TV Guide capsule for Saturday, April 24, 1993:
9 PM Who's the Boss?—Comedy
Jonathan graduates from high school and decides it's a good time to reveal his secret.
Scene I: The Harpers' kitchen, a weekday evening in June
(Mona, who has a nice suntan from her two-month honeymoon, is sitting talking with Jonathan, with mugs in front of them.)
JONATHAN: So how was your honeymoon, Grandma? Uh, I mean the travel part.
MONA: Wonderful! We went all through Europe, saw everything we could. Ate everything we could. Danced everywhere we could.
JONATHAN: That sounds nice. Uh, did you visit Nanna in England?
MONA: (sighing) Yes, I had to.
JONATHAN: So what was she up to a few months ago?
MONA: One of her fiendish schemes. She even got Christy to not answer Angela's phone calls and letters. All so she could test Tony and Angela, mostly Tony, about their potential greed. The old witch still hasn't finalized her will, and you can bet me marrying the president of a sperm bank was about as well received as my engagement to James Earl Jones was 45 years ago.
JONATHAN: Well, I guess money isn't everything.
MONA: Who are you and what have you done with Jonathan Bower?
JONATHAN: Grandma. I like money, but you know, there are other things.
MONA: (teasing) Like love?
JONATHAN: (blushing) I'm not in love with Bonnie. I just really, really like her.
MONA: Uh huh.
JONATHAN: And before you ask, no, we haven't really been alone together since Valentine's weekend.
MONA: I see. (Cut to the living room, where Sam has just come in.)
SAM: (talking to herself) I'm sure we brought that set of china over when we moved, but if Hank thinks it's still here, I guess I can at least look. (She heads towards the kitchen but pauses when she hears voices. The camera stays with her and we see her silent reactions as she listens at the door.)
MONA: That must've been hard on you, trying to be apart but seeing each other all the time.
JONATHAN: Well, yeah. Especially when I have to keep the relationship a secret. Well, except from you.
MONA: No secret is safe from me, Jonathan. You should know that by now.
JONATHAN: Well, yeah. Thank you for being so accepting.
MONA: Of course. You're my grandson and I want you to be happy.
JONATHAN: Well, I appreciate it. We both do.
MONA: Well, I think you made a good choice for your first serious partner.
JONATHAN: Thank you.
MONA: So are you going to tell your mother?
JONATHAN: I can't tell Mom! She still thinks of me as a kid. And it's not like it's an ordinary relationship.
MONA: She might surprise you.
JONATHAN: Well, maybe. But the time isn't right yet. Maybe right before I leave home for college.
MONA: If you think that's best, Dear.
JONATHAN: Speaking of home, I've got to go do homework. My last homework for high school.
MONA: OK. One more for the road?
JONATHAN: I don't know, Grandma, your coffee is pretty strong.
MONA: Hey, you're almost a man, you can take it. (Sam backs away from the kitchen door, stunned.)
SAM: (whispering to herself) I don't believe this! Jonathan is gay! (Roll opening credits.)
Scene II: The living room of the apartment over the garage, a few minutes later
(Angela is sitting in a rocking chair with one of her twins, while rocking a cradle with her foot. Someone knocks.)
ANGELA: (definitely not getting up) Come in! (Sam opens the door, steps in, and closes the door behind her.)
SAM: (amused despite her concerns) You never change, do you? Still multi-tasking!
ANGELA: Well, that's inevitable with twins.
SAM: You want some help?
ANGELA: Yes, please. (Sam sits on the floor and rocks the cradle.)
SAM: (looking down at the baby) So is Dad around?
ANGELA: He went over to the main house to look for decorations for Jonathan's graduation party. Didn't you see him?
SAM: No, I was over at the Harpers' looking for Hank's parents' good china, to use at Jonathan's graduation party.
ANGELA: Oh.
SAM: Um, I didn't find it but I did discover something.
ANGELA: What?
SAM: (still not looking at Angela) Um, I know I shouldn't have been eavesdropping but I couldn't help it.
ANGELA: Sam, you shouldn't tell me anything you found out that way.
SAM: Not even if it's about Jonathan?
ANGELA: Of course not! (pause) Is it something bad?
SAM: (now looking up at Angela) Well, no, not exactly. I mean, I'm surprised, but, no, it's not bad.
ANGELA: Well, then. (She's clearly torn between wanting to respect Jonathan's privacy, and wanting to know.) Was he talking to Mother?
SAM: Yeah. I think she's the only one who knows. Well, besides me.
ANGELA: Oh. And how did she seem to feel about it?
SAM: She's happy for him.
ANGELA: Oh. Is it something to do with school? Like what college he's decided on?
SAM: Uh, no, not school.
ANGELA: Sam, just tell me. You can't just keep dropping hints. It isn't fair!
SAM: Well, from the sound of it, um, I think Jonathan, well, is gay.
ANGELA: Oh!
SAM: Which you know is cool and everything. I've got a couple gay friends I've met in college. But it is surprising when it's your own family, right? Someone you've known for years.
ANGELA: (quietly) Yes.
SAM: Maybe I shouldn't have told you. I don't think he wants you to know.
ANGELA: Oh, that poor boy! Being alone, well, almost alone with this secret. Afraid to tell me!
SAM: Then you didn't suspect it either?
ANGELA: Well, no. I mean, he's dated girls. And he's had so many crushes on girls, and women. But maybe—
SAM: Yeah?
ANGELA: Well, maybe that's why he couldn't make up his mind between Jenny Wittener and Heather Harper. Oh, and we were all pressuring him about it! I feel just terrible now!
SAM: Angela, even if he's gay, he wasn't being fair to them letting that drag—um, not drag, no. (They both laugh self-consciously.)
ANGELA: Anyway, I'll have to find a way to let him know I'm not going to judge him.
SAM: Well, don't tell him I told you!
ANGELA: Of course not.
SAM: Um, what do you think Dad's going to say? (Angela sighs.)
ANGELA: I don't know. Your father is a mix of old-fashioned and progressive. He loves Jonathan like a son, but that doesn't mean he's going to be comfortable with this. I know if it was Tony, Jr.— (She looks down at the baby in her lap.) It would be different because of the Micelli name not being carried on.
SAM: Well, it's a long time till Tony, Jr. can have kids.
ANGELA: You know what I mean.
SAM: Yeah, and you're right. I honestly don't know how he'll react to Jonathan.
ANGELA: We probably shouldn't tell him. It's Jonathan's secret anyway. (Sam looks at her.) Well, it was supposed to be his secret.
SAM: Right, and I won't say a word to Hank— (She breaks off as Tony comes in.)
TONY: Say a word about what to Hank?
SAM: Uh, about his parents' china. I couldn't find it.
TONY: That's OK. We can use the Robinson china. I don't think Mona will mind.
ANGELA: No, probably not. (Tony smiles at them all.) What?
TONY: I don't know, it's just nice. Seeing my kids and my wife together like this. Well, all my kids except Jonathan.
SAM: All the kids of your blood, right?
TONY: Sam, I don't make that kind of distinction, you know that. Jonathan is mine, just like your Angela's, right?
SAM: Right. Well, I should be getting back to the main house. (She stands up and Little Mona starts crying. Tony drops to the ground and starts rocking the cradle.)
TONY: OK, Sweetheart, see you later. And hello, My Littlest Sweetheart! (He makes a silly face at his baby daughter, who stops crying.)
SAM: Bye, Dad. Bye, Angela. (The two women's eyes meet, promising to keep Jonathan's secret as long as necessary.)
Scene III: The living room of the main house, Jonathan's graduation party
(Guests are milling around. Tony is serving hors d'oeuvres. Mrs. Rossini goes up to Jonathan, who's still wearing his graduation robes, and pinches his cheeks.)
MRS. R: Ay, Mr. Valedictorian! I'm so proud of you!
JONATHAN: (rubbing his sore cheeks) Thanks, Mrs. Rossini. (The doorbell rings.)
SAM: (since she's closest) I'll get it. (She opens the door to Walter, whom we haven't seen since "A Trip to the Principal," almost six years ago.) Um, hello?
WALTER: (mumbling) Hi. I'm Walter.
SAM: Oh, right, I haven't seen you in awhile.
WALTER: Moved away. Got back in touch.
SAM: (thinking she understands) Oh, of course! Come on in, Walter, it's so good to see you! Jonathan will be so glad you made it.
WALTER: Cool.
SAM: Make yourself at home.
WALTER: Thanks. (She goes over to Angela, who's sitting in a comfy chair with one of the babies.)
SAM: (whispering) Hey, Angela, I think that's him.
ANGELA: (whispering back) Who him? What him?
SAM: The boyfriend!
ANGELA: Oh! Um, that's not what I pictured.
SAM: Me neither. But we need to let them know we accept them.
ANGELA: Sam, we can't say anything! Jonathan doesn't want us to know yet.
SAM: OK, OK, I'll just be nice to him.
ANGELA: Not too nice. Don't be obvious about it.
SAM: Trust me, Angela. (yelling) Hey, Walter, let me know if you need anything!
ANGELA: Good, Sam, very subtle.
HANK: So, Jonathan, good valedictorian speech.
JONATHAN: Thanks, I modeled it on your speech for college graduation. Only without the puppets.
HANK: Hey, speaking of puppets, do you want to come back to my show this summer?
JONATHAN: But you replaced me months ago.
HANK: Yeah, but my assistant's going on vacation in a couple weeks.
JONATHAN: Well, I guess I could fill in. I don't have any definite summer plans. (His eyes follow Bonnie as she takes the plate of hors d'oeuvres from Tony. Hank doesn't notice.)
HANK: Cool, we can talk about it later. I know you want to mingle with your guests.
JONATHAN: Yeah, thanks. (He's about to go over to Bonnie, when Al comes over.)
AL: Hey, Jonathan, speech, speech!
JONATHAN: Al, I gave my speech at graduation.
AL: Nah, not that crap about the meaning of life. I mean something for us, your friends and family.
JONATHAN: Oh, right. Well, I, I guess I can say something.
AL: Ay, listen up, Everybody, Jonathan's gonna make a speech!
JONATHAN: Thanks, Al. (Jonathan clears his throat as everyone gathers around to listen.) Well, first of all, I want to thank you all for coming, and for supporting me over the years. In particular, I want to thank my family. My "big sister Sam," who always called me a geek and a dweeb and of course a nerd, but never stopped being proud of me. My new little brother and sister, for living over the garage, so I could actually study the last couple months. (Everyone laughs good-naturedly.) My grandmother for teaching me more about courage and laughter and fun than I could ever learn in school. My mom for raising me, on her own for a long time, and teaching me to love learning and to be proud of who I am. And of course Tony. My real dad couldn't be here today because he's traveling, but Tony has always been here for me, as my buddy, as my role model, as my coach. In a way, even before Tony married Mom, he was my real dad, too. So thank you all. (Everyone applauds. Then Jonathan sees Bonnie beaming at him.) Um, there's one other person I'd like to thank individually. Someone who has been a true friend to me, and now is something more than a friend. (Almost everyone looks around, wondering who this could be. Tony and Hank look at Jenny and Heather, wondering which girl Jonathan finally chose. Angela and Sam look at Walter and then at each other.) I'd like to thank Bonnie. (She blushes but smiles. Almost everyone is shocked. Then the doorbell rings.)
MONA: (the only calm person in the room) I'll get that. (She opens the door to Michael Bower.) Michael, what a pleasant surprise. (Wayne & Garth style) Not! (Cut to commercial.)
Scene IV: The same set, about ten minutes later
(Most of the guests have left. Richard, Hank, Sam, Al, Jonathan, Bonnie, Tony, Angela, and Michael are sitting around. Mona and Mrs. Rossini are at the front door.)
MONA: (in her hostess persona) Thank you so much for coming, Carmella. Jonathan will open your gift later and send you a thank-you note.
MRS. R: Mona, I don't understand what's goin' on! And why does Al get to stay and I don't?
SAM: (with crossed arms) Al has some explaining to do.
MRS. R: OK, OK. Congratulations, Jonathan! On your graduation and on, well, anyway.
JONATHAN: (quietly) Thanks, Mrs. Rossini. (Mona shoos her out and then shuts the door.)
ANGELA: Mother, you've also got some explaining to do.
MICHAEL: Would someone please explain it to me? Look, I'm sorry I'm late but better late than never, right?
ANGELA: No, Michael, that's never been right. But I wouldn't expect you to know that.
MICHAEL: Hey, why are you attacking me?
TONY: (putting his hand on Angela's arm) She's not. She's just upset.
MICHAEL: Look, I caught a different flight—
MONA: Michael, not everything is about you.
MICHAEL: OK, what is this about?
RICHARD: Well, they just all found out that Jonathan has been dating Bonnie.
MICHAEL: Bonnie? Who's Bonnie? And for that matter, who are you?
RICHARD: I guess technically I'm your ex-stepfather-in-law.
MICHAEL: Mona, you actually got married and settled down?
MONA: Well, married, yes.
MICHAEL: Uh, congratulations. Now Bonnie who?
SAM: (impatiently) My Bonnie.
MICHAEL: Your Bonnie?
SAM: (pointing) Her! My best friend! Well, she was till she started sneaking around with Jonathan!
MICHAEL: Jonathan, you've been sneaking around with her? (He looks at Bonnie.)
JONATHAN: Well, yeah, but—
MICHAEL: Way to go!
ANGELA: Michael!
TONY: (shaking his head) And all this time, I was waiting for him to work things out with Jenny.
HANK: I was so much out of the loop that I thought he had the hots for Heather.
MICHAEL: (shocked) His stepmother?
HANK: No, Heather Harper, the neighbor girl.
ANGELA: A different blonde airhead Heather.
MICHAEL: Now that is no way to talk about one of my favorite ex-wives.
MONA: Oh, that's right. You got divorced again, didn't you, Michael? I was so sorry to hear that.
MICHAEL: Sure you were, Mona.
MONA: No, really. What happened?
MICHAEL: Not that it's any of your business, but she sort of had a midlife crisis.
ANGELA: Midlife crisis? She's fifteen years younger than you!
MICHAEL: Well, I said sort of. She turned thirty and suddenly she didn't want to be "assistant to Michael Bower" anymore.
ANGELA: Imagine that!
MICHAEL: Hey, at least I'm willing to take a risk and remarry. Unlike you and your "housekeeper" who haven't gotten past an engagement in nine years.
JONATHAN: Um, Dad, they got married last Fall.
MICHAEL: Oh, well, uh, congratulations.
ANGELA: Thank you. (A baby starts crying. She suddenly looks embarrassed.) Excuse me. (She exits quickly, towards the kitchen. Michael looks stunned. The others have trouble hiding their amusement.)
MICHAEL: Tony, you and Angela got married in the Fall?
TONY: (embarrassed) Uh, well, yeah.
MICHAEL: And this is June. Well, I guess you're no longer wasting time, are you?
TONY: (angrily getting to his feet) OK, that's it, Buddy! You're outahere!
JONATHAN: Tony!
SAM: (grabbing his arm) Dad! You can't!
HANK: Yeah, that's Jonathan's dad. (Tony looks like he wants to say something about Jonathan's speech but with difficulty he restrains himself.)
MICHAEL: I get it. You've been wanting to get even ever since I fired you. Well, Micelli, you won. You got my house, my wife, my son.
TONY: Yeah, Bower, the house, the wife, and the son you abandoned.
MICHAEL: I didn't abandon them. Not everyone has a job where they get to stay at home.
JONATHAN: (quietly) Dad, Tony is a teacher now.
MICHAEL: Oh, I didn't know. Uh, sorry, Tony.
TONY: (sitting down again) Apology not accepted.
MONA: Michael, even when he was "just a housekeeper," he was more a part of this family than you ever were.
MICHAEL: Yeah, thank you, Mona. I got the message. But it's funny, isn't it, that even with the doting, attentive family man here, Jonathan managed to have a secret girlfriend for, how long?
JONATHAN: (quietly) Four months.
SAM: Four months?! Since February?
HANK: Oh! That explains Valentine's Weekend.
BONNIE: Um, it started before that.
SAM: Al, did you know about this? Al! (Cut to Al quietly snoring in his chair.) I don't believe this! Mona, nudge him!
MONA: (nudging Al) Hey, Al, wake up, it's your turn.
AL: (yawning) Turn for what?
RICHARD: How could you sleep through all that arguing?
AL: Are you kiddin' me? It was peaceful, like bein' in the old neighborhood.
MICHAEL: Do I want to know how Al fits into this?
HANK: Al is our housemate.
MICHAEL: Whose housemate?
SAM: Mine, Hank's, Bonnie's, and now Jonathan's.
MICHAEL: My seventeen-year-old son lives with a bunch of college students? Why didn't Angela just have him move into a frat house?
AL: (insulted) Ay, I ain't no college student! Well, I went to beauty college, but that ain't the same thing.
MICHAEL: No, it ain't.
HANK: Anyway, Al sleeps upstairs with Jonathan and Bonnie. I mean, not with. It's three bedrooms. Well, four counting the nursery.
AL: I don't sleep with 'em when Bonnie house-sits.
SAM: Yeah, what about that two months of house-sitting? Mona?
MONA: Um, well. (The words "TO BE CONTINUED" appear on the screen. Cut to commercial.)
TONY: (in voiceover) Next week on Who's the Boss? (Clips from the next episode appear.)
MICHAEL: Tony, I can talk to my ex-wife about how she's raising our son. (Cut.)
MONA: I told you two, you haven't done anything wrong. (Cut.)
ANGELA: So, Jonathan?
JONATHAN: (nervously) Yeah, Mom?
ANGELA: How exactly did this get started? (Cut.)
ANGELA: If anyone's going to kick out Michael, it'll be me. (Cut.)
JONATHAN: I'm going after her! (Cut. Then roll closing credits.)