Charles in Charge

Charles in Charge 80's TV Show

Charles in Charge, starring Scott Baio as Charles and Willie Aames as "Buddy," was a sitcom that ran from 1984 to 1985, and then again from 1987 to 1990.  Its first run in 1984 on CBS was cut short due to poor ratings, but was tried again in 1987 where it found a niche and was very successful.  The show ran for a total of 5 seasons.

In this show, Charles (Baio), a New Jersey college student, is given free rent in the Powell family house in exchange for his services as a nanny and a housekeeper.  Initially, Charles worked for the Pembroke family, but when the show was re-aired, the story was that the Pembroke’s sub-let their home to the Powell family, and Charles was kept on.  The Pembroke’s consisted of wife Jill, husband Stan, and their three children: Lila, Douglas, and Jason.  The Powell family consisted of Grandfather Walter, mother Ellen and her three children: Jamie, Sarah, and Adam.  Between issues related to the kids, his college career, his "buddy," and girls, Charles had plenty of fodder for a full-fledged TV show.