The BEST episodes of Sanford and Son season 1

Every episode of Sanford and Son season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Sanford and Son season 1!

The misadventures of a cantankerous old man and his son, partners in the family junk business in Los Angeles' Watts neighborhood.

Last Updated: 3/16/2024Network: NBCStatus: Ended
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A Matter of Life and Breath
star
8.08
101 votes

#1 - A Matter of Life and Breath

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/11/1972

Lamont forces Fred to quit smoking and visit the doctor, but Fred becomes convinced he has tuberculosis.

Directors: George Tyne
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
The Copper Caper
star
7.98
121 votes

#2 - The Copper Caper

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/4/1972

Fred and Lamont fall victim to a copper scam.

Directors: Bud Yorkin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
The Return of the Barracuda
star
7.92
63 votes

#3 - The Return of the Barracuda

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/7/1972

With Fred and Donna once again planning marriage, Lamont cooks up a scheme to drive them apart.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
The Suitcase Case
star
7.92
71 votes

#4 - The Suitcase Case

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/31/1972

Fred and Lamont find a large sum of money in an old suitcase but are soon visited by a gunman intent on taking the treasure.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
We Were Robbed
star
7.86
101 votes

#5 - We Were Robbed

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/18/1972

After knocking over Lamont's glass figurine collection, Fred pretends the house was robbed and is treated as a hero.

Directors: Coby Ruskin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Here Comes the Bride, There Goes the Bride
star
7.85
141 votes

#6 - Here Comes the Bride, There Goes the Bride

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/28/1972

When Lamont is jilted at the altar by his bride-to-be, his relatives try to recover their wedding gifts.

Directors: Bud Yorkin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
TV or Not TV
star
7.80
82 votes

#7 - TV or Not TV

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/24/1972

Fred fakes amnesia to get Lamont to buy him a color television.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
The Great Sanford Siege
star
7.76
90 votes

#8 - The Great Sanford Siege

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/3/1972

After Fred ignores all the household bills, debt collectors descend on the house from every direction.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
A Pad for Lamont
star
7.71
93 votes

#9 - A Pad for Lamont

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/25/1972

Frustrated with the lack of privacy at home, Lamont moves into his own apartment.

Directors: Bob Lahendro
Writer: Aaron Ruben
The Barracuda
star
7.63
103 votes

#10 - The Barracuda

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/17/1972

Lamont is determined to break up Fred's plans to marry Donna.

Directors: Charles S. Dubin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
Happy Birthday, Pop
star
7.56
182 votes

#11 - Happy Birthday, Pop

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/21/1972

Lamont takes Fred out on the town to celebrate his father's birthday but only ends up being embarrassed.

Directors: Bud Yorkin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Watch Now:Amazon
The Piano Movers
star
7.55
83 votes

#12 - The Piano Movers

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/14/1972

Fred and Lamont try to move a piano from the apartment of an eccentric man.

Directors: Bruce Bilson
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Coffins for Sale
star
7.52
92 votes

#13 - Coffins for Sale

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/10/1972

After Lamont buys two coffins at auction, a superstitious Fred refuses to sleep in the house.

Directors: Charles S. Dubin
Writer: Aaron Ruben
Crossed Swords
star
7.37
342 votes

#14 - Crossed Swords

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/14/1972

When Lamont and Fred put a porcelain figure up for auction, their shill bidding attempts backfire on them.

Directors: Bud Yorkin
Writer: Aaron Ruben