Who's The Boss

[I'm Blake]

Man how I freaking love this show! I just completed the entire series and felt so close to Tony and Angela. I really cared for them alot. Maybe one day I'll find a great relationship like that! Or at least a cool housekeeper haha

[No Personality]

I did a short (text) review on the first season 2 years ago and... I think I remember being horrified by it. It's a pretty brainless war of the sexes / gender rules idea.


Found it:





Well... it's quite a shock to the system to go from Taxi to this show. Taxi was more than a little polished and overly-safe when it came to its' depiction of life in New York City. But that show actually gave you characters you cared about, a lot more honesty about people than almost any other sitcom of its' time (it was overall a lot more forward-thinking on gay issues than The Jeffersons, save for the excellent "Once a Friend" episode), and some very good moments of comedy from skilled performers. I'm starting to think I also should be grateful to Taxi for knowing how to rope-in the endlessly irritating goofball antics of Tony Danza. In Who's the Boss?... they just let him go whole-hog. And then it dawns on you, he's really only good for one thing. Which is on full display in the "A Rash Decision" episode and mentioned several times throughout the season by the hot-to-trot granny Mona (Katherine Helmond, also the redheaded mother of a blonde daughter in the film, Lady in White). She may be the best feature of this show, but if so- not by much (though her little showdown with Betty White, of Mary Tyler Moore and Golden Girls, was without exception the single best moment of the truly dismal season). Are these people really great performers hampered by awful writing and directing? Judith Light has certainly seen better days (on, of all shows- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).

Maybe the times are to blame. I was even more shocked to find out they filmed in 1984 (maybe that's because it looks so expensive, much more like 1986, which may only be 2 years difference, but still I was shocked). Television was becoming very stale. And this show in particular just reeks of Reagan-era brainlessness. Predictable storylines, dull cliches, flat dialogue. The material is so constrained and suffocated, that it leads everyone to overact. They know these scenes wouldn't work on their own. Too bad they couldn't see into the future- because their approach didn't help improve the material at all. Judith Light should be a lot more subtle, Tony should smile a lot less (and do that fast-talk during lightly tense moments thing less too), and Jonathan should... Well, does anyone remember any moments with Jonathan from the show at all? The most memorable thing about the whole series thus far... 1 episode with James Coco. And as just mentioned- Betty White's big moment. She plays the lame "middle-class" notion of a celebrity who mindlessly looks down on everyone. Ever notice how in shows like this and Home Improvement, these characters are always in showbiz or artistic professions, and never wealthy business tycoons or military folk? (The only show that managed to do this right was Roseanne in the "First Cousin, Twice Removed" episode.) In fact, the one time they come across a businessman doing something shady- Tony and Angela don't care or raise any kind of fuss. They just make sure to take their names off the product. How's that for morality?

Best Episodes: "Tony's Father-in-Law" & "First Kiss"

Worst Episodes: "Mona Gets Pinned," "Pilot," "Dinner for Two," & "Double Date"

[I'm Blake]

I think Judith Light is a brilliant dramatic actress as seen in her soap work and also in the Ryan White Story, and Law & Order, and also playing Clair Meade in Ugly Betty. I feel she did a great job playing Angela. She nailed the charecter in my opinion and her and Tony had a wonderful chemistry together. Tony Danza is pure comedic genius and I can't imagine anyone else playing the role of Tony. My God, I would LOVE to have him cleaning my house and making me roll on the floor cause I love that guy! haha
Jonathan was an ADORABLE small child! However, I think his charecter was more of a filler. You only really saw him for a moment here and there. Samantha had a much bigger part in the series than he ever did. Now, Mona Mona Mona! Where do I start? I NEVER EVER EVER wanna see her in a 2 piece bathing suit again! NEVER! I absolutley loved her charecter! It's so ironic she played such a sex bomb charecter and was totally so unattractive! I think that is part of what made it so funny. Her one liners are hilarious! She rarely speaks of anything other than sex, but that is part of what makes her so funny. Some of the episodes are my favorites such as Season 7 - The Unsinkable Tony Micelli, The 3 part finale which was titled I believe "Savor The Veal", Custody Parts 1 and 2. I really really connect with Tony on such a weird level. That charecter is so much like me it is scary! I have only a hand full of favorite shows from the 80's.


1. Who's The Boss
2. Facts Of Life
3. Just The Ten Of Us
are my tops!

However this will always be Tony's show in my eyes. I would love to just hang out with him for a day! If I could hang out with 2 former celebs they would probably be Tony Danza, and Crystal Bernard. Both are perfect in every way.

[Paperclip Earrings]

I know this is an old post but I had to jump in with my love and adoration for Who's The Boss! Im current on an obsession kick (which happens often) and this is all I watch at night for the past month. I forgot how much I loved this in the 80s-early 90s. I think being old enough to now understand Mona's one liners help too! agree with you 200% Matt!

[I'm Blake]

awww your so sweet!