Who’s the Boss premiered on September 20, 1984, and would go on to air for eight seasons until 1992. The premise was simple: down-on-his-luck single father and former MLB star Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) leaves New York behind to give his daughter a shot at a better, black-eye-less life in the Connecticut suburbs. He moves in with Judith Light’s Angela Bower and her son Danny (Jonathan Bower) and works as their hunky housekeeper with a heart of gold and a punchy sense of humor. And who could forget Katherine Helmond’s Mona Robinson — Angela’s mother who often stops by to add a few laughs with her flirtatious, unpredictable, and sultry personality? With the classic sitcom now streaming on Hulu, it’s the perfect time to jump into an uplifting and heartwarming series that you can cozy up to as the winter temperatures keep us indoors.
The role reversal setup
Who’s the Boss boasted quite the unconventional premise for the ‘80s with the macho man working as the housekeeper and the beautiful woman serving as a powerful corporate president. The dynamic was often played for laughs — but in a way that challenged traditional gender roles and social orthodoxies, rather than succumbing to sexist or chauvinistic notions. The show challenged what constituted a “typical family structure,” resonating with the evolving viewing demographic.
The chemistry between Danza and Light
While some of the narratives at play in Who’s the Boss left a bit to be desired, Danza and Light’s palpable chemistry kept the show fiery and engaging. Tony is easygoing and charming. Angela is straight-laced and focused. Tony’s the gut instinct to Angela’s objective deduction. The juxtaposition between the two started with playful banter and teasing. However, over time, their bond transformed into a deep and vulnerable connection where both parties learned from each other.
They had a will-they-wont-they throughline subsisting beneath the surface of each comedic bickering match. Not to mention, their dueling perspectives on parenting complemented each other, so the kids got the best of both worlds — Tony’s old-school city slicker mentality met Angela’s new-school suburban propriety in a way that was both relatable and often chuckle-inducing — albeit sometimes confusing for the young-ins.
One word: Mona
With quick one-liners and sassy retorts, Mona’s presence on Who’s The Boss always left us craving more. Mona was a liberated and progressive woman unafraid to assert her sexual proclivities — navigating various romantic adventures with fearless transparency and unapologetic desire. This sometimes-kooky woman, who read dirty novels to pre-adolescents, became a loveable source of inspiration within a few episodes. Her romantic escapades were the perfect complement to her independence streak, as she diligently pursued her passions and career throughout the series. She was not merely the “sexy comedic relief,” but the driven, maternal, confident, and open-minded individual we could all use in our corner.
The lasting impact
Who’s The Boss, in presenting such an unorthodox family dynamic (as well as asserting that blood is not a determiner of family) went on to influence the TV landscape for generations to come. The show preceded a gamut of non-traditional family-centric series, including The Nanny, Step by Step, and Mad About You. While these shows are all unique in their own right — with vastly different narrative cores — they all boast an unconventional outlook and thematic undertones that question what it is that makes a “good” family.
The revolving door of guest stars
As the sitcom continued, it snagged some pretty stellar guest stars (yearning to get in on the fun). The Young and the Restless alumn Susan Walters, The Nanny’s Fran Drescher, Jane Leeves of Frasier fame, Vivica A. Fox, Matthew Perry, Rita Wilson, Dean Butler, Betty White, and many other recognizable faces all make their way onto the set. This revolving door of guest stars left audiences wondering who would come next, injecting the show with a needed dose of anticipation.
Other (smaller) factors of note:
- A toned Tony Danza gets shirtless a handful of times (Talk about fitness inspiration)
- The elusive hidden stash of Angela’s gloves (where are they all located?)
- Tony shares his culinary expertise every now and again (grab your recipe book)
- Jonathan’s various entrepreneurial pursuits (from the lemonade stand and the pet care business to the magic show venture and, eventually, an interest in computer programming)
- Samantha’s fashion evolution as she matures into a teenager (from oversized sweaters and denim jackets to preppy collared shirts and pleated skirts)
