Who's the Boss?: Savor the Veal, Part 2

Who's the Boss?: Savor the Veal, Part 2
ABC
April 25, 1992
Sitcom
DVD
B-

The second and third parts were originally a one-hour special, but I'm going with how they're packaged in syndication, and I think there is a different feel to the two halves.  Doran, Fink, Kallis, and Rosenfarb are again the writers.  Part 2 is about Tony moving to Iowa and trying to maintain a long-distance relationship with Angela, so there's a lot of coming and going, and not quite connecting, even when they're in the same state.

Nick Toth, who was Mr. Powell on A Very Brady Christmas and The Bradys, is a nameless Businessman here.  This is the last episode with Rhoda Gemignani; although Mrs. Rossini doesn't appear in every episode, she's referred to a lot in her absence, and she's definitely the most important second-tier character.  Charmaine Charles makes her second but not last appearance on WtB, as Flight Attendant #2, while Rosie Taravella is back as Flight Attendant #1.  Frances Bay makes her first of two appearances as Tony's elderly secretary Candy, while Pat Millicano makes his first of two as Ned the phone repairman.  And Jerry Hardin returns as Dr. Graham of course.

Who's the Boss?: Savor the Veal, Part 1

Who's the Boss?: Savor the Veal, Part 1
ABC
April 18, 1992
Sitcom
DVD
B

Mark Fink, who among other things wrote the "Austin from Texas" episode of Three's Company, joins WtB staff writers Doran, Kallis, and Rosenfarb for this first of three parts.  Tony and Hank have just graduated but, while Hank has a job lined up, Tony doesn't.  He tries being driving instructor but it doesn't go well.  Then he gets an offer in Iowa.  Angela encourages him to take the family and see the college, and then she encourages him to take the job.  He worries about having regrets but she thinks it's time for him to pursue his dreams and put himself first.

Tony's new boss Dr. Graham (possibly named after writer Clay Graham) is played by Jerry Hardin, who was Dr. Wilson, Kip's father, on Bosom Buddies.  Colette Duvall's fourth but not last role on the show is as the voice of the Airline Agent.  Rosie Taravella will be back as the Flight Attendant for the last two parts.  This is the last episode for Ernie and Al.

Who's the Boss?: Better Off Wed, Part 2

Who's the Boss?: Better Off Wed, Part 2
ABC
February 22, 1992
Sitcom
DVD
B

Doran, Graham, Kallis, and Rosenfarb wrote this second part, too, in which the potential in-laws, plus Mrs. Rossini, race to stop the wedding.  Sam overcomes all of her father's objections, but he's still sad to be losing his "little girl," and we get a montage of Sam from the early seasons.  There's a bittersweetness to Angela telling Sam, "I knew you'd get married first."  Note that Jonathan is the voice of reason when the two fathers argue.  And Tony makes a very timely reference to President Bush (Sr.) vomiting on the Japanese Prime Minister, which had happened that January.

Richard Paul, who was Capt. Bainbridge on M*A*S*H, more often got typecast as a Minister, like here, including as Jerry Falwell a couple times.

Who's the Boss?: Field of Screams

Meanwhile Sam wants a job at the campus
travel agency, which is why we flash back.

Who's the Boss?: Field of Screams
ABC
November 30, 1991
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Graham & Wolff wrote this story, mostly told in flashbacks, to "three months ago," when Tony used his influence with his old friend Jerry Kaminski (Sal Viscuso, who's sort of Tony's brother-in-law-to-be, in the sense that he played Helmond's son-in-law Father Tim on Soap) to get Jonathan a job as ballboy for the Mets.  I would've gone with a C+ but at least there's a bit of romance between Tony and Angela.

Who's the Boss?: Death and Love, Part 1

Who's the Boss?: Death and Love, Part 1
ABC
November 9, 1991
Sitcom
DVD
B+

This is another Doran, Kallis, & Rosenfarb story, as Part 2 would be.  Tony's childhood buddy who played the accordion (but not Bobby Governale) dies and launches Tony into a midlife crisis.  Angela tries to be supportive, although she suffers a series of mishaps and accidents, especially when he decides, with nudging from Mona, Sam, and Jonathan, to propose to her.  The studio audience is understandably very vocal this episode.  Angela accepts, until she finds out that it wasn't Tony's idea.  It's another funny, farcical episode, but with a bittersweet undercurrent because Angela has wanted Tony's proposal for so long, but not under these circumstances.

Tom Troupe makes his third and last appearance as Father Marconi.

Who's the Boss?: Seer of Love

Who's the Boss?: Seer of Love
ABC
September 28, 1991
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Michele J. Wolff wrote this season-opener and game-changer.  Angela decides to buy Tony a watch for their seventh anniversary.  The Jeweler (Wil Albert, who was Isabelle's agent on Bosom Buddies) is sarcastic with her but she finds herself deciding to get the inscription "It's time I told you I love you."  However, Tony has gotten Angela seat covers for her Jag.  With nudging from friends, family, and strangers, the two do end up confessing their love, after a long seven years, during which, as Mona notes, Communism has fallen and other things have changed.  The episode is well acted, well written, well acted, and well costumed (including Angela's floral dress), and certainly the sets of the carnival are impressive.  So why not an A- or higher, especially since this is the culmination of so much of the series?  It feels like something indefinable is missing, and not just because the Nick at Nite version leaves out such important moments as finding out Billy's fate.  (He's back with his grandmother.)  Don't get me wrong, this is one of the top episodes of the series, but I don't feel like it's as amazing as "Jonathan Plays Cupid."  On the other hand, it's a definite improvement over the entire previous season.

Ivy Bethune had played a Woman Customer on That Girl a quarter century before her role as Sister Mary Francis (another scene that's cut out in syndication).

Who's the Boss?: Choose Me

Who's the Boss?: Choose Me
ABC
March 12, 1991
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This story by Dawn Aldredge (her last for my shows) and Mona Marshall (who had played Shirley on WtB six years earlier) is better than the earlier "Tony the Matchmaker," although there's still the problem of Mona and another woman competing over a man that they're too good for.  The set-up is better here and it does show Tony and Angela competing indirectly, which is interesting.  Still, why would Tony want either Mona or the woman who's "been like a second mother to him" to be with a guy he disapproves of?  There are some funny moments though and it's pretty good for Season Seven.

Charles Frank, who was Capt. Hathaway and Lt. Martinson on M*A*S*H, plays Clifford, the man being fought over, and is only 43 at this point, while Helmond is 61 and Gemignani is 50 (but cast as older).

Who's the Boss?: The Kid

"Tony (series star Tony Danza)
is faced with a crucial decision
when asked by an elderly
woman, who was a neighbor of
his in his boyhood days, to take
over the raising of her five-year-
old grandson Billy (Jonathan
Halyalkar) on 'The Kid' episode
of  'WHO'S THE BOSS?'..."

Who's the Boss?: The Kid
ABC
October 23, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Bob Rosenfarb's first of eleven WtB stories is neatly summed up in the capsule to the right.  I'll add that although Angela is still dating Andy (Doug Ballard), she thinks about what it would be like to raise a child with Tony and is very open to the idea of taking in Billy.  Sam and Jonathan are fine with it, too, especially Sam.  To be honest, the conflict is almost nonexistent, and none of the negatives to the situation come up until later episodes.

Who's the Boss?: Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?

Who's the Boss?: Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?
ABC
October 9, 1990
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Clay Graham wrote this story that somewhat awkwardly introduces Angela's new boyfriend Andy (Doug Ballard in his first of four appearances) and Mrs. Rossini's little neighbor Billy (Jonathan Halyalkar).  Knowing how this would play out, the timing is deliberate, as it's also the episode that bids farewell to Kathleen, when her father decides that Tony should "father his grandchildren."  But within the episode itself, how Andy and Billy are used is a little random.  We don't know how Angela met Andy or how long they've been seeing each other, and Billy is supposed to just be babysat but already seems like he's moved in.  As for Kathleen, clearly neither Tony's nor the writers' focus has been on her and she's more of a device than a character.  Andy will turn out to be even more of a cypher though.  As for Billy, we'll be seeing plenty of him, trust me.

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?: 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?: In Your Dreams

Who's the Boss?: In Your Dreams
ABC
October 3, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B

Daniel Palladino wrote this episode where Tony apartment- and cat-sits for Mrs. Rossini in Brooklyn.  Angela pays a surprise visit but ends up staying behind while he goes bowling with his old friends.  She's supposed to be waiting for the cat to come back, but she falls asleep and dreams of married life with Tony in Brooklyn.  Much of her real life is inverted, like Mona hating sex, and Sam and Jonathan getting along.  More importantly, she's heavily pregnant with her fifth child (there are twins offstage) but wants a career in advertising.  Tony is a loving husband-- Light and Danza are physical together in a way never seen on other episodes-- but his role as provider is too important to him to give up.

When she wakes up, they talk and she's relieved that, although he misses Brooklyn, he's grown beyond its old-fashioned values.  Still, I think part of her envies that life, or at least being able to have marriage and family with Tony.  We couldn't have known it at the time, but four seasons would pass and she'd never get that, although she and Tony do have a family of a different kind, and a relationship that is stronger than many marriages.

Who's the Boss?: It's Somebody's Birthday

The van on the Pilot

Who's the Boss?: It's Somebody's Birthday
ABC
May 16, 1989
Sitcom
DVD
B

Alan Mandel wrote this season-closer where Tony's birthday, and even more so the idea of buying a new car and selling his van, makes Tony take stock of his life. Angela is very understanding and supportive here, but she also encourages him to grow, while still honoring the past.  Julie Payne, who's Skye here, was Dr. Sharon Rudell on The Bob Newhart Show.  Doug Shaffer, the car salesman, is played by the instantly recognizable Stuart Pankin, who was Frank on The Brady Girls Get Married, among many other roles.

Who's the Boss? in Season Five ranges from C to B+, averaging to a high B-.  Tony's entry into college has some impact on the show but is mostly relegated to the background.  Jonathan awkwardly enters his teens, but there's not yet the feeling that Pintauro is struggling to play straight.  (And to be fair, he wasn't out to himself till I think college.)  Sam's character continues to be a shallow '80s teen, no longer with Jesse to call her on it.  Mona continues to get meaner and sluttier.  Tony and Angela have some nice moments, but their chemistry is also pushed to the background much of the time.  The show is not in a rut and it hasn't jumped the shark, but this is arguably the least memorable season.  However, Season Six would shake things up in unexpected ways....

Who's the Boss?: Mrs. Rossini's Uncle

Who's the Boss?: Mrs. Rossini's Uncle
ABC
January 10, 1988
Sitcom
DVD
B-

William Gallo makes his first of nine appearances as the last-nameless Al, who's only about 19 but indeed Mrs. Rossini's uncle.  Tony tries to mentor him but disapproves of him going out with Sam.  This is very 5th-season Tony, having lost some of his Brooklynness but needing to look up "snob" in the dictionary.  Lee Aronsohn wrote this episode.

Who's the Boss?: A Fishy Tale

Who's the Boss?: A Fishy Tale
ABC
November 24, 1987
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Dawn Aldredge wrote this episode with a man who has no other IMDB credits.  It's the weakest episode of the season so far, although it has its moments.  Joe Rossini runs off with another woman.  His wife, Carmela, is very upset, not only at being abandoned but at having to run the fish-store alone.  Angela suggests that Tony help out, but things don't go well.  I would've gone with a C, but it perks up when Marty Di Nardo (Todd Susman, at this point 40 but playing 35) shows up.  Bunny Summers, who played a Wardrobe Lady on That Girl, is Mrs. Cassio here.

Who's the Boss?: Frankie and Tony Are Lovers

Who's the Boss?: Frankie and Tony Are Lovers
ABC
September 22, 1987
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Wengrod & Cinnamon's fourth-season-opener reunites Tony with the one girl who wouldn't go out with him in high school.  (Other than Anna Cammisa, who was already married by then.)  Francesca Candino is now a beautiful, successful, intelligent lawyer.  She also has more of a sense of humor and presumably is more into sports than Gina was a couple seasons ago.  Mrs. Rossini again plays matchmaker, but Frankie and Tony are attracted to each other anyway.  When Frankie wins his housekeeping services for the weekend, for $1000, they become lovers in some sense.  In fact, she proposes to him!

Angela, despite Mona's concern, pretends none of this bothers her, but she confesses otherwise to her therapist.  In fact, with direct questions and a promise of confidentiality, she realizes that she loves Tony.  She tries to get the courage to tell him but can't.  Still, she's relieved when Tony tells her that he doesn't love Frankie and can't marry her.  I doubt that the writers or producers knew at the time that this series hadn't even reached its midpoint, but we have a situation that for what will turn out to be years, the viewers know that Angela loves Tony (and not just as a friend), but Tony's feelings are less clear.  This fact will shape the rest of the series.

Gracia Lee, who was Jenny Thompson on The Brady Bunch, is a Bidder here.  Walter Olkewicz returns as Tiny, who has a teenage son named Elvis that Sam dates.

Who's the Boss?: Marie's Secret

Who's the Boss?: Marie's Secret
ABC
January 20, 1987
Sitcom
DVD
B+

This is the only WtB episode written by Lawrence H. Levy, who'd done one for Roseanne.  It's one of the more serious ones in the series, where Tony suspects his late wife of having had an affair but then finds out she took art lessons and couldn't tell him about them because he was dismissive of the idea.  He feels like he didn't know Marie and that he failed her as a husband.  Then the family throws him a surprise party and Angela gives him a portrait of Samantha where she strongly resembles her mother.  Angela and everyone, including still oblivious Geoffrey, is grateful to him for supporting and encouraging Angela's now successful ad agency.  There are some moving moments here, in particular between Tony and Marie and between Tony and Mrs. Rossini, although the latter also have humor in them.  Note that both Mona and Angela wear glamorous dresses from earlier in the season, ones we see in the opening credits.

Who's the Boss?: Thanksgiving at Mrs. Rossini's

Who's the Boss?: Thanksgiving at Mrs. Rossini's
ABC
November 26, 1985
Sitcom
DVD
B

Aldredge & Bustany wrote this story that is significant for Tony & Angela's relationship, because of rather than despite it being mostly about his romance with someone else.  As the title suggests, the Bowers and Micellis go to the Rossinis' for Turkey Day.  (Mona is in the Macy's Parade as an elf.)  Mrs. Rossini has invited Gina, whom Tony hasn't seen since she was a little girl.  (Either she's much younger than Tony or she's been away awhile.)  Gina waits on Tony, and it's suggested that this is typical behavior for the old neighborhood.  Angela is disgusted, and then shocked when she walks in on Tony and Gina kissing in the kitchen.  (They don't see her.)

Angela has trouble sorting out her feelings about the old-fashioned "Neanderthal" Brooklyn Italian culture, and how Tony reverts to it, and about what is clearly her jealousy over Gina.  Tony doesn't get why she didn't hit it off with Gina or why she's reluctant to give him time off to spend in Brooklyn.  It's Mona that Tony tells he thinks of Gina as "not the type the girl you fool around with but the type of girl you marry."

With the Rossinis conveniently in Atlantic City, Gina has Tony over for dinner the next night.  But he realizes that not only doesn't she think he belongs in "her" kitchen (hey, Lady, you're a visitor, too), but he can't joke around with her like he does with Angela in the opening scene.  He returns to Connecticut early and he and Angela talk about how even though Gina is sweet, beautiful, and a great cook, he wants someone he can talk with and whose life wouldn't center around him.  Danza, Light, and the writers walk a tightrope here, but Tony can't completely admit, perhaps not even to himself, that Angela is the type of woman he wants now, and the closest it gets when he says he wants somebody like, and then pauses, so she suggests Meryl Streep.  He says, "Yeah, like Meryl Streep."

This time Betty White provides the voice of the Macy's Parade Hostess.  Bill Erwin, who was Jason's father the previous season, has his middle WtB role as Santa Claus from the parade.

We meet Mrs. Rossini's nuclear family, I think for the only time, and her father-in-law is named Joseph, her husband Joe (played by Ric Mancini, who was Sergeant Hodkey on M*A*S*H, two different characters on The Bob Newhart Show, and Mr. Lawrence on What's Happening!!), and her son Joey (boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, I'm not sure what relation to Ric, but he'd be back once more in this role), while Joey's pregnant wife is Theresa (not the one who works at Marty's Melody Room, and in fact this actress, Donna Ponterotto, had played Danza's sister in the 1981 movie Going Ape!).

Who's the Boss?: First Kiss

Who's the Boss?: First Kiss
ABC
April 16, 1985
Sitcom
DVD
B

Sternin, Fraser, and Guylas wrote this teleplay based on a story by Wiser.  While it has some great moments, I do have issues with it. It's Angela's birthday.  (We won't get a clue to the date until later seasons, but if we assume that this episode is set last of the episodes of Season One, then it's after Sam's Easter weekend ski trip, so probably at least after April 7th, perhaps the date this aired or later.)  At first, she thinks she's going to get a surprise party and then she thinks that everyone has forgotten her birthday.  So she agrees to go to a Mexican restaurant with her best friends Dr. Isabel Schaeffer (Fern Fitzgerald, who would return once more) and Wendy Wittner/Wittener (Dori Brenner, the first of five appearances).  Meanwhile, Tony goes to play basketball with his friend Jeff (played by Danza's former Taxi co-star Jeff Conaway).

Surprisingly, both Tony and Angela get drunk.  It makes more sense in her case, since she's with her friends and feeling forgotten and wanting to celebrate.  Tony and Jeff are invited to drink for a safety demo, with promised rides home.  Tony gets less drunk than Jeff and the alcohol seems to affect him more than it does Angela, although he's much less inhibited than Angela normally, so it's harder to notice.  Angela's friends say they think Tony is cute and they fish to find out what Angela thinks of him.  Despite her inebriation, she answers cautiously.

Then Tony comes home shortly before Isabel's beeper goes off.  Her friends leave, Wendy wishing her a happy birthday.  Tony feels bad that he didn't remember, until he realizes he didn't know when her birthday was.  (Obviously, this episode wouldn't have worked in a later season, for other reasons as well.)  He offers to make Angela a birthday cake.

The two of them talk in the kitchen but are both hesitant to say how much they like each other.  Then she throws some flour at him and a playful fight breaks out, as they chase each other around the room, throwing flour.  He catches her, their eyes meet, and they move in for a kiss.  (Later in the episode, and later in the series, they'll argue over who initiated it, but it looks simultaneous.)

He apologizes after the kiss ends, but she's more worried about feeling dizzy.  She falls to the floor and he ends up carrying her up to her room.  She tries to pull him into bed, but he pulls away.  She immediately passes out.  And then, saying he'll regret this in the morning, he covers her up and leaves the room.

Mona comes in the next morning and finds the mess in the kitchen.  (The kids are staying with Mrs. Rossini in Brooklyn overnight.)  She sees Angela's shoes in the toaster.  She eagerly goes upstairs to talk to her daughter.  Angela wakes up with her nightgown over her clothes.  (Tony handed it to her but we never saw her put it on.)

At first, she can't remember the night before, but with Mona's prodding she recalls the kiss and then jumps to the conclusion that she slept with Tony.  (Does she think that he or she then put her clothes back on, with the nightie on top?)  Mona is delighted, although whether it's at Angela getting laid or about Tony specifically is unclear.  (In later seasons, it would be more the latter.)

There's a Three's-Company-like misunderstood conversation when Angela goes down to the kitchen to talk to Tony.  He's talking about their kiss, but she thinks he's dismissive of their having sex.  They clear the air but there's still much to discuss.  He says that he wouldn't take advantage of her when she was drunk.  And they have this exchange.

TONY: It's just that, uh, I mean, if anything ever did happen between us, I wouldn't wanna lose you, as a friend.
ANGELA: Oh, I wouldn't want to lose you either, as a friend.
TONY: And another thing.  If, uh, we ever did "lose each other as friends," I'd want you to remember it.  And you would!
ANGELA: So would you!

As played by Danza and Light, with all their chemistry, the scene sizzles.  It also will resonate through most of the rest of the series, with the possible loss of their friendship adding a dimension to the employer/employee taboo.

The kiss is also great, and the studio audience definitely appreciates it.  But I do feel uncomfortable with the idea of Angela possibly having sex when she's too drunk to remember it.  Yes, Tony doesn't try, but there is this exchange between Angela and Mona in the tag.

MONA: And how are the lovebirds this morning?
ANGELA: Mother, let me explain something to you.  It seems I had a slight memory lapse and I filled in the wrong blanks.  Now, Tony explained the whole thing, nothing happened.
MONA: And you believed him?

Then Tony comes in singing "To all the girls I loved before."  Angela looks very uncertain.  I get that it's a joke, but it's kind of a tasteless one.

Hugh Gillin, who plays the Police Officer, previously was Gen. Tomlin on M*A*S*H, Terri's father on Three's Company, Dave on Mork & Mindy, and Old Mr. Stepanowicz on Square Pegs.

Who's the Boss? in its first season ranges from C+ to A-, with half of the 22 episodes earning a B!  This averages out to a B, a very impressive beginning.  Why do I enjoy this season so much?  Well, the cast is solid, with great chemistry all around, although of course Danza & Light in particular.  The writing is good, often witty.  The situation has a lot of potential, as both Danza and Light recognized when they had to choose between this and other projects.

As for the next seven seasons, well, I watched various episodes on Youtube, until they were taken down.  I got a bootleg collection as an early Christmas present, so I'm eager to see if those discs work.  If they do, we'll continue this journey with the Micellis and Bowers, and Mona of course.  If not, well, it's been fun to revisit this season.  (Which is on the only DVD collection ever officially released.)

Who's the Boss?: Angela's First Fight

Marty's Melody Room, version #1

Who's the Boss?: Angela's First Fight
ABC
October 23, 1984
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This is the first of I think eleven WtB stories by Prudence Fraser and Robert Sternin, who co-wrote one episode of Three's Company.  While I do like the glimpses of Brooklyn, including more for Mrs. Rossini (Rhoda Gemignani) to do, I do have some issues with the basic premise here, including the handling of violence.  Sam gets in a fight, with Jonathan helping, and Angela strongly disapproves.  Tony, in his role as mediator, tries to see both her perspective and his daughter's.  Sam, who says, "She's not my mother.  You are," runs away, back to the old neighborhood.  Tony and Angela go to Brooklyn and he takes her to his old hang-out, Marty's Melody Room, where his old girlfriend, Teresa, baits them.  Angela loses her temper and a cat-fight soon breaks out.  Although Angela does have a tendency to really let go when she loses her inhibitions, it's a bit much here.  Furthermore, I'm bugged by the tag scene.  At first, it's another adults-bonding moment (like on the previous episode, where Mona implausibly says that the three of them are the only ones who know about Angela's mole), but then Tony says that Angela should use her black eye in her perfume campaign and claim she had to literally fight off a bunch of guys.  She thinks this is brilliant, rather than offensive.

Greg Lewis, who played a nameless Man on The Bob Newhart Show, is the Bartender here.  Tony calls out to his friend Philly Fingers, but we won't actually meet him just yet.  This is the first of five WtB episodes Jim Drake would direct.

Note that WtB had been taken off the schedule for almost a month and then when it came back it was on Tuesdays at 8:30, after Three's a Crowd.  I would've moved them to 9 and 9:30, away from the A-Team and into less of a "family hour."  (CBS's 8:00 block was The Jeffersons and Alice, both of which I had watched in past years but I was still mostly an ABC loyalist and I was curious about both Crowd and Boss.)