The WORST episodes of Charles in Charge

Every episode of Charles in Charge ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Charles in Charge!

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.

Last Updated: 2/4/2024Network: CBSStatus: Ended
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Discipline
star
2.72
39 votes

#1 - Discipline

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/21/1984

Stan Pembroke comes home expecting Jill to be dressed and ready to go to the Vice Presidents reception but the Pembroke home has suddenly turned into "Little Crisis Central". Lila and Douglas brought home grades from school that they are not very happy about. Even Charles and Buddy are grumbling about too much homework and too much pressure. Jill feels that she cannot just walk out of the house and leave the children without at least talking about their individual problems, but Stan maintains that he has confidence in Charles --Charles has his trust and he will resolve the problems, whatever they are! That is why Charles and Douglas have to go to Doug's school and Charles has to face the boy's teacher. A stunned Charles meets an absolutely gorgeous and fashionably dressed young woman - Ms. Susan McCoy. It turns out that she is also very knowledgeable. And during their meeting the other Pembroke children drop in, they are able to benefit from the valuable lesson.

Directors: Alan Rafkin
Watch Now:Apple TV
Trick or Treat
star
2.93
41 votes

#2 - Trick or Treat

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/28/1984

In Charles estimation, Diana Marks is a classy lady, and she has agreed to go on a Halloween date with Buddy. They had only talked with each other for a few minutes and suddenly Buddy is worried that Diana won't like him when they have to spend the evening together at the annual Halloween party given by a classmate. Buddy doesn't want to disappoint her, and he is worried that she might consider his costume not original enough. Charles is trying to be a good friend and agrees to meet Diana at the student union before the date. Charles approaches Diana, drops a book in front of her, and she picks it up and hands it to Charles with a smile. Gwendolyn witnesses the exchange by chance and is shocked and concerned. At that moment Buddy comes by and tries to explain what is going on. From then on things get a little confusing. At the end though, the evening might still turn out alright for Charles and Buddy. After all, this is Halloween -- Douglas explains -- it is a special night.

Directors: Alan Rafkin
Watch Now:Apple TV
Cousin Elliott
star
2.98
43 votes

#3 - Cousin Elliott

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/7/1984

Charles comes home triumphant from a softball game. He is so happy with life, his job, school...Lila is getting ready for a survival trip to which Douglas was hoping to go also, all hidden in her duffel bag. Unexpectedly cousin Elliot shows up at the Pembroke house. His ideas of how to deal with children, what is permissible and what is not, does not necessarily coincide with Charles' opinions. The children drink coffee, overeat on ice cream to the point of stomach aches, Elliot even plans to take Lila - who is only fourteen years old - to a dark, smoky night club. Charles is undecided. Should he step in and stop all the "fun" or should he not get involved at all? His friend Buddy had told him that blood is thicker than water, and Elliot is family. In the end, Charles does put his foot down, and to his amazement finds out that Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke were just letting him go through this experience by himself, since they knew all along how things were going to end.

Directors: Alan Rafkin
Watch Now:Apple TV
Slumber Party
star
3.07
42 votes

#4 - Slumber Party

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/14/1984

Charles and Gwendolyn had a fight over something rather trivial, and suddenly he feels he doesn't want to deal with the whole WOMEN issue. He's had it with women! He looks around the Pembroke house and realizes that Lila is having all her girlfriends over for a slumber party. He is trapped in the house full of women, and although Buddy drops in and has agreed to stay with him, they are outnumbered. When he and Buddy finally escape to his room to be alone, they find that they are not alone there either.

Directors: Alan Rafkin
Watch Now:Apple TV
War
star
3.09
43 votes

#5 - War

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/24/1984

The Wilsons would like to hire a young lady to take care of their children. Mrs. Pembroke suggests that she spend some time with Charles to see if she's up to it. Much to Charles' embarrassment, Jane (Meg Ryan) turns out to be a very pretty girl who has heard many great things about him. The kids do not usually manage to get into big fights. But because Jane believes that they should settle their differences their own way, things get completely out of hand. This time their fight escalates into clothes swiping, chemical warfare and mental torture. All this action is being taped by Lila who has a very important school assignment. When Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke return from their trip, they find Jane in the kitchen, thinking. She realizes that children are capable of much more than she ever dreamed possible and that a "normal job" would probably be a better idea.

Directors: Lee Lochhead
Watch Now:Apple TV
Another Saturday Night
star
3.26
43 votes

#6 - Another Saturday Night

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/17/1984

Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke are spending the evening out and Charles is baby-sitting. He is busy preparing for Gwendolyn's visit, with whom he plans to study. Buddy shows up unexpectedly and wants to go to The Lamplight with him to look at girls. After all that is what guys should be doing on a Saturday night.. Gwendolyn is enraged when she finds out that Charles occasionally hangs out there with his friends. Buddy and she argue heatedly and it just makes matters worse. Meanwhile the children Lila, Jason, and Douglas are also home on a Saturday night. They are watching special election results, which unfortunately do not turn out as expected, and Michael Jackson's appearance at the victory party is canceled. When Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke come home, they help calm things down a bit. Charles realizes that Gwendolyn is very sensitive and not perfect after all, and Buddy is also a special friend who makes the college years fun!

Directors: Tony Singletary
Watch Now:Apple TV
Extracurricular Activity
star
3.77
52 votes

#7 - Extracurricular Activity

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/10/1984

Charles is put in the awkward position of helping and encouraging Lila, Jason and Douglas to seek out new and exciting extracurricular activities. The end result is that Jason dreams of soccer stardom; Lila sees herself as a cheerleader; and Douglas eyes the school band specifically the triangle instrument. Jason returns home battered and bruised and not on the team, Lila does have the cheerleader personality, while Douglas made the school band and gets to play the triangle. Stan and Jill are upset at the frustration and humiliation Lila and Jason have gone through -- and Charles is asked to straighten out the situation. Meanwhile, Gwendolyn Pierce is trying to get Charles to join the college school play, and Buddy wants him to join the swim team. Charles sets Gwendolyn and Buddy aside and coaches Lila the technique of being an exuberant cheerleader. When she succeeds, she decides to remain with the student council. He learns that a school bully would not allow Jason to try out for

Directors: Tony Singletary
Watch Now:Apple TV
Pilot
star
4.81
70 votes

#8 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/3/1984

Scott Baio stars as Charles, a nineteen-year-old college student and live-in family helper to three energetic children on the pilot episode of MCA TV International's "CHARLES IN CHARGE." The story was written by series producer Michael Jacobs and directed by Alan Rafkin. Jill and Stan Pembroke are a working couple whose uncertain schedules propel them into hiring a nineteen-year-old college student, Charles, to move in and help them with their three children: Lila 14; Douglas, 12; and Jason, 10. It appears Charles has the perfect arrangement while he attends school and does some growing of his own with the helpful advice of his best friend, Buddy Lembeck. Charles becomes ecstatic when his dream girl, Gwendolyn Pierce, a campus beauty, accepts a date with him. However, Jill and Stan have to go out for the night, leaving Charles in charge. Buddy comes up with the perfect solution -- invite Gwendolyn to spend the evening at home with him and the children. She accepts and sends Charles int

Directors: Alan Rafkin
Watch Now:Apple TV
Advice and Contempt
star
5.50
4 votes

#9 - Advice and Contempt

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/3/1990

Jamie gets upset when she thinks Charles is trying to make her boyfriend stop seeing her.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Daffy Doc
star
6.25
4 votes

#10 - Daffy Doc

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/28/1990

Buddy enters a mental hospital to do research, but they make him a patient.

Directors: Robert Claver
Watch Now:Apple TV
Judge Not Lest Ye Beheaded
star
6.33
6 votes

#11 - Judge Not Lest Ye Beheaded

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/3/1990

Charles is the judge of a beauty pageant where Jamie, Sarah, and both of Charles' girlfriends are contestants.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Big Bang
star
6.33
3 votes

#12 - Big Bang

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 10/14/1989

Charles writes an essay about childhood.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Get Thee to a Nuttery
star
6.38
8 votes

#13 - Get Thee to a Nuttery

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/6/1990

Buddy decides to become a priest after a near-death experience.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Ninny and the Professor
star
6.50
6 votes

#14 - Ninny and the Professor

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/7/1989

Charles' professor disagrees with the grade he gives a student.

Directors: Doug Rogers
Writer: Lee Aronsohn
Watch Now:Apple TV
Out with the In Crowd
star
6.57
7 votes

#15 - Out with the In Crowd

Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/20/1990

Jamie tries to join an exclusive group of girls.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Baby Doll
star
6.57
7 votes

#16 - Baby Doll

Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 6/6/1987

Charles and Lillian are throwing a big opening night party to introduce the new chef of Sid's Pizza Parlor. Entrusted with $900 for promotion, Charles and Buddy plan to hire a famous musical group and interior decorator for the night, until the money is lost. Jamie suggests to Charles that he hire three of her friends, Tammy Townsend, Jemma Bosch and Andrea Palmer, who have formed a band called Baby Doll, to perform as the opening night entertainment. Charles angers Jamie by offhandedly rejecting her idea. Concerned with fixing up the restaurant for the gala celebration, Charles also rejects Sarah and Adam's suggestion that they assist with decorating. In desperation at the last minute, Charles agrees to both offers, and Baby Doll and the decorations contribute to a successful opening.

Directors: Zane Buzby
Watch Now:Apple TV
Piece of Cake
star
6.67
6 votes

#17 - Piece of Cake

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/2/1988

News of the sudden arrival of Commander Powell throws the household into chaos. Walter and Ellen leave for the shipyard to meet him as Charles, nervous about the impression he will make on the Commander, desperately struggles to put the house in order. The day is a series of calamities, but Charles' unflagging efforts somehow pull everything and everyone together, just in time for the discovery that the Commander's ship has been rerouted to another city. On behalf of the Commander, Walter thanks Charles for his efforts, unaware of just how good a job he did.

Directors: Robert Claver
Watch Now:Apple TV
It's a Blunderfull Life
star
6.75
4 votes

#18 - It's a Blunderfull Life

Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired 11/4/1989

Charles has a dream about life without him.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Duelling Presleys
star
6.75
8 votes

#19 - Duelling Presleys

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/14/1989

Lillian hires an Elvis impersonator for the diner.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
The Blackboard Bungle
star
6.75
4 votes

#20 - 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.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Weekend Weary
star
6.75
4 votes

#21 - Weekend Weary

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/25/1987

When Mrs. Powell decides Charles needs a weekend off, she implements her decision with a firm edict that Charles will relax and not help with the family's huge yard sale. Charles protests, but she is adamant. But when it rains on Saturday, the sale is changed to Sunday, a day when Mr. Powell and his daughter-in-law have to attend another function. So Jamie, not used to being a leader, is given a chance to show some responsibility, and is left in charge. Buddy helps her, Sarah helps her, and Adam helps her, but the weather doesn't and rain forces the mini-merchandise mart into the living room. Charles is supposed to be resting, but who do you suppose comes to Jamie' s rescue when she inadvertently sells some priceless momentous of her grandfather's and has to get them back before he returns home? Naturally, it's Charles who takes charge!

Directors: Judi Elterman
Writer: Jim Parker
Watch Now:Apple TV
Frankie and Mommy
star
6.80
5 votes

#22 - Frankie and Mommy

Season 5 - Episode 18 - Aired 8/25/1990

Lillian sees an old boyfriend.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Brain Man
star
6.80
5 votes

#23 - Brain Man

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/12/1990

Buddy gets tested for ESP and starts to predict the future.

Directors: Scott Baio
Watch Now:Apple TV
Trade Off
star
6.86
7 votes

#24 - Trade Off

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/7/1987

What happens when everyone in the Powell family wants something they-don't have, but someone else does? Why it's simple, trade it! Charles has just done a term paper on bartering and applies the principals of the age old subject to a burgeoning family crisis. You see Jamie wants Sarah's video camera, and Adam wants his term paper typed, and Grandpa Powell wants his car washed, and Mrs. Powell needs Charles for an extra night of baby-sitting, and . . . you get the idea. Before they're through, the family's in an uproar trading services, but a funny one, as always, when it's Charles in Charge!

Directors: Phil Ramuno
Watch Now:Apple TV
Adam See, Adam Do
star
6.86
7 votes

#25 - Adam See, Adam Do

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/21/1989

Adam studies Charles' dating techniques.

Directors: Norman Abbott
Writer: Lee Aronsohn
Watch Now:Apple TV