What's Happening!!

1976 - 1979

The Runaway

5th August 1976

Episode 1

Raj is all set to go to a party with Dwayne and Rerun but at the last minute Mama breaks the news that he has to babysit Dee while she goes out to work. This leads Raj to hire a babysitter but by the time he returns from the party, the babysitter has fallen asleep and Dee is no where to be found.

The Birthday Present

12th August 1976

Episode 2

Trying to get enough money to buy Mama a birthday present is not as easy as it sounds for Raj. This leads him to some dice playing but Mama breaks it up and confiscates the money he won. In a last attempt, Raj, Rerun and Dwayne try to walk out of the store with a blouse after writing an IOU.

When Daddy Comes Marching Home

19th August 1976

Episode 3

Mama's shady ex-husband, Bill re-enters her life and she's sure he's come around to squeeze some money out of her. Mama's suspicions are right but Raj is on to his father's game and finds his $200 dollars for writing school to be in danger of being snatched.

My Three Tons

26th August 1976

Episode 4

After seeing a TV show, Rerun becomes obsessed with wanting to join a dance group, The Rockets. Miraculously, at the audition, he's accepted but Dwayne soon discovers, Rerun wasn't accepted because he could dance, but because he's overweight.

Saturday's Hero

13th November 1976

Episode 5

Rerun is given the chance to join the floundering football team and becomes and instant hero. This leads to a swelled head and he begins to give Raj and Dwayne the cold shoulder, going so far as to give his two extra Gladys Knight tickets to two of his "new" friends instead of Raj and Dwayne, like he promised.

The Burger Queen

20th November 1976

Episode 6

Rerun has his heart set on getting the role in a hamburger commercial. However, once down at the audition the producers find Dee to be better suited despite the fact that she can't stand the taste of them. An even bigger problem arises when Mama's permission is needed for her to do the commercial, but she's in Phoenix.

Speak for Yourself, Dwayne

27th November 1976

Episode 7

Dwayne has his eye on a new girl, Nancy but he's too shy to talk to her, so he gets Raj too. However, that turns into a mistake for Dwayne because this leads to Raj falling for Nancy. Raj is left with guilt and one angry friend.

Shirley's Date

4th December 1976

Episode 8

Raj has sold a kid's story to a children's magazine and to celebrate, throws a party. However, Shirley is reluctant to come because she doesn't want to show up without a date. This leads Raj and Rerun to take steps to get her a date. Raj goes so far as to get her one through an escort service and Rerun cons his brother into asking her.

Christmas

11th December 1976

Episode 9

With Mama planning to work on Christmas, Raj and Dee agree to have Christmas dinner at Bill's apartment. However, Mama is able to get out of working at the last minute and soon discovers that the kids have plans and she finds herself facing a lonesome Christmas.

Puppy Love

30th December 1976

Episode 10

Raj is tutoring Patrice Williams in exchange for one of the puppies that her dog, Susie is soon to have. However, confusion erupts in the Thomas household, when Dee overhears a conversation between Raj, Dwayne and Rerun which leads her to believe Raj has gotten a girl pregnant.

The Maid Did It

6th January 1977

Episode 11

Mama is fired from her job as a maid for the Turner household after she's accused of stealing Mrs. Turner's diamond ring. However, Raj sets out to clear Mama and quickly discovers Mr. Turner may be a more likely suspect in the theft.

The Incomplete Shakespeare

13th January 1977

Episode 12

Raj writes a story for a new TV show, Central Avenue and can't wait to find out if the producers will buy it. However, Raj is in for a shock on the night the show premieres. It seems the producers have stolen his story and he goes straight down to their offices prepared to sue.

The Hospital Stay

20th January 1977

Episode 13

Raj lands in the hospital and is afraid to face impending surgery. Meanwhile, his roommate is a grouchy ex-baseball player whom Dee befriends and learns that he has kept up a bitter feud between himself and his daughter all because she married a white man.

The Sunday Father

27th January 1977

Episode 14

Raj has become a practical joker and delights in playing tricks on his teacher, Miss Collins. However, when he goes overboard, he finds himself suspended from school and to avoid getting Mama involved in the situation, he turns to his father, who quickly discovers the joys of parenting.

The Firing Squad

10th February 1977

Episode 15

When the bank manager arrives at Rob's Place to discuss his application for a loan, Shirley insults him which ends with Rob firing her. This leads Raj, Dwayne and Rerun to help Shirley find a new job even though she has very few skills.

The Boarder

17th February 1977

Episode 16

Needing extra money, Mama agrees to take on a boarder who will stay in Dee's room while she reluctantly agrees to share a room with Mama. However, everyone is in for a surprise when Bill asks to take the room and even more surprising, Mama agrees to let him move in.

Dwayne's Dilemma

24th February 1977

Episode 17

Raj has been dying for a date with a girl but soon finds that there is a hitch, in order to go out with her, he needs to find a date for her cousin, Brenda. Dwayne agrees but soon finds himself to be a corner in a love triangle, when Brenda's pushy ex-boyfriend threatens his well-being if he continues to see her.

The Tickets

Episode 18

Mama has two tickets to a Stevie Wonder concert and she gives them to Raj. However, Raj now has one tough decision to make, to take Dwayne or Rerun to the concert. Meanwhile, Mama makes a decision on a boarder, who introduces his girlfriend to the family.

What's Wrong With Raj?

10th March 1977

Episode 19

After a school lecture about hypertension, Raj begins spending more and more time down at the free clinic. This leads Dee to sneak a peek at his diary to see if she can find a clue to ""what's wrong with Raj.""

Nice Guys Finish Last

24th March 1977

Episode 20

Dee gets a surprise when she gets a phone call from her prison pen pal, Judy Crane, who is getting out of jail and needs a place to stay. Dee talks Mama into allowing Judy to stay with them unknown to all of them that Judy is really on the run after escaping.

From Here to Maternity

31st March 1977

Episode 21

Shirley is all excited when she gets a call from her sister, Norma who's coming to town for a visit. However, Shirley is in for a big surprise when she discovers Norma is six months pregnant and Norma is in for an even bigger surprise when she gets a phone call from her fiancee telling her it's over.

Top Cast

Ernest Lee Thomas•Haywood Nelson•Fred Berry

What's Happening!! is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976 to April 28, 1979. The show premiered as a summer series. With good ratings and reviews, and after the failure of several other shows on the network, What's Happening!! returned in November 1976 as a weekly series. It remained a regular show until 1979; ratings were modest. What's Happening!! was loosely based on the motion picture Cooley High, also written by Eric Monte.

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Full Cast

Ernest Lee Thomas Image

Ernest Lee Thomas

Roger "Raj" Thomas

Haywood Nelson Image

Haywood Nelson

Dwayne Clemens Nelson

Fred Berry Image

Fred Berry

Frederick (Freddy) "Rerun" Stubbs

Danielle Spencer Image

Danielle Spencer

Dee Thomas

Shirley Hemphill Image

Shirley Hemphill

Shirley Wilson

Full Crew

Bernie Orenstein

Producer

Bud Yorkin Image

Bud Yorkin

Producer

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