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

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.7/10(128 votes)

   #1 - The Runaway

   S1:E18/5/1976

   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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   Director:Dennis Steinmetz

   Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz
2. 

   7.7/10(87 votes)

   #2 - The Birthday Present

   S1:E28/12/1976

   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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   Director:Bud Yorkin

   Writers:Bernie Orenstein, Saul Turteltaub
3. 

   7.9/10(84 votes)

   #3 - When Daddy Comes Marching Home

   S1:E38/19/1976

   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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   Director:Jack Shea

   Writers:Marion C. Freeman, Dawn Aldredge
4. 

   7.9/10(90 votes)

   #4 - My Three Tons

   S1:E48/26/1976

   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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   Director:Alan Rafkin

   Writer:Jim Mulligan
5. 

   7.6/10(81 votes)

   #5 - Saturday's Hero

   S1:E511/13/1976

   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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   Director:Mark Warren

   Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz
6. 

   8.4/10(93 votes)

   #6 - The Burger Queen

   S1:E611/20/1976

   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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   Director:Dick Harwood

   Writers:Bernie Orenstein, Saul Turteltaub
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7. 

   7.3/10(70 votes)

   #7 - Speak for Yourself, Dwayne

   S1:E711/27/1976

   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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   Director:Hal Alexander

   Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Fred S. Fox
8. 

   7.7/10(73 votes)

   #8 - Shirley's Date

   S1:E812/4/1976

   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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   Director:Tony Csiki

   Writers:Bob Illes, James R. Stein
9. 

   8.2/10(80 votes)

   #9 - Christmas

   S1:E912/11/1976

   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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   Director:Hal Alexander

   Writers:Bernie Orenstein, Saul Turteltaub
10. 

    7.7/10(60 votes)

    #10 - Puppy Love

    S1:E1012/30/1976

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writers:Bill Richmond, Gene Perret
11. 

    7.5/10(73 votes)

    #11 - The Maid Did It

    S1:E111/6/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writer:Marty Farrell
12. 

    7.2/10(62 votes)

    #12 - The Incomplete Shakespeare

    S1:E121/13/1977

    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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    Director:Dick Harwood

    Writer:Mort Scharfman
13. 

    8.7/10(96 votes)

    #13 - The Hospital Stay

    S1:E131/20/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz
14. 

    7.3/10(65 votes)

    #14 - The Sunday Father

    S1:E141/27/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writers:Bob Illes, James R. Stein
15. 

    7.8/10(62 votes)

    #15 - The Firing Squad

    S1:E152/10/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writer:Rick Mittleman
16. 

    7.4/10(58 votes)

    #16 - The Boarder

    S1:E162/17/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writers:Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz
17. 

    7.7/10(66 votes)

    #17 - Dwayne's Dilemma

    S1:E172/24/1977

    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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    Director:Dick Harwood

    Writer:Jerry Ross
18. 

    7.6/10(61 votes)

    #18 - The Tickets

    S1:E183/3/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writer:Richard Baer
19. 

    7.3/10(59 votes)

    #19 - What's Wrong wiith Raj?

    S1:E193/10/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writer:Gene Farmer
20. 

    7.6/10(63 votes)

    #20 - Nice Guys Finish Last

    S1:E203/24/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writer:Carol Gary
21. 

    6.5/10(58 votes)

    #21 - From Here to Maternity

    S1:E213/31/1977

    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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    Director:Mark Warren

    Writer:Rick Mittleman