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1. How many episodes of Who's the Boss? were filmed?
2. When was the Pilot filmed?
3. Did Who's the Boss? spawn any spin-offs?
4. Where is the Bower House located?
5. Where is the house used in the theme song credits located?
6. Whatever happened to Billy?
7. Where was Who's the Boss? filmed?
8. Where can I purchase video tapes/DVDs of Who's the Boss?
9. Is there a Who's the Boss? reunion in the works?
10. How can I contact the cast of Who's the Boss?
11. Was the show filmed in front of a live studio audience?
12. Where can I find a .mp3 copy of the theme song?
13. Who wrote the lyrics to the theme song?
14. Where can I find a copy of 'Always a Friend', as sung by Ray Charles?
15. What are the lyrics to 'Always a Friend'?
16. What is the name of the song that Tony and Angela dance to in the show credits?
17. Who's the Boss? and The Nanny seem to have a lot of similarities...
18. What other shows have Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter been involved in?
19. What happened to Grover, the dog?
20. Who was the set designer?
21. Did Tony and Angela get married?
22. Have any of the cast members visited WTB?R?
23. Can you send me The Sims files used for the Bower House Tour?
Other information from Dean Ollins & Michael R.
How many episodes of Who's the Boss? were filmed?
193 episodes of WTB? aired in prime time between '84 and '92. However, when Columbia Tri-Star sold the show into syndication, they sold everything but the kitchen sink in the deal. That included the pilots for Charmed Lives, Mona, and Living Dolls, which were produced (as you know) with WTB characters involved. These shows were otherwise just sitting around, but at $2.5 million per, represented easy money for the studio when they sold the show to the syndicators. Slap on the WTB title sequence, and voila! An extra $7.5 mil in the bank.
When was the Pilot filmed?
The Pilot was shot on 11/4/83, but didn't air until 9/84. If you look, Tony's hairstyle is much different from episode #1 to #2.
Did Who's the Boss? spawn any spin-offs?
Yes, please see the Spin-Offs section for more information.
Where is the Bower House located?
3344 Oakhills Drive, in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Where is the house used in the theme song credits located?
13 Onandaga Street in Rye, New York. Ever wonder how the "Bower/Micelli" house looks today? WTB?R member folle got to see the exterior firsthand. Click here to view a photograph she took.
Note: Tony Danza is not the driver in the opening credits sequence as they go from the Triborough Bridge into CT.
Whatever happened to Billy?
An explanation for Billy's departure was mentioned in Seer of Love. Tony and Angela explained, when they were speaking with a psychic, that Billy's grandmother, Mrs. Napoli, had completely recovered from her hip surgery and that she was able to take care of him again.
Where was Who's the Boss? filmed?
In Season 1, the show was filmed at Universal City Studios. Subsequent seasons were shot at Sunset-Gower Studios (ABC Television Center), in Hollywood, California.
Where can I purchase video tapes/DVDs of Who's the Boss?
Who's the Boss?: The Complete First Season is now available on DVD! It is a 3-disk set, featuring all 22 episodes of the first season. You can order it from Amazon for under $40. No plans have been announced regarding a Season 2 set.
Columbia House is selling Who's the Boss? video tapes on a monthly basis. The first tape is $4.95 + shipping and handling and has two episodes. Additional tapes will be sent once a month and are $19.95 + shipping and handling.
Is there a Who's the Boss? reunion in the works?
No. In a past issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine, Tony Danza stated that he would like to do a reunion, but not much else has been mentioned, since. Unfortunately, Alyssa Milano has expressed that she wants nothing to do with a reunion.
If you are interested in seeing a Who's the Boss? reunion, please take a moment to sign WTB?R's petition, here. The petition (has over 1,500+ signatures) has already been mailed out to Tony's people and ABC, but more signatures will help, of course.
How can I contact the cast of Who's the Boss?
Here are the contact addresses for all of the main cast of Who's the Boss?, excluding Danny Pintauro, who does not have a recent contact address listed on the internet:
Tony Danza
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA. 90232
Judith Light
1888 Century Park East, 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA. 90067
Alyssa Milano
P.O. Box 1326
Torrance, CA. 90505
Katherine Helmond
2035 Davies Way
Los Angeles, CA. 90046
Rhoda Gemignani
c/o Cunningham, Escott and Dipene
10635 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 130
Los Angeles, CA. 90025
Was the show filmed in front of a live studio audience?
Yes, except when the cast went to Malibu for the two-episode story on "Michael Bower's" remarriage (Custody) and the 2-episode trip to Mexico, where "Angela" loses her job (Angela Gets Fired). Marty and Blake were the final editors and it is possible some laugh tracks were added, but the show was always shot in front of a live studio audience.
Where can I find an .mp3 copy of the theme song?
I will not be hosting the theme song until/if I am able to get permission from Columbia Tri-Star Television to host it. However, if you do a little searching around, you should be able to find a copy of it on the Internet.
Who wrote the lyrics to the theme song?
The lyrics were written by Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter.
Where can I find a copy of 'Always a Friend', as sung by Ray Charles?
An .mp3 is available in the Sound Clips section. A more finished version (non-Ray Charles) of Always a Friend can be obtained for a nominal fee. Please contact the song's author, Dennis Scott, for more information. Dennis can also direct you as to where to find the sheet music for the song.
'Always a Friend' was written exclusively for Hit the Road, Chad.
What are the lyrics to 'Always a Friend'?
You are always a friend, someone I can talk to.
Always a friend, someone I can always turn to time and again
when it seems as if my whole world is caving in.
You are always a friend, someone I believe in.
Always a friend, someone I've been needing so since I don't know when.
You've a shoulder I can lean on ev'ry now and then.
You're always a friend. We've been friends from the beginning.
I love the way you always smile at me. Hey, look at me I'm winning.
Now my only wish is that someday I will be always a friend,
someone who will always love you.
Always a friend, someone who'll be worthy of you right to the end.
What a sweet life I'll have going knowing that I've been always a friend.
I am always a friend, someone who will always love you.
Always a friend, someone who'll be standing by you right to the end.
Then it's you and me together, just the two of us forever,
'cause I see in you the love I always see in me.
Please let me be always a friend, always a friend, always a friend, always a friend.
What is the name of the song that Tony and Angela dance to in Older Than Springtime?
The name of the song was "Steppin' Out", by Joe Jackson.
Who's the Boss? and The Nanny seem to share a lot of similarities...
Several episodes of The Nanny were virtual recreations of Boss scripts. The show benefited from WTB? vets in its production. On a related note, Fran Drescher, the star of The Nanny, had two guest parts on Who's the Boss?. She played Carol Patrice in The Heiress and Joyce Columbus in Charmed Lives (the pilot for a WTB? spin-off). Also, Judith Light and Fran Drescher are good friends.
The Nanny also seemed to recycle some of the old WTB? sets. For example, Maggie's bedroom has the exact same layout as Tony's bedroom, with new wallpaper.
Be sure to tune in to the TV Tales documentary about WTB? to find out the secret behind "the Nanny connection!" The special can be seen on E! Entertainment TV.
What other shows have Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter been involved in?
Marty is a San Francisco native who came to TV in its early days in the 50s. He knows all facets of the business. He wrote for The Odd Couple and The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later was producer of the Bob Newhart Show. Marty, among his many talents, was a director earlier in his career. His wife Dawn is a writer as well.
Blake, a public relations expert came to L.A. via his native North Carolina and New York. He was a writer/producer for WKRP in Cincinnati. Cohan & Hunter worked together in the later seasons of Diff'rent Strokes. This got them with the Lear/Tandem Productions. Thus, WTB is a lineal descendant of the "high concept" shows which began with All in the Family.
What happened to Grover, the dog?
Nobody knows. He was last heard of in A Trip to the Principal.
Who was the set designer?
Bob Breen. Besides designing the set for Who's the Boss?, he fashioned the sets for All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes, Married With Children, and more.
Did Tony and Angela get married?
Unfortunately, no (unless you count Cardinal Sin and Tony and Angela Get Divorced). To find out how the show ended, check out the Show Synopsis.
Have any of the cast members visited WTB?R?
I know for sure that Judith Light and Jonathan Halyalkar (Billy) have visited the site, as well as several of WTB?'s guest stars. One of the show's creator's, Martin Cohan, is also aware of the site, and Tony may be, as well.
Can you send me The Sims files used for the The Bower House Tour?
Sorry, but no...not at this moment, anyway. Perhaps in the future I'll complete the house and make it available for downoad. As of this moment, it isn't actually finished. I just build little "sets" on lot 12, one for each viewing angle, and "disassemble" them when I'm done. Also, it would look completely different from what is seen in the Bower House Tour... At least half of the objects seen in them are added when I touch-up the pictures in my photo-editing program.
Other Information from Dean Ollins and Michael R.
On Tony Danza and the filming of the Pilot
The opening scene of the Pilot, with Tony, Alyssa, and Rhoda was filmed on the backlot at Universal. (Alyssa says she remembers the tram driving by!) The rest of the pilot was shot on a regular soundstage.
When they made the "pitch" for Boss, originally titled "You're the Boss", it was with the intention of showcasing Tony Danza. At the time, Tony was in contention for two other projects. On the day of the Boss screen test with potential Angelas, he showed up at the wrong studio.
WTB? on NBC?
NBC turned down a pitch by Hunter and Cohan that eventually evolved into WTB - WTB was developed for midseason '83-'84 on ABC, and The Cosby Show was developed for Fall of '84 on NBC.
On WTB?'s syndication package
At the time of its initial syndication in 1989, it was the second largest $ package in TV history, right behind The Cosby Show. When the syndication package was marketed in 1989, it was a selling of Tony Danza all over the country with his picture on billboards, buses, etc. WTB? fetched $2.5 million per episode, which was another reason why the three pilots (Mona, Charmed Lives & Living Dolls) were sold into the package.
In the early 90s, WTB was aired in around 70 countries. It was very popular in France, Germany, and Israel. Many of the same scripts from WTB? were used for a British version entitled The Upper Hand. The show was produced by Christopher Walker, who almost bought the rights to Married with Children instead.
Honor "Pussy Galore" Blackman played the "Mona"-type character in the UK. The "Tony" character is a soccer player. And in Britain, the show ended with a marriage - and they have made a reunion show too.
Marty and Blake wrote an original Upper Hand episode to get the characters married in Britain. Also, Katherine Helmond guested as the Fortune Teller in the "Seer of Love" episode -- British style. She came up with the concept that the Fortune Teller had a hacking cough, which made it even funnier.
On Rhoda Gemignani's relation to Martin Cohan
Rhoda is Marty's sister and her married name aside, she is not Italian (Tony said she reminded him of one of his aunts). Rhoda attended the Friday night taping of every show. She was created as an infrequent visitor to the show as Mrs. Carmella Rossini. Most recently, Rhoda had a recurring role on Just Shoot Me!
The character of Rhoda Morgenstern on the Mary Tyler Moore show was named after none other than our own Rhoda Gemignani! And to top it off, when Rhoda got her own show, her father was named after our own Martin Cohan!
On the swimming pool in The Unsinkable Tony Micelli
When Tony agrees to swim for Billy, the set designers actually constructed a legitimate swimming pool on the set. After the taping, it was promptly torn down.
On Tony's fear of swimming
Tony had no trouble splashing around Malibu and Mexico, but suddenly was afraid to go swimming with Billy. This actually escaped the show's makers.
On Tony Danza's references on the show
Many of Tony Danza's references on the show were rather autobiographical. His old Brooklyn neighborhood was East New York. He did go to St. Teresa's Church there, the Malverne High sweatshirt is of his Long Island alma mater, Bobby Governale is a real - life friend (I think he is mentioned by Danny DeVito in a Taxi episode too), in the Ray Charles episode he mentions his real wife's name (Tracy Robinson), the 8th season finale with him coaching in Iowa harks back to his own days at the University of Dubuque (he had a wrestling scholarship), he mentions his old high school English teacher (I think McMasters was the name), his father (Matty Iadanza) was really buried in the Jamaica Ave. Cemetery along the Queens/Brooklyn line near East New York, Samantha once talks about hearing from "Frank Lieberman" at school (Mr. Danza's then publicist) and this just goes on and on.
On the show's sinking ratings in Season 8
There are many reasons why the show tanked in the ratings in year 8. The money was already made with the number of reruns and ABC had other programs to champion. The show was no longer a priority for ABC. The ratings began to decline in Season 7. Marty and Blake lobbied for Tony and Angela to wed. They believed this could have led to a Season 9 and even a baby to keep things going. But as mentioned earlier, the Company would not allow this to occur. They cited the fate of The Mary Tyler Moore Show in low-rated reruns as an example of where a final episode doomed the syndication. Tony Danza also expressed that he was vehemently against having Tony and Angela marry, because it would have, in his eyes, changed the purpose of the show. Instead, the writers had Sam get married in the two-parter, Better Off Wed.
On the scripts in Season 8
Season 8 had to be virtually rewritten since the wedding for Tony and Angela was nixed. Allergic to Love had a twist as Tony has a reaction to the Lapidus plant (David Lapidus wrote the show.). The story with the grandmother was truly bizarre. The marriage of Hank and Sam was extremely hasty and none of the episodes (or characters) fit very well but by this time it was the 1990s and sitcoms were picking up by this time in terms of raunchiness.
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Title
Brand New Life
Credits
Larry Carlton, Blake Hunter, and Robert Kraft (Lyrics)
Steve Wariner (Singer for Seasons 1-2)
Larry Weiss (Singer for Seasons 3-5)
Jonathan Wolff (Singer for Seasons 6-8/Music bits in-between scenes for Seasons 6-8)
Lyrics
Seasons 1&2:
Long - There is more to life than what you're living. So take a chance and face the wind. An open road and a road that’s hidden, brand new life around the bend. There were times, I lost a dream or two, found the trail, and at the end was you. There’s a path you take and a path not taken. The choice is up to you my friend. The nights are long but you might awaken, to a brand new life, brand new life, brand new life around the bend.
Short - There is more to life than what you're living. So take a chance and face the wind. An open road and a road that’s hidden, a brand new life around the bend. The nights are long but you might awaken, to a brand new life, brand new life, brand new life around the bend.
Seasons 3-8:
Long - There’s a time for love and a time for living. So take a chance and face the wind. An open road and a road that’s hidden, brand new life around the bend. There were times, I lost a dream or two, found the trail, and at the end was you. There’s a path you take and a path not taken. The choice is up to you my friend. Nights are long but you might awaken, to a brand new life, brand new life, brand new life around the bend.
Short - There’s a time for love and a time for living. You take a chance and face the wind. An open road and a road that’s hidden, a brand new life around the bend. Nights are long but you might awaken, to a brand new life, brand new life, brand new life around the bend.
Insert Another Sub Header Here
 
If you were baby-sitting a rowdy eight-year-old girl, where would you take her? Alyssa Milano's baby-sitter had that problem so she took her to an audition for Annie. Little did the baby-sitter realize that Alyssa would win the title role in Annie and go on to play Tony Danza's daughter, Samantha, on "Who's the Boss?".
Now, at 17, Alyssa's not so rowdy, she's just plain busy. She's a TV and movie actress; she's a recording star in Japan; she's a fitness freak in her exercise video "Teen Steam"; she writes a column for the magazine Teen Machine; and she even manages a celebrity hockey team. But Alyssa's fashion-designer mom says she's very down to earth. In fact, she says Alyssa does the dishes when she's home. And takes care of her dog. And even baby-sits her own eight-year-old brother, Cory. Wonder if she'll make him a star too?
What's your average day like?
I go to high school in the morning. I do all my classes like from 8:30 to 12:30. And at 12:30 I go to work on the show. When I go home I do my homework, you know, that kind of stuff. I take three dance classes a week or I work out. I'm in my bed by 10:00 'cause I'm so beat. With this kind of routine there's no time for anything else.
You're pretty much grew up on TV. Did it feel strange to grow up in front of so many people?
There were definitely times I felt like a geek. There was one show where I had to wear a ski mask for a long time. I was so embarrassed, I almost wanted to die. It's hard too 'cause you meet people on the street and they think they know you. I was 11 when I started the show and I'm in their house every week. Seeing me back then, the reruns, it's like a photo album.
Your TV dad (Tony Danza) plays a maid. What do you think about men doing housework?
I think it's great for the guy to help out. You know, do laundry, do the dishes. It's different now. Boys are being raised differently now where they have to do stuff. When my dad was growing up, he didn't have to do a thing. My grandmother did everything for him. He had to make that adjustment.
What do you plan to study in college?
Well, I'll never take another science class as long as I live. Umm, well, this month, I'm interested in education and literature.
You manage a celebrity hockey team. Do you play?
NO! Noooo way! I've got skates, but I've never even picked up a stick.
What's it like to manage a team with players like Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Keaton and John Stamos?
Well, I kind of just tell the players what to do. There's actually a lot of comedy involved. We play for a charity so we just go out and have fun.
I bet when you hear the song "Tomorrow" (from Annie) it sets your teeth on edge.
Yes, absolutely. Back then, we did eight show a week for a year and a half. All across the country. So you can guess how many times I sang that song.
What do you do with your time off? Where do you hang out?
Jerry's Deli (a Los Angeles restaurant). That's a big hangout. I go to movies and do normal teenage stuff. You know, going to concerts and things like that.
Speaking of music, let's say you're stuck in a traffic jam, what tape is playing?
It would probably be something from Rod Steward anthology. Yeah, definitely Rod Stewart.
So what kind of car do you drive?
I drive a metallic black BMW M3. But I think when I go back east for college, I'm probably gonna get a truck.
Do you have a favorite pair of Jeans?
This pair that used to be my mom's. They are actually like the first jean that Guess? made. They're so cool. And they're ripped everywhere...like shreds.
Let's get into some fantasies. You're on a treasure-hunting expedition and you find gold coins worth one million dollars. What would you do with the money?
A lot of people in my family have had cancer, so half of it would go to cancer research. And with the rest...I would buy a cabin. Not like a real cabin but with plumbing and everything. A hideaway place like up in Canada. No...I'd buy an island up there. I guess I would go on a major shopping spree, too. But I'd probably end up buying stuff like hats that I'd never really have the guts to wear. I always do that.
Here's another one. You're sent on a year-long trip around the world but you can only take five items. What would they be?
My CD Walkman, my Rod Stewart CD...can I bring my Stairmaster? Just kidding. A TV. A hair dryer. My diary, definitely my diary. And a big book. Probably my Edna St. Vincent Millay poetry book.
That's six but we'll count your Walkman and Rod Stewart as one. One more thing, who's the boss in your own family?
Ah...nobody is. We have a very evened-out family. My mom was always a disciplinarian and she was pretty tough. My dad was a different story. I was always a 'daddy's girl.' But it's pretty even, which is nice. I mean, that's the way I think it should be. |
