Charles in Charge: The Complete First Season
by Alan Rafkin, Bonnie Franklin, Lee Lochhead, Tony Singletary
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Actor: April Lerman, James Widdoes, Julie Cobb, Scott Baio, Willie AamesDirector: Alan Rafkin, Bonnie Franklin, Lee Lochhead, Tony Singletary
Brand: NBC Universal
Writer: Al Jean
Writer: Craig Kellem
Writer: David Handler
Writer: David Simon
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 546 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-02-14
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of Charles in Charge: The Complete First Season
DVD Review: Charles takes charge in Season One
Summary: 4 Stars
Well before metrosexual became common term, networks had `macho' Italian American men taking up domestic work such as house cleaning---or child care. Resurrecting the careers of both Scott Baio (`Happy Days', `Joannie Loves Chachie') and Willie Aames (`Eight is Enough') this season is classic camp television with some genuinely good surprises tucked away
Nineteen-year old Charles is hired by Jill (Julie Cobb) and Stan Pembroke (James Widdoes) to watch over their very rambunctious kids: Lila, 14 (April Lerhman); Douglas, 12 (Jonathan Ward); and Jason, 10 (Michael Pearlman). We never learn Charles's last name, but I remain convinced that Charles's last name is `Arcola'-because `Charles' also was the birth name of Baio's character on both `Happy Days' and `Joannie Loves Chachi'!
In this 22-episode 1984-1985 first season (the only one on NBC), Charles is very clean-cut, and his best friend Buddy Lembeck (Aames) is quite the devious schemer. When the Pembrokes really leave Charles in charge for the night, he and Lila discover the dates they both subsequently invited over ultimately feel objectified. We see Charles's date Gwendolyn Pierce (Jennifer Runyon) throughout the rest of this season.
Coming to think of his extra curricular activity AS taking care of the Pembroke kids ("Extracurricular Activity") Charles clearly is very special. Very few college students want to spend time as a live-in-nanny, regardless of how obviously angelic the kids and/or parents are. The type of stuff Charles handles is really mild though; none of the kids EVER take drugs...etc.
I developed a new and totally unexpected appreciation for this series after going through both college and graduate school's many stresses. The writers more or less accurately captured college student's struggle trying to balance everything out in their own lives while having enough money to live that life. `Charles' subsequently was much more realistic in its depictions than the `college years' of many other TV shows (90210, Saved By The Bell...etc)..
Episodes like "Another Saturday Night" clearly set the series in the 1980's. All of the kids AND Charles are home watching election return results on a Saturday night because Michael Jackson is rumored to make a special appearance at a campaign headquarters. The kids sincerely feel down when Jackson's appearance ultimately gets cancelled due to unfavorable election returns. Contrasting with today, Jackson genuinely was a big entertainment draw in the 1980s.
Meg Ryan makes a special guest star as "Jane" a college student thinking of becoming a nanny for the neighboring Wilson's. However, after spending time with Charles, she realizes that working with kids and their problems are not HER strong point; she subsequently gets another job. Being a nanny is not for everybody.
The production team genuinely did a good job with the extras. Extras for this season include "The great 80's TV flashback"
Description of Charles in Charge: The Complete First Season
One of the most entertaining sitcoms of the '80s is back as all 22 Season One episodes, including the hilarious pilot, of Charles in Charge come to DVD for the first time ever. Tag along with teen idol Scott Baio (Happy Days) as he takes on the role of live-in helper at the Pembroke household and soon discovers he needs a little help of his own! Between his college friend Buddy (Willie Aames), his girlfriend Gwendolyn and the three mischievous Pembroke kids, Charles has a lot to learn about growing up when the household - and his love life - are spiraling out of control. Joining Scott Baio are huge rising stars including Meg Ryan, Christina Applegate and Matthew Perry. And now, fans can see even more of Charles with an exclusive preview episode from Season Two with Charles's new family, the Powells! Starring: Scott Baio, Willie Aames, Julie Cobb, James Widdoes, April Lerman, Jonathan Ward, Michael Pearlman, Jennifer RunyonBestsellers in DVD
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