Who's the Boss?: The All-Nighter

Who's the Boss?: The All-Nighter
ABC
May 8, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Clay Graham wrote this story which is arguably the most controversial and/or pivotal one in the series.  Angela has new clients from the recording industry, Jon Petrie (John Sanderford, who played Eric on Bosom Buddies) and Peter Gerber (Stan Ivar, who'd be back in the role in the Season Seven opener).  Meanwhile, Tony and his study group are trying to cram for an upcoming test.  Angela suggests they rent a motel room in order to study in peace.  Three of the group bail but Tony stays behind with Kathleen Sawyer (Kate Vernon), an opinionated but attractive blonde.  Tony "gets lucky," as perceptive Mona guesses the next morning, but he feels like he "betrayed Angela."  The implication is that he hasn't had sex with anyone since the makeout and conversation in Jamaica.  But he doesn't know if this is a one-night stand or something more.  Angela, on the edge of tears, suggests that they see other people, as part of the "journey" of their relationship.  The episode and the season end with Tony wanting to say something to Angela as she goes out the door to have coffee with Peter.

Debbie (Tara Karsian) and Kyle (Dan Stockenberg) had appeared in the episode about Sam's married grad student crush, but they were nameless then.  The Motel Manager is played by Dick Miller, who of course has a ton of credits, especially film, but was last seen in my TV collection as a Guard on Soap.

Season Six has some great moments, particularly with T & A.  Even this episode is about their relationship.  However, this doesn't mean that all the episodes are great.  The range is C to B+ and the average is B-.  Season Seven would deal with the fall-out of this episode, with mixed results, but, yes, it would remain an interesting journey.

Who's the Boss?: Sit Down and Be Counted

Who's the Boss?: Sit Down and Be Counted
ABC
May 1, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
C+

While this isn't bad for a clip show, and I do like the concept for it-- Tony, Angela, and Mona try to explain their household to census-taker Hank Sloan (Ray Buktenica, who you may remember from Rhoda)-- I don't think the flashbacks support the main idea as well as those in "Life with Father."  Still, it's nice to revisit Season One especially, and there's a twist ending that doesn't particularly fit with the timeline of "three months later" but is a nice bit of self-parody, ABC announcer and all.  Note that Tony gives his birthdate as April 23, 1952, which matches canon for the most part, but Angela's October birthday, according to Mona, does not fit her being a Gemini.

Cinnamon, Fisch, Kallis, and Wengrod are all credited with the writing, but I don't know if that includes the archive material.

Who's the Boss?: Beautician Heal Thyself

Who's the Boss?: Beautician Heal Thyself
ABC
April 10, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In Mike Teverbaugh and Linda Va Salle's first of eleven WtB stories, 20-year-old Al just graduated from beauty college and has decided to open a salon in Brooklyn.  Tony has to help him with his people skills, but finds the time to flirt with Angela about wearing her hair up to reveal her "Grace Kelly" neck.  Naomi Serotoff returns as Mrs. Laudicina.

Who's the Boss?: Road Scholar

Who's the Boss?: Road Scholar
ABC
March 27, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In this Gene Braunstein story, Tony and Sam go on a road trip to visit potential colleges for her (hence the title), with a cute device of cars on a map.  She has her heart set on a college in California but, after a talk with Angela, realizes it'd be best if she went to Ridgemont with Tony but not live at home.  She's here interested in Communications as a major, which fits with her managing Al's band, but I don't remember much being done with this in the final two seasons.  Note that Jonathan is now taller than Sam and already has college plans.

Who's the Boss?: Operation Mona

Who's the Boss?: Operation Mona
ABC
March 13, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

David Lesser wrote the teleplay based on a story by Joe Fisch, and even though they'd both done a handful of other WtB episodes, this one feels off, with the exception of two great back-to-back scenes.  Shortly after Mona rudely dismisses Angela's offer to buy her a condo, Mona finds out she has to have a gall bladder operation, but even then she refuses to forgive Angela for calling her an ingrate.  We don't find out the reasons for her coldness until she has a dream about her late husband (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., who was 71 at the time, but maybe Robert is supposed to have aged in Mona's imagination).  Helmond's acting is at its Soap height here and in the following scene, where she and Light have a warm, touching conversation.

Doug Shanklin, who's Fireman #2, was Ron on Three's Company.

Who's the Boss?: Couple Trouble

McNally on Star Trek:
The Next Generation

Who's the Boss?: Couple Trouble
ABC
February 27, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Daniel Palladino wrote this story where Tony and Angela meet a couple while dancing.  They seem to have a lot in common with Brad (Terrence E. McNally, who was a Laxative Salesman on Mork & Mindy) and Jane, who also work together, but B & J are officially dating and in fact get engaged that evening.  T & A are happy for them, until Brad hits on Angela, and Jane hits on Tony.  The episode is one of the funnier ones of the season, especially some of Tony's reactions and line readings, but it also works on the level of T & A comparing and contrasting their relationship to B & J's, including B & J's fear of commitment.  One of the best tags of the series appears here, with Angela demonstrating to a surprisingly passive Tony how Brad grabbed her and kissed her, with Mona getting the last word.

Note that early in the episode, Angela claims that she and Tony don't have any friends in common, which is not the impression I get from other episodes.  Also note that Angela indirectly refers to the Berlin Wall coming down, when she says that "The chimes of freedom are ringing throughout Eastern Europe."

Who's the Boss?: I Dream of Genealogy

Who's the Boss?: I Dream of Genealogy
ABC
February 20, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Clay Graham should've done a couple more drafts on this script.  While the story of Sam finding Tony's still alive grandfather, Anthony Romano (George O. Petrie, who has TV credits going back to The Honeymooners, but who last showed up on this blog as Mr. Williams in a final-season Three's Company episode), is touching, for some reason Graham decided to cut right to the chase and have the opening scene at the airport.*  And then when it turns out that this is the wrong Anthony Romano (with a daughter named Gina rather than Lina), Angela convinces Tony not to tell him and spoil their bonding, or Mr. Romano's with his "great-granddaughter."  Why couldn't Tony just explain and say that while they're not connected by blood, he's very fond of the old man and thinks of him as family anyway?  Instead, we have to wait for the final scene for that.

Mary Betten, who was Woman in Church on Mork & Mindy, plays Tony's mother's friend Mrs. Anna Camisa, presumably not the Anna Camisa who was pregnant a few seasons ago.  His mother's other friend, Mrs. Rose Laudicina, is played by Naomi Serotoff, who would return in the role.


*And this is one of those episodes that remind us of what innocent pre-9/11 times we were still in, with virtually no airport security.  But then wait till we get to the Ellen coming-out episode.

Who's the Boss?: Take Me Back to the Ballgame

Who's the Boss?: Take Me Back to the Ballgame
ABC
February 13, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This is the only WtB episode co-written by Sheldon Krasner and David Saling, who'd co-write one for Roseanne.  That may be why it feels a little uncharacteristic, especially for Season Six.  Not that it's bad but it, for instance, has no Tony/Angela.  However, it does contrast their attitudes about money, with her admitting he's right in the end.  And it does offer an early example of the Jonathan Says a Line or Two and Then Leaves the Room Syndrome (hereafter referred to as JSLTTLRS).

Zachary Bostrom, who was then playing the recast Kevin Brady (son of Greg) on The Bradys, appears as a (presumably) different Kevin.  In the tag, Tommy Lasorda appears sort of as himself.

Who's the Boss?: Micelli's Marauders

The 1986 movie Stewardess School, with
Cadorette, Sperber, and of course Judy Landers

Who's the Boss?: Micelli's Marauders
ABC
January 30, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Two of the friends that Angela met at the gym earlier in the season, Carol (Soap's Randee Heller) and Deb (Three's a Crowd's Mary Cadorette), return and are joined by another ABC sitcom veteran, Wendie Jo Sperber as Lori.  The "girls" are all on a volleyball team which Angela encourages Tony to coach.  He does but she feels neglected.  Then towards the end we find out that he took her for granted because he sees her as strong.  There's some weird flirting here, like when she says she wanted him to "whip" her, too, that is, whip her into shape, and when he says she's a babe when her shorts ride up.  (Adam I. Lapidus's other WtB script, "Allergic to Love," is also odd.)  Note that her friends see them as a couple, despite her disclaimers months ago.

This is the 1300th sitcom episode I've reviewed.  We will definitely hit 1400.

Who's the Boss?: Mona and Walter and Sam and Eric

Who's the Boss?: Mona and Walter and Sam and Eric
ABC
January 23, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Braunstein & Perlow should've done another couple drafts on this story to, one, improve Jonathan's dialogue, two, explain why Mona is extra flirty with Tony, and three, either make Sam and her new boyfriend Eric not "in love" or set him up as a regular character.  Still, I like the basic premise of setting up Mona with Eric's grandfather, Walter Nordstrom, who turns out to have been left at the altar by Mona 40 years ago.

Who's the Boss?: Dear Landlord

Who's the Boss?: Dear Landlord
ABC
January 16, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
C

Daniel Palladino, who usually does a better job, contributed this story that starts out very well and then goes somewhat off the rails.  Ernie has gossip about the Harpers, gossip that contradicts both Season Five and Season Seven, but that's OK within the episode itself.  The Harpers have split up and their house is for sale.  Angela agrees to buy it and rent it out, with Tony managing it.  The two of them flirt so much about this that Ernie gets sweaty!

Various inappropriate people (of which we just see three) want to rent the house, but then an adorable little old man named Don Lester (played by David Sage, who would be a Priest on Roseanne) comes by and he's willing to pay six months in advance.  Unfortunately, after Angela leaves on a business trip, a flaky but pretty actress named Michelle comes by and Tony ends up renting to her.  She has Tony do lots of favors for her and her rent check (for $250 less than the original amount) bounces, yet we're supposed to think Angela's main objection is that she's jealous that Tony's charmed by a younger woman.  (Ironically or not, Michelle is played by an actress who's only a couple years younger than Judith Light.)  In the end, Angela gives Michelle money to stay in a hotel while looking for an apartment in New York, which isn't much of a "win" for Angela.  Still, I guess this is setting up the gut-puncher of a season-closer a few months away.

Who's the Boss?: Tony Kills

Mischievous priest

Who's the Boss?: Tony Kills
ABC
January 9, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Clay Graham wrote this story which is told partly with the framing device of Tony's first Confession in three years, to a priest in the old neighborhood, Father Marconi (Tom Troupe, who would return twice more in the role).  Tony was jealous of Fred Hartwell flirting with Angela and feels guilty that Fred dropped dead during a tennis match.  Fred's twin brother Ed shows up and guilts Tony into several favors, until Ed flirts with Angela.  Tony challenges Ed to a tennis match but worries that his anger at Ed will cause this twin to die, too.  Jeffrey Tambor plays both Hartwells and is as annoying as ever, which may be intentional but is nonetheless still annoying.  Watch this one for Tony's description to Father Marconi of his feelings for Angela and for T & A's flirtation in the tag.

Who's the Boss?: Sam Accelerates

Mike Tyson in the tag

Who's the Boss?: Sam Accelerates
ABC
January 2, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B

Albrecht & Keller wrote this story where Sam has a chance to accelerate and graduate a year early, i.e. the upcoming June.  However, we learn that she (and probably Jonathan) witnessed Tony and Angela "making out" in Jamaica.  After she sees Angela kissed by a Howdy-Doody-looking man named Dwayne (Jeffrey Alan Chandler, who'd be Cookie Man on Ellen), she wants Angela to clarify "your intentions towards my father."  Angela does her best to explain.  Sam decides that she doesn't want to go off to college early and leave her father alone.  They have a good talk about it.

And, yes, welcome to the '90s.  It's going to be another odd journey.

Who's the Boss?: Gambling Jag

Who's the Boss?: Gambling Jag
ABC
December 12, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
C+


While there's a lot to like about this episode, it is hard to get past Mona's irresponsible behavior in being sweet-talked into gambling away Angela's Jaguar (yes, the title is a pun) and diamond necklace.  She shows a little remorse but it's hard to believe she'd be this gullible to begin with.

On the plus side:

• Robert Culp as charming Jason gives a fine performance and he would've worked in a different role as a recurring boyfriend for Mona.
• Tony and Angela flirt significantly.
• They also work well together as a team of scammers.
• There's a reference to her playing poker with his friends on "When Worlds Collide."
• It's nice to see Sam and Jonathan get along as they pig out and listen to loud rock music in the adults' absence.
• The scene where Tony discusses philosophy with the casino staff is a neat touch.

Michael Forest, who was Ugundi on Gilligan's Island (along with a whole bunch of TV roles), is the Croupier here.

Who's the Boss?: The World Accordion to Jonathan

Who's the Boss?: The World Accordion to Jonathan
ABC
December 5, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Danza's real-life friend Bobby Governale, referenced in previous episodes, plays himself in this Perlow & Braunstein story.  He becomes Jonathan's accordion teacher and seems to be trying to steal Jonathan's friendship from Tony.  There's lots of weird subtext here, from Tony giving Jonathan wrestling lessons, to the accusations of "accordion bigotry," to Tony giving Jonathan joking permission to propose to Sam.  And Tony and Angela flirt a bit, but that's less surprising.  This is Asaad Kelada's 100th show of mine, a rarer achievement for a director than a performer.

Who's the Boss?: To Tony, with Love

Anne Haney on a
different series

Who's the Boss?: To Tony, with Love
ABC
November 28, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In the "Jamaica" episode, Angela was surprised that incoming sophomore Tony hadn't yet picked a major.  In this story by Clay Graham, he takes an aptitude test and decides to major in Business, but a student-teaching job gives him a new direction and purpose.  Angela is very proud of him.

Steven Gilborn, who plays Dr. Purcell, would be Ellen's father on Ellen.  Anne Haney, who plays Mrs. Bunch, was Mrs. Le Daux on Bosom Buddies.

Who's the Boss?: Sex, Lies and Exercise Tape

Randee Heller in exercise garb

Who's the Boss?: Sex, Lies and Exercise Tape
ABC
November 21, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B

Seth Weisbord wrote this story where Angela joins a health club and wants to befriend "the cool girls," two of whom are played by actresses I was pleased to see again at the time: Three's Company/a Crowd's Mary Cadorette as Deb and Soap's Randee Heller as Carol, both of whom would return later in the season.  Angela has bad memories of high school, as we know, so this influences her to first let the girls think that she's having an affair with Tony, and then to accept a date with Carol's brother.

Tony's reactions to the situation, including when Ernie, the short, gossipy water-man (Ralph P. Martin in the first of ten appearances), tells him rumors about Angela having an affair with an employee, are quite funny and revealing.  He does promise to cancel a date he made out of jealousy but then goes out with the woman anyway, yet I suppose I can cut him a little slack, since Angela did something similar when she went out with Mr. March.  On the other hand, that was much earlier in the series and in the relationship, so it does seem wrong of Tony to do this so soon after "Jamaica."  He redeems himself a little in the tag, where he appears as Angela's nerdy old crush.

Who's the Boss?: Supermom Burnout

Who's the Boss?: Supermom Burnout
ABC
November 14, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B

Eric Gilliland wrote this story where the "sibling rivalry" between Sam and Jonathan has gotten worse now that they're both in high school.  All five members of the household go for a "family therapy" session with Dr. Berl (played by Allan Miller, who not coincidentally was Jessica's boyfriend the psychologist, Dr. Alan Posner, on Soap).  Tony has the title syndrome so he attends group therapy for that, learning how to balance his load now that he's in college.  The family dynamic is interesting here, and there's definitely some insight into Tony & Angela's "irregular relationship," including a teasing tag that's almost as surreal as the "voodoo kissing" one for "Heather Can Wait."

Kit McDonough, who plays Rosey, had also been on Soap, as Alice's date Maxine, as well as Mork & Mindy as Marcia and M*A*S*H as Lt. Debbie Clark, but I'm guessing she's most recognizable as Patricia Crawford from the Three's Company pilot that sold.

Who's the Boss?: Sam Can Manage

David Coburn, later

Who's the Boss?: Sam Can Manage
ABC
November 7, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B-

While there are things I like about this Daniel Palladino story, from Jonathan's cliche-filled stand-up comedy routine to Angela and Mona telling Sam a story from Angela's adolescence, the episode feels a bit off to me.  Certainly Angela, whatever ignorance she might have of modern rock, should know who Colonel Parker was.  And I'd like more than just a few lines of Al and the Hot Rollers' "Reagan" song.  Still, it is satisfying to see Sam finding something she's good at besides sports and shopping, and it's a shame that when she goes off to college the writers won't have her follow a path that might have something to do with music management.  (Or really, any career choice.)

David Coburn, who plays Greer, had more to do when he was musician Boy Leslie on Out of This World a couple years earlier.

Who's the Boss?: Mother and Child Disunion

Who's the Boss?: Mother and Child Disunion
ABC
October 31, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
C

This Graham & Donley episode, where Angela and Mona fight as she considers a merger with another advertising agency, has little to recommend it, except for some mild T & A flirtation.  Mona continues to flanderize into more of a lazy bitch, and even the "business party" scenes are very weak compared to the first season's "Protecting the President" episode.

Michael Durrell, who's Richard Braden, had played Carol's lawyer F. Peter Haversham on a few episodes of Soap.