Who's the Boss? was a standard sitcom--turned on its head. Sure, there was a mom, a dad, two cute kids, a house in the suburbs... and a live studio audience. But Angela Bower (Judith Light) was a single advertising exec with a son (Danny Pintauro) and Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) was a widowed ex-ballplayer with a daughter (future Charmed star Alyssa Milano). The Connecticut mansion belonged to Angela (along with the big '80s hair and shoulder pads) and Tony wasn't her boyfriend, but rather her housekeeper. Then there was her mother, Mona (the incomparable Katherine Helmond). The sexed-up, slightly cracked grandmother is a primetime staple, but in the former Soap matriarch's hands, the character was a cut above (and usually got the best lines). As Angela complains to her in the pilot, "You've sent me a man for a housekeeper!" "Oh, don't be sexist," Mona replies. "A man can do meaningless, unproductive work just as well as a woman."

"Meaningless, unproductive work" is what Tony does for the Bowers--and does well--but he and Samantha (Milano) also become part of the family. Angela and Tony go on a number of dates with other people, but there's an obvious sexual tension between them. The show would continue to exploit that tension for eight seasons to great success (even inspiring a British version called The Upper Hand, with Honor Blackman as the "Mona" character). Helmond, meanwhile, would garner an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her efforts. Highlights include "Mona Gets Pinned," in which Mona takes up with a younger man, and "Angela's Ex, Part I," in which Angela reconciles with her estranged husband--who proceeds to fire Tony. Guest stars include Betty White (Mary Tyler Moore) in "Eye on Angela" and Danza's Taxi co-star Jeff Conaway in "First Kiss."

Cast and Characters

• Tony Danza as Tony Micelli
• Judith Light as Angela Bower
• Alyssa Milano as Samantha Micelli
• Katherine Helmond as Mona Robinson
• Danny Pintauro as Johnathan Bower
• Robin Thomas as Geoffrey Wells (1986-1987)
• Shana Lane-Block as Bonnie (1986-1991)
• Scott Bloom as Jesse Nash (1987-1988)
• Rhoda Gemignami as Mrs. Rossini
• Jonathan Halyalkar as David (age 5) (1990-1991)
• Kate Vernon as Kathleen Sawyer (1990)
• Doug Ballard as Andy (1990)
• Curnal Achilles Aulisio as Hank Thomopolous (1992)

Broadcast History, Episode Guide & TV Schedule

First Telecast: September 20, 1984
Last Telecast: April 25, 1992
Number of Seasons: 8
Number of Episodes: 196
Original Network: ABC
Original Primetime TV Schedule:

• September 1984, ABC, Thursday 8:30-9:00pm
• October 1984- April 1985, ABC, Tuesday 9:00-9:30pm
• April 1985- July 1985, ABC, Tuesday 8:00-8:30pm
• August 1985- August 1991, ABC, Tuesday 8:00-8:30pm
• August 1991- September 1991, ABC, Tuesday 8:30-9:00pm
• September 1991- January 1992, ABC, Saturday 8:00-8:30pm
• February 1992- March 1992, ABC, Saturday 8:30-9:00pm
• March 1992- April 1992, ABC, Saturday 8:00-8:30pm

Theme Song Lyrics and Intro

"Brand New Life" by Larry Carlton, Robert Craft, Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter.

There’s a time for love and a time for living. You take a chance and face the wind. An open road and a road that’s hidden A brand new life around the bend. There were times when I lost a dream or two. Found the trail, and at the end was you. There’s a path you take and a path untaken The choice is up to you my friend. Nights are long but you’re on your way To a brand new life, Brand new life, Brand new life around the bend.

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