Series regulars or semi-regulars in 'What's Happening' from 1970-1982:
- Danielle Spencer as Dee Thomas (1976-1979)
- Ernest Thomas as Roger 'Raj' Thomas (1976-1979)
- Fred Berry as Freddie 'Rerun' Stubbs (1976-1979)
- Haywood Nelson as Dwayne Nelson (1976-1979)
- Mabel King as Mabel 'Mama' Thomas (1976-1979)
- Shirley Hemphill as Shirley Wilson (1976-1979)
1970-1982 Episode Guide for 'What's Happening':
(Episodes with dates prior to 1970 aired as reruns.)
Season 1, episode 1
W: Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz D: Dennis Steinmetz
With Debbi Morgan (Diane), Helen Martin (Millie), James A. Watson Jr. (Ray Clemens), Teddy Wilson (Mr. Wilson), Tracee Lyles (Mrs. Wilson), Alycia Gardner (Girl), Lila Perry (Betty Wilson).
Debut of a contemporary comedy about three high school boys in a middle-class black neighborhood of a large American city. In the premiere episode, Raj may miss a party because he has to babysit for his little sister.
Season 1, episode 2
W: Saul Turteltaub, Bernie Orenstein D: Bud Yorkin
With Debbi Morgan (Diane), Joe Morton (Manager), Helen Martin (Millie), Rozelle Gayle (Guard), Eric Laneuville (Kid).
Roger and his pals set out to get a birthday present for Mrs. Thomas and get into a heap of ttrouble.
Season 1, episode 3
W: Dawn Aldredge, Marion Freeman D: Jack Shea
With Thalmus Rasulala (Bill Thomas), Dave Turner (Manager).
Roger's wayward father returns home for a visit with a scheme to get money from Mrs. Thomas.
Season 1, episode 4
W: Jim Mulligan D: Alan Rafkin
With Stu Gilliam (Gary), Wolfman Jack (Emcee), Danny Wells (Bert Frederick), Don Sherman (Sammy Persky), Jack Knight (Owner), Ronalda Douglas (Secretary), Oliver Givens (Dancer), Tim Pelt (Agent), Bobby Griffin (Frankie Taylor).
Rerun lands a job with a famous dance group, but Dwayne learns they really want to make him the butt of "fat jokes",
Season 1, episode 5
W: Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz D: Mark Warren
With Rosanne Katon (Darlene), Taurean Blacque (Mr. Donovan), Renny Roker (Coach).
Rerun is given the chance to join the floundering football team and becomes an instant hero, which over-inflates his ego.
Season 1, episode 6
W: Saul Turteltaub, Bernie Orenstein D: Dick Harwood
With Dick Van Patten (Mr. Claxton), David White (Reynolds), Robbie Rist (John Stevens), Allison McKay (Mrs. Stevens).
Rerun's visions of greatness as the official "Bridge Burger Spokesman" are dampened when Dee steps in and appears to have the job in the bag.
Season 1, episode 7
W: Fred S. Fox, Seaman Jacobs D: Hal Alexander
With Debbi Morgan (Diane), Ronalda Douglas (Nancy).
Dwayne has his eye on a new girl, but he's too shy to talk to her so he gets Raj to do it.
Season 1, episode 8
W: James R. Stein, Bob Illes D: Anthony Chickey
With Bryan O'Dell (Marvin), Janet MacLachlan (Mrs. Cavendish), Ralph Wilcox (Allan), Cinque Attucks (Dewey).
Rerun, Dwayne and Roger each secretly try to get a party date for Shirley to spare her the embarrassment of going alone.
Season 1, episode 9
W: Saul Turteltaub, Bernie Orenstein D: Hal Alexander
With Thalmus Rasulala (Bill Thomas), Rosalind Cash (Loretta).
Thinking Mama is working on Christmas, Roger and Dee reluctantly decide to eat Christmas dinner with their father.
Season 1, episode 10
W: Bill Richmond, Gene Perret D: Mark Warren
With Thalmus Rasulala (Bill Thomas), Ta-Tanisha (Patrice Williams).
Mama misunderstands when Raj takes on a tutoring job in hopes of getting a pedigreed puppy, and calls on her ex-husband to talk to their "errant" son.
Season 1, episode 11
W: Marty Farrell D: Mark Warren
With Teddy Wilson (Marty), Frank Aletter (Daniel Turner), Alice Ghostley (Mrs. Turner).
Mama tries to hide the pain when she is fired by her employer, who accuses her of stealing a diamond ring.
Season 1, episode 12
W: Mort Scharfman D: Dick Harwood
With Warren Berlinger (Ben Martin), Sheila Rogers (Madge), Catherine Von Furstenberg (Wanda), Allen Williams (Charlie).
Raj thinks that a TV producer has ripped off his story.
Season 1, episode 13
W: Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz D: Mark Warren
With Mel Stewart (Spike Gibbs), Judy Pace (Nurse Jennings), Hope Clarke (Elizabeth Duncan).
Raj, hospitalized with a knee injury, meets a grouchy old baseball player who has not talked to his daughter for 12 years because she married a white man.
Season 1, episode 14
W: James R. Stein, Bob Illes D: Mark Warren
With Fritzi Burr (Mrs. Collins), Thalmus Rasulala (Bill Thomas), Rosalind Cash (Loretta).
Raj tries to avoid telling his mother that he's been expelled by conning his father into going to the principal with him, and he thinks he's home free. But Mama finds out that things have been happening behind her back.
Season 1, episode 15
W: Rick Mittleman D: Mark Warren
With Earl Billings (Rob), Bryan O'Dell (Marvin), Fred Pinkard (Mr. Grayson), David Downing (Mr. Barnes), Lark Hackshaw (Velma).
The boys are upset when Shirley, the waitress at their favorite hangout, is fired, but they don't know what they can do.
Season 1, episode 16
W: Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz D: Mark Warren
With Bryan O'Dell (Marvin), Thalmus Rasulala (Bill Thomas), James Wheaton (Mr. Simmons), Ray Vitte (Dean).
Mama develops a crush on her ex-husband when she allows him to move in as a boarder.
Season 1, episode 17
W: Jerry Ross D: Dick Harwood
With Bryan O'Dell (Marvin), Bob Harcum (Darryl), Ren Woods (Brenda), Rose Marie Cooper (Angela).
Dwayne is warned away from his new girlfriend by her ex-boyfriend.
Season 1, episode 18
W: Richard Baer D: Mark Warren
With Ray Vitte (Gene), Danny Wells (Plainclothesman), B.J. Jordan (Tina), Tom Holiday (Guard).
Raj finds the gift of two very expensive tickets to a Stevie Wonder concert is a very mixed blessing when he has to decide which of his two best friends, Dwayne or Rerun, will go with him.
Season 1, episode 19
W: Gene Farmer D: Mark Warren
With Thalmus Rasulala (Bill Thomas), Tanya Boyd (Julie Clark), Ray Vitte (Gene).
Mama and Raj discover that Dee is breaking into Raj's bureau drawer to read his diary.
Season 1, episode 20
W: Carol Gary D: Mark Warren
With Vernee Watson (Judy Crane), Harold Sylvester (Lew Bonner), Freeman King (Police Officer).
Mama agrees to let Dee's ex-convict pen pal stay as a houseguest, not knowing that the girl has escaped from prison.
Season 1, episode 21
W: Rick Mittleman D: Mark Warren
With Chip Hurd (Norma), Bobby F. Ellerbee (Don).
Shirley's pregnant sister decides to offer her baby for adoption when her boyfriend says he is not coming to California because he doesn't want to marry her.
September 22, 1977: Rerun Gets Married
Season 2, episode 1
W: Bruce Howard D: Mark Warren
With Debbi Morgan (Diane), Bryan O'Dell (Marvin), Irene Cara (Maria), Earl Boen (Judge Barnes).
Season premiere. The new girl in school infatuates Raj and Dwayne, but Rerun suddenly finds himself a reluctant bridegroom when she asks him to marry her.
Season 2, episode 2
W: Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz D: Mark Warren
With Tim Reid (Dr. Claymore), Adrienne Alexander (Robin Mitchell).
When Dee seeks advice from the school psychologist for a friend, everyone assumes she's having emotional problems.
Season 2, episode 3
W: Rick Mittleman D: Lee Bernhardi
With Tom Moses (Baliff), Olive Dunbar (Judge Lubash), Bill Henderson (Charles Hopkins).
Raj is afraid to tell the grocery market owner that a new delivery bicycle he bought for Raj has been smashed by a car.
Season 2, episode 4
W: David Pollock D: Mark Warren
With Fritzi Burr (Mrs. Collins), Davis Roberts (Principal Bradley).
When Raj's articles for the school paper are censored by his teacher, he starts an underground paper telling when her next surprise test is going to occur.
Season 2, episode 5
W: Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz D: Mark Warren
With Earl Billings (Rob), Barbara Mallory (Helen), Charles Siebert (Mr. Ramsey), Ellen Travolta (Lily), Earl Montgomery (Mr. Davis).
Shirley lands a new job, but is dismayed to learn she was not employed for her proudly acquired secretarial skills, but rather for the color of her skin.
Season 2, episode 6
W: Winston Moss D: Lee Bernhardi
With Bryan O'Dell (Marvin), Debbi Morgan (Diane), Greg Morris (Lawrence Nelson), Rose Fonseca (Connie), Hank Rolike (Ted Howard), Gerry Black (Ron).
Dwayne is crushed when he thinks that his politician father, whom he idolizes, is a liar and an opportunist of the worst sort.
Season 2, episode 7
W: Saul Turteltaub, Bernie Orenstein D: Ron Richards
With Fritzi Burr (Mrs. Collins), Debbi Morgan (Diane), Gail Hirsch (Teresa), Craig Richard Nelson (Ron Michaels), Donald Blackwell (Johnson), Gail Hirsch (Teresa).
When Rerun admits he'll fail theater arts because he hasn't prepared a project, Raj gives him the lead in the play he's written.
Season 2, episode 8
W: Alan Eisenstock, Larry Mintz D: Mark Warren
With Nathaniel Taylor (Ike), Chip Hurd (Donna), Lion-L (Big Al).
Rerun gets his tough brother-in-law to bet his Hawaiian vacation money according to Dwayne's foolproof system, then discovers the plan is no better than tossing a coin.
Season 2, episode 9
W: Carol Gary D: Dick Harwood
With Thalmus Rasulala (Bill Thomas), Lee Chamberlin (Lee), Bill Walker (Reverend Burke).
Best man Raj falls prey to overenthusiasm when Bill announces plans to be married in a ceremony at Mama's house.
Season 2, episode 10
W: Barbara Berkowitz D: Mark Warren
With Fritzi Burr (Mrs. Collins), Percy Rodrigues (Todd Miller), Casey Brown (Sis).
Mama returns to high school to get her diploma, and to the dismay of her children falls for a sweet-talking classmate they suspect is a big phony.
Season 2, episode 11
W: Rick Mittleman D: Mark Warren
With Thomas Carter (Bobby), Neil J. Schwartz (Harold), Minnie Summers Lindsey (Irene), Renee Brown (Louise), Simeon Holloway (Pronson).
Raj organizes a strike at the supermarket where he works, then learns Mama is sick and is counting on the money he won't be earning.
Season 2, episode 12
W: Nicholas DeMarco D: Mark Warren
With Fritzi Burr (Mrs. Collins), Richard Couture (Student), Warren Munson (Mr. Collins).
Raj, Dwayne and Rerun become frantic second story men when they change their minds about giving Mrs. Collins an empty package for her 25th anniversary as a teacher.
Season 2, episode 13
W: William Bickley, Michael Warren D: Mark Warren
With Nick LaTour (Reverend Bailey).
Raj, Rerun and Dwayne panic when they break a new color TV set they had "borrowed" from their church.
Season 2, episode 14
W: Larry Mintz, Alan Eisenstock D: Mark Warren
With Wolfman Jack, Barbara Rhoades, Kene Holliday, Sandy Kenyon (Davidson), Howard Itzkowitz (Ventriloquist), The Givens Family.
Raj's friendship with Rerun becomes a show business casualty when Rerun threatens to interfere with Raj's dream of becoming a super talent agent.
Season 2, episode 15
W: Joe Neustein D: Mark Warren
With Fay Hauser (Melanie), Noniece Williams (Robin), Erin Blunt (Luther).
Dee embarks on her first date with Luther Lassiter, hampered only by older brother Raj, who has flipped over Luther's sister Melanie.
Season 2, episode 16
W: Sally Wade D: Mark Warren
With Marty Barris (Manager), Alonzo Brown Jr. (Bruno), Teddy Wilson (Al Dunbar), The Doobie Brothers.
When the Doobie Brothers schedule a benefit concert at the high school, Rerun botches the job of getting tickets, and gets himself, Raj and Dwayne mixed up in an illegal tape pirating ring.
Season 2, episode 17
W: Sally Wade D: Mark Warren
With Alonzo Brown Jr. (Bruno), Teddy Wilson (Al Dunbar), The Doobie Brothers.
Raj, Dwayne and Rerun are caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. If they tape the Doobie Brothers concert at their school, they'll get arrested; if they don't, they'll get hurt.
Season 2, episode 18
W: Thad Mumford D: Mark Warren
With Earl Billings (Rob), Jonelle Allen (Life-Is-Love), Oscar DeGruy (High Priest).
Rerun's friends worry when he falls in love with the beautiful priestess of a new cult that worships a head of lettuce.
Season 2, episode 19
W: Sally Wade D: Mark Warren
With Lavonne Dancy (Jeannie Wilson), Sip Culler (Mr. Johnson), Bob Harcum (Darryl Wayburn).
In order to impress a beautiful model, Raj lies about his age and claims that he's a movie star.
Season 2, episode 20
W: Ted Bergman D: Mark Warren
With Malachi Throne (Consul), Jeff Corey (Hassan), Tony Plana (Amid), Bernard Fox (Britisher).
Without permission, Rerun borrows his brother-in-law's car to take Raj and Dwayne to a sports event and finds himself dealing with a foreign consulate when the auto is sideswiped by a hit-and-run Rolls Royce.
Season 2, episode 21
W: Saul Turteltaub, Bernie Orenstein D: Mark Warren
With Fritzi Burr (Mrs. Collins), Henry Robinson (Customer).
After seven years of high school, Rerun is undecided if he wants to graduate, and Raj's determination that Rerun will leads to trouble that Shirley must resolve.
Season 2, episode 22
W: Thad Mumford D: Mark Warren
With Raymond Allen (Mr. Stone), Kutee (Angela), Rana Ford (Delores).
Raj and Rerun's plans for a party in their new apartment are interrupted by constant visits from Mama.
September 21, 1978: Disco Dollar Disaster
Season 3, episode 1
W: Deborah Pastoria D: Mark Warren
With Earl Billings (Rob), Candy Mobley (Girl #2), Ralph Wilcox (Danny Domino), Henry Robinson (Leon), Franchesska Berry (Charlene), Rochelle Runnells (Girl #1), John Witherspoon (M.C.), Sarina C. Grant (Sign-Up Girl), Andre Edwards (James).
Season premiere. Rerun enters a disco contest and raises the money he needs by selling a percentage of his winnings to "investors", but then gets carried away and sells too many shares of himself.
Season 3, episode 2
W: Jeremy Stevens, Tom Moore D: Mark Warren
With Ed Bernard (Ed Roberts).
Raj, Rerun and Dwayne are in a dither about Shirley's romance with a handsome truck driver who, unknown to her, is already married.
Season 3, episode 3
W: Ted Bergman D: Mark Warren
With Leland Smith (The Snake), Sorrell Booke (Mr. Finley).
Raj is hired to tutor a basketball star, but finds himself in trouble when he has little time to do his own studying.
Season 3, episode 4
W: Ted Bergman D: Mark Warren
With David Hollander (Earl Barnett Jr.), John Welsh (Earl Barnett Sr.), Carol Arthur (Mrs. Lawrence), Ric Mancini (Mr. Lawrence).
Dee finally meets her match in a bright boy, Little Earl, who becomes a new neighbor of Raj and Rerun.
Season 3, episode 5
W: Ken Hecht D: Mark Warren
With John Welsh (Earl Barnett Sr.), David Hollander (Earl Barnett Jr.), Leland Smith (The Snake), Earl Billings (Rob), Adam Wade (Marty Slade), Larry Gilman (Sylvester).
A shady promoter signs Shirley to a contract to bake cookies 24 hours a day for only pennies.
Season 3, episode 6
W: Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso D: Mark Warren
With Hope Clarke (May Watson), David Pendleton (John), LaNette Hardiman (Delores).
Raj falls in love with his landlady and becomes too "mature" for his teenage friends.
Season 3, episode 7
W: Eric Bowers D: Mark Warren
With Roger Bowen (Robert Glover), Randy Martin (Customer).
Rerun's credit cards cause him to soar to great heights of financial irresponsibility.
Season 3, episode 8
W: Marty Brill, Barry Meadow D: Mark Warren
With Bianca Ferguson (Jean), Kael Blackwood (Suchart), Karin Mani (Bina), Victor Fisher (Roy).
Raj moves out of his apartment with Rerun and into one with a beautiful woman.
Season 3, episode 9
W: Sally Wade D: Mark Warren
With Aixa Clemente (Student #2), Norma Donaldson (Mrs. Miller), Nancy Morgan (Mrs. Peterson), Harry Basch (Mr. Evans).
Raj's clothes are stolen while he is working as a nude model.
Season 3, episode 10
W: Dick Westerschulte, Bill Box D: Bill Foster
With Stu Gilliam (Willie Spencer), Wendell Wright (Sergeant), Dathan Tyrone Jones (Reverend Morgan).
Raj and Rerun unwittingly help a burglar steal all their valuables, including their Christmas gifts.
Season 3, episode 11
W: Joanne Pagliaro D: Mark Warren
With Ronalda Douglas (April), Candy Brown Houston (Cindy).
Raj and Rerun swap girlfriends in search of the elusive and coveted title of "ladies man".
Season 3, episode 12
W: Sally Wade D: Mark Warren
With Davis Roberts (Principal Bradley), Lauren Dana Adams (Julie).
Dee is bumped from the cheerleading squad because of a quota system.
Season 3, episode 13
W: Sally Wade D: Lee Bernhardi
With Jimmy Bridges (Ricardo), Richard Deacon (Mr. Bradford).
Dee is held for theft by a department store manager when she tries to exchange a birthday present.
Season 3, episode 14
W: Joanne Pagliaro D: Mark Warren
Dwayne has a dream in which Raj, Dee and Rerun are successful adults and he is still a nobody.
Season 3, episode 15
W: Levi Taylor, David Tyree D: Danny Simon
With Luke Walker (Jim), Freeman King (Man #1), Judy Pace (Liz).
Rob fires Shirley when she demands a raise after he hires a beautiful but inept waitress.
Season 3, episode 16
W: Jeremy Stevens, Tom Moore D: Mark Warren
With Earl Billings (Rob), Alan Oppenheimer (Mr. Sloan), Richard Couture (Mr. Flynn), Richard Stahl (Doctor), Chip Hurd (Donna), Nathaniel Taylor (Ike).
Rerun is convinced by a shifty lawyer that an illness was due to food poisoning gotten from eating at Rob's Place.
Season 3, episode 17
W: Joanne Pagliaro D: Lee Bernhardi
With Hal Williams (Sam Logan), Nelson Welch (Old Man), Richard Lee Sung (Mr. Wing).
Shirley and Dee opt for drastic measures after Raj and Rerun move in with them.
Season 3, episode 18
W: Dick Westerschulte, Bill Box D: Joseph Scanlan
With Hank Rolike (Barney Dunn), Benny Rubin (Duke Morgan), Slim Gaillard (Al), Charles Wagenheim (Lefty), Hal K. Dawson (Louie).
The gang practically demolishes the Thomas house after learning that stolen money may be stashed there.
Season 3, episode 19
W: Sally Wade D: Mary Hardwick
With Mark Warren (Killer), Ralph Steadman (Guard).
Rerun's fantasies run wild when he dreams that he is three popular television characters.
Season 3, episode 20
W: Jeremy Stevens, Tom Moore D: Lee Bernhardi
With Earl Billings (Rob), Sparky Marcus (Danny), De'voreaux White (Eddie), Justin Dana (Bobby), Nyles Harris (Nyles).
Big Earl's coaching career hits the skids when his team decides they would rather have Dwayne as their coach.
Season 3, episode 21
W: Sally Wade D: Mark Warren
With Greg Morris (Lawrence Nelson), Douglas Grant (Lester Williams), Betty A. Bridges (Mrs. Nelson), LaNette Hardiman (Lisa), Elaine Hobson (Cindy).
Dwayne is pressured by friends and family to enter the presidential race at Jefferson High.
Season 3, episode 22
W: Joanne Pagliaro D: Mark Warren
With Diane Sommerfield (Ginger), Marlene Clark (Secretary), Helen Martin (Mrs. Lloyd).
Rerun promises that Sammy Davis Jr. will appear at a variety show to save the teen center. (Last show of the series.)