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The Best Episodes of Who's the Boss? Season 1

Every episode of Who's the Boss? Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Who's the Boss? Season 1!

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A former professional baseball player, along with his preteen daughter, moves into New York advertising executive Angela Bower's house to be both a housekeeper and a father figure to her young son. Tony 's laid-back

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.5/10(276 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Single dad Tony Micelli and his street smart young daughter Samantha decide to leave the mean streets of their poor neighbourhood for a chance at a better life in Connecticut. Tony happens upon a job offer as a live-in housekeeper for wealthy business woman Angela Bower and her young son by means of her flirtatious mother Mona. He puts his machismo aside and takes the job for the betterment of his daughter and a new ""family"" is formed.

    Director:Bill Persky
    Writer:Blake Hunter

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  2. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 2 - Briefless Encounter
    7.8/10(222 votes)

    #2 - Briefless Encounter

    S1:E2

    Part of settling into his new home has Tony using Angela's personal bathroom and getting an eyeful when she steps out of the tub. Neither of the two stubborn housemates accept responsibility, and disagree to an extent that Tony's new girlfriend gives him the heave-ho. Mona's advice about role-playing to better understand each other's point of view helps Tony and Angela see that they aren't angry after all.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 3 - Angela's First Fight
    7.5/10(196 votes)

    #3 - Angela's First Fight

    S1:E3

    During a trip to Tony's old neighbourhood to find runaway Samantha, Angela must stand up for Tony who is criticized for being a housekeeper. After proclaiming that fighting is no way to resolve a dispute, Angela ends up in a cat fight with the waitress in Tony's old hangout.

    Director:Jim Drake
    Writers:Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser

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  4. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 4 - Mona Gets Pinned
    7.2/10(198 votes)

    #4 - Mona Gets Pinned

    S1:E4

    Mona meets Jason, the man of her dreams, but she's old enough to be his mother! After much hiding the truth comes out and Angela, who previously stated that age had no part in love, is aghast. It's not until Jason's parents tell Angela that Mona isn't good enough for their son that she stands up for her mother and does an about-face of her opinion.

    Director:Jim Drake
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 5 - A Rash Decision
    7.3/10(173 votes)

    #5 - A Rash Decision

    S1:E5

    Tony visits Angela at the filming of a soap commercial, and ends up the star of the ad. Soon after, Tony develops an itchy rash that turns out to have been caused by the soap. Angela must then decide if she wants to market a soap whose makers are not completely honest about its potentially harmful side effects

    Director:Linda Day
    Writers:Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser

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  6. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 6 - Dinner For Two
    7.5/10(166 votes)

    #6 - Dinner For Two

    S1:E6

    Tony is greatly anticipating his dinner date with a girl in Brooklyn, just as Angela is preparing for a business dinner for two with a client. When Angela's guest cancels at the last minute, Tony reluctantly stays in Connecticut to keep her company, while attempting to keep, but slightly postpone, his date.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 7 - Sorority Sister
    7.4/10(161 votes)

    #7 - Sorority Sister

    S1:E7

    Angela's sorotory sister from college comes around and takes an interest in Tony.

    Director:John Tracy
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 8 - Truth in Dating
    7.1/10(161 votes)

    #8 - Truth in Dating

    S1:E8

    At the market, Tony picks up a woman who believes that he is the owner of Angela's house and Jaguar. Meanwhile, Angela accepts a date with a man who believes that she is Rosie, Angela's flighty secretary. Both advise the other that no good relationship can begin based on a lie, and soon both are forced to confront their deceived dates.

    Director:Jim Drake
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 9 - Sports Buddies
    7.2/10(155 votes)

    #9 - Sports Buddies

    S1:E9

    Angela becomes involved with a gentleman who is quite the sports fanatic. He becomes more interested in hanging out with Tony and talking sports than in spending time with Angela.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writers:Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser

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  10. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 10 - Requiem
    7.9/10(176 votes)

    #10 - Requiem

    S1:E10

    Tony is moonlighting to raise extra money, which Mona believes is to take care of a secret girlfriend in Brooklyn. Soon the truth comes out: Tony is still paying rent on his recently deceased father's apartment, so that he and Sam will have a place to go just in case things don't work out in Connecticut.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writers:Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser

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  11. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 11 - Samantha's Growing Up
    7.8/10(163 votes)

    #11 - Samantha's Growing Up

    S1:E11

    Forced to confront the fact that Samantha is not a little girl any more, Tony buys her her first brassiere. When it turns out not to be the kind she wanted, Tony enlists Angela's help in buying Samantha new clothes. He is less than thrilled, however, when Samantha comes home looking a bit too grown up. (Note: This episode was originally titled ""Samantha's First Bra"" but was later changed due to censoring problems.)

    Director:Linda Day
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 12 - Paint Your Wagon
    7.5/10(166 votes)

    #12 - Paint Your Wagon

    S1:E12

    It's time to paint the Jaguar, and Angela wants the new color to be sandalwood. Tony overrides her decision and has it painted diablo red. When Angela discovers this, she is enraged and forbids him from future decision-making, proclaiming that he is just the maid. He then takes this declaration to the extreme by dressing, speaking, and behaving like a prim and proper butler.

    Director:Jim Drake
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 13 - Protecting the President
    7.1/10(152 votes)

    #13 - Protecting the President

    S1:E13

    During a company party at Angela's house, Tony throws out one of her vice-presidents for saying unprofessional things about her.

    Director:George Tibbles
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 14 - Guess Who's Coming Forever?
    7.4/10(150 votes)

    #14 - Guess Who's Coming Forever?

    S1:E14

    Mona has been evicted from her apartment and begins looking for a new home. She takes Tony's suggestion to convert the loft above Angela's garage into an apartment. Angela is not happy about the new arrangements.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 15 - Angela's Ex (1)
    7.3/10(144 votes)

    #15 - Angela's Ex (1)

    S1:E15

    Angela's ex-husband, Michael, visits so that they can sign the final divorce papers. Instead, they find themselves back together again. With Michael back in the house, there's no longer a need for Tony, who is given two weeks' notice by Michael.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writers:Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser

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  16. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 16 - Angela's Ex (2)
    7.4/10(143 votes)

    #16 - Angela's Ex (2)

    S1:E16

    While Tony and Samantha live it up at the lavish estate of Tony's new boss, a wealthy older woman, Michael and Angela enjoy their reunion. But the celebration is short-lived, as they are eventually reminded of the professional and personal differences that drove them apart the first time.

    Director:Linda Day
    Writers:Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser

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  17. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 17 - Eye on Angela
    7.8/10(162 votes)

    #17 - Eye on Angela

    S1:E17

    A local news reporter, Bobbi Barnes, wants to do a story on the daily life of Angela. But when a series of innocent mix-ups leads Tony and Angela to wake up in the same bed, Bobbi's camera crew is waiting in the hall to capture the scene. Bobbi thinks she has a juicy story for her show, but Mona has other ideas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 18 - Double Date
    7.3/10(147 votes)

    #18 - Double Date

    S1:E18

    Samantha is looking forward to the upcoming school dance, but Tony spoils her evening by constantly taking pictures of her and her date, working at the dance as a chaperone, and getting caught kissing her teacher in front of the entire class.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 19 - Tony's Father-in-Law
    6.9/10(146 votes)

    #19 - Tony's Father-in-Law

    S1:E19

    Nick, Tony's father-in-law, visits. He cannot bring himself to tell everyone that he will soon be imprisoned, so he instead claims that he is dying, then milks the sympathy.

    Director:Richard Sakai
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 20 - Just Like Tony
    7.2/10(140 votes)

    #20 - Just Like Tony

    S1:E20

    Stories of Tony's rebellious youth are rubbing off on Jonathan, particularly when Jonathan brings home a hubcap stolen from a police car. Angela then decrees that from now on, she is to be consulted on all decisions regarding her son. Not to be completely overruled, Tony decides to handle the situation in his own way.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 21 - Keeping Up With Marci
    7.4/10(141 votes)

    #21 - Keeping Up With Marci

    S1:E21

    Tony fears he can't afford the ski club Samantha wants to join with her friends, but he lets her sign up anyway. When his attempt to economize by cleaning Angela's chimney himself fails, he must go back on his word and tell Samantha she cannot join. Refusing to borrow the money from Angela, Tony soon sells one of his prized possessions to be able to pay for Samantha's ski trip.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writer:Michael Poryes

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  22. Who's the Boss? Season 1 Episode 22 - First Kiss
    8.0/10(164 votes)

    #22 - First Kiss

    S1:E22

    Angela comes home from a rowdy birthday party, just as Tony returns home from a police-sponsored demonstration of the effects of alcohol on the mind. Both are in a woozy state, and they end up kissing.

    Director:Asaad Kelada
    Writers:Robert Sternin, Prudence Fraser

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Who's the Boss?" season 1. It scored 7.5/10 based on 276 votes. Directed by Bill Persky and written by Blake Hunter, it aired on 9/20/1984. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Briefless Encounter".