Charles in Charge: Why the Spin-Offs Failed

Scott Baio was in charge of our days and our nights on Charles in Charge. He was also in charge of directing three backdoor pilot episodes that tried to launch Charles in Charge spin-offs. And they all have something in common. Find out why these three spin-offs are "identical" on Behind the Backdoor Pilot: Charles in Charge.

Narrated by Kevin Maher
Written and Edited by Mike Schuster
Produced by Kevin Maher and Nick Nadel
Executive Produced by Tim Finn

Follow Atomic Abe:

Subscribe to @atomicabe

[trinaq]

If a sitcom episode suddenly introduces a wacky cast of characters who will never be seen or mentioned again, then it's likely a purposed pilot for a new show.

[Urmmz]

Gosh I miss sitcom television.

It was an amazing time

[stingrey]

Thank you for mentioning buddy’s precipitous mental decline during the run of the series. He went from being Charles’ smarmy sidekick to a character who should have 24/7 in home care.

[anthonycerulli]

Now I have the Charles in Charge theme song stuck in my head. Thanks Atomic Abe.

[jaked]

By far one of THE BEST behind the scenes sitcom Docs I’ve seen on YouTube! Keep up the GREAT work! 👏👏

[AquarianNomadic]

I never thought much of these shows during the time.
Looking back is oddly comforting.
And entertaining!
Thanks for putting in the work!

[atomicabe]

Thanks for checking out the premiere everyone! Enjoy the episode!

[luckdragongirl]

I have fond memories of Charles in Charge. I distinctly remember it came on in the afternoons in the summer as reruns because I can remember in the summer on Vacation Bible School days, watching the reruns in the afternoon (after getting cleaned up) or reading Sweet Valley Twins books in my room before going to VBS.

[stingrey]

Another weird concept to this show was when it went from network to syndication. The original family moves out and a new one moves in WITH CHARLES STILL THERE!!!

Imagine buying or renting a place to stay then being told there is a man in the basement. He comes with the home.

[NoelComiX]

I remember watching these in syndication with the flu in college and knowing they were spin offs. They helped soothe the pain.

[mglasson]

What a great video! The "countdown to regret" was hilarious haha!

[nemesisut]

great insight and excellent research. thxs

[snoo]

I had to stop the video at 28 mins to say this is a fantastic video. the edits and the commentary makes me remember my childhood. thank you

[PatriciaCross]

Sitcom idea.

Characters are stuck in a failed backdoor pilot, still having ongoing sitcom hijinks, everyone is aware they are in a failed pilot and are trapped, and aware that they aren't actually being broadcast or watched (even though in reality we are), and there is this kinda limbo where all failed pilots exist like this.

[Shiirow]

watching the carwash section, my eyes were on that Castlevania arcade machine every time it was on screen...

[Keef_DGAF]

The Mona hotel set is the same set used for the Tipton hotel in Zack & Cody

[baxterwilson]

I loved “Charles in Charge” as a kid in the late eighties, but haven’t thought about it since, so I didn’t know about any of these spin-offs. Thanks.

[BooksInTheVoid]

I would have totally watched and enjoyed Almost Family. It feels like something I would watched when I was a kid.

[A_YouTube_Commenter]

Damn, I totally forgot that finale until you showed that.

[tahuaroa]

just stumbled across some of your videos… they are so great, keep up the good work. SUBBED