Who's the Boss?: Angela's New Best Friend

Who's the Boss?: Angela's New Best Friend
ABC
March 25, 1986
Sitcom
DVD
B

This teleplay is the first of four scripts by the team of Michele Buehler Glazer, Carrie Honigblum, and Renee Phillips, based on a story by Eichen & Steinkellner.  It's centered around neighbor Diane Wilmington, recast from Dixie Carter (who would move on to Designing Women that Fall) to Danza's former Taxi co-star, and former girlfriend, Marilu Henner.  This Diane is very different, although she still has a yen for Tony.  She ends up staying at Angela's when her husband runs off with Phoebe the maid.*  She imposes on everyone but she knows how to manipulate Angela.  The kids go stay at Mona's, which leads to some funny bits with Helmond "shopping" out of the refrigerator.  When Diane comes on to Tony in the rarely seen laundry room, Angela blames Tony.  Then she finds out that Diane was trying to seduce him but failed.  And Angela realizes some things about how "independent" she really is.  As in the previous episode, and indeed in the PTA episode, Tony and Angela's relationship is presented as enviable, although sexless.  Note that Sam quotes the "I want my MTV" slogan.  (Yes, back when they still played music videos.)

*Other than the casting, the continuity is OK but not perfect in this episode.  The references to Michael and his new young wife make it sound like he left Angela for Heather, which is clearly not the case.  Still, kudos to the writers for following up on the Phoebe & Mr. Wilmington affair.