"What's Happening!!" Episode Guide v1.0.0a Copyright (c) 1997-98, Tom Walsh (avs@netport.com) This guide may be reproduced in its entirety for noncommercial purposes only. For other uses, please contact the author. The following is an episode guide for the sitcom "What's Happening!!" ********************************************************************* * NOTE: I do NOT have tapes of this show available for trade. * * Please post to the newsgroup alt.video.tape-trading for requests. * ********************************************************************* The text version is available at the AVIMall: http://www.avimall.com/entertain/WhatHappening.txt A pointer to this site is available at the Ultimate TV List: http://tvnet.com/UTVL/ Of course, there is a page at the Internet Movie Database: http://us.imdb.com/M/title-exact?%22What's%20Happening!!%22%20(1976) There's a page devoted to "What's Happening!!" created by Dave Irwin (dirwin@micromass.com) and located at http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/6667/heyheyhey.html It contains biographical information, pictures, links to the meager WH info on the Net, and even a little dancing Rerun. There's a text episode guide to the followup series, "What's Happening Now!" also at the AEA: http://www.avimall.com/entertain/WhatHappeningNow.txt ABOUT THE SHOW: "What's Happening!!" is an uplifting, inner city sitcom set in Los Angeles with (until the last season) an all black cast. It is loosely based on the 1975 movie "Cooley High" and depicts the exploits of Roger ('Raj') Thomas, an intelligent and slightly nerdy teenager, who lives with his divorced mother, Mabel, and sassy kid sister, Dee. His mother is an imposing figure who disciplines a lot but obviously loves her children. Despite their parent's divorce, Roger and Dee seem pretty well adjusted. Raj's two best friends are Rerun, his age, and Dwayne, a year younger. They usually hang out at Raj's house or the local burger place, Rob's, where the waitress, Shirley, and Rerun obviously do not get along. Raj and Dee's absentee father, Bill, makes occasional appearances, usually disrupting their life a bit and often adding a little real-life drama to the storylines. Dee, in particular, was affected by her parent's divorce and does not seem happy when he shows up. In the last season, Roger had graduated from high school, started to attend college, and moved out of his mother's house into an apartment near campus with Rerun, who was also attending college; it seemed apparent the Dwayne would join them when he graduated in a year's time. Their neighbors in the apartment were Big Earl, a detective, and his son Little Earl. In the first two seasons, "What's Happening!" was was produced by Bud Yorkin Productions, Inc. The third season was produced by Toy Productions, as was the last episode of season 2. The music was by Henry Mancini. "What's Happening!" was suggested by the American International picture "Cooley High," written by Eric Monte. NOTE: Most sources do not list Mrs. Thomas's first name; I believe her ex-husband, Bill, used her name when he talked to her. If someone can verify it (it aired in Chicago on WCIU through August 1998), I would appreciate knowing. ABOUT THIS GUIDE: Episode titles come from the Library of Congress Information Services, LOCIS (telnet://locis.loc.gov), clicktv (http://www.clicktv.com), and TMSTV (http://www.tmstv.com/cgi-bin/quest/search). Episode descriptions also came from clicktv and TMSTV. VERSION HISTORY: v1.0.0 16 June 1997 Initial version v1.0.0a 31 July 1998 First public version; now contains most episodes CAST: PERFOMER - CHARACTER Ernest Thomas - Roger 'Raj' Thomas Fred Berry - Fred 'Rerun' Stubbs Haywood Nelson - Dwayne Clemens Mabel King - Mabel 'Mama' Thomas Danielle Spencer - Dee Thomas Shirley Hemphill - Shirley Wilson John Welsh - Big Earl Babcock (1978-79) David Hollander - Little Earl Babcock (1978-79) NOTE: The Babcocks were later known as the Barnetts and even later the Barretts. OCCASIONAL PERFORMERS: Thalmus Rasulala - Bill Thomas (1976-77) Bryan O'Dell - Marvin (1976-77) Leland Smith - "The Snake" (1978-79) EPISODES: ABC -- All shows were aired on ABC from 1976-1979. Episode numbers, where provided, come from LOCIS. The order used below is that for airing the reruns. When I can determine the original airing order, I'll use that. There are a few guesses as to which episode belongs to which season for seasons 1 and 2. *** SEASON 1 (1976-77) 19(+?) EPISODES *** "The Runaway" Raj fears that Dee has disappeared after he goes to a party instead of baby-sitting for her. "The Birthday Present" Raj and his pals set out to get a birthday present for Mrs. Thomas. "When Daddy Comes Marching Home" Raj's father returns home for a visit with a scheme to get money from Mama. "My Three Tons" When Rerun lands a job with a famous dance group, Dwayne learns that they really want him in the act as the butt of "fat jokes." "Saturday's Hero" Rerun lords it over his friends when he becomes a football hero. "The Burger Queen" Rerun's visions of greatness as the official spokesman for a hamburger chain are dampened when Dee steps in and appears to have the job, although, she has to get Mama's signature. "Speak for Yourself, Dwayne" Too shy to approach a new girl at school, Dwayne asks Raj to speak for him. "Shirley's Date" The boys' efforts to help Shirley get a man to escort her to a party turn into a comedy of errors. "The Sunday Father" Raj tries to avoid telling his mother that he has been expelled from school by conning his father into going to the principal with him. "The Maid Did It" The boys decide to help out when Mrs. Turner accuses Mama of stealing a diamond ring and fires her. "The Incomplete Shakespeare" After receiving a rejection letter for a TV series script, Raj thinks he's been ripped off when he sees his story on the air. "The Hospital Stay" Dee confronts a grouchy old Negro Leagues baseball player in the hospital who hasn't spoken to his daughter for 12 years because she married a white man. "The Firing Squad" The three boys are upset when Shirley is fired but do not know exactly what they can do. "The Boarder" Mama develops a crush on her ex-husband when she allows him to move in as a boarder. "Dwayne's Dilemma" Dwayne does not know what to do when his date's ex-boyfriend threatens him with bodily harm if he takes her out again. "The Tickets" Raj must decide which of his two friends will go to a Stevie Wonder concert with him when he receives two of the expensive tickets as a gift. "What's Wrong With Raj?" Mama and Raj discover Dee breaking into Raj's drawer and reading his private journal. "Nice Guys Finish Last" Mama agrees to let Dee's ex-convict pen pal stay as a houseguest, unaware that she has escaped from prison. "From Here to Maternity" Shirley's pregnant sister decides to put her baby up for adoption. *** SEASON 2 (1977-78) 22 EPISODES *** The videotape editor this season was Hal Collins. The associate producer was Sue Nevens. Unnumbered season 2 episodes: "Puppy Love" Raj takes on a tutoring job in hopes of getting a pedigreed puppy. "Rerun Gets Married" A beautiful new girl in school marches Rerun to the altar. "It's All in Your Head" Dee goes to the school psychologist seeking advice for a "friend." "Trial and Error" Raj is afraid to tell the grocery store owner that the new delivery bicycle he bought has been smashed by a car. "Nothing Personnel" Shirley discovers that she was hired as a secretary to be a token black. "If I'm Elected" Dwayne is crushed when he thinks that his politician father is a liar and an opportunist. "The Play's the Big Thing" Raj reluctantly gives Rerun the lead in the play he's written, fearing he will ruin the play. "Give Me Odds" Dwayne's winning football gambling tips turn out to be losers when money is at stake. "Bill Gets Married" Best man Raj falls prey to over-enthusiasm when Bill announces his plans to be married in a ceremony at Mama's house; Dee is upset with his father. "Mama, the Schoolgirl" When Mama returns to high school to get her diploma, she falls for a sweet-talking classmate. Note: this may be a two-part episode. "One Strike and You're Out" After organizing a strike at the supermarket where he works, Raj learns that Mama is sick and counting on the money he won't be earning. 0205. "Black and White Blues" D: Mark Warren W: William Bickley & Michael Warren (teleplay), Bill Richmond & Gene Perret (story) Raj, Rerun and Dwayne think they break a new color TV set that they "borrowed" from their church raffle to watch an important football game. 0213. "The Testimonial" P: Lloyd J. Schwartz D: Mark Warren W: Nicholas DeMarco Raj, Dwayne, and Rerun change their minds and frantically try to recover the empty package they've given Mrs. Collins for her 25th anniversary as a teacher. 0216. "Going, Going, Gong" D: Mark Warren W: Larry Mintz & Alan Eisenstock Rerun threatens to interfere with Raj's dream of becoming a super talent agent for the singers the Givens Family. Guests: The Givens Family - themselves Sandy Kenyon - ? Howard Itzkowitz - ? 0217. "Dee's First Date" D: Mark Warren W: Joe Neustein Dee's first date -- with Luther Lassiter -- is hampered by Raj, who flips out over Luther's sister. Guests: Erin Blunt - Luther Lassiter Fay Hauser - ? Noniece Williams - ? 0218. "Doobie or Not Doobie, pt. 1" D: Mark Warren W: Sally Wade After Rerun botches the job of getting tickets, he involves Raj and Dwayne in an illegal tape pirating ring when bootleggers give him Doobie Brothers concert tickets but force him to illegally tape the concert. Guests: The Doobie Brothers - themselves Teddy Wilson - ? 0219. "Doobie or Not Doobie, pt. 2" D: Mark Warren W: Sally Wade The Doobie Brothers discover that Rerun was taping the concert, but the guys convince them they were forced to do so by the bootleggers. The Doobie Brothers help nab the bootleggers. Guests: The Doobie Brothers - themselves Teddy Wilson - ? 0215. "Rerun Sees the Light" Rerun falls in love with the beautiful priestess of a new cult that worships a head of lettuce, but evenutally sees the truth behind the cult. Guests: Jonelle Allen - ? Earl Billings - ? Oscar DeGruy, Jr. - ? 0214. "Raj and the Older Woman" D: Mark Warren W: Sally Wade A 19-year-old model learns Raj lied about his age to get a date with her. Guests: Lavonne Dancy - ? Sip Culler - ? Bob Harcum - ? 0220. "Diplomatic Immunity" D: Mark Warren W: Ted Bergman When Rerun borrows his brother-in-law's car without permission it is sideswiped by a Rolls-Royce driven by a diplomat's son. Guests: Jeff Corey - ? Malachi Throne - ? Tony Plana - ? Bernard Fox - ? 0221. "Shirley Is a Mother" D: Mark Warren W: Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein On the eve of graduation, Rerun has doubts about leaving the comfort of high school, and Shirley helps him face his fears. Guests: Fritzi Burr - ? Henry Robinson - ? 0222. "The Apartment" Mama keeps dropping in on Raj and Rerun after they get their own apartment. *** SEASON 3 (1978-79) 22 EPISODES *** The videotape editor this season is Hal Collins. 0304. "Disco Dollar Disaster" P: Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso D: Mark Warren W: Deborah Pastoria Rerun raises the money he needs to enter a disco contest by selling a percentage of his winnings to "investors." 0301. "Shirley's Boyfriend" P: Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso D: Mark Warren W: Jeremy Stevens, Tom Moore Raj and Rerun line up a blind date for Shirley, with whom she eventually has an affair but, unknown to her, is already married. 0306. "Basketball Brain" P: Ted Bergman, Ken Hecht D: Mark Warren W: Ted Bergman Raj tutors a college basketball star to take an English exam. 0308. "The Creep Detective" P: Ted Bergman, Ken Hecht D: Mark Warren W: Ted Bergman Dee and Earl combine their wits to save the boys when Raj and Rerun are jailed for burglary after Rerun unknowingly stores stolen goods. 0310. "Shirley's Cookies" P: Sidney Miller D: Mark Warren W: Ken Hecht Shirley's homemade chocolate cookies attract a shady promoter who promises her millions. 0309. "The Landlady" P: Sidney Miller D: Mark Warren W: Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso Raj decides that he's too mature for his friends when he falls in love with his landlady whom he thinks is attracted to him, too. 0307. "Charge" P: Ted Bergman, Ken Hecht D: Mark Warren W: Eric Bowers Rerun learns a costly lesson when the use of a credit card gets out of hand. 0302. "Raj Moves Out" P: Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso D: Mark Warren W: Marty Brill, Barry Meadow The long friendship between Raj and Rerun crashes onto the rocks when Raj moves out to room with a beautiful woman. 0305. "No Clothes Make the Man" P: Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso D: Mark Warren W: Sally Wade Desperate for money, Raj is forced to take a job as a nude model. 0315. "Positive Identification" P: Si Rose D: Bill Foster W: Dick Westerschulte, Bill Box Rerun and Raj unwittingly aid a burglar to all their things, and they now face the prospect of a bleak Christmas. 0303. "Making Out" P: Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso D: Mark Warren W: Joanne Pagliaro Raj and Rerun trade romantic tall tales when their Saturday night dates turn sour. 0313. "Dee, the Cheerleader" P: Si Rose D: Mark Warren W: Sally Wade co-P: Sidney Miller Dee loses a cheerleader spot to a white girl and confronts the principal. 0317. "A Present for Dee" P: Si Rose D: Lee Bernhardi W: Sally Wade Dee is wrongly accused of shoplifting while trying to exchange her birthday gift from Little Earl. 0314. "Dwayne's Dream" P: Si Rose D: Mark Warren W: Joanne Pagliaro The gang cautions Dwayne not to leave school after he becomes successful selling peanuts at football games. 0316. "Shirley's Fired" P: Si Rose D: Danny Simon W: Levi Taylor, David Tyree An attractive but clumsy new waitress drives Shirley to demand a raise, which gets her fired. 0311. "Food Poisoning" P: Sidney Miller D: Mark Warren W: Bruce Kalish, Philip Taylor (story), Jeremy Stevens, Tom Moore (teleplay) An attorney urges ailing Rerun to sue Rob's Place when he gets sick after eating there. 0318. "The Eviction" P: Si Rose D: Lee Bernhardi W: Joanne Pagliaro (teleplay), Cheryl Pelt (story) Raj is evicted after confronting his landlord. 0321. "The Thomas Treasure" P: Si Rose D: Joseph L. Scanlan W: Bill Box & Dick Westerschulte Raj finds hidden loot in the Thomas house. 0320. "The Last Page" P: Si Rose D: Mary Hardwick W: Sally Wade Rerun stars as the Fonz, Jack Tripper and Mork during his last days as a page at ABC. 0319. "First Class Coach" P: Si Rose D: Lee Bernhardi W: Jeremy Stevens & Tom Moore Dwayne replaces Big Earl as basketball coach. 0312. "Dwayne's Debate" P: Si Rose D: Mark Warren W: Sally Wade co-P: Sidney Miller Dwayne runs for student council to impress his family and friends and has to debate his opponent. 0322. "The Benefit Show" P: Si Rose D: Mark Warren W: Joanne Pagliaro The gang holds a benefit for a teen center. Rerun pretends to know Sammy Davis, Jr. and has to produce him for the performance.