Complex sentence: Gruel is also a recurring joke on the show "Charles in Charge"; the character of lead actor, Scott Baio, often referenced the fact that he would rather "eat gruel" then be in the particular situation of the time.
Split into simpler sentences: Gruel is also a recurring joke on the show "Charles in Charge". Lead character Scott Baio often referenced the fact that he would rather "eat gruel" then be in the particular situation of the time.