"Who's the Boss?" (1984) TV series 1984-1992

Creators:

Martin Cohan
Blake Hunter
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

20 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Romance

Plot:

A TV show about Tony Micelli, the housekeeper, Angela Bauer, the career-woman, their kids Samantha and Jonathon, and Mona, Angela's man-crazy mother.

Plot Keywords:

Question In Title | Question Mark In Title | Male Female Relationship | Punctuation In Title | Famous Opening Theme

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 16 wins & 30 nominations

Cast

Tony Danza	...	Tony Micelli (196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Judith Light	...	Angela Bower (196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Alyssa Milano	...	Samantha Micelli (196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Danny Pintauro	...	Jonathan Bower (196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Katherine Helmond	...	Mona Robinson (196 episodes, 1984-1992)

Series Directed by
Asaad Kelada		(117 episodes, 1984-1990)
Tony Singletary		(49 episodes, 1990-1992)
Gail Liberti-Kennedy		(6 episodes, 1985-1990)
Jim Drake		(5 episodes, 1984-1986)
Tony Danza		(5 episodes, 1986-1990)
Linda Day		(4 episodes, 1984-1985)
Sam Weisman		(2 episodes, 1984)
John Bowab		(2 episodes, 1985)
Michael Zinberg		(2 episodes, 1985)

Series Writing credits
Martin Cohan		(196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Blake Hunter		(196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Clay Graham		(23 episodes, 1987-1992)
Ken Cinnamon		(17 episodes, 1985-1990)
Karen Wengrod		(17 episodes, 1985-1990)
Gene Braunstein		(16 episodes, 1988-1992)
Danny Kallis		(14 episodes, 1988-1992)
Ellen Guylas		(12 episodes, 1984-1987)
Prudence Fraser		(11 episodes, 1984-1986)
Robert Sternin		(11 episodes, 1984-1986)
Bob Rosenfarb		(11 episodes, 1990-1992)
Michael Teverbaugh		(11 episodes, 1990-1992)
Linda Va Salle		(11 episodes, 1990-1992)
John Donley		(10 episodes, 1987-1989)
Daniel Palladino		(10 episodes, 1989-1991)
Phil Doran		(10 episodes, 1991-1992)
Howard Meyers		(9 episodes, 1986-1988)
Bud Wiser		(8 episodes, 1984-1989)
Michele J. Wolff		(8 episodes, 1991-1992)
Dawn Aldredge		(7 episodes, 1984-1991)
Bob Perlow		(7 episodes, 1988-1990)
Joe Fisch		(6 episodes, 1988-1990)
Judith Bustany		(4 episodes, 1984-1987)
Paul Robinson Hunter		(4 episodes, 1984-1986)
Alan Mandel		(4 episodes, 1986-1989)
Michele Buehler Glazer		(4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Carrie Honigblum		(4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Renee Phillips		(4 episodes, 1986-1987)
David Lesser		(4 episodes, 1988-1990)
Richard Albrecht		(4 episodes, 1989-1991)
Casey Keller		(4 episodes, 1989-1991)
Bill Steinkellner		(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Cherie Steinkellner		(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Mindy Glazer		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Lee Aronsohn		(3 episodes, 1987-1989)
Eric Gilliland		(3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Mark Fink		(3 episodes, 1992)
Michael Poryes		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Seth Weisbord		(2 episodes, 1986-1989)
Marc Sheffler		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Claylene Jones		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Ross Brown		(2 episodes, 1989)
Adam I. Lapidus		(2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Deborah Leschin		(2 episodes, 1990-1991)
Barry Vigon		(2 episodes, 1990-1991)

Series Produced by
Martin Cohan	....	executive producer (196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Blake Hunter	....	executive producer (196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Danny Kallis	....	supervising producer / co-executive producer / ... (100 episodes, 1988-1992)
Ken Cinnamon	....	co-executive producer / producer / ... (75 episodes, 1987-1990)
Karen Wengrod	....	co-executive producer / producer / ... (75 episodes, 1987-1990)
Prudence Fraser	....	producer / supervising producer (50 episodes, 1985-1987)
Robert Sternin	....	producer / supervising producer (50 episodes, 1985-1987)
Phil Doran	....	co-executive producer / executive producer (49 episodes, 1990-1992)
Clay Graham	....	producer / supervising producer (49 episodes, 1990-1992)
Bob Rosenfarb	....	producer / supervising producer (49 episodes, 1990-1992)
Lee Aronsohn	....	producer (48 episodes, 1987-1989)
Bud Wiser	....	supervising producer / producer (47 episodes, 1984-1986)
Ellen Guylas	....	supervising producer / producer (37 episodes, 1986-1987)
Joe Fisch	....	producer (27 episodes, 1989-1990)
Howard Meyers	....	supervising producer / producer (24 episodes, 1987-1988)
Tracey Ormandy	....	associate producer (21 episodes, 1984-1985)
John Maxwell Anderson	....	producer (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Michael Greenspon	....	associate producer / co-producer (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Gene Braunstein	....	producer (1 episode, 1991-1992)
Daniel Palladino	....	co-producer (unknown episodes, 1991)
Bob Young	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Mark J. Levin		(167 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Casting by
Vicki Rosenberg		(2 episodes, 1990-1992)

Series Production Design by
Don Roberts		(1 episode, 1985)

Series Art Direction by
Bob Breen		(3 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Set Decoration by
Jim Mees		(1 episode, 1985)

Series Costume Design by
Lani Reynolds		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Kim Urgel	....	hair stylist: Judith Light (64 episodes, 1989-1992)
Patricia Bunch	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Tim Burke	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Curry Bushnell	....	assistant makeup artist (unknown episodes, 1984-1986)
Nina Kent	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Brian Wade	....	special makeup effects artist: KD 151 Productions (unknown episodes)
Faye Woods	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Steve McIntire	....	production manager (2 episodes, 1989)
Judy Jellinek Pelta	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Carter	....	second assistant director (173 episodes, 1985-1992)
Cindy Brisker	....	associate director (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Rey Vincenty	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Rhonda Robinson	....	property master (147 episodes, 1986-1992)
Artie Contreras	....	scenic artist (73 episodes, 1986-1989)
John A. Gomez	....	leadman (48 episodes, 1990-1992)
Lee Lazarow	....	set dresser (22 episodes, 1984-1985)

Series Sound Department
Roy Pahlman	....	sound re-recording mixer (196 episodes, 1984-1992)
Tamara Johnson	....	sound re-recording mixer (48 episodes, 1984-1986)
John Bickelhaupt	....	sound re-recording mixer (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Kerry Boggio	....	sound (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Terry Fountain	....	sound (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Gregg Sawaya	....	stunt coordinator (1 episode, 1986)
Rob King	....	stunts (1 episode, 1987)
Barbara Anne Klein	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Flor Siqueiros	....	camera operator (49 episodes, 1990-1992)
Steve Casaly	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Bob Erbeck	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
David Rhea	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Dale Carlson	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Scott Destefano	....	key grip (unknown episodes)
Leonard Grice	....	senior video controller (unknown episodes)
Jaime Heintz	....	grip (unknown episodes)
Stephen A. Jones	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Keith Lisle	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Robert Martin	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Robin Strickland	....	lighting technician (unknown episodes)
Blair White	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Stephen Kolzak	....	executive in charge of casting (1 episode, 1985)
Rick Jacobs	....	executive in charge of casting (1 episode, 1990)
Greg Orson	....	casting associate (1 episode, 1992)
Eve Brandstein	....	casting executive (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mitchell Ray Kenney	....	set costumer (21 episodes, 1984-1985)
Elaine Saussotte	....	costumes (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Christy Ito	....	assistant costumer (1 episode, 1985-1992)
Terry Anderson	....	set costumer (unknown episodes)
Julie Rhine	....	costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Michael Sachs	....	editor: videotape (2 episodes, 1990-1992)

Series Music Department
Larry Carlton	....	composer: theme song "Brand New Life" (3 episodes, 1985-1992)
Martin Cohan	....	composer: title theme (3 episodes, 1985-1992)
Blake Hunter	....	composer: title theme (3 episodes, 1985-1992)
Robert Kraft	....	composer: theme song "Brand New Life" (3 episodes, 1985-1992)
Jonathan Wolff	....	composer: additional music (2 episodes, 1989-1992)

Series Other crew
Fran McConnell	....	production supervisor / production consultant (172 episodes, 1984-1991)
Clay Graham	....	executive script consultant / script consultant (51 episodes, 1988-1990)
Joe Fisch	....	executive story consultant / story editor (48 episodes, 1987-1989)
Eric Gilliland	....	story editor (24 episodes, 1988-1989)
Ellen Guylas	....	executive story editor (14 episodes, 1985-1986)
Steven Ritt	....	dog trainer (10 episodes, 1984)
Sylvia Lewis	....	choreographer (3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Garry Bowren	....	production staff (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
David Carter	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Nadim George	....	production coordinator (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Melinda Hage	....	production staff (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Laurie Lee-Goss	....	production staff (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Karl Messerschmidt	....	technical director (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Dean Miyashiro	....	production staff (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Joanne F. Schnuckel	....	production associate (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Rey Vincenty	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1990-1992)
Prudence Fraser	....	executive story editor (1 episode, 1984-1987)
Robert Sternin	....	executive story editor (1 episode, 1984-1987)
Gene Braunstein	....	executive script consultant (1 episode, 1988-1990)
Daniel Palladino	....	executive script consultant (1 episode, 1989-1990)
Michael Teverbaugh	....	executive story editor (1 episode, 1991-1992)
Linda Va Salle	....	executive story editor (1 episode, 1991-1992)
Michele J. Wolff	....	executive story editor (1 episode, 1991-1992)
Bill Steinkellner	....	story editor (unknown episodes, 1985)
Cherie Steinkellner	....	story editor (unknown episodes, 1985)
Ken Cinnamon	....	executive story editor / program consultant / ... (unknown episodes, 1986-1987)
Karen Wengrod	....	executive story editor / program consultant / ... (unknown episodes, 1986-1987)
Howard Meyers	....	executive story editor / story editor (unknown episodes, 1986)
John Donley	....	executive script consultant / script consultant (unknown episodes, 1988-1989)
Bob Perlow	....	story editor (unknown episodes, 1988-1989)
Michael Swerdlick	....	story editor (unknown episodes, 1990)
Gerry Bucci	....	technical advisor (unknown episodes)
Gerry Cohen	....	stage manager (unknown episodes)
Herm Falk	....	technical director (unknown episodes)
Michael Greenspon	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Randall I. Harris	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Scot Hunter	....	technical manager (unknown episodes)
Bob Myer	....	creative consultant (unknown episodes)
Donna Newberry	....	production services coordinator (unknown episodes)
Carol Riggins	....	animal trainer (unknown episodes)
Linda Teverbaugh	....	executive story editor (unknown episodes)
Hector Tinoco	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Bob Young	....	creative consultant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Embassy Television (1984-1988)
• Columbia Pictures Television (1988-1992)
• Hunter-Cohan Productions

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1984-1992) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Columbia Pictures Television
• Columbia TriStar Domestic Television (2001)
• Columbia TriStar Television
• Sony Pictures Television (2002-)

Other Companies

• ABC Television Center  taping location
• ShowBiz Enterprises  draperies

Runtime:

30 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) (DVD) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

ABC Television Center - 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Embassy Television

Trivia:

German network RTL showed a German version of the show called "Ein Job für's Leben" (1993) ("A Life-Time Job"). The scripts and every single joke of the original's 1984-1985 season were translated, but it was canceled after one season. "Ein Job für's Leben" was preceded by a British version, "The Upper Hand" (1990), starring Honor Blackman, which fared somewhat better despite also being a direct translation instead of an adaptation or reinvention. It was canceled in 1996.

Quotes:

Tony: Ay-oh. Oh-ay.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Family Week 3 (#7.53)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Up On The Roof

Amazing boss / housekeeper chemistry lights up hilarious sitcom

This is an incredibly entertaining sitcom, one of the best ever of the family comedy genre. Actually, there are two families here who sort of merge into one, both physically (sharing the same house) and emotionally (sibling spats and so on, but genuine care & concern).

The series revolves around a fairly affluent, divorced New York City advertising executive, Angela Bauer, who lives in a lovely colonial home in Connecticut with her rather shy & insecure young son, Jonathan. There are frequent visits from her man hungry mother, Mona, who eventually moves into an apartment over the garage. In the meantime, Angela hires an unusual, macho appearing Italian housekeeper hunk from Brooklyn, Tony Micelli, who is anxious to give his teenage daughter, Samantha, the greater opportunities that accompany a suburban life. Tony & Sam move in and the two families combine, so to speak.

The relationship between Angela and Tony makes this series. Angela, the serious career woman, begins to rely heavily on Tony not only for domestic management, but also as a surrogate dad for son Jonathan. In the process Tony and Angela become best friends, share both laughs and tears, and exchange advice on everything from clothing styles to parenting to love interests. Naturally, romantic feelings develop between Angela and Tony and the chemistry & sexual tension of this unconsummated relationship are at the heart of the ongoing story. There are some pretty funny situations...Angela & Tony kissing after becoming a bit tipsy, Tony inadvertently walking in on Angela as she's just getting out of the shower, a scenario where the pair are forced to sleep in the same bed. Are you getting the picture? This ongoing situation is just so much more entertaining than modern sitcoms where everyone hops into bed straight away.

Judith Light and Tony Danza are both magnificent in their roles. Light plays the workaholic, uptight Angela to perfection and no one could possibly impart more charisma to housekeeper Tony than Danza does. Katherine Helmond is brilliantly cast as the vixen mother, Mona. Danny Pintauro plays the cute Jonathan and Alyssa Milano puts real pizazz into her portrayal of Sam, a pretty & very social teenager who, typical of her age, is constantly on an emotional roller coaster and keeps the household in a state of continuous uproar.

This is a brilliant and hilarious series with a clever, unique take on the employer / employee relationship.