Raj, an incurable journalist, is a little on the nerdy side, but a kind and benevolent person. On the other hand, his evil sister, Dee, is the epitome of negativity and demeans Raj every chance she gets with the constant threat of telling Mama. Mama Thomas is a hard-working divorced mother trying to bring up her children in a moral and respectable way. Dwayne has twinkling eyes and an engaging smile that will warm your heart. Rerun has perpetual energy, despite his large frame, but can dance like the wind attired in his own distinct fashion. Bittersweet Shirley will weave her way into your heart as she volleys fat jokes with Rerun, but is sensitive enough to help others whenever she can. Occasionally, ex-husband Bill Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) will make his way back into an episode to offer some fatherly advice or to scheme money from Mama.
Some memorable episodes are when Raj's articles are rejected by the faculty editor and in exerting his freedom of speech, he begins an underground newspaper which makes unfavorable comments about the school and faculty and exposes the questions to his teacher's surprise quiz in "Raj Goes to Press." Raj decides to move into "The Apartment" with Rerun after graduation to Mama's surprise. The "love bug" bites Raj in "Raj and the Older Woman" when he falls in love with a gorgeous model. Sparks fly when Mama finds out that the girl Raj has been tutoring could be pregnant in "Puppy Love."
You'll find lovable Dwayne falling in love in "If I'm Elected" and stealing a kiss from his sweetheart in his father's (Lawrence Nelson played by Greg Morris) campaign headquarters. Plus you'll get more insight on his gentle character in "Dwayne's Dream." While Rerun will dance his way into your heart in "My Three Tons" as he lands a job with a dance team, only to find out the reason he was hired was so they could use comical "fat" jokes about his weight. In "Rerun Gets Married", he finds that there are other ways to help a young girl become a citizen other than marriage. In "Rerun Sees the Light", he's intrigued by a woman named Love-is-Life who takes him to a cult meeting.
Mama Thomas is always trying to improve herself and her children. She attends classes at Raj's school and even gets the same teacher in "Mama, the School Girl." She has to contend with ex-husband Bill Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) when he decides to come back into their life in "When Daddy Comes Marching Home." While in "The Maid Did It" she is suddenly fired by her employer, Mrs. Turner (Alice Ghostley), when a ring disappears. In "The Birthday Present", she has to deal with the boys stealing a blouse from a department store to give her as a birthday gift. She also has to struggle with stress when Dee becomes "The Runaway" when Raj babysits. Unfortunately, Mama is not included in the cast of Season Three.
Diabolical Dee does eek out some sympathy in "Its All in your Head" when she tries to get advice for a friend from the school counselor. Raj tries to get the low-down on a girl he's interested in when he plans "Dee's First Date," and get ready for more dead-panned expressions in "Dee, the Cheerleader."
Shirley is a natural "what you see is what you get" type of person, a bit naive but an outspoken waitress who intrudes in everyone's conversation and meal. It's not uncommon to see her take a bite out of your sandwich if you complain, just to make sure its okay. But she is quite lovable and endearing in "From Here to Maternity" when she offers to help her pregnant sister raise her unborn baby when she decides on adoption. In "Shirley's Date", you'll find the guys each trying to get someone to take Shirley to a party. In "Nothing Personal", she has to deal with racial bias when she's hired to fill a position as a person of "color."
You'll enjoy Wolfman Jack in "Going, Going, Gong" when they try to get on the Gong Show. You'll enjoy The Doobie Brothers when they perform a concert at the high school in "Doobie or Not Doobie, Parts 1 and 2."
Executive producer Bud Yorkin, with the benefits of writers like Saul Turtletaub and Bernie Orenstein, blend to create an African American sitcom that had a place in everyone's home. This memorable show will make you laugh and cry as you watch the gang push the envelope of life's problems. What's Happening!! The Complete Series will re-introduce you to the issues of the 70's, take you down memory lane, and give you a pleasant visit into the lives of the Thomas family and their friends. This series is fun and entertaining and will appeal to all audiences.
