Charles: Still in Charge

With the recent rash of TV show reunion movies, I have come to the conclusion that one classic from the 80s is being tragically overlooked: Charles In Charge. What more could be said with Charles In Charge, you say? Well, think about it - when we last left Charles, he was a college student, working his way toward his degree by being the permanent baby-sitter of a family of three teens. Nevermind that they're far too old for babysitters - Charles was more than a babysitter, more than a guide, he was a friend. Each week he dispensed his immeasurable wisdom, he quipped mightily, he bantered with the inimitable Buddy (arguably one of the finest character studies in television, portrayed by the incomparable Willie Aames,) and, in the end, he always saved the day.

In the years since the show, I, like you probably, have often wondered just what had happened to Charles and his witty cohorts. To answer this question we obviously need a reunion. I propose a TV movie - Charles: Still In Charge. Just think of it: Charles has graduated and moved on, but his work as . . . I don't know, lackey of some sort at a big company - has turned out to be unfulfilling. Charles reminisces about the good old days, and in a montage of favorite scenes from the show, we see Charles, Buddy, the Pembrokes, the Powells, Gwendolyn Pierce and others cavorting in slow motion. Charles realizes that what he wants to do is take care of people - he wants to In Charge once again. Charles quits his job and begins his hunt. There should now be a series of scenes of wacky job possibilities that obviously do not suit our Charles. When all appears lost, Charles comes upon an apartment building that the landlord is vacating. Perhaps it's the building he grew up in, and Charles is disheartened to hear that it will be torn down. Charles then takes it upon himself to save the building, as he always comes to the rescue of a good cause. Of course, it will be a big struggle because it turns out that his former employer is behind the initiative to tear it down. Charles frets and worries, but ultimately discovers that the building is historical because . . . I don't know, Rudy Guiliani was born there or something, and saves it from destruction. As a gift for his hard work, the landlord turns the building over to Charles. Charles is at first frustrated and exasperated, as he could never imagine being a landlord, but suddenly the lightbulb goes on in his head. He knows was meant to take on this task!

Article Author: Tom Johnson

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