Charles in Charge

1. S01E01PilotOctober 3, 1984 8.0Charles has his hands full as he tries to entertain his dream girl Gwendolyn who has come over for a date while also maintaining order in th
2. S01E02Extracurricular ActivityOctober 10, 1984 7.0Charles encourages Lila to join the cheerleading squad and Douglas to join to soccer team and needs to boost their spirits when they do not
3. S01E03Another Saturday NightOctober 17, 1984—Charles feels like he has to choose between Buddy and Gwendoline when they get into an argument about how Charles should spend his Saturday
4. S01E04WarOctober 24, 1984—Mrs. Pembrooke sets Charles up to show a cute girl who is interested in child care a day in the life of taking care of the kids. The same da
5. S01E05Cousin ElliottNovember 7, 1984—When the kids' 'fun' cousin shows up, Charles feels threatened and has difficulty keeping control of the cousin's irresponsible ways.
6. S01E06Slumber PartyNovember 14, 1984—After a fight with Gwendolyn, Charles decides to take a night off from women because he can't understand them. Unfortunately for him, Lila i
7. S01E07DisciplineNovember 21, 1984—Douglas gets an "F" on his book report and Charles has to go to the school to talk to the teacher. He is in for a surprise when she turns ou
8. S01E08Trick or TreatNovember 28, 1984—It's Halloween and Charles helps the kids prepare for the night. He also helps out Buddy who is lacking confidence over a date and wants Cha
9. S01E09A Date with EnidDecember 5, 1984—Douglas discovers love when he meets a strange friend of Lila's named Enid. He likes her the way she is and gets upset when Lila tries to gi
10. S01E10Friends And LoversDecember 12, 1984—In an attempt to improve their relationship, Charles and Gwendolyn decide to see other people. This arrangement works well until Gwendolyn g
11. S01E11Home for the HolidaysDecember 19, 1984—Charles plans to go home for Christmas are canceled so he stays at the Pembroke house where he has to deal with a jealous grandmother. Meanw
12. S01E12Accidental PuppyDecember 26, 1984—Charles finds himself in a bind when he wins two tickets for a Bruce Springsteen concert and both Buddy and Gwendolyn want to go with him. H
13. S01E13The CommotionJanuary 2, 1985—Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke are fighting and Charles needs to get a term paper done by the next morning while avoiding the many distractions that
14. S01E14Mr. PresidentJanuary 16, 1985—The Pembrokes' irresponsible cousin Elliot has decided to run for student body president on campus. With Gwendolyn's urging, Charles runs ag
15. S01E15Jill's DecisionJanuary 23, 1985—Mrs. Pembroke gets a promotion at work leaving less time to spend time at home with the children and more responsibility for Charles who has
16. S01E16Pressure from GrandmaJanuary 30, 1985—Grandma Irene comes to the house while Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke go out of town and she tries to convince Charles to work for her in the lucrati
17. S01E17Snowed InFebruary 6, 1985—The Pembroke house is snowed in while Mr. & Mrs. Pembroke are at the movies. Things go from bad to worse for Charles when the furnace go
18. S01E18Charles 'R' UsFebruary 13, 1985—Charles and Buddy join forces to start a new business venture that will have them screen potential live-in house helpers to be trained by Ch
19. S01E19Charles' Spring Break (aka The Last Resort)February 20, 1985—Charles, Buddy, and Gwendolyn head to Florida with some friends for spring break but things get complicated when they are all stuck in one r
20. S01E20The Wrong GuyFebruary 27, 1985—Lila is asked out on a date by a guy that her parents do not approve of and she must decide whether to go on the date and betray the trust o
21. S01E21Mr. BrilliantMarch 13, 1985—Charles invites an old friend of Mrs. Pembroke's to the house for dinner but regrets what he has done when the guest turns out to be a conde
22. S01E22Meet GrandpaApril 3, 1985—Charles and Buddy prepare to leave town for summer jobs while Douglas tries to figure out which summer camp to attend. An appearance from th

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

1. S02E01AmityvilleJanuary 3, 1987—Charles comes back after his summer trip to find that the Pembrokes are gone and that a new family named the Powells is now occupying the ho
2. S02E02The Naked TruthJanuary 10, 1987—Charles is surprised when a friend poses nude for an art class.
3. S02E03Feud for ThoughtJanuary 17, 1987—When Adam gets bullied by a neighbor, Charles and Mr. Powell have different ideas on how he should retaliate.
4. S02E04The Egg and UsJanuary 24, 1987—Charles helps the Powell kids with a school project; Walter dates Buddy's grandmother.
5. S02E05The Loan ArrangerJanuary 31, 1987—Charles fears that his future is in doubt when he gets a letter in the mail saying that his student loans might be canceled.
6. S02E06American TeenFebruary 7, 1987—Sarah's writing is accepted by the judges in an American Teen contest.
7. S02E07Buddy Comes to DinnerFebruary 14, 1987—Buddy's visit to the Powell home turns into an extended stay when he twists his ankle.
8. S02E08A Fox in the HenhouseFebruary 21, 1987—Cmdr. Powell's old shipmate hopes to win Ellen's affection.
9. S02E09Pizza Parlor ProtestFebruary 28, 1987—Charles attempts to save his favorite pizza parlor from the wrecker's ball.
10. S02E10Trade OffMarch 7, 1987—Charles uses the principles of bartering to solve a growing family crisis.
11. S02E11DatingMarch 14, 1987—Ellen won't let Jamie attend a movie with a boy.
12. S02E12Music, Music, MayhemMarch 21, 1987—Mayhem erupts when Buddy sells Charles a broken cassette player.
13. S02E13Buddy in ChargeMarch 28, 1987—While Charles is away, Buddy takes over his duties at the Powell house. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
14. S02E14Isn't That What's Her Face?May 2, 1987—Charles helps out a famous movie star who wants privacy when she attends college.
15. S02E15A Date From HeckMay 9, 1987—Overprotective parents cast a cloud over Charles' date with an attractive girl.
16. S02E16Mama MiaMay 16, 1987—Charles' mother takes the Powell children to a violent movie that Walter had forbidden the kids to see.
17. S02E17Weekend WearyMay 23, 1987—Mrs. Powell orders Charles to have a relaxing weekend even though she's holding a yard sale.
18. S02E18The Case of the Mock-Turtle MysteryJuly 18, 1987—Sarah accuses Adam of killing her pet turtle.
19. S02E19U.F. Oh NoAugust 22, 1987—The Powell house is turned upside down when the kids and Charles believe that they've seen UFOs.
20. S02E20Twice Upon a Time (1)September 26, 1987—Charles proposes to his former girlfriend, who is about to marry another man. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
21. S02E21Twice Upon a Time (2)October 3, 1987—Charles' former girlfriend has second thoughts after she accepts his marriage proposal. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
22. S02E22A Job From HeckOctober 10, 1987—Charles, already tired of having no time away from the Powell kids, is upset when Jamie starts working as a waitress at Sid's Pizza, his off
23. S02E23Baby DollOctober 17, 1987—Charles plans a party to introduce the new chef at Sid's Pizza Parlor.
24. S02E24Lillian Putts a RoundOctober 24, 1987—Charles becomes ill when his mother dates a golf pro.
25. S02E25Her Brother's KeeperOctober 31, 1987—Buddy and Charles teach a shy boy the finer points of a social life.
26. S02E26The UndergraduateNovember 7, 1987—Ellen's married cousin (Kay Lenz) makes a pass at Charles.

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

1. S03E01Yule LaffJanuary 2, 1988—Charles and the Powells are stranded in a mountain cabin for the holidays after a storm hits.
2. S03E02Piece of CakeJanuary 9, 1988—With Commander Powell coming home, Charles must bake a cake, pick up the Commander's clothes at the cleaners, buy party supplies, attend Ada
3. S03E03Dorm WarningsJanuary 16, 1988—Charles moves in with Buddy, much to the Powells' disappointment. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
4. S03E04SpeechlessJanuary 23, 1988—Charles panics when he and Buddy are assigned an oral report in history class.
5. S03E05InfatuationJanuary 30, 1988—Charles' relationship with his girlfriend is in danger when he becomes infatuated with a fashion model.
6. S03E06Role ModelFebruary 6, 1988—When Jamie decides to enroll at a modeling school which appears to be a scam, it is up to Charles to find out the truth even if it means hur
7. S03E07The Extremely Odd CoupleFebruary 13, 1988—Charles serves as the mediator in a feud between Walter and Lillian.
8. S03E08Poppa, the Sailor ManFebruary 20, 1988—After one of his childhood friends dies, Mr. Powell gets worried about his own mortality. To cheer him up, Charles decides to invites Mr. Po
9. S03E09Bottle BabyFebruary 27, 1988—Buddy is nervous when his shy sister, with whom he is not very close to, comes to visit from California. When she all of a sudden becomes th
10. S03E10Dear CharlesMarch 5, 1988—Charles's girlfriend gets him a job at the local paper filling in for the vacationing advice columnist. One of the first letter writers he h
11. S03E11The Pickle PlotApril 30, 1988—When Charles is unsure about what to major in, he gets a visit from his uncle from Brooklyn who tries to get him to quit school, leave the P
12. S03E12The Buddy SystemMay 7, 1988—When Buddy is not himself after being dumped by his girlfriend, Charles and Mr. Powell decide to build his confidence back up by sending him
13. S03E13Sarah Steps OutMay 14, 1988—Charles and Buddy are surprised to find out that the boy who is going out on a date with Sarah is the same person who overcharged them on pl
14. S03E14Trading PapersMay 21, 1988—Charles gets an A on an English assignment, but later discovers he handed Sarah's paper in by mistake.
15. S03E15Five Easy PizzasMay 28, 1988—When his mom goes away for the weekend, she puts Charles in charge of the pizza parlor. When it is learned that the Roving Gourmet, a newspa
16. S03E16Getting InJune 4, 1988—Charles and Buddy hope to become members of a fraternity. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
17. S03E17Hero Today, Gone TomorrowJune 25, 1988—Buddy and Charles stop a would-be robber from holding up the pizza parlor.
18. S03E18Dutiful DreamerJuly 9, 1988—Charles dreams that all the Powell family members have turned into other characters. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
19. S03E19Berkling Up Is Hard to DoJuly 16, 1988—When Charles gives advice involving Jamie and her love life and it doesn't work out, she gets upsets and blames him.
20. S03E20Runaround CharlesJuly 23, 1988—Charles must find a way to speak to Sarah's class, chaperon Jamie's birthday party, and go out on a double date with Buddy, all in the same
21. S03E21Where the Auction IsJuly 30, 1988—When the Powell children feel that Charles does not have enough time to do things for them, they decide to own him, by buying him in a chari
22. S03E22The Boy Who Loved WomenSeptember 17, 1988—Sarah's boyfriend causes trouble when he asks Jamie for a date.
23. S03E23The Blackboard BungleOctober 1, 1988—When Charles is assigned to be a teacher's aide at Jamie's school, Jamie is apprehensive about him further intruding on her life and embarra
24. S03E24The Heart BurglarOctober 29, 1988—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 th
25. S03E25May the Best Man LoseNovember 12, 1988—Charles, Buddy and the gang take part in a quiz contest at school.
26. S03E26BarbellesNovember 26, 1988—Charles is threatened when he dates a woman who has a jealous ex-boyfriend. Directed by series star Scott Baio.

Season 3 ranked & reviewed

1. S04E01No Nukes, Is Good NukesDecember 31, 1988—Sarah joins an anti-nuclear protest outside her Navy father's ship. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
2. S04E02Ninny and the ProfessorJanuary 7, 1989—Charles and an unfair faculty supervisor clash over a literature student's grade.
3. S04E03Duelling PresleysJanuary 14, 1989—Lillian is in a jam when a celebrity impersonator cancels his appearance at the diner. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
4. S04E04Adam See, Adam DoJanuary 21, 1989—When Adam needs help on what to do on a date with a woman, he decides to hide downstairs and study Charles on his date with Stephanie. When
5. S04E05Yesterday CafeJanuary 28, 1989—Lillian opens a 1950s-style cafe; Charles tutors two football players.
6. S04E06Fatal ObsessionFebruary 4, 1989—An obsessed coed pursues Charles. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
7. S04E07Walter Gets a DodoFebruary 11, 1989—Charles matches Walter up with a younger woman (Marcia Wallace).
8. S04E08Ladies' Night OutFebruary 18, 1989—Buddy and Charles attempt to keep Sarah and Jamie from escaping to an after-hours dance club.
9. S04E09Chargin' CharlesFebruary 25, 1989—Unknown to Charles, the Powell children charge his new credit card to its limit. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
10. S04E10A Fish Called BuddyMarch 4, 1989—Charles realizes the true gift of friendship when Buddy lies near death in a hospital.
11. S04E11Second BananaApril 22, 1989—When a film crew decides to shoot a commercial at his mom's restaurant, Charles tells Jamie that she was chosen as a model. However, when it
12. S04E12Still at LargeApril 29, 1989—Charles and Buddy are shocked when they learn that one of Jamie's favorite teachers is wanted for torching a federal building when she was i
13. S04E13Poetic LicenseMay 6, 1989—Charles uses one of Sarah's poem to try and impress a girl. When the girl publishes the poem in a magazine under Charles' name, Sarah's teac
14. S04E14Charles Splits (1)May 13, 1989—When Charles gets hit on the head, he develops another personality, Chaz, a leather wearing biker. He picks a girl named Tiffany and goes of
15. S04E15Charles Splits (2)May 20, 1989—The Powells' are stunned when the amnesia-stricken Charles gets married.
16. S04E16Curing the Common CultMay 27, 1989—When Jamie joins a cult which tells it members to give all their money away and quit school, Charles must try to prove to her that the leade
17. S04E17Room at the BottomJuly 1, 1989—Everyone has their own plans on how to use the family's new recreation room.
18. S04E18A Sting of PearlsJuly 8, 1989—When the Powell's old babysitter comes to visit, Charles begins to feel unneeded when the children are more attentive toward her. His fears
19. S04E19Walter's WarSeptember 9, 1989—When Mr. Powell has a date with a woman who shares his love of World War II, Charles must deal with several crises at the last minute to mak
20. S04E20The Organization ManSeptember 16, 1989—Charles uses a digital electronic organizer to help plan out his schedule. However, he finds out that it cannot come close to solving all of
21. S04E21Buddy's DaddySeptember 23, 1989—When Buddy's dad comes to visit from California, Buddy is surprised to learn that his parents are near divorce.
22. S04E22Triple ThreatSeptember 30, 1989—Buddy and Charles are trapped in a case of mistaken identity when they date identical twins. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
23. S04E23Aunt VanessaOctober 28, 1989—Jamie considers transferring to a New York school for performers.
24. S04E24It's a Blunderfull LifeNovember 4, 1989—Charles dreams about what kind of life the Powell children would lead without him. With Don Most. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
25. S04E25Bad BoyNovember 11, 1989—Charles helps a bright student who has a police record.
26. S04E26Big BangNovember 18, 1989—Charles has a tough time writing an essay about growing up. Directed by series star Scott Baio.

Season 4 ranked & reviewed

1. S05E01Summer Together, Fall ApartDecember 30, 1989—Charles allows the children to make their own rules.
2. S05E02Get Thee to a NutteryJanuary 6, 1990—After a near-death experience, Buddy considers becoming a priest. Sarah tries to become a cheerleader so she can be popular like Jamie.
3. S05E03Three Dates and a WalnutJanuary 13, 1990—Walter winds up with three dates in one night. Ruta Lee, Marcia Wallace, and Marlyn Mason guest star.
4. S05E04Out with the In CrowdJanuary 20, 1990—Jamie befriends a conceited girl with hopes of getting into a popular group.
5. S05E05There's a Girl in My FicusJanuary 27, 1990—Charles' girlfriend (guest star Tiffani Amber Thiessen) tries to ruin his friendship with Buddy. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
6. S05E06Judge Not Lest Ye BeheadedFebruary 3, 1990—Charles judges a beauty pageant in which his two girlfriends are participating. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
7. S05E07Baby BummerFebruary 10, 1990—Buddy winds up baby-sitting a 3-year-old girl. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
8. S05E08Paper Covers RockFebruary 17, 1990—Charles falls in love with a rock star (gust star Samantha Fox). Directed by series star Scott Baio.
9. S05E09Child HoodsFebruary 24, 1990—When Charles' obnoxious childhood friends come to visit, Charles begins to neglect the kids and Buddy to hang out with them.
10. S05E10Advice and ContemptMarch 3, 1990—Jamie gets upset with Charles when she feels that he is trying to interfere too much with her life.
11. S05E11Daffy DocApril 28, 1990—When Charles drives Buddy to a psychiatric hospital to do research, they hold him for observation and Charles must find a way to get him out
12. S05E12Buddy Flips a DiscMay 5, 1990—Charles gets revenge when a city inspector blackmails Lillian.
13. S05E13Brain ManMay 12, 1990—When Charles and Buddy get tested for ESP, it is determined that Buddy may have it. Soon, he starts making predictions about what will happe
14. S05E14Don't Rock the VoteMay 19, 1990—Jamie (Nicole Eggert) and Sarah (Josie Davis) run for student body president.
15. S05E15Let's Quake a DealMay 26, 1990—Charles (Scott Baio) takes on the task of teaching the children about earthquake safety.
16. S05E16Up Your IQJune 2, 1990—Jamie gets upset when her boyfriend dumps her because she is shallow. So Charles does her a "favor" by allowing her to follow his sophistica
17. S05E17All That ChazJune 9, 1990—Charles (Scott Baio) takes on a whole new personality after he accidentally bumps his head.
18. S05E18Frankie and MommyAugust 25, 1990—Lillian (Ellen Travolta) considers marrying an old boyfriend.
19. S05E19Lost ResortSeptember 1, 1990—Buddy's identical cousin lands a job at a Hawaiian resort.
20. S05E20Dead Puck SocietySeptember 8, 1990—When Charles substitute teaches one of Sarah's classes, he gives them a project where he assigns her the cutest guy in class, who uses Sarah
21. S05E21La Cage Aux FoolsSeptember 15, 1990—Charles (Scott Baio) and Buddy (Willie Aames) wind up locked in a cage. Ben Stein guest stars. Directed by series star Scott Baio.
22. S05E22Teacher's PestSeptember 22, 1990—Walter (James Callahan) takes a history class that is taught by Charles (Scott Baio). With Pamela Anderson.
23. S05E23Almost FamilyOctober 20, 1990—Charles' aunt may lose her business when she cannot pay her lease.
24. S05E24Seeing Is BelievingOctober 27, 1990—While picking up a cake for Mrs. Powell's birthday, Charles gets stuck in an elevator with an attractive woman. He is initially excited abou
25. S05E25Fair ExchangeNovember 3, 1990—Sarah tries to help her relatives communicate with each other.
26. S05E26Charles Be DeMilleNovember 10, 1990—Charles faces a tough choice when he must decide whether to help the Powell children by directing their fund-raising play or to study for a

Season 5 ranked & reviewed