Series regulars or semi-regulars in 'Palmerstown U.S.A.' from 1970-1982:
- Beeson Carroll as W.D. Hall (1980-1981)
- Bill Duke as Luther Freeman (1980-1981)
- Brian G. Wilson as David Hall (1980-1981)
- Janice St. John as Coralee Hall (1980-1981)
- Jermain Johnson as Booker T. Freeman (1980-1981)
- Jonelle Allen as Bessie Freeman (1980-1981)
- Michael J. Fox as Willy-Joe Hall (1980-1981)
- Star-Shemah Bobatoon as Diana Freeman (1980-1981)
1970-1982 Episode Guide for 'Palmerstown U.S.A.':
(Episodes with dates prior to 1970 aired as reruns.)
Season 1, episode 1
W: Ronald Rubin D: Peter Levin
The premiere of a dramatic series, developed by Norman Lear and "Roots" author Alex Haley, examining the rural South of the 1930's through the eyes of two 9-year-old boys -- one black and one white. In the opening chapter, Booker T. Freeman and David Hall are looking forward to participating together in the annual Founders Day parade, but their plans are destroyed by a dispute between their fathers.
Season 1, episode 2
W: Noreen Stone D: Larry Elikann
Booker T. feels rejected when David becomes preoccupied with a new crystal-set radio and no longer has time for his friend.
Season 1, episode 3
W: Robert E. Price D: Jeffrey Hayden
David's cousin Bo, a gentle, mentally-handicapped man, is accused of attacking their friend Mamie, a black girl.
Season 1, episode 4
W: Ronald Rubin, Alex Haley D: Jeffrey Hayden
The white citizens of Palmerstown plan on making some easy money by pitting their baseball team against the Black Travelers, a "ragamuffin" touring team.
Season 1, episode 5
W: Ronald Rubin, Alex Haley D: Jeffrey Hayden
To save the town's bets, and for a secret reason of his own, W.D. persuades Palmerstown's segregated baseball teams to integrate.
Season 1, episode 6
W: Alex Haley, Ronald Rubin D: Gilbert Moses
A good deed makes hostages out of Booker T. and David when the youngsters are seized by members of a prison work gang who demand money and a getaway car in exchange for the boys' lives.
Season 1, episode 7
W: Odie Hawkins, Ronald Rubin, Alex Haley D: Jeffrey Hayden
With Beah Richards.
The black community awards Grandma Jenny Freeman its highest tribute, but her joy at receiving the honor is clouded by the continuing absence of her youngest son.
March 17, 1981: Vendetta
Season 2, episode 1
W: Ernie Wallengren D: Ivan Dixon
With Lori Lethin (Carrie Simms), David Downs (Sam Simms), Ramon Bieri (Jake Simms).
The series (created by Alex Haley) which examines the relationships between white and black residents of a rural Southern town in the late 1930s returns. The feelings of enmity between W.D. and a parolee resurface when W.D.'s son Willie-Joe falls for the ex-con's daughter.
Season 2, episode 2
W: Juliet Packer D: Peter Levin
With Keenan Wynn (Bragdon), Margie Impert (Katey), Hoke Howell (Herb).
Bessie's late-night visits to the home of an ailing patriarch stir up rumors and gossip which upset Luther.
Season 2, episode 3
W: Max Hodge D: Kenneth C. Gilbert
With Kenneth White (Sheriff), Scott Thompson (Bryan), David Caruso (Donnie).
Diana struggles between the law and her own compassion when she, Booker T. and David harbor a young vagrant wanted for burglary just as the townspeople are becoming increasingly agitated about the area's rising crime.
Season 2, episode 4
W: Ronald Rubin D: Ivan Dixon
With Lou Gossett Jr. (Bessie's Father), Mabel King (Aunt Toog), Don Starr (Dr. Barnett), Ketty Lester (Sister Hattie).
Bessie's father returns to Palmerstown with stories of his war heroics -- and a claim on a plot of land now owned by W.D. which was seized nearly 20 years earlier.
Season 2, episode 5
W: Frank Dandridge, Michael McGreevey D: Larry Elikann
With Don Starr (Dr. Barrett), James Hong (Duk-Yei), Haunani Minn (Mei-Ling), Sab Shimono (Yeung-Lee).
Bigots blame a flu epidemic on a Chinese family whose arrival coincided with the outbreak of the virus.
Season 2, episode 6
W: Michael McGreevey D: Joseph Pevney
With Henry G. Sanders (Josh), Alfre Woodard (Nona), Kenneth White (Sheriff).
A hot-tempered ex-con blames midwife Bessie for the death of his wife during childbirth.
Season 2, episode 7
W: Bud Freeman D: Larry Elikann
With Lee Weaver (Loosley), Fionnula Flanagan (Sabrina), Terrence Beasor (Hoke Jordan).
The opening of a roadhouse saloon in a neighboring country brings out the violent indignation of some of Palmerstown's more self-righteous citizens. The proprietor is an old flame of W.D.'s, and the piano player teaches Diana to sing jazzy tunes -- against her father's wishes.
Season 2, episode 8
W: Bud Freeman D: Georg Stanford Brown
With Philip Abbott (Catter Dempsey), Rick Lenz (Tad), Sean Michael Rice (Rusty), Macon McCalman (Mayor).
Convinced he'll strike it rich, W.D. risks his life savings backing oil exploration on what had been deemed a worthless plot of land.
Season 2, episode 9
W: Juliet Packer D: Kenneth C. Gilbert
With Michael Constantine (Bennett), Daniel Knapp (Rogers), David Caruso, Nyles Harris (Bully).
Moonshiner Widder Brown falls for a smooth talker working undercover for revenue agents in search of her still.
Season 2, episode 10
W: Noreen Stone D: Larry Elikann
With Susan Vickery (Rayleen), John Quade (Luke Spears), Edward Power (Newell Colby), Terrence Beasor (Wilson).
Over W.D.'s objections, Coralee becomes the town schoolteacher and finds herself having to deal with an amorous principal, a disruptive pupil and an irate parent -- as well as an unsympathetic husband. (Last show of the series.)