The Best Episodes Directed By Robert Townsend

Robert and Kelly resort to using a ringer to save themselves from almost certain defeat in an upcoming basketball match. Meanwhile, Jerri faces unintended consequences after telling Cece and Nicholas never to lie.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

When 15-year-old Michael asks if he can attend a basketball game, Robert says ""yes."" But Robert denies 14-year-old Zaria's request for permission to go to a ""gangsta"" rap concert. Later, Jerri reminds Robert that their parents objected to the music they used to listen to and convinces him that he is too protective of Zaria. Robert relents and allows Zaria to go to the concert -- but he and Derek secretly follow her in what they imagine to be hip-hop attire.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Robert and Jerri take the kids on a pilgrimage downtown to stake out a spot to view the Thanksgiving parade, but Robert and Wendell get taken by street cardsharks and wind up being arrested. Meanwhile, Jerri and the kids are looked out for by a kind homeless man.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Activists Zaria and Shakim disagree over how to organize a protest against a company that's polluting a river. Meanwhile, Nicholas wants a dog and tries to convince his parents he's ready for responsibility by ""caring"" for a loaf of bread.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Michael and Theresa impress record execs at a musicians' showcase, so much so that one of them is offered a contract -- Theresa. Meanwhile, Wendell bets on basketball games using Cece as his lucky charm.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Nicholas faces off against a racist hockey coach who believes that the game is ""not the sport for (black) people."" Meanwhile, Zaria to impress members of the art club to get a scholarship, and T.K. looks for an easy way to succeed in school by having a girl in class write his history paper.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

After Robert hesitates to call T.K. on his need to have a personal pager, he overhears the boy making a deal to have some ""stuff"" delivered to the Peterson house. Meanwhile, Zaria takes a job as her mother's legal aide, and Jerri discovers that Nicholas and Cece have sorted her legal briefs with sticky finger.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Nicholas writes a play for the school arts festival, but has problems with the star --Wendell -- who wants to make his role as a giant even bigger. Meanwhile, with Jerri away at a law seminar, much to the horror of her siblings Zaria must assume the cooking duties.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

When T.K. gets a job at a pizza place, two of his old street homeys smell a target for a holdup, and try to get T.K. to cut them in for a slice of the action. Also, aspiring magician Nicholas's assistants have a little something up their sleeves when he refuses to share with them the profits from his show.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Nick and T.K. have crushes on older women -- the former on Zaria's friend Jamie, the latter on Jerri's new intern.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

T.K.'s friend Boo, who's ""the smartest high-school dropout (he) knows,"" prepares for her general-equivalency diploma with help from Robert - but not from her skeptical dad. Meanwhile, Cece is promoted to a gifted class taught by substitute Wendell.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

On an awards show telecast, a famous singer credits Robert with teaching her ""all about love and passion."" Meanwhile, flirtatious T.K. gives Zaria's socially inept friend Gordon lessons in dating.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Trying to stop T.K.'s revenge on the thugs who robbed him, Robert is shot (in an embarassing part of his anatomy), hits his head and lapses into a coma. Angry Jerri decides it is time T.K. was removed from the Peterson home; and an angel named Max appears to convey Robert to Heaven. Just as a tearful T.K. comes to Robert's bedside to beg his forgiveness, Robert recovers, and all is forgiven. (Part 2 of 2)

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

T.K.'s mother L'Tonya shows up after eight years and wants to take the boy home with her, but Jerri isn't sure that L'Tonya has shaken her former drug habit for good. Meanwhile, Kelly dumps his girlfriend Traci but can't seem to shake her voodoo curse.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Kelly gains new respect when he does well on the quiz show ""Deep Knowledge,"" until Robert learns he wasn't exactly using an ethical approach. Meanwhile, Cece and her pal Jesse hatch a scheme to get her parents to let him move in.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Zaria and T.K. must share an embarrassing passionate kiss in the senior play or fail the course. Meanwhile, Nicholas adopts a ""bad boy"" attitude in hopes of attracting classmate Monica.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

A sobering diagnosis pushes Leo to break out of prison with help from a cellmate. After an emotional reunion on the outside, Leo begins plotting revenge.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Weeks before the heist, the squad hits a few obstacles as the FBI closes in on Ava and Bob copes with an injury. Agent Nazan seizes an opportunity.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: Ning Zhou

Shakim insists on driving old flame Alexis home from a party, and the resulting misunderstanding leads to a rift in his relationship with Zaria -- until she learns Alexis has a drinking problem. Meanwhile, Nicholas and Cece find money in the street but don't realize it is counterfeit.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Zaria becomes ""the voice of teenage America"" as host of a New York-based TV talk show aimed at fellow high-schoolers. But success may be going to Zaria's head when she decides to drop out. Also, almost everyone in the house is missing money at the same time that T.K. starts showing up with new threads and jewelry.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Kelly spots Robert's neighbor hoisting strange bags out of the house and become convinced he is a murderer. Meanwhile, T.K. tries to shed his streetwise image for a more conservative one -- which the other kids hate.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Jerri's sister Celeste pays a visit and unintentionally strains Robert and Jerri's marriage with her extravagant suggestions for their 20th-anniversary party and Zaria and T.K. find themselves riding to the rescue.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: N/A

Jefferson struggles with the effects on his family, leading to a decision with tragic consequences. Meanwhile, Anissa's identity is threatened. Lastly, Agent Odell takes an important step toward winning over Jennifer.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: John Mitchell Todd

Junior enlists Nina's help to film a documentary of Poppa's iconic career, but the direction of the film takes a detour when the radio station begins using AI promos with Poppa's and Ivy's voices.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: Kim Wayans

Lynn works on two of the pod kids in a segregated safe room. Meanwhile, Jennifer plots revenge and Jefferson receives some interesting news. Lastly, Anissa makes a shocking discovery.

Director: Robert Townsend

Writer: Lamont Magee