Charles in Charge

1. Pilot

Oct 3, 1984 · 30 min

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.

2. Extracurricular Activity

Oct 10, 1984 · 30 min

Charles is put in the awkward position of helping and encouraging Lila, Jason and Douglas to seek out new and exciting extracurricular activities.

3. Another Saturday Night

Oct 17, 1984 · 30 min

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.

4. War

Oct 24, 1984 · 30 min

The Wilson's would like to hire a young lady to take care of their children. Mrs. Pembroke suggests that she spend some time with Charles to see if she's up to it.

5. Cousin Elliott

Nov 7, 1984 · 30 min

Cousin Elliot shows up at the Pembroke house. His ideas on how to deal with children do not coincide with Charles' opinions.

6. Slumber Party

Nov 14, 1984 · 30 min

Charles and Gwendolyn had a fight over something rather trivial, and he feels he doesn't want to deal with the whole WOMEN issue.

7. Discipline

Nov 21, 1984 · 30 min

Stan comes home expecting Jill to be ready to go to the Vice President's reception, but home has turned into "Little Crisis Central".

8. Trick or Treat

Nov 28, 1984 · 30 min

Diana Marks is a classy lady, and she has agreed to go on a Halloween date with Buddy.

9. A Date with Enid

Dec 5, 1984 · 30 min

Charles has his hands full. It is pouring rain outside and everyone in the Pembroke household is confined to the house.

10. Friends And Lovers

Dec 12, 1984 · 30 min

Charles and Gwendolyn decide that college itself puts enough pressure on them, so they give themselves some space.

11. Home for the Holidays

Dec 19, 1984 · 30 min

It is Christmastime and Grandma Irene, Stan's mother, is expected for her yearly three-week-stay with her grandchildren.

12. Accidental Puppy

Dec 26, 1984 · 30 min

Jason and Douglas come in the back door carrying a dog, and they are blaming each other for 'killing' the animal.

13. The Commotion

Jan 2, 1985 · 30 min

Charles is pushed for time, and he has to meet a deadline for his school paper. His scholarship depends on it.

14. Mr. President

Jan 16, 1985 · 30 min

Charles can't find anything wrong with having a little fun in college, but Gwendolyn has a different opinion.

15. Jill's Decision

Jan 23, 1985 · 30 min

Charles has a million things to do before he meets Michelle Harris for coffee at the Lamplight.

16. Pressure from Grandma

Jan 30, 1985 · 30 min

Charles is in charge of the Pembroke children when their parents are off on a week's vacation in Jamaica.

17. Snowed In

Feb 6, 1985 · 30 min

Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke went to the movies, and an incredible blizzard hits the city, leaving them unable to return to their home.

18. Charles 'R' Us

Feb 13, 1985 · 30 min

No matter how hard Charles and Buddy try, between them, they do not have enough cash to even think about going out on dates.

19. Charles' Spring Break (A.K.A.: The Last Resort)

Feb 20, 1985 · 30 min

Charles, and his friends, save and scrape together as much money as they possibly can to spend a few days of rest in sunny Florida.

20. The Wrong Guy

Feb 27, 1985 · 30 min

Charles and Buddy are excited about their very first bachelor party.

21. Mr. Brilliant

Mar 13, 1985 · 30 min

Jill gives Charles two tickets for a Knicks' game. Charles is so excited, he thinks of a way to do something special in return.

22. Meet Grandpa

Apr 3, 1985 · 30 min

Charles and Buddy are trying very hard to find themselves summer jobs and are ecstatic when their applications are accepted.

1. Amityville

Jan 3, 1987 · 30 min

Charles returns from a two-week camping trip with his friend, Buddy, to discover a whole new household waiting for him.

2. The Naked Truth

Jan 10, 1987 · 30 min

Charles meets a new girl, Rebecca Stansbury on campus, who happens to be an art student.

3. Feud for Thought

Jan 17, 1987 · 30 min

Charles is a fireman putting out fires all over the Powell household.

4. The Egg and Us

Jan 24, 1987 · 30 min

Jamie and Sarah Powell have a school-project that involves raising eggs as children. Real eggs, not so real children.

5. The Loan Arranger

Jan 31, 1987 · 30 min

Boys who are studying important things for their future, often end up studying less important things for their future, namely girls!

6. American Teen

Feb 7, 1987 · 30 min

Charles is nervous about asking out a wonderful young lady named Louise.

7. Buddy Comes to Dinner

Feb 14, 1987 · 30 min

Buddy comes for dinner, wrenches his ankles, and has to stay in Charles' room for a few days.

8. A Fox in the Henhouse

Feb 21, 1987 · 30 min

Lieutenant Matty Whiteford comes to keep Ellen Powell and the kids company for a weekend.

9. Pizza Parlor Protest

Feb 28, 1987 · 30 min

Sid's Pizza Parlor, the place that provides Charles a home away from home, is under attack.

10. Trade Off

Mar 7, 1987 · 30 min

Everyone in the Powell family wants something they-don't have, but someone else does.

11. Dating

Mar 14, 1987 · 30 min

What do you do when you want to go out, but you can't, because someone else is going out on a date that you aren't supposed to talk about.

12. Music, Music, Mayhem

Mar 21, 1987 · 30 min

Charles is mad at Buddy because Buddy sold him a cassette player which doesn't work.

13. Buddy in Charge

Mar 28, 1987 · 30 min

Charles has to visit in town when his folks arrive for the weekend, so Buddy is placed in charge of the Powell kids.

14. Isn't That What's Her Face?

Apr 4, 1987 · 30 min

A famous young movie star, Darby Peterson, shows up on Charles' doorstep disguised as "Dorothy."

15. A Date From Heck

Apr 11, 1987 · 30 min

Charles dates a girl equipped with lovely eyes, a gorgeous body, and a set of huge parents, that accompany her on dates.

16. Mama Mia

Apr 18, 1987 · 30 min

Charles'mom, Lillian, comes to town for a brief - or maybe not so brief - visit.

17. Weekend Weary

Apr 25, 1987 · 30 min

Mrs. Powell decides Charles needs a weekend off, and she implements her decision with a firm edict.

18. U.F. Oh No

May 2, 1987 · 30 min

Adam thinks he's seen a UFO outside his window, and his sisters are convinced they've seen an alien in the kitchen.

19. The Case of the Mock-Turtle Mystery

May 9, 1987 · 30 min

Sarah is the proud parent of Ross, a pet turtle, who until recently, has lived in relative safety in the Powell backyard.

20. Twice Upon a Time (1)

May 16, 1987 · 30 min

Charles' first love returns

21. Twice Upon A Time (2)

May 23, 1987 · 30 min

In the second of a two part series, Gwendolyn Pierce tells Charles she will consider his proposal.

22. A Job From Heck

May 30, 1987 · 30 min

Ever have one of those days when you can't win for losing? Well, Charles is having one of those days, and it's turning into a week.

23. Baby Doll

Jun 6, 1987 · 30 min

Charles and Lillian are throwing a big opening night party to introduce the new chef of Sid's Pizza Parlor.

24. Lillian Putts a Round

Jun 13, 1987 · 30 min

Charles' widowed mother Lillian comes into town for a five-day visit, complete with motherly advice.

25. Her Brother's Keeper

Jun 20, 1987 · 30 min

There are two very lovely ladies Charles and Buddy would like to date if they can find the time.

26. The Undergraduate

Jun 27, 1987 · 30 min

Ellen's attractive, married cousin Joan Robinson comes to visit and puts the whammy on Charles.

1. Yule Laff

Dec 26, 1987 · 30 min

Charles suggests the family spend the Christmas holidays in the mountains, but a storm leaves everyone but Walter stranded in a cabin.

2. Piece of Cake

Jan 2, 1988 · 30 min

News of the sudden arrival of Commander Powell throws the household into chaos.

3. Dorm Warnings

Jan 9, 1988 · 30 min

When Charles is named Student of the Year, local newspaper reporter Pat Walker (Barbara Rhoades) arrives at the house to interview him.

4. Speechless

Jan 16, 1988 · 30 min

When Charles' and Buddy's history teacher changes their team assignment from a written to an oral report, Charles insists that Buddy deliver the speech.

5. Infatuation

Jan 23, 1988 · 30 min

Charles becomes infatuated with Trish (Susannah Woodside), a beautiful fashion model and the daughter of Walter's friend.

6. Role Model

Jan 30, 1988 · 30 min

When Jamie enrolls in a modeling school, a suspicious Charles decides to investigate. He and Buddy enroll in order to expose the school as a fraud.

7. The Extremely Odd Couple

Feb 6, 1988 · 30 min

Charles tries to end a feud between Walter and Lillian by giving them each a ticket to a swing music concert.

8. Poppa, the Sailor Man

Feb 13, 1988 · 30 min

The death of a lifelong friend causes Walter to have visions of mortality, so Charles summons Walter's father, Buzz (Dabbs Greer), for a visit in order to show him his son has many years left.

9. Bottle Baby

Feb 20, 1988 · 30 min

When Buddy receives word that his shy sister Bunny (Mindy Cohn) is arriving for a visit, he pleads with Charles to help entertain her.

10. Dear Charles

Feb 27, 1988 · 30 min

Charles asks editor Gayle Landis for a job on her newspaper, but acting as a fill—in for "‘Dear Amy" is not what he had in mind.

11. The Pickle Plot

Mar 5, 1988 · 30 min

Unable to decide on a college major and faced with a tuition increase, is determined to convince his Uncle Joe (John Astin) that he should be made the heir to his business.

12. The Buddy System

Mar 12, 1988 · 30 min

When Buddy's new girlfriend unceremoniously dumps him, he sinks into a bout of depression. Under the circumstances, Charles requests that everyone be especially nice to Buddy.

13. Sarah Steps Out

Mar 19, 1988 · 30 min

Charles convinces Ellen to allow Adam to stay up and watch television all night, let Jamie streak her hair, and allow Sarah to go on her first unchaperoned date.

14. Trading Papers

Mar 26, 1988 · 30 min

Charles is ecstatic when he scores an A on his English assignment, until he turns past the cover page and discovers Sarah's poem there by mistake.

15. Five Easy Pizzas

Apr 2, 1988 · 30 min

Charles calms Lillian's fears about an upcoming trip out of town, saying that he's more than able to manage the pizza parlor himself, even though she's just hired a new chef, Dine (Vito Scotti).

16. Getting In

Apr 9, 1988 · 30 min

Charles and Buddy decide to pledge a fraternity, and must put up with a series of humiliating tests and activities during "Hell Week."

17. Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow

Apr 16, 1988 · 30 min

When Charles and Buddy foil an attempted holdup at the pizza parlor, their names appear in the local newspaper. They can't resist capitalizing on their new-found popularity with the girls at the sorority house.

18. Dutiful Dreamer

Apr 23, 1988 · 30 min

When the Powells learn their house is to be sold and Ellen loses her job, Charles takes to bed with a sneezing fit and falls asleep.

19. Berkling Up Is Hard to Do

Apr 30, 1988 · 30 min

This is just not Charles' day. He's trying to prepare for the new school year, but Buddy needs his help in planning their end of summer party.

20. Runaround Charles

May 7, 1988 · 30 min

Charles becomes frantic when he makes too many commitments for one evening.

21. Where the Auction Is

May 14, 1988 · 30 min

Charles is outraged when he learns his mother is hosting a sorority slave auction. Outraged, that is, until he finds out that attractive new transfer student Jeanie intends to bid for him.

22. The Boy Who Loved Women

May 21, 1988 · 30 min

Confused by the instructions that came with a new stereo component rack, Charles is frustrated trying to assemble the unit.

23. Barbelles

May 28, 1988 · 30 min

After Charles is devastated at being dumped by his girlfriend, Buddy fixes him up with Beth (Brenda Swanson), a female bodybuilder at his health club.

24. The Blackboard Bungle

Jun 4, 1988 · 30 min

Charles seems to be the only one excited about his new post as teacher's aide. Jamie resents his sitting in on her class, and the teacher can't understand why anyone would want to teach.

25. The Heart Burgler

Jun 11, 1988 · 30 min

When Sarah tries to get closer to a boy that she likes by inviting him over to study, she is upset when he pays more attention to Charles than her.

26. May the Best Man Lose

Jun 18, 1988 · 30 min

The kids each must find a gladiator to represent their class in the school's stunt-filled quiz contest complete with pies in the face and a dunk tank.

1. No Nukes, Is Good Nukes

Dec 31, 1988 · 30 min

While Commander Powell is home, Sarah is arrested for protesting the nuclear weapons on her father's ship.

2. Ninny and the Professor

Jan 7, 1989 · 30 min

Charles' professor disagrees with the grade he gives a student.

3. Duelling Presleys

Jan 14, 1989 · 30 min

Lillian hires an Elvis impersonator for the diner.

4. Adam See, Adam Do

Jan 21, 1989 · 30 min

Adam studies Charles' dating techniques.

5. Yesterday Cafe

Jan 28, 1989 · 30 min

Lillian starts a 1950's-style restaurant called the "Yesterday Cafe".

6. Fatal Obsession

Feb 4, 1989 · 30 min

A woman at camp pursues Charles.

7. Walter Gets a Dodo

Feb 11, 1989 · 30 min

Charles has to entertain his professor's sister, and he sets her up with Walter.

8. Ladies' Night Out

Feb 18, 1989 · 30 min

Jamie and Sarah want to go to a nightclub

9. Chargin' Charles

Feb 25, 1989 · 30 min

Charles can't use his credit card because of the Powell children.

10. A Fish Called Buddy

Mar 4, 1989 · 30 min

Buddy goes to the hospital right after an argument with Charles.

11. Second Banana

Apr 22, 1989 · 30 min

Jamie thinks she will be in a commercial, but it is really Sarah who got the part.

12. Still at Large

Apr 29, 1989 · 30 min

Charles and Buddy find out Jamie's teacher is wanted by the FBI.

13. Poetic License

May 6, 1989 · 30 min

Charles uses one of Sarah's poems to impress a woman, who publishes it in a magazine under Charles' name.

14. Charles Splits (1)

May 13, 1989 · 30 min

When Charles bumps his head, he begins acting strangely and calls himself Chaz.

15. Charles Splits (2)

May 20, 1989 · 30 min

Chaz gets married.

16. Curing the Common Cult

May 27, 1989 · 30 min

Jamie joins a cult, and Charles must prove that the leader is a fake.

17. Room at the Bottom

Jul 1, 1989 · 30 min

Walter remodels the basement.

18. A Sting of Pearls

Jul 8, 1989 · 30 min

The Powell's old babysitter comes back tries to get Charles in trouble.

19. Walter's War

Sep 9, 1989 · 30 min

Walter tries to impress a woman with war souvenirs.

20. The Organization Man

Sep 16, 1989 · 30 min

Charles uses a digital organizer to plan his schedule.

21. Big Bang

Oct 14, 1989 · 30 min

Charles writes an essay about childhood.

22. Triple Threat

Oct 21, 1989 · 30 min

Charles and Buddy go out with identical twins, but they think they are dating the same girl.

23. Aunt Vanessa

Oct 28, 1989 · 30 min

Jamie wants to move to New York and live with Charles' aunt.

24. It's a Blunderfull Life

Nov 4, 1989 · 30 min

Charles has a dream about life without him.

25. Bad Boy

Nov 11, 1989 · 30 min

Charles tutors an ex-con.

26. Buddy's Daddy

Nov 18, 1989 · 30 min

Buddy's father visits and reveals he is getting a divorce.

26. Charles Be DeMille

Nov 10, 1990 · 30 min

Sarah puts on a show to raise money, and Charles directs while preparing for an interview to get into Princeton.