Episode 1
Yule Laff
30m
Charles suggests the family spend the Christmas holidays in the mountains, but a storm leaves everyone but Walter stranded in a cabin.
Episode credits
Guest stars Sandra Kerns, Ellen Travolta
TV series
Charles in Charge
19845 seasons6.1 / 10
Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Brunswick, New Jersey, works as a live-in babysitter in exchange for room and board.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Charles in Charge is available to stream on The Roku Channel in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon and Apple TV. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Watch free
Synopsis
Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Brunswick, New Jersey, works as a live-in babysitter in exchange for room and board.
Season 3 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch Charles in Charge
Episode 2
Piece of Cake
30m
News of the sudden arrival of Commander Powell throws the household into chaos.
Episode credits
Written by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Sandra Kerns, Leslie Danon, Doris Hess, Kate Poole
Episode 3
Dorm Warnings
30m
When Charles is named Student of the Year, local newspaper reporter Pat Walker (Barbara Rhoades) arrives at the house to interview him.
Episode credits
Directed by Scott BaioGuest stars Sandra Kerns, Barbara Rhoades, Marianne Corney
Episode 4
Speechless
30m
When Charles' and Buddy's history teacher changes their team assignment from a written to an oral report, Charles insists that Buddy deliver the speech.
Episode credits
Guest stars Ellen Travolta
Episode 5
Infatuation
30m
Charles becomes infatuated with Trish (Susannah Woodside), a beautiful fashion model and the daughter of Walter's friend.
Episode credits
Guest stars Ellen Travolta, Suzannah Woodside, Kris Greenberg
Episode 6
Role Model
30m
When Jamie enrolls in a modeling school, a suspicious Charles decides to investigate. He and Buddy enroll in order to expose the school as a fraud.
Episode credits
Guest stars Sandra Kerns, Nita Talbot, Suzi Dean
Episode 7
The Extremely Odd Couple
30m
Charles tries to end a feud between Walter and Lillian by giving them each a ticket to a swing music concert.
Episode credits
Directed by Scott BaioGuest stars Ellen Travolta
Episode 8
Poppa, the Sailor Man
30m
The death of a lifelong friend causes Walter to have visions of mortality, so Charles summons Walter's father, Buzz (Dabbs Greer), for a visit in order to show him his son has many years left.
Episode credits
Directed by Brian LevantWritten by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Sandra Kerns, Dabbs Greer
Episode 9
Bottle Baby
30m
When Buddy receives word that his shy sister Bunny (Mindy Cohn) is arriving for a visit, he pleads with Charles to help entertain her.
Episode credits
Directed by Scott BaioGuest stars Ellen Travolta, Mindy Cohn
Episode 10
Dear Charles
30m
Charles asks editor Gayle Landis for a job on her newspaper, but acting as a fill—in for "‘Dear Amy" is not what he had in mind.
Episode credits
Guest stars Sandra Kerns, Susan Burell
Episode 11
The Pickle Plot
30m
Unable to decide on a college major and faced with a tuition increase, is determined to convince his Uncle Joe (John Astin) that he should be made the heir to his business.
Episode credits
Guest stars Ellen Travolta, John Astin, Ben Stein
Episode 12
The Buddy System
30m
When Buddy's new girlfriend unceremoniously dumps him, he sinks into a bout of depression. Under the circumstances, Charles requests that everyone be especially nice to Buddy.
Episode credits
Guest stars Sandra Kerns, Robin Bach, Richard Gautier
Episode 13
Sarah Steps Out
30m
Charles convinces Ellen to allow Adam to stay up and watch television all night, let Jamie streak her hair, and allow Sarah to go on her first unchaperoned date.
Episode credits
Guest stars Sandra Kerns, Pam Potillo, Scott Grimes, Al Pugliese, Pat Benson, Ronald McAdams
Episode 14
Trading Papers
30m
Charles is ecstatic when he scores an A on his English assignment, until he turns past the cover page and discovers Sarah's poem there by mistake.
Episode credits
Written by Donald RossGuest stars Ellen Travolta, Jack Riley, Pam Potillo, Christopher Templeton
Episode 15
Five Easy Pizzas
30m
Charles calms Lillian's fears about an upcoming trip out of town, saying that he's more than able to manage the pizza parlor himself, even though she's just hired a new chef, Dine (Vito Scotti).
Episode credits
Guest stars Ellen Travolta, Vito Scotti, Sandra J. Marshall
Episode 16
Getting In
30m
Charles and Buddy decide to pledge a fraternity, and must put up with a series of humiliating tests and activities during "Hell Week."
Episode credits
Written by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Ellen Travolta, Michael Dorn, David Cowgill
Episode 17
Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow
30m
When Charles and Buddy foil an attempted holdup at the pizza parlor, their names appear in the local newspaper. They can't resist capitalizing on their new-found popularity with the girls at the sorority house.
Episode credits
Directed by Bonnie FranklinWritten by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Sandra Kerns, Mark Blankfield, Gary McGurk
Episode 18
Dutiful Dreamer
30m
When the Powells learn their house is to be sold and Ellen loses her job, Charles takes to bed with a sneezing fit and falls asleep.
Episode credits
Directed by Mary Lou BelliWritten by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Sandra Kerns, Ellen Travolta
Episode 19
Berkling Up Is Hard to Do
30m
This is just not Charles' day. He's trying to prepare for the new school year, but Buddy needs his help in planning their end of summer party.
Episode credits
Directed by Bonnie Franklin, Scott BaioWritten by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Sandra Kerns, J.D. Roth, Michael Lopez
Episode 20
Runaround Charles
30m
Charles becomes frantic when he makes too many commitments for one evening.
Episode credits
Directed by Mary Lou BelliGuest stars Ellen Travolta, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Courtney Gebhart, Laurie Wagner
Episode 21
Where the Auction Is
30m
Charles is outraged when he learns his mother is hosting a sorority slave auction. Outraged, that is, until he finds out that attractive new transfer student Jeanie intends to bid for him.
Episode credits
Guest stars Ellen Travolta, Diana Barrows, Lisa Fuller, Lorie Griffin
Episode 22
The Boy Who Loved Women
30m
Confused by the instructions that came with a new stereo component rack, Charles is frustrated trying to assemble the unit.
Episode credits
Written by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Sandra Kerns, Adam Carl
Episode 23
Barbelles
30m
After Charles is devastated at being dumped by his girlfriend, Buddy fixes him up with Beth (Brenda Swanson), a female bodybuilder at his health club.
Episode credits
Directed by Scott BaioGuest stars Ellen Travolta, Nancy Valen, Richard Brose, Brenda Swanson, Shaun Weiss
Episode 24
The Blackboard Bungle
30m
Charles seems to be the only one excited about his new post as teacher's aide. Jamie resents his sitting in on her class, and the teacher can't understand why anyone would want to teach.
Episode credits
Directed by Scott BaioGuest stars Sandra Kerns, Jerry Van Dyke, Robert Jayne, Kelly Meadows
Episode 25
The Heart Burgler
30m
When Sarah tries to get closer to a boy that she likes by inviting him over to study, she is upset when he pays more attention to Charles than her.
Episode credits
Guest stars Sandra Kerns, Leslie Ryan, Jason Zahler
Episode 26
May the Best Man Lose
30mfinale
The kids each must find a gladiator to represent their class in the school's stunt-filled quiz contest complete with pies in the face and a dunk tank.
Episode credits
Directed by Scott BaioWritten by Lee AronsohnGuest stars Mark Venturini, Richard Marion
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
More about Charles in Charge
Cast
Scott BaioCharles
Willie AamesBuddy Lembeck
Sandra KernsEllen Powell
Julie CobbJill Pembroke
Nicole EggertJamie Powell
James WiddoesStan Pembroke
Josie DavisSarah PowellApril LermanLila Pembroke
Credits
- Created by
- Michael Jacobs
- Written by
- Lee Aronsohn, Judy Pioli, Chuck Lorre, Mike Reiss, Al Jean, Maxine Lapiduss, Jeffrey Ferro, David Ankrum, Donald Ross, George Tibbles, Frederic Weiss, Jeff Greenstein, Marc Sotkin
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 126
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
CBSUnited States- SyndicationUnited States
Universal TelevisionUnited States- Al Burton Productions
Scholastic ProductionsUnited States
Themes
babysittercollegedomestic workernew jerseyraising childrensitcomyoung adult
You may also like
More shows like Charles in Charge.
