The BEST episodes of Charles in Charge season 3
Every episode of Charles in Charge season 3, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Charles in Charge season 3!
Charles, a college student, moves in with the Powell family as the housekeeper, baby-sitter, and friend to the children. Along with his best friend, Buddy, Charles attempts to manage his life, especially college and girls, as well as tend to the family.
#1 - Runaround Charles
Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/7/1988
Charles becomes frantic when he makes too many commitments for one evening. Having promised to speak to Sarah's class, chaperon Jamie's birthday party and go out with Julie Fletcher (Courteny Gebhart) , Charles seeks Buddy's help in order to successfully proceed with all three activities. Together, Buddy and Charles strategically schedule the events of the evening, arranging just enough time for everything. As the plan takes form, all seems under control, but shortly the chaos begins. Charles' speech is postponed; Jamie's party starts early, and Julie becomes impatient and curious about why she has to wait with Buddy. The hilarious antics that occur confuse everyone, but Charles finally solves the problems by sending Sarah's class, Jamie's party and Buddy to the pizza parlor, while he and Julie stay home.
#2 - Barbelles
Season 3 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/28/1988
After Charles is devastated at being dumped by his girlfriend, Buddy fixes him up with Beth (Brenda Swanson), a female bodybuilder at his health club. All is bliss until Beth's former boyfriend, Mike (Richard Brose), shows up and tells Charles he'd better leave Beth alone or else. When news of the threat gets around, Buddy and the Powells advise Mike not to hurt Charles. Not wanting to back down from a bully, and yet aware that he and Beth are attracted to each other only because they are both on the rebound, Charles confronts Beth and Mike, explaining his view of the situation and encourages them to get back together. All is resolved. Charles will now get a chance to date that cute girl he met in aerobics class .
#3 - Getting In
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/9/1988
Charles and Buddy decide to pledge a fraternity, and must put up with a series of humiliating tests and activities during "Hell Week." Just before the final initiation ceremony, one of the frat brothers informs Charles that they will be accepting him but rejecting Buddy, despite Buddy's status as a legacy. Charles must now decide if he wants to join the group or stay loyal to his best friend.
#4 - Where the Auction Is
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/14/1988
Charles is outraged when he learns his mother is hosting a sorority slave auction. Outraged, that is, until he finds out that attractive new transfer student Jeanie (Lorie Griffin) intends to bid for him. At the auction, however, Jeanie is outbid by a gorgeous coed secretly acting as a buying agent for none other than Sarah , Jamie , and Adam . The trio quickly takes advantage of Charles' slave status, claiming he hasn't been doing enough for them. When Lillian remarks that a child who's waited on hand and foot grows into an irresponsible adult, the kids realize they've been too hard on him. Buddy then excitedly announces he's persuaded his owner, Jeanie, to trade, so would Charles please plead with his gorgeous owner to let them trade places?
#5 - Dear Charles
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/27/1988
When Charles asks editor Gayle Landis (Susan Burell) for a job on her newspaper, acting as a fill—in for "‘Dear Amy" is not what he had in mind. But Gayle's persistence (and good -looks) wins him over and Charles agrees to give it a try. The hard part comes when Buddy reads a letter to Charles from a reader who sounds suspiciously like Sarah— and she's having man problems! Charles can't tell Sarah how he read her letter so he gives his advice in his column. Unfortunately, Gayle doesn't think his answer is spicy enough and she changes it considerably, making way for confusion and chaos as Charles and Buddy try desperately to keep the paper out of everyone's hands - when everyone wants to read it now! By the time Charles finds out that the letter-writer was the more mature Jamie, he's already decided journalism and Gayle Landis are not for him.
#6 - The Pickle Plot
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/5/1988
Unable to decide on a college major and faced with a tuition increase, is determined to convince his Uncle Joe (John Astin) that he should be made the heir to his business. The promise of a steady income and a beautiful secretary convince Charles to quit school and accept Uncle Joe's job offer, even though the results of his aptitude test reveal he'd excel at anything he'd try. When he breaks the news to Jamie, Sarah, and Adam , Charles realizes that his real love is teaching children and decides to major in education.
#7 - Bottle Baby
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/20/1988
When Buddy receives word that his shy sister Bunny (Mindy Cohn) is arriving for a visit, he pleads with Charles to help entertain her. On arrival, however, she confesses to Buddy that she's in trouble and then disappears for several hours, reappearing as an outgoing "˜party girl." Charles finds Bunny drinking, thus revealing his suspicions to a skeptical Buddy that his sister is an alcoholic. It's only when Bunny "totals" Buddy's car, and nearly seriously injures the children that she finally admits her illness and agrees to seek help.
#8 - Five Easy Pizzas
Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 4/2/1988
Charles calms Lillian's fears about an upcoming trip out of town, saying that he's more than able to manage the pizza parlor himself, even though she's just hired a new chef, Dine (Vito Scotti). What he doesn't mention is that an important food critic is to pay a visit. On the appointed night Charles rounds up the entire Powell family to fill the parlor and things go well until Buddy, intent on giving Dino "cooking tips", drives the temperamental chef to quit. The supply of pizzas runs low and as Charles tries to guess who is the mysterious "Roving Gourmet," he valiantly hops from table to table trying to save the last slice of good pizza for the critic. When the review comes out, Charles is relieved to learn the critic not only loved the pizza but also enjoyed the Marx Brothers style floor show. The good review even lures Dino back. . .with a raise, of course.
#9 - Dorm Warnings
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/9/1988
When Charles is named Student of the Year, local newspaper reporter Pat Walker (Barbara Rhoades) arrives at the house to interview him. When various family members overhear part of their conversation, they mistakenly conclude that Charles wants to leave the family and live in the college dorm where he would have more fun. Walter, in his typically tactless fashion, tells Charles if he wants to move out, he won't be missed. Charles takes the hint and moves in with Buddy. The fun of constant parties, however, soon wears of f and when Charles learns the kids really didn't want him to leave, he decides to move back with the Powells.
#10 - The Boy Who Loved Women
Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/21/1988
Confused by the pidgin instructions that came with a new stereo component rack, Charles is frustrated trying to assemble the unit. Meanwhile, a 14 year-old fast talker named Mark (Adam Carl), who's been dating Sarah can't resist asking Jamie out. The girls eventually find out, war is declared, and guess who gets the blame? Though he feels inadequate at fixing things because of his problems with the stereo rack, Charles sets out to repair the rift between the two sisters. His hilarious attempts at getting the two girls and Mark together in the same room at the same time never quite work, yet the girls manage to straighten things out on their own. If that doesn't shock Charles, the stereo rack is finally assembled by Adam and Buddy.
#11 - Poppa, the Sailor Man
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/13/1988
The death of a lifelong friend causes Walter to have visions of mortality so Charles summons Walter's father, Buzz (Dabbs Greer), for a visit in order to show him his son has many years left. Buzz's arrival, however, stirs up old antagonisms between the two. Charles learns some unhappy news about Buzz which he must keep from Walter while trying to reconcile father and son. Finally the two begin to swap stories of their exploits in the Navy and when Buzz heads back to Florida a few days later, Walter is left with pleasant memories of his father and a renewed sense of life. And Charles has kept his secret.
#12 - Trading Papers
Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/26/1988
Charles is ecstatic when he scores an A on his English assignment until he turns past the cover page and discovers Sarah's poem there by mistake. She, in turn, scored an A when she mistakenly turned in his essay. At first afraid a low grade will threaten his financial assistance, Charles decides to square things with Sarah's teacher but keep the mix up a secret from his own professor. Eventually, he cannot keep up the deception and confesses all to Professor Kleeman (JACK RILEY), a somewhat shady teacher who suggests he keep the grade, since it is already in the school's computer. Insisting that he be judged on his work, Charles receives a B from Kleeman on the condition he keep it to himself, as the professor is worried that if students confessed to all indiscretions, he'd be regrading papers forever.
#13 - Yule Laff
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/26/1987
Charles suggests the family spend the Christmas holidays in the mountains, but when a storm leaves everyone but Walter stranded in a cabin with no food, and a bear at the door, the adventure becomes more than they bargained for. Still, the family makes the best of things and manages to stir up some holiday spirit in spite of their predicament. In the middle of the night Adam wakes to see a figure who looks like Santa Claus. The next morning when Walter arrives with food and the children's presents, extra gifts left by a mysterious visitor in the night add a Christmas miracle to the very special holiday.
#14 - The Extremely Odd Couple
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/6/1988
Charles tries to end a feud between Walter and Lillian by giving them each a ticket to a swing music concert. His plan works so well that they start out together for a weekend in Atlantic City, until a minor car accident in the driveway rekindles the feud. Charles is the sole eyewitness to the collision and each wants him to testify on their behalf. It is only when Charles announces he will tell the whole truth that Walter and Lillian admit they share responsibility for the accident and patch up their differences . Meanwhile, when Jamie and Sarah have a fight over some clothes, they accidentally knock their grandfather's model shit off the table and break it. Adam sees this and blackmails them into servitude for himself. Charles tries to convince them to come clean and tell their grandfather the truth.
#15 - Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow
Season 3 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/16/1988
When Charles and Buddy foil an attempted holdup at the pizza parlor, their names appear in the local newspaper. They can't resist capitalizing on their new found popularity with the girls at the sorority house. The holdup man is released on bail, and the boys change their tune, remembering that he threatened to get even with them. A strange man then calls to say he'll be coming to the house. Everyone joins in barricading the doors and windows. When the caller, who turns out to be a reporter, arrives to interview Charles and Buddy, he is pounced on. Charles and Buddy decline the interview and send the reporter away. It is only when Jamie sees the same criminal on the 6 o'clock news arrested for another robbery, then everyone breathes easier. They realize the only thing they had to fear was, of course, fear itself.
#16 - Berkling Up Is Hard to Do
Season 3 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/30/1988
This is just not Charles' day. He's trying to prepare for the new school year, but Buddy needs his help in planning their end of summer party, Adam has the jitters about starting junior high, and, worst of all, both Jamie and her too-possessive boyfriend, Steven Berkle (Michael Rich) , ask his advice about romance. Charles tries to give good advice, but everyone misinterprets what he suggests. Soon he's taking the heat for all the misunderstandings, even breaking up a wrestling match between Steven and Brad (J.D. Roth), a football player Jamie begins to date. Finally, Charles has a heart-to heart with Jamie and enlists Sarah to help Adam, solving everything just as Buddy shows up with his party goers in tow.
#17 - May the Best Man Lose
Season 3 - Episode 26 - Aired 6/18/1988
The kids each must find a gladiator to represent their class in the school's stunt-filled quiz contest complete with pies in the face and a dunk tank; Sarah draws Charles , Jamie gets Buddy. Meanwhile, Adam recruits the dumb but musclebound Herman (Mark Venturini) , who threatens to beat everybody up if he doesn't win. Tired of always coming in last, Adam convinces Buddy to throw the match so Sarah can win, then talks Charles into letting Buddy win. The plan almost works, until the girls call them on their obvious attempts to lose. Ironically, the boys are stumped by the last question and Herman actually wins. When Charles and Buddy accidentally drop Herman into the dunk tank, they do some fast talking to escape the humorless hunk's clutches.
#18 - Speechless
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/16/1988
When Charles' and Buddy's history teacher changes their team assignment from a written to an oral report, Charles insists that Buddy deliver the speech. Buddy, who learns about Charles' fear of speaking in public from Lillian, decides to apply his study of psychology to the problem. He feigns laryngitis after leading the cheers at Adam's football game and Charles is forced to give the speech at school, thereby conquering his fear.
#19 - The Buddy System
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/12/1988
When Buddy's new girlfriend unceremoniously dumps him, he sinks into a bout of depression. Under the circumstances, Charles requests that everyone be especially nice to Buddy. Walter suggests they instead enroll their downhearted friend in the confidence-building class taught by ex-military officer Harry Hileman (Dick Gautier) . Unfortunately, the class works too well , and Buddy becomes pushy and obnoxious. Eager to get the "old" Buddy back, the family attends the class with him and profess their affection for him. When Buddy proclaims that he, too, loves the family, Hileman proudly congratulates him on graduating with honors. Relieved, everyone goes back to insulting Buddy. . .as usual.
#20 - Sarah Steps Out
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/19/1988
Charles convinces Ellen to allow Adam to stay up and watch television all night, let Jamie streak her hair and allow Sarah to go on her first unchaperoned date. After one scary movie Adam ends up hiding in the closet, Jamie's hair turns out orange, blue and wild, and Sarah chooses to go out with the same shady character who sold Charles and Buddy overpriced tickets to an important playoff game. Concerned that Sarah will fall prey to this fast-talking boy, Charles and Buddy disrupt the movie theater where Gary (Scott Grimes) and Sarah are on their date, with their hilariously clumsy spying attempts. When a peeved Sarah assures Charles that her date is a gentleman, Charles has a heart-to-heart with him about the value of friends and the importance of "being yourself." Much to Charles' relief, Gary becomes likable, Adam comes out of his hiding place and Jamie fixes her hair.
#21 - Role Model
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/30/1988
When Jamie enrolls in a modeling school, a suspicious Charles decides to investigate.He and Buddy enroll in order to expose the school as a fraud, though Jamie is infuriated with his interference. While sitting in on one of the classes, however, Charles sees Jamie transformed into a figure of poise and self confidence. He finally admits he is wrong and encourages Jamie to continue the training, as long as she doesn't fall for the owner's inflated claims of instant fame and success.
#22 - The Heart Burgler
Season 3 - Episode 25 - Aired 6/11/1988
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 than her. Buddy's girlfriend seems more attracted to Charles than him.
#23 - Infatuation
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/23/1988
Charles becomes infatuated with Trish (Susannah Woodside), a beautiful fashion model and the daughter of Walter's friend. When he realizes this infatuation jeopardizes his relationship with his girlfriend Linda (Kris Greenberg), Charles attempts to break it of f, but not before giving Walter the impression that he will marry Trish. When Buddy finally tells Trish that Charles intends to marry Linda, and Trish passes the information on to Charles' girlfriend, Charles is almost off the hook. Linda declines his offer for now and Charles celebrates his narrow escape by taking Buddy to the dinner he wins in a raffle.
#24 - Dutiful Dreamer
Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/23/1988
When the Powells learn their house is to be sold and Ellen loses her job, Charles takes to bed with a sneezing fit and falls asleep. In his dream the family members transform into different characters; Walter becomes Long John Silver; Lillian, Auntie Maine; Ellen, Mae West; Jamie, Cinderella; Sarah, Scarlett O'Hara; Adam, a punk rocker; and Buddy an effete 18th Century landowner. Charles appears in his own dream as the Godfather and stumbles onto an idea to help the family out of their dilemma. When Charles later awakes, a chance remark by Buddy makes him wonder if it really was dream after all.
#25 - The Blackboard Bungle
Season 3 - Episode 24 - Aired 6/4/1988
Charles seems to be the only one excited about his new post as teacher's aide. Jamie resents his sitting in on her class, and the teacher, Marvin Merken (Jerry Van Dyke) , a burnt out man living on the hope that retirement comes before insanity, can't understand why anyone would want to teach. When a nervous Charles must cover for Merken, Jamie can't resist heckling him and he assigns her detention. The next day he tries to repair the damage and encourages discussion among the students. Merken enters, during the debate, horrified to find Charles encouraging the students to talk. Jamie, having cooled off overnight, sticks up for Charles' methods and the rest of the class agrees, resulting in Charles getting a good recommendation and Merken softening his attitude.