Sony Pictures Television is developing a sequel to the beloved ’80s comedy series Who’s the Boss?, as reported by Deadline. Both Tony Danza (Taxi, Angels in the Outfield) and Alyssa Milano (Charmed) have already confirmed via their social media accounts that they will return to reprise their iconic roles as Tony and Samantha Micelli.
Who’s the Boss? stared Danza as single father Tony Micelli, a retired major league baseball player who moves to Connecticut with his daughter Samantha to work as a live-in housekeeper for an advertising executive named Angela Bower, played by Judith Light (Ugly Betty, Transparent), and her son Jonathan, played by Danny Pintauro (Cujo, The Beniker Gang). The show ran for 8 seasons on ABC from 1984-92, and averaged over 33 million viewers an episode. It was lauded by many for its progressive depictions of reversed gender roles and stereotypes, and went on to be nominated for 10 Emmys and five Golden Globes in its 8-year stint.
Deadline states that the new series will take place 30 years after the original, centering around Samanta, who is now a single mother living in the same house as the original series was set in. The reboot will borrow its influences from the original series, explorating themes of generational differences, opposing worldviews and parenting styles within the dynamic of a modern family.
No other cast members from the original have been confirmed for the sequel, including Light and Pintauro, but there is still hope for the creators finding ways to integrate them into the show. Katherine Helmond (Soap, Overboard), who played as the feisty mother, Mona Robinson, sadly passed away last year in February 23, 2019.
Who’s the Boss? was written and produced by Norman Lear (All in the Family, Maude) under his Embassy Communications banner. The rights to the show was sold to The Coca Cola Company in 1985 before being handed over to Sony Pictures Television.
Lear will act as executive producer on the sequel along with Danza and Milano. Brent Miller (American Masters) of ACT III Productions and Dan Farah (Ready Player One) of Farah Films will also executive produce. As of now, no network is in connection with the show.