Who's the Boss?

[WeldonBallou]

An obscure memory of reading a letter-to-the-editor of TV GUIDE: a young boy was added to the cast of WTB? late in its run, presumably because Danny Pintauro was no longer "cute". I gather the TV GUIDE critic wasn't very kind towards this new kid's performance, noting the he didn't offer anything other than an adorable face, big eyes and self-conscious mugging. A reader wrote in to reply that the critic just described Tony Danza's entire career.

Well regarding Tony, the critic wasn't wrong...

 

[colbyco]

A fairly interesting look at the failed WHO'S THE BOSS? pilots:

- when I saw Fran´s first scene her way she walked screamed "DYNASTY / Collins" so loud ...

indicating Arthur was weary of continuing an ensemble show.

- I think there are actresses how make it more for money and fame and others for money & art ... I think Bea did wanted to leave because she didn´t feel she act/tell/show something new ... I think only a real never seen before storyline (for example carrying about her ex husband Stan who had became Aids and is near to die and his 12years old adoptdaughter who gets bullied in school ... -but not a one episode thing - it had to be something really challenging for her ...)
- talking about "GG" ... I think Mona (Who´s the boss) could have filled Dorothy´s place in "Golden Palace" ...

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I realise he's probably a personality rather than an actor. The series is somewhat tailored around that, and he is no doubt the reason many viewers tuned in. His schtick is just not my cup of tea these days.

Absolutely. Katherine Helmond is a terrific actress, Judith Light is also quite good, but TD was a caricature/personality

 

[Slugworth]

The uptight blonde lady paired with the childish brunette male was a big thing in the mid-80s (CHEERS; WTB; MOONLIGHTING), but also inherently limited. At some point 'will they or won't they?' turns into 'who cares?'

My family reached the 'who cares?' point with Who's The Boss by season 3.

I remember checking it out years later, don't remember which season, the kids are all grown up.... unwatchable.

 

[DallasFanForever]

My family reached the 'who cares?' point with Who's The Boss by season 3.

I remember checking it out years later, don't remember which season, the kids are all grown up.... unwatchable.

I stuck with it all the way to the end and although I agree the later seasons weren’t anywhere near as good as the earlier ones I still felt it held up well.

 

[Soaplover]

I was watching a podcast that Mayim Bialik hosted.. and she had Melissa Joan Hart on it. They were both talking about women in comedy, etc... and Mayim made a comment about how Judith Light's character on WTB was not writtern/presented well and then said 'that's how things were back then'.

I had to admit I decided to check out some episodes of WTB and I think that Angela was a well rounded character. She had to parent her mother when her father passed, she had to then raise her son as a single mother when her husband cheated on her... so any spark/fun that she might have was suppressed because someone had to take the reigns and keep things going.

The first few seasons really showed her opening herself up to having fun, living life to the fullest, having a close guy friend and being a surrogate mother figure to Samantha... all while having some comedic escapades along the way. I think that Judith Light infused layers into the part that the writers ran with... and man.. she could get a laugh just by one her looks and her tone of voice while reading a line.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I was watching a podcast that Mayim Bialik hosted.. and she had Melissa Joan Hart on it. They were both talking about women in comedy, etc... and Mayim made a comment about how Judith Light's character on WTB was not writtern/presented well and then said 'that's how things were back then'.


I had to admit I decided to check out some episodes of WTB and I think that Angela was a well rounded character. She had to parent her mother when her father passed, she had to then raise her son as a single mother when her husband cheated on her... so any spark/fun that she might have was suppressed because someone had to take the reigns and keep things going.

The first few seasons really showed her opening herself up to having fun, living life to the fullest, having a close guy friend and being a surrogate mother figure to Samantha... all while having some comedic escapades along the way. I think that Judith Light infused layers into the part that the writers ran with... and man.. she could get a laugh just by one her looks and her tone of voice while reading a line.

I though she was a well rounded character as well. She was presented as a hard working advertising executive, a single mom and a good daughter to Mona, not exactly the easiest mother to police at times. Angela had a lot on her plate, thus why she had to hire a live in housekeeper. And this was all happening in 1984.

I always liked the relationship between her and Sam too. Angela had never had a daughter and Sam had lost a mom so their interaction seemed like a natural fit. Angela’s character was central to every other character on the show. She had to be well rounded for it all to work or the show wouldn’t have worked.

 

[Seaviewer]

not writtern/presented well

What does that even mean? Did she explain what she didn't like about it?

 

[Soaplover]

It was when the topic of Melissa and Joey came up.. and how it was giving Mayim the same vibes as WTB.

She said she had found Melissa's character more compelling/better written then Judith Light's character... and that they both viewed Angela as the typical mom character that was repressed/low key.