend (Erika Eleniak). Note: The Happy Days catch phrase "wa wa wa" makes a cameo appearance. A reference to the character Chachi is also made as a joke about Scott Baio.
7"Walter Gets a Dodo"Zane BuzbyAdrienne ArmstrongFebruary 11, 198978411
Charles has to entertain his professor's sister, and he sets her up with Walter.
8"Ladies' Night Out"Zane BuzbyScott McGibbonFebruary 18, 198978412
Jamie and Sarah try to sneak out to go to a nightclub.
9"Chargin' Charles"Scott BaioJeff Strauss & Jeff GreensteinFebruary 25, 198978418
Charles can't use his credit card because of the Powell children.
10"A Fish Called Buddy"Zane BuzbySteven BaioMarch 4, 198978413
Buddy goes to the hospital right after an argument with Charles.
11"Second Banana"Bob ClaverBud WiserApril 22, 198978424
Jamie thinks she will be in a commercial, but it is really Sarah who gets the part.
12"Still at Large"Dwayne HickmanEfrem SeegerApril 29, 198978417
Charles and Buddy find out Jamie's teacher (Sally Struthers) is wanted by the FBI.
13"Poetic License"Scott BaioBruce Teicher & Janice PieroniMay 6, 198978415
Charles uses one of Sarah's poems to impress a woman, who publishes it in a magazine under Charles' name.
14"Charles Splits (Part 1)"Scott BaioJim Vallely & Ron ZimmermanMay 13, 198978427
When Charles bumps his head, he begins acting strangely and calls himself Chaz.
15"Charles Splits (Part 2)"Christine BallardJim Vallely & Ron ZimmermanMay 20, 198978428
Chaz gets married.
16"Curing the Common Cult"Scott BaioAl Burton & Mitchell BankMay 27, 198978423
Jamie joins a cult, and Charles must prove that the leader is a fake.
17"Room at the Bottom"Phil RamunoKathy Greer & Bill GreerJuly 1, 198978406
Walter remodels the basement; Jamie wants her own room.
18"A Sting of Pearls"Mary Lou BelliAdrienne ArmstrongJuly 8, 198978402
The Powells' old babysitter comes back tries to get Charles in trouble.
19"Walter's War"Bob ClaverScott McGibbonSeptember 9, 198978425
Walter tries to impress a woman with war souvenirs.
20"The Organization Man"Zane BuzbyBud WiserSeptember 16, 198978432
Charles uses a digital organizer to plan his schedule.
21"Big Bang"Scott BaioKen Peragine & Howard FriedlanderSeptember 23, 198978434
Charles writes an essay about childhood; Buddy does an experiment.
22"Triple Threat"Scott BaioAl Burton & Mitchell BankSeptember 30, 198978429
Charles and Buddy go out with identical twins, but they think they are dating the same girl.
23"Aunt Vanessa"Christine BallardKathy Greer & Bill GreerOctober 28, 198978426
Jamie wants to move to New York and live with Charles' aunt.
24"It's a Blunderfull Life"Scott BaioMichael Manos & Jim KellyNovember 4, 198978409
Charles has a dream about life without him. Note: Don Most makes an appearance as a lottery winner, and makes a reference to Happy Days as a joke.
25"Bad Boy"Brian LevantBud WiserNovember 11, 198978430
Charles tutors a 16-year-old ex-con, who has feelings for Jamie.
26"Buddy's Daddy"Scott BaioWillie AamesNovember 18, 198978431
Buddy's father visits and reveals he is getting a divorce.

Season 5 (1989-1990)

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1"Summer Together, Fall Apart"Zane BuzbyKathy Greer & Bill GreerDecember 30, 198978504
After complaints from the family, Charles tells the children there are no more rules in the house.
2"Get Thee to a Nuttery"Scott BaioDavid DiGregorio & Arnie WessJanuary 6, 199078505
Buddy decides to become a priest after a near-death experience.
3"Three Dates and a Walnut"Scott BaioAdrienne ArmstrongJanuary 13, 199078506
Walter makes plans with three women on the same night.
4"Out with the In Crowd"Christine BallardAdrienne ArmstrongJanuary 20, 199078509
Jamie tries to join an exclusive group of girls.
5"There's a Girl in My Ficus"Scott BaioDavid DiGregorio & Arnie WessJanuary 27, 199078508
Charles' girlfriend Jennifer (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen) tells a lie about Buddy in order to get rid of him.
6"Judge Not Lest Ye Beheaded"Scott BaioDavid DiGregorio & Arnie WessFebruary 3, 199078510
Charles is the judge of a beauty pageant where Jamie, Sarah, and both of Charles' girlfriends are contestants.
7"Baby Bummer"Scott BaioAdrienne ArmstrongFebruary 10, 199078503
Buddy offers to help out Adam with babysitting, but he ends up forgetting the little girl at the diner.
8"Paper Covers Rock"Scott BaioJim Pond & Bill FullerFebruary 17, 199078502
A tabloid shows pictures of Charles with a rock star (Samantha Fox), and everyone thinks they're in a relationship.
9"Child Hoods"Christine BallardDavid DiGregorio & Arnie WessFebruary 24, 199078507
Charles' old friends come to visit.
10"Advice and Contempt"Scott BaioDavid DiGregorio & Arnie WessMarch 3, 199078514
Jamie gets upset when she thinks Charles is trying to make her boyfriend stop seeing her.
11"Daffy Doc"Bob ClaverR.W. Self & Willie AamesApril 28, 199078513
Buddy enters a mental hospital to do research, but they make him a patient.
12"Buddy Flips a Disc"Scott BaioJ. David ShapiroMay 5, 199078501
Buddy wins a contest to be a disc jockey for a day at the diner.
13"Brain Man"Scott BaioAdrienne ArmstrongMay 12, 199078517
Buddy gets tested for ESP and starts to predict the future.
14"Don't Rock the Vote"Christine BallardDavid DiGregorio & Arnie WessMay 19, 199078516
Jamie and Sarah run for class president against each other. Buddy and Charles start fighting again which leads to a food fight erupting in the diner.
15"Let's Quake a Deal"Scott BaioH.B. Atwater, Jr.May 26, 199078518
Charles invents a device that will help people prepare for earthquakes.
16"Up Your I.Q."Christine BallardAdrienne ArmstrongJune 2, 199078519
When a boy thinks Jamie is shallow, she talks to Charles' intelligent girlfriend.
17"All That Chaz"Scott BaioKathy Greer & Bill GreerJune 9, 199078521
An accidental bump on the head turns Charles into Chaz again.
18"Frankie and Mommy"Scott BaioAdrienne ArmstrongAugust 25, 199078512
Lillian sees an old boyfriend.
19"Lost Resort"Scott BaioKathy Greer & Bill GreerSeptember 1, 199078522
Charles works at a hotel in Hawaii with Buddy's cousin. (A pilot to a possible spin-off which never materialized.)
20"Dead Puck Society"Zane BuzbyKit Wilkinson & Dennis CappsSeptember 8, 199078511
Charles is the substitute teacher in Sarah's class, and Sarah's partner (Paul Walker) lets her do all the work on an assignment.
21"La Cage Aux Fools"Scott BaioAdrienne ArmstrongSeptember 15, 199078515
Charles and Buddy protest animal testing at their college.
22"Teacher's Pest"Kit WilkinsonMartie CookSeptember 22, 199078525
Walter takes a history class that Charles teaches.
23"Almost Family"Scott BaioMario Baio & Scott BaioOctober 20, 199078526
Charles visits his aunt Sally at her car wash. (A pilot to a possible spin-off which never materialized.)
24"Seeing Is Believing"Christine BallardMitchell BankOctober 27, 199078524
Charles gets trapped in an elevator with a blind woman.
25"Fair Exchange"Scott BaioKathy Greer & Bill GreerNovember 3, 199078523
Sarah visits her relatives in Albuquerque and a foreign exchange student that is living with them. (A pilot to a possible spin-off which never materialized.)
26"Charles Be DeMille"Scott BaioJennifer Burton & David LangNovember 10, 199078520
Sarah puts on a show to raise money, and Charles directs while preparing for an interview to get into Princeton.

References

    External links