Did anyone notice in the pilot Maggie was humming the WTB? theme song? Also in another episode Carol mentions to Ben that they should watch something good and she uses the remote control to turn on the tv. It then goes to a close up shot of the tv where the theme song and picture of GP show on the tv.

Hmm, Jen, I always thought Maggie was humming the theme to "Who's the Boss", which had been a hit for a year or so at that point. "dun dun dun dun dun dun, ("There's a time for love and a time for livin', so take a chance and face the wind"), and then she's like "Duuuuuuuuun" like "Theeeere were times, I lost a dream or two...." Just my guess.

Yes, Pains was notorious for self-reference, like when Ben has his tonsils out, he's started to fade from the anesthesia and says "that show that's on Wednesdays at 8:00 on ABC" or channel 7 or something like that. Then Mike goes to Jason with a problem in the later years and says "How often do I come to you with my problems" and Jason says, "Every Tuesday, 8, 7 central?"

The second tv movie they did painfully used a lot of that style, referencing Dicaprio a bunch of times and other network stuff.

Well, I meant that in a totally friendly way. My guess would be Who's the Boss?

Another inside tv joke they did was when Tracy Wells from Mr. Belvedere guest starred and Ben says "She kinda looks like the girl from Mr. Belvedere."

I recently saw the N@N marathon and the Seaver clan (minus Mike and/or Carol) were going to see the taping of the #1 show on TV, The Cosby Show and Ben saw this girl eyeing him and he had notions going on him for days.

I've read this here before - stating it's Who's the boss. And basicaly, it is, except for 2 notes: using the words as reference, ("There's a time for love and a time for livin').... She sings "and" and "time" in a different key. Maybe this was on purpose, so not everyone would get it, 'cause I didn't.

I also remember an episode where the kids are having a snowball fight, and Carol throws a snowball at mike and says "Mike, show me that smile again!".....And then the theme song comes on. :)