In 2018, the nostalgia surrounding the TV series “Charles in Charge” took a dark turn when its star, Nicole Eggert, made detailed allegations against her co-star, Scott Baio. The controversy began on Twitter when Eggert, in a now-deleted tweet, encouraged people to “ask @scottbaio what happened in his garage at his house” during her underage years, vaguely alluding to inappropriate behavior that allegedly started when she was 14.
Scott Baio swiftly responded, vehemently denying the allegations and asserting that he had previously shut down Eggert’s attempts to defame him. He claimed to have taken legal action against the Dr. Oz show to prevent Eggert from making further accusations. Eggert, undeterred, doubled down on her claims during an appearance on Megyn Kelly Today.
In the interview, Eggert detailed allegations of abuse by Baio, occurring “about once a week” when she was between the ages of 14 and 16, while he was in his 20s. She claimed that fellow cast members of “Charles in Charge” had witnessed inappropriate behavior on set when she was underage. Eggert also reiterated her earlier statement that she lost her virginity to Baio at the age of 17.
Explaining her delayed disclosure, Eggert revealed that she had been motivated by a desire to protect the show’s legacy, fostering a delusion that nothing had happened. Baio continued to deny any wrongdoing, asserting that he waited until Eggert turned 18 before engaging in any intimate relationship. He alleged that Eggert had initiated the encounters after the show concluded.
Amidst the public dispute, Baio accused Eggert of seeking cheap publicity, although this claim came from a person who had previously promoted conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook shooting on social media. Eggert mentioned considering legal options, including a possible defamation suit, due to Baio’s assertions that she had lied about the entire affair. As of 2024, no legal action has been initiated in connection to these allegations. The controversy surrounding “Charles in Charge” serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges associated with addressing historical abuse allegations in the public eye.
