Series synopsis
Charles in Charge is an American comedy television series that premiered on CBS on October 3, 1984. It ended on November 10, 1990. It was created by Michael Jacobs. It stars Scott Baio, Willie Aames, Sandra Kerns and Julie Cobb.
Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Brunswick, New Jersey, works as a live-in babysitter in exchange for room and board.
Premise
Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Brunswick, New Jersey, works as a live-in babysitter in exchange for room and board.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Scott Baio as Charles
- Willie Aames as Buddy Lembeck
- Sandra Kerns as Ellen Powell
- Julie Cobb as Jill Pembroke
- Nicole Eggert as Jamie Powell
- James Widdoes as Stan Pembroke
- Josie Davis as Sarah Powell
- April Lerman as Lila Pembroke
Supporting cast
- Jonathan Ward as Douglas Pembroke
- Alexander Polinsky as Adam Powell
- Ellen Travolta as Lillian
- James T. Callahan as Walter Powell
- Michael Pearlman as Jason Pembroke
- Jennifer Runyon as Gwendolyn Pierce
- Meg Ryan as Meagan Parker
- Marcia Wallace as Dodo
- Peter Parros as Eddie Dootabuta
- Erika Eleniak as Stephanie Curtis
- Rue McClanahan as Irene Pembroke
- Jerry Levine as Elliot Pembroke
Guest cast
- Meg Ryan as Meagan Parker
- Marcia Wallace as Dodo
- Peter Parros as Eddie Dootabuta
- Erika Eleniak as Stephanie Curtis
- Rue McClanahan as Irene Pembroke
- Jerry Levine as Elliot Pembroke
- Mark Venturini as Herman Holloway
- Robert Costanzo as Hank Holloway
- Bryan Dattilo as Jeff
- Tony Dow as Preston
- Mindy Cohn as Bunny Lembeck
- Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Philip
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 126 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 22 | October 3, 1984 | April 3, 1985 |
| Season 2 | 26 | January 3, 1987 | June 27, 1987 |
| Season 3 | 26 | December 26, 1987 | June 18, 1988 |
| Season 4 | 26 | December 31, 1988 | November 18, 1989 |
| Season 5 | 26 | December 30, 1989 | November 10, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Jill and Stan Pembroke are a working couple whose uncertain schedules propel them into hiring a nineteen-year-old college student, Charles, to move in and help them with their three children: Lila 14; Douglas, 12; and Jason, 10. |
October 3, 1984 |
| 2 |
Extracurricular Activity Charles is put in the awkward position of helping and encouraging Lila, Jason and Douglas to seek out new and exciting extracurricular activities. |
October 10, 1984 |
| 3 |
Another Saturday Night Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke are spending the evening out, and Charles is baby-sitting. He is busy preparing for Gwendolyn's visit, with whom he plans to study. |
October 17, 1984 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Amityville Charles returns from a two-week camping trip with his friend, Buddy, to discover a whole new household waiting for him. |
January 3, 1987 |
| 2 |
The Naked Truth Charles meets a new girl, Rebecca Stansbury on campus, who happens to be an art student. |
January 10, 1987 |
| 3 |
Feud for Thought Charles is a fireman putting out fires all over the Powell household. |
January 17, 1987 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Yule Laff Charles suggests the family spend the Christmas holidays in the mountains, but a storm leaves everyone but Walter stranded in a cabin. |
December 26, 1987 |
| 2 |
Piece of Cake News of the sudden arrival of Commander Powell throws the household into chaos. |
January 2, 1988 |
| 3 |
Dorm Warnings When Charles is named Student of the Year, local newspaper reporter Pat Walker (Barbara Rhoades) arrives at the house to interview him. |
January 9, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
No Nukes, Is Good Nukes While Commander Powell is home, Sarah is arrested for protesting the nuclear weapons on her father's ship. |
December 31, 1988 |
| 2 |
Ninny and the Professor Charles' professor disagrees with the grade he gives a student. |
January 7, 1989 |
| 3 |
Duelling Presleys Lillian hires an Elvis impersonator for the diner. |
January 14, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Summer Together, Fall Apart After complaints from the family, Charles tells the children there are no more rules in the house. |
December 30, 1989 |
| 2 |
Get Thee to a Nuttery Buddy decides to become a priest after a near-death experience. |
January 6, 1990 |
| 3 |
Three Dates & a Walnut Walter makes plans with three women on the same night. |
January 13, 1990 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 3, 1984 |
| Last aired | November 10, 1990 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |