Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 1
Who's the Boss?
Season 1

Ep 1. Pilot

  • TVG
  • September 20, 1984
  • 7.4  (174)

In the pilot episode of the hit 80s sitcom "Who's the Boss?", we're introduced to the show's main character, Tony Micelli (played by Tony Danza), a former pro baseball player who's just retired and moved himself and his daughter Samantha (played by Alyssa Milano) to Connecticut in search of a better life. Tony, who's recently divorced, has taken a job as a live-in housekeeper for a successful ad executive named Angela Bower (played by Judith Light), who's also recently divorced and raising her son Jonathan (played by Danny Pintauro) on her own.

In the opening scene of the episode, we see Tony and Samantha traveling down the highway in their beat-up old van, singing along to the radio and excitedly talking about their new home. Tony's optimistic about their fresh start, but Sam's less than thrilled about leaving her old school and friends behind.

When they arrive at Angela's mansion, they're greeted by the butler, Geoffrey (played by Joseph R. Sicari), who shows them to their quarters and gives them a tour of the house. Sam's excited to have her own room, but Tony's a little overwhelmed by the opulence of his new workplace. He remarks that he's never even seen a house with two front doors before.

After settling in, Tony heads down to the kitchen to whip up some dinner for the family. He's surprised to find Angela there, though; he assumed she'd be eating out as usual. But when he asks her about it, she explains that she's been trying to be a better mother to Jonathan lately and has been making a point to eat dinner with him every night. Tony is impressed by this and tells her so.

As they eat their meal, Angela and Tony discuss their respective divorces and how they're both starting over. Angela offers to help Tony get a job more in line with his skills; Tony is grateful but insists that being a housekeeper is a good job for him right now because it allows him to spend more time with his daughter.

The next day, Angela heads off to work at her advertising agency, and Tony starts his cleaning duties around the house. He's surprised when Jonathan comes home from school and invites him to play catch in the backyard. Tony's not sure he's cut out for the responsibility of being a friend and mentor to a young boy, but he goes along with it.

As they toss the ball around, Jonathan tells Tony about his recent visit to see his dad in California. He mentions that his dad has a fancy new girlfriend who's always hanging around. Tony commiserates with Jonathan, explaining that he knows how tough it can be to adjust to new people in your parents' lives.

Later that day, Angela comes home from work and finds Tony and Sam lounging on the couch, watching TV. She's momentarily annoyed that Tony isn't doing more cleaning, but ultimately decides to let it slide. She understands how hard it is to adjust to a new job and living situation.

That evening, Angela invites Tony to dinner with her and Jonathan, but things get a little awkward when Tony forgets his manners and starts eating with his hands. Jonathan gleefully points out the mistake, and Tony is mortified. But Angela manages to defuse the situation by joking that Tony is "rustic" and that they'll have to teach him some proper table etiquette.

As the episode ends, the three of them sit together at the dinner table, laughing and joking around. Tony has a moment of realization that maybe this strange new life of his isn't so bad after all. It's clear that even though they come from very different worlds, Tony, Angela, and Jonathan are all starting to form a family together.

Description
Watch Who's the Boss? - Pilot (s1 e1) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Who's the Boss?, Season 1 Episode 1, is available to watch and stream on Sony. You can also buy, rent Who's the Boss? on demand at Hulu online.
  • First Aired
    September 20, 1984
  • Content Rating
    TVG
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (174)