Why was the "Gambling Jag" episode from Season 6 aired out of order

[TMC]

At the start of Season 6 (1989-90), Alyssa Milano sports a thick, medium brown, long past the shoulders hairstyle.

But beginning with the 8th episode of the season, "Supermom Burnout", Alyssa is sporting a hair style that's darker and cut to her shoulders. And yet, come the 12th episode of the season, "Gambling Jag", Alyssa's hair is once again the style that it was in the first seven episodes of the season.

To put things into proper perspective, "Supermom Burnout" was first broadcast on ABC on November 14, 1989 whereas "Gambling Jag" was first broadcast on December 12, 1989.

[Novera]

Oh my God this is something that bothers me on ever re-watch of the series (I didn't notice back then). I imagine they had some reason, but since I love her hair when it was long/light brown I always notice it now.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Novera

Oh my God this is something that bothers me on ever re-watch of the series (I didn't notice back then). I imagine they had some reason, but since I love her hair when it was long/light brown I always notice it now.

One of the biggest continuity snafus were the episodes that set up the short-lived Living Dolls spin-off. The second episode that featured Leah Remini's character, Charlie Briscoe (entitled "Life's a Ditch") makes it appear like it was the first time that she met Michael Learned's character, Trish Curtis. This is despite the fact that in the season prior (in the episode "Living Dolls"), Charlie is already working working for Trish.

To clarify, the "Living Dolls" episode was according to IMDb, first broadcast on March 28, 1989 in Who's the Boss' fifth season. "Life's a Ditch" meanwhile, was first broadcast on September 26, 1989.

Supposedly, "Living Dolls" actually wasn't aired as part of WTB's initial network run on ABC. It didn't show up until WTB reached syndication. "Life's a Ditch" is actually, a second attempt at a pilot for the Living Dolls series.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Novera

Oh my God this is something that bothers me on ever re-watch of the series (I didn't notice back then). I imagine they had some reason, but since I love her hair when it was long/light brown I always notice it now.

"Gambling Jag" was the last Who's the Boss? episode that has Alyssa Milano sporting her Ariel look. The part of that episode that also sticks out in my mind is the scene about eight minutes in, when Sam is dancing in the living room while Jonathan is siting on the couch eating ice cream.

Unfortunately, the Nick at Nite version appears to cut that scene out. It's especially frustrating because since Who's the Boss? isn't officially available on DVD beyond the first season, the Nick at Nite version is likely the most readily available way to watch it outside of its current broadcasts on GAC Family or Canada's CTV.ca.

When I saw it on GAC Family, I at first, assumed that it was a lost scene, since they aired it pretty much unedited. Instead, the Nick at Nite version cuts straight to Mona at the craps table.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Novera

Oh my God this is something that bothers me on ever re-watch of the series (I didn't notice back then). I imagine they had some reason, but since I love her hair when it was long/light brown I always notice it now.

I know that in October of 1989, ABC was committed to broadcasting that year's World Series between San Francisco and Oakland. The 1989 World Series began on Saturday, October 14. The next new episode of Who's the Boss? ("Tony and the Professor") would air on October 24.

Who's the Boss? wasn't scheduled to air on Tuesday, October 17 because ABC was due to broadcast Game 3 of the World Series. That game was of course, ultimately postponed due to an earthquake. And the World Series itself, wouldn't resume until Friday, October 27 (a whopping ten days).

I wonder if "Gambling Jag" would've aired on October 17 if it weren't for ABC's baseball commitments. And they slotted "Gambling Jag" for December 12, when it would've otherwise, had been a scheduled rerun.