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The Best Episodes of What's Happening!! Season 1

Every episode of What's Happening!! Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of What's Happening!! Season 1!

Binge this in 7h 42m•Peaking at 8.7/10

Buddies Raj, Rerun and Dwayne come of age in 1970s Los Angeles. The trio have a penchant for mischief and trying to find ways of getting rich quick. Almost always the trio's schemes wind up

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 13 - The Hospital Stay
    8.7/10(96 votes)

    S1:E13

    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.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz

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  2. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 6 - The Burger Queen
    8.4/10(93 votes)

    S1:E6

    Rerun has his heart set on getting the lead in a hamburger commercial. However, once down at the audition, the producers find Dee 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, but she's in Phoenix.

    Director:Dick Harwood
    Writers:Bernie Orenstein, Saul Turteltaub

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  3. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 9 - Christmas
    8.2/10(80 votes)

    S1:E9

    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 finds herself facing a lonesome Christmas.

    Director:Hal Alexander
    Writers:Bernie Orenstein, Saul Turteltaub

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  4. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 4 - My Three Tons
    7.9/10(92 votes)

    S1:E4

    Rerun becomes the new member of a popular dance group and learns the hidden truth of their intentions of him being their latest initiate.

    Director:Alan Rafkin
    Writer:Jim Mulligan

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  5. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 3 - When Daddy Comes Marching Home
    7.8/10(85 votes)

    S1:E3

    After years of being away, Raj and Dee's shady father Bill returns for a short visit with a scheme in mind.

    Director:Jack Shea
    Writers:Marion C. Freeman, Dawn Aldredge

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  6. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 15 - The Firing Squad
    7.8/10(62 votes)

    S1:E15

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

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Rick Mittleman

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  7. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 1 - The Runaway
    7.7/10(129 votes)

    S1:E1

    Roger has to babysit Dee and miss the big party at Betty's. But where there's a will there's a way, though there may not be a way to explain to Mama where Dee disappeared to when Raj was gone.

    Director:Dennis Steinmetz
    Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz

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  8. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 2 - The Birthday Present
    7.7/10(88 votes)

    S1:E2

    Raj, Dwayne and Rerun set out to get a birthday present for Mama. But it doesn't go as smoothly as they expected and they find themselves in hot water with store security.

    Director:Bud Yorkin
    Writers:Bernie Orenstein, Saul Turteltaub

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  9. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 8 - Shirley's Date
    7.7/10(74 votes)

    S1:E8

    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.

    Director:Tony Csiki
    Writers:Bob Illes, James R. Stein

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  10. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 10 - Puppy Love
    7.7/10(60 votes)

    S1:E10

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

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writers:Bill Richmond, Gene Perret

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  11. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 17 - Dwayne's Dilemma
    7.7/10(66 votes)

    S1:E17

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

    Director:Dick Harwood
    Writer:Jerry Ross

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  12. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 5 - Saturday's Hero
    7.6/10(82 votes)

    S1:E5

    Rerun joins the floundering football team and becomes an 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, as he'd promised.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz

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  13. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 18 - The Tickets
    7.6/10(61 votes)

    S1:E18

    Mama has two tickets to Stevie Wonder and she gives them to Raj. But now, Raj has one tough decision to make, to take Dwayne or Rerun.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Richard Baer

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  14. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 20 - Nice Guys Finish Last
    7.6/10(63 votes)

    S1:E20

    Dee receives a call from her prison pen pal, Judy Crane, who is getting out 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.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Carol Gary

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  15. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 11 - The Maid Did It
    7.5/10(73 votes)

    S1:E11

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

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Marty Farrell

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  16. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 16 - The Boarder
    7.4/10(58 votes)

    S1:E16

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

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz

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  17. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 7 - Speak for Yourself, Dwayne
    7.3/10(71 votes)

    S1:E7

    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 as Raj falls for Nancy. Raj is left with guilt and one angry friend.

    Director:Hal Alexander
    Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Fred S. Fox

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  18. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 14 - The Sunday Father
    7.3/10(65 votes)

    S1:E14

    Raj delights in playing practical jokes on his teacher, Miss Collins. But, when he goes overboard, he finds himself suspended and to avoid getting Mama involved, he turns to his father, who quickly discovers the joys of parenting.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writers:Bob Illes, James R. Stein

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  19. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 19 - What's Wrong wiith Raj?
    7.3/10(59 votes)

    S1:E19

    After a school lecture about hypertension, Raj begins spending 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?'

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Gene Farmer

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  20. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 12 - The Incomplete Shakespeare
    7.2/10(62 votes)

    S1:E12

    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, he's in for a shock on the night the show premieres.

    Director:Dick Harwood
    Writer:Mort Scharfman

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  21. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 21 - From Here to Maternity
    6.5/10(58 votes)

    S1:E21

    Shirley's excited when she gets a call from her sister, Norma, who's coming to 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.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Rick Mittleman

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Hospital Stay" is the best rated episode of "What's Happening!!" season 1. It scored 8.7/10 based on 96 votes. Directed by Mark Warren and written by Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz, it aired on 1/20/1977. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The Burger Queen".