"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!!"
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* NOTE: I do NOT have tapes of this show available for trade. *
* Please post to the newsgroup alt.video.tape-trading for requests. *
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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.
(
geocities.com/hollywood)