When I first heard of a new show that was to feature both "Chachi" from "Happy Days" and one of the youngsters from "Eight Is Enough",I figured judging from the known qualities of THOSE programs that they would be STRICTLY for family viewing.As much as most of the comedy probably was intended MOSTLY for such an audience,I actually saw comic elements that usually only popped up on some shows of at least slightly more sophisticated nature.I also thought that at the start of ITS run,"Family Ties" sounded like it too might have been for a kind of "Brady Bunch" crowd.My hat was certainly off to a certain Mr. Baio as I felt at the time of "Charles In Charge's" network heyday that he had quite successfully shaken off the "Fonzie's Cousin" personna many thought would become his only association with good tv.The same applies to Willie AAmes who no longer was "Nicholas's big brother".

Both Scott Baio and Willie Aames broke free from their previous personas as Chachi Arcola and Tommy Bradford, respectively.
And yeah- I love Charles and Buddy on "Charles in Charge"- this show is great. It's one of my favorite sitcoms from the '80s and it gave both actors a chance to break free from previous typecasting (to some degree) and definitely was different from expectations in some ways.
The show definitely had some sophiscated humor- there was even some that got a bit risque towards the later seasons, unfortunately- but it's generally a very clean and very funny show.:) :cool: