Charles in Charge Episode Guide:
This episode guide contains the title, brief summary, and guest
stars for all 126 episodes. 22 were made during the first season on CBS in 1984-1985.
Then it moved to first-run syndication from 1987-1990 where 104 more episodes
episodes were produced.
Season 1 (1984-1985)
1. Pilot (original airdate: 10/03/84)
Charles invites Gwendolyn to the Pembrokes'.
Guest Stars: Michael Sharrett as Alexander Morgan, James Saito as Chines Food Delivery Man
2. Extracurricular Activity (10/10/84)
Charles urges the children to try new hobbies.
Guest Star: Julianne McNamara as Paula Thackery
3. Another Saturday Night (10/17/84)
Buddy disrupts Charles date with Gwendolyn.
4. War (10/24/84)
Charles stays neutral as the children squabble.
Guest Star: Meg Ryan as Megan Harper
5. Cousin Elliot (11/07/84)
The children abandon Charles for a fun cousin.
Guest Stars: Jerry Levine as Cousin Elliot Pembroke, Mario Baio as Instructor
6. Slumber Party (11/14/84)
Charles must chaperone Lila's pajama party.
Guest Stars: Julianne McNamara as Paula Thackery, Christina Applegate as Stacy, Jade Chan as Linda,
Betsy Chasse as Valerie, Mandy Ingber as Enid, Samantha Smith as Kim, Allisun Sturges as Heather
7. Discipline (11/21/84)
Charles discusses Douglas' grade with a teacher.
Guest Star: Barbra Horan as Ms. McCoy
8. Trick or Treat (11/28/84)
Charles checks out a dream date for unsure Buddy.
Guest Stars: Kimberly Ross as Diana Marks, Nicole Rosselle as Princess
9. A Date With Enid (12/05/84)
Douglas' first love undergoes a make-over.
Guest Star: Mandy Ingber as Enid
10. Friends and Lovers (12/12/84)
Charles seethes when Gwendolyn dates another.
Guest Stars: Romy Windsor as Lisette, Parker Jacobs as Max Shrimer,
Diana Barton as Niki; Co-Star: Calon Blackledge as London Girl
11. Home for the Holidays (12/19/84)
Mr. Pembroke's mother visits for Christmas.
Guest Star: Rue McClanahan as Irene Pembroke
12. Accidental Puppy (12/26/84)
Charles lets the children keep an injured dog.
13. The Commotion (01/02/85)
Arguments disrupt Charles' important schoolwork.
14. Mr. President (01/16/85)
Charles vies with Elliot for class president.
Guest Stars: Jerry Levine as Elliot Pembroke, Brian Robbins as Todd Baldwin, Vincent Barbour as Tony Abruzzi,
Diana Barton as Jackueline Bloom, Stewart Wilson-Turner as Bradley Simpson, Warren Berlinger as Lamplight Manager
15. Jill's Decision (01/23/85)
Jill is offered a job with long hours.
Guest Stars: Michelle Nicastro as Michelle, Mary-Ellen Dunbar as Brittany, Michael Harrington as Waitor
16. Pressure From Grandma (01/30/85)
Grandma Irene makes Charles a business offer.
Guest Stars: Rue McClanahan as Grandma Irene, Raymond Singer as Lamplight Manager
17. Snowed In (02/06/85)
A snowstorm traps Charles with Lila's friends.
Guest Stars: Kit McDonough as Counter Woman, Kathy Ireland as Woman in Line,
Christina Applegate as Stacy, Betsy Chasse as Tracy, Fran Robinson as Maxine,
Allisun Sturges as Heather
18. Hurricane Meagan (aka Charles 'r' Us) (02/13/85)
Buddy and Charles begin a family-helper business.
Special Guest Star: Meg Ryan as Megan Harper (Listed as Meagan Parker in Credits)
Guest Stars: Peter Parros as Eddie Dootabuta, Nick Segal as George Franklin,
Loren Lester as Clarence Norman, Kenny Tessel as Man
19. Charles' Spring Break (02/20/85)
Florida spring break is a disaster.
Guest Stars: Kristi Somers as Linda, Rodney Kageyama as Mr. Asuka,
Hannah Cutrona as Patsy Lewis, Holly Gagnier as Susan
20. The Wrong Guy (02/27/85)
The Pembrokes disapprove of Lila's new love.
Guest Stars: Matthew L. Perry as Ed Stanley, Gary Riley as Van
21. Mr. Brilliant (03/13/85)
Charles invites an old chum of Jill's to dinner.
Guest Star: Renny Temple as Max Ziegler
22. Meet Grandpa (04/03/85 - postponed from 03/06/85)
Grandpa Harry arrives for a visit.
Special Guest Star: Dick O'Neill as Grandpa Harry
Seasons 2-5 (1987-1990)
23. Amityville
A new family awaits Charles upon his return.
Guest Stars: Michael Pearlman as Jason Pembroke, Lisa Donovan as Jill Pembroke;
Co-Stars: Jeff Robie as Sid, Karen Mistal as Heidi, Tammi Caudell as Patti
24. The Naked Truth
Charles' new girlfriend is a nude model for art class.
Guest Stars: Signy Coleman as Rebecca Stansbury, Jack Fletcher as Professor Wycliff
25. Feud for Thought
Family troubles test Charles' philosophy.
Guest Stars: Robert Costanzo as Hank Holloway, Lisa Aliff as Gina,
Mark Venturini as Herman Holloway
26. The Egg and Us
The girls care for eggs as a school project.
Guest Star: Betsy Palmer as Gloria
27. The Loan Arranger
Charles loses his loan when his grades drop.
Guest Star: Ben Stein as Stanley Willard
28. American Teen
Charles gives Sarah advice he should take.
Guest Stars: Jeff Robie as Sid, Julianne McNamara as Paula Thackery,
Nicolette Scorsese as Louise
29. Buddy Comes to Dinner
Injured guest Buddy upsets Charles' romance.
Guest Star: Maylo McCaslin as Lauren Andrews
30. A Fox in the Henhouse
Cmdr. Powell's amorous shipmate visits Ellen.
Guest Star: Stephen Parr as Matty Whitford
31. Pizza Parlor Protest
The local pizzeria may become a parking lot.
Guest Stars: Jeff Robie as Sid, James Harrison as Bartlet
32. Trade Off
Charles encourages the family to trade favors.
33. Dating
The Powells and Charles suffer dating woes.
34. Music, Music, Mayhem
A cassette player fosters several arguments.
Guest Star: Julianne McNamara as Paula Thackery
35. Buddy in Charge
Buddy takes over while Charles visits his kin.
Guest Star: Susan Ursitti as Debbie
36. Isn't That What's Her Face?
An actress asks Charles' help to stay incognito.
Guest Star: Dawn Merrick as Dorothy
37. A Date From Heck
Charles charges come along on his dream date.
Guest Stars: Kenneth Mars as Poppa Grudov,
Diane Franklin as Anna Grundov, Jacque Lynn Colton as Momma Grundov
38. Mama Mia
Charles' mother takes over during a visit.
Guest Star: Ellen Travolta as Lilian
39. Weekend Weary
Mrs. Powell insists Charles take a weekend off.
Guest Star: Rafael Mauro as Claude Craven
40. U.F. Oh No
Charles and Adam think they see a UFO.
Guest Star: Iona Morris as Nancy Mayo
41. The Case of the Mock Turtle Mystery
Accused turtle-killer Adam demands a trial.
42. A Job From Heck
Charles chaperones newly hired waitress Jamie.
Guest Stars: Ellen Travolta as Lilian, Dorothy Parke as Karen,
John Zarchen as Daryl
43. Twice Upon a Time
Charles' first love returns. (Part 1 of 2)
Special Guest Star: Jennifer Runyon as Gwendolyn Pierce
44. Twice Upon a Time
Gwen hesitates after saying "yes" to Charles. (Part 2 of 2)
Special Guest Star: Jennifer Runyon as Gwendolyn Pierce
45. Baby Doll
Promotion manager Charles rejects offers of help.
Guest Stars: Pam Potillo as Lisa Taylor "Baby Doll", Andrea Palmer as Andrea,
Jemmabel Bosch as Jemma, Tammy Townsend as Tammy
46. Lilian Puts a Round
Charles worries when Lilian begins to date.
Guest Star: Hank Brandt as Alan Barlow
47. Her Brother's Keeper
Charles agress to help a shy boy.
Guest Stars: David Knell as Duane, Michelle Johnson as Joyce,
Cheryl Arutt as Stephanie
48. The Undergraduate
Ellen's married cousin makes a play for Charles.
Guest Stars: Julianne McNamara as Paula Thackery, Kay Lenz as Joan Robinson
49. Yule Laff
The family is snowbound in a cabin on Christmas.
50. Piece of Cake
Charles prepares for Cmdr. Powell's visit.
Guest Stars: Doris Hess as Guard, Leslie Danon as Heidi,
Kate Poole as Jessica
51. Dorm Warnings
The family thinks Charles wants to live in the dorm.
Guest Star: Barbara Rhoades as Pat Walker; Co-Star: Marianne Corney as Professor Harris
52. Speechless
Buddy helps Charles fight a fear of public speaking.
53. Infatuation
Charles' crush on a model could alienate Linda.
Guest Stars: Kris Greenberg as Linda, Susannah Woodside as Trish
54. Role Model
Charles is suspicious of Jamie's modeling school.
Guest Stars: Nita Talbot as Allsion Lane, Suzi Dean as Julie
55. The Extremely Odd Couple
Charles gets between feuding Lilian and Walter.
56. Poppa, the Sailor Man
Charles arranges a visit by Walter's father.
Guest Stars: Dabbs Greer as "Buzz" Powell
57. Bottle Baby
Charles sees the other side of Buddy's sister.
Special Guest Star: Mindy Cohn as Bunny Lembeck
58. Dear Charles
Charles takes a job as an advice columnist.
Guest Star: Susan Burrell as Gayle Landis
59. The Pickle Plot
Uncle Joe makes Charles a business offer.
Special Guest Star: John Astin as Uncle Joe; Guest Star: Ben Stein as Stanley Willard
60. The Buddy System
A confidence class turns Buddy into a boor.
Guest Star: Dick Gautier as Harry Hileman; Co-Star: Robin Bach as Turkeyman
61. Sarah Steps Out
Sarah dates a smooth-talking ticket scalper.
Guest Stars: Scott Grimes as Gary Marlin, Pam Potillo as Lisa Taylor,
Co-Stars: Al Pugliese as Man, Pat Benson as Woman
62. Trading Papers
Charles gets an A for Sarah's work.
Guest Stars: Jack Riley as Professor Kleeman, Christopher Templeton as Mrs. Williams,
Pam Potillo as Lisa Taylor
63. Five Easy Pizzas
A restaurant critic visits the pizza parlor.
Guest Star: Vito Scotti as Dino Forenzi; Co-Star: Sandra J. Marshall as Woman Customer
64. Getting In
Charles and Buddy try to join a fraternity.
65. Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow
Charles and Buddy foil a pizza-parlor holdup.
Special Guest Star: Mark Blankfield as Eddie Drummond/Louis Brenner;
Co-Star: Gary McGurk as George
66. Dutiful Dreamer
The family's bad luck causes Charles to dream.
67. Berkling Up Is Hard To Do
Charles' advice causes misunderstandings.
Guest Stars: Michael Rich as Steven Berkle, J.D. Roth as Brad
68. Runaround Charles'
Charles makes three appointments for one evening.
Guest Stars: Courtney Gebhart as Julie, Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Phillip
69. Where the Auction Is
Sarah, Jamie and Adam purchase Charles' services.
Guest Stars: Lorie Griffin as Jeanie, Lisa Fuller as Buyer of Charles;
Co-Stars: Diana Barrows as Pushy Co-ed, Laura Lee Patterson as Auction Bidder
70. The Boy Who Loved Women
A boy dates both Sarah and Jamie.
Guest Star: Adam Carl as Mark Emerson
71. Barbelles
A girl's ex-beau, a bodybuilder, threatens Charles.
Guest Stars: Nancy Valen as Tammy, Brenda Swanson as Beth,
Richard Brose as Mike Novac; Co-Stars: Shaun Weiss as Max,
Janice Falconer as Janice
72. The Blackboard Bungle
Charles accepts a job as a teacher's aide.
Guest Stars: Jerry Van Dyke as Mr. Merken, Bobby Jacoby as Peter Curtis,
Kelly Meadows as Tina
73. The Heart Burglar
The family learns to be honest about their feelings.
Guest Stars: Leslie Ryan as Carol Fuller, Jason Zahler as Sean Detwiler
74. May the Best Man Lose
Adam schemes to win a school quiz contest.
Guest Stars: Mark Venturini as Herman Holloway, Richard Marion as Mr. Nichols
75. No Nukes Is Good Nukes
Sarah is arrested for protesting at her father's ship.
Guest Star: James O'Sullivan as Commander Powell
76. Ninny and the Professor
Charles stands by a grade he gave a student.
Guest Stars: Raf Mauro as Professor Flack, Susan Jennifer Sullivan as Muffy
77. Duelling Presleys
Lilian hires an odd Elvis impersonator.
Guest Stars: Peter Wilcox as Elvis, Erika Eleniak as Stephanie Curtis
78. Adam See, Adam Do
Adam observes Charles' way with women.
Guest Stars: Greg Mullavey as Mr. Curtis, Erika Eleniak as Stephanie Curtis,
Kellie Martin as Heather Curtis
79. Yesterday Cafe
Charles tutors history in Lilian's '50's cafe.
Guest Stars: Mark L. Taylor as Professor Krick, Peter Parros as Eugene,
Ed Beechner as Victor
80. Fatal Obsession
A persistent coed sets her sights on Charles.
Guest Stars: Erika Eleniak as Stephanie Curtis, Suzanne O'Donnell as Alex
81. Walter Gets a Dodo
Walter dates Professor Bunt's visiting sister .
Guest Stars: Marcia Wallace as Dodo, David Agress as Professor Bunt
82. Ladies' Night Out
Jamie and Sarah try to sneak out to a nightclub.
Guest Stars: Stuart Mabray as Policeman # 1, Mark Marrone as Policeman # 2
83. Chargin' Charles
The children run Charles' credit card to the limit just before a date.
Guest Stars: Charlie Brill as Jamal, Eva Larue as Daphne Prentiss
84. A Fish Called Buddy
Charles stands vigil over unconscious Buddy in the hospital.
Guest Star: Kelly Ann Conn as The Nurse
85. Second Banana
Jamie loses out to Sarah for a part in a TV ad.
Guest Stars: Paul Provenza as Todd Sterling, Barbara Bush as Veronica Radford
86. Still at Large
Buddy and Charles think Jamie's teacher is a fugitive.
Special Appearance: Sally Struthers; Guest Stars: Patch Mackenzie as Ruth Lemay,
Tina Andrews as Linda Murphy
87. Poetic License
Charles borrows Sarah's poem to impress a girl.
Guest Stars: Graham Jarvis as Lester Worley,
Judie Aronson as Luanne
88. Charles Splits
Charles calls himself "Chaz" and acts strangely. (Part 1 of 2)
Guest Stars: Denise Miller as Tiffany Kovac, Hope Marie Carlton as Jocelyn Brooks,
Daniel Baldwin as Daryl Furman, Nick Toth as Reverend Bob
89. Charles Splits
The family is stunned when Charles brings home a bride. (Part 2 of 2)
Guest Stars: Kelly Ann Conn as Nurse Bennet, Denise Miller as Tiffany Kovac
90. Curing the Common Cult
Jamie falls under a shady guru's spell.
Guest Stars: Charles Nelson Reilly as Abba-Kahn, Bobby Jacoby as Peter,
Shannon Beaty as Kim
91. Room at the Bottom
Jamie wants the remodeled basement to be her room.
Guest Stars: Bryan Datillo as Jeff
92. A String of Pearls
The Powell's former sitter plots against Charles.
Guest Star: Liz Keifer as Julie Mercer
93. Walter's War
Walter borrows World War II souvenirs to impress a woman.
Guest Stars: Marlyn Mason as Julia Meyers, Clive Rosengren as Delivery Man
94. The Organization Man
Charles plots his schedule with a computer.
Guest Stars: Jerry O'Connell as David Landon, Marcy Kaplan as Mike Lewis
95. The Big Bang
Charles writes an essay about growing up.
Guest Star: Blake Boyd as Richard Travis
96. Triple Threat
Charles and Buddy's involvement with triplets causes confusion.
Guest Stars: Kym Gold as Charlene Murray, Michelle Gold as Marlene Murray,
Traci Lee Gold as Darlene Murray
97. Aunt Vanessa
Jamie debates attending school in New York.
Guest Stars: Jill Novick as Leslie, Shannon Beaty as Kimberly
98. It's a Blunderful Life
Charles dreams about the Powell's lives without him.
Special Appearance: Don Most as Lottery Winner; Guest Star: Stanley Brock as Bernie
Note: Don Most starred as Don Most with Scott Baio on Happy Days
99. Bad Boy
Charles tries to reform a juvenile delinquent.
Guest Star: Rodney Eastman as Danny Holland
100. Buddy's Daddy
Buddy assumes trouble when his father visits alone.
Guest Star: Lewis Arquette as Clarence Lembeck
101. Summer Together, Fall Apart
The Powell children decide to have no rules.
Guest Star: Tony Dow as Preston
102. Get Thee to a Nuttery
A brush with death convinces Buddy he should be a priest.
Guest Star: John Roarke as Father Michaels
103. Three Dates & a Walnut
Walter makes three dates for one night.
Guest Stars: Ruta Lee as Gloria, Marcia Wallace as Dodo,
Marlyn Mason as Julia
104. Out With the In Crowd
Jamie befriends a snob to join a clique.
105. There's a Girl In My Ficus
A girl tries to come between Charles and Buddy.
Guest Star: Tiffani-Amber Thiessen as Jennifer; Special Appearance: James Karen
106. Judge Not Lest Ye Beheaded
Beauty-pageant judge Charles has ties to four contestants.
107. Baby Bummer
Buddy's advice leads Adam astray.
Guest Stars: Molly Orr as Hillary Smith, Kristina Coggins as Mrs. Smith
108. Paper Covers Rock
A tabloid links Charles and a rock star.
Guest Stars: Samantha Fox as Samantha Steele
109. Child Hoods
Charles romps with visiting pals from high school.
110. Advice and Consent
Jamie stays with a boy only because Charles disapproves.
Guest Star: Bryne Offutt as Cliff Randal
111. Daffy Doc
Buddy enters a mental hospital to do research.
Guest Stars: Ben Stein as Stanley Willard, Mary Lee Andres as Melody,
Geno Ghijelli as Bruno, Jack Bannon as Dr. Clay
112. Buddy Flips His Disk
Buddy gets to be a disc jockey for a day.
Guest Stars: Phill Lewis as Bernie, Frank DeVol as Leonard Griffin
113. Don't Rock the Vote
Sarah and Jamie vie to be class president.
114. Brain Man
Buddy has visions of Charles' future.
Guest Stars: Mary Ward as Lily, Roberta Bizeau as Miss Spelling,
Tom Williams as Mr. Stevens
115. Let's Quake a Deal
Charles tries to market an earthquake simulator.
Special Appearance: James Karen as Austin Miller, Guest Star: Richard Sanders as Professor Smalley
116. Up Your I.Q.
Jamie wants to convince a boy she is not shallow.
Guest Stars: Brooke Mills as Karen West, Douglas Bryant Johnson as Todd Gordon
117. All That Chaz
A bump on the head turns Charles again into Charles.
Guest Stars: Kelly Ann Conn as Nurse Bennett, Denise Miller as Tiffany Kovac
118. Frankie and Mommy
Lilian is ambivalent about an old flame.
Guest Star: Robert Ridgely as Frankie Romano
119. Lost Resort
Buddy's identical cousin takes Charles' job at a Hawaii resort.
Guest Stars: Jeff Bennett as Mitchell Hunt, Susan Jennifer Sullivan as Tippi Brewster,
Brian Backer as Leonard Burley, Frank Ferrante as the Human Fly,
Lisa Melilli as Woman, Dick Gautier as Karl Higler
120. The Dead Puck Society
Charles learns an illiterate boy is using Sarah.
Guest Stars: Paul Walker as Russell Davis, Valerie Michaels as Mindy
121. La Cage Aux Foools
To protest against animal experimentation, Charles and Buddy are locked in a cage.
Guest Stars: Millicent Collinsworth as Christine Kelly, Mark Clayman as Ray,
Ben Stein as Stanley Willard
122. Teacher's Pest
Walter enrolls in a history class taught by Charles.
Guest Stars: Mary Sheldon as Jenny, Pamela Anderson as Chris
123. Almost Family
Charles helps save his aunt's (Ellen Travolta) carwash.
Guest Stars: Rodney Eastman as Bobby Nijinsji, Billy "Sly" Williams as Tyrone Sampson,
Molly Orr as Emily Perdue, Crystal Carson as Penny Hennesy, Jeff Davis as Lewis "Spiderman" Burch,
Jack Bannon as Arthur Stingley
124. Seeing is Believing
Charles asks a girl out, then learns she is blind.
Guest Star: Keely Christian as Kelly Morgan
125. Fair Exchange
Sarah vists her relatives in New Mexico.
Guest Stars: Cecilia Hart as Elaine Colfax, Michael Manasseri as Michael Colfax,
Olivia Burnette as Melanie Colfax, Ivan Gueron as Nikki, David Graf as Steve Colfax
126. Charles Be DeMille
Charles offers to direct a show to fund Sarah's class trip.
Guest Star: Bryan Clark as Professor Haskins
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