The BEST episodes of What's Happening!! season 1

Every episode of What's Happening!! season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of What's Happening!! season 1!

The misadventures of three black teens, Roger, Dwayne and Rerun, in 1970s L.A.

Last Updated: 9/9/2024Network: ABC (US)Status: Ended
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The Maid Did It
star
8.44
16 votes

#1 - The Maid Did It

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/6/1977

When Mama is fired after being accused of stealing a diamond ring, Roger seeks to set the record straight.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Burger Queen
star
8.38
24 votes

#2 - The Burger Queen

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/20/1976

Dee is selected for a series of TV ads for a burger chain.

Directors: Dick Harwood
Watch Now:Amazon
Speak for Yourself, Dwayne
star
8.19
26 votes

#3 - Speak for Yourself, Dwayne

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/27/1976

When Roger talks to a new girl on Dwayne's behalf, he finds himself falling for her and at odds with his friend.

Directors: Hal Alexander
Watch Now:Amazon
Shirley's Date
star
8.16
19 votes

#4 - Shirley's Date

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/4/1976

Roger and Rerun pay two men to date Shirley.

Directors: Anthony Chickey
Watch Now:Amazon
Dwayne's Dilemma
star
8.13
15 votes

#5 - Dwayne's Dilemma

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/24/1977

Dwayne must summon the courage to stand up to the tough and mean ex-boyfriend of his latest love interest.

Directors: Dick Harwood
Writer: Jerry Ross
Watch Now:Amazon
The Birthday Present
star
8.13
53 votes

#6 - The Birthday Present

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/12/1976

To earn money to buy Mama a birthday present, Roger resorts to playing dice and is accused of shoplifting along with Dwayne and Rerun.

Directors: Bud Yorkin
Watch Now:Amazon
The Hospital Stay
star
8.08
13 votes

#7 - The Hospital Stay

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/20/1977

With Roger in the hospital, Dee befriends his grouchy old roommate.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:Amazon
The Runaway
star
8.07
70 votes

#8 - The Runaway

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/5/1976

Raj hires a babysitter for Dee so he can join his friends at a party.

Directors: Dennis Steinmetz
Watch Now:Amazon
When Daddy Comes Marching Home
star
8.03
31 votes

#9 - When Daddy Comes Marching Home

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 8/19/1976

Mama's shifty ex-husband comes back into the picture and plays with her feelings to score some cash.

Directors: Jack Shea
Watch Now:Amazon
The Tickets
star
7.81
16 votes

#10 - The Tickets

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/3/1977

When the guys try to scalp concert tickets, they wind up at the police station.

Directors: Mark Warren
Writer: Richard Baer
Watch Now:Amazon
Saturday's Hero
star
7.78
32 votes

#11 - Saturday's Hero

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/13/1976

Rerun joins the high school football team and lets sudden success go to his head.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Nice Guys Finish Last
star
7.78
18 votes

#12 - Nice Guys Finish Last

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/24/1977

Dee's prison pen pal arrives, but she has escaped from jail.

Directors: Mark Warren
Writer: Carol Gary
Watch Now:Amazon
The Firing Squad
star
7.76
17 votes

#13 - The Firing Squad

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/10/1977

When Shirley's bad attitude gets her fired, the guys plan to find her a new job.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:Amazon
My Three Tons
star
7.75
32 votes

#14 - My Three Tons

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/26/1976

Rerun is invited to join a dance troupe, but not for his dancing skills.

Directors: Alan Rafkin
Writer: Jim Mulligan
Watch Now:Amazon
The Boarder
star
7.65
17 votes

#15 - The Boarder

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/17/1977

Needing extra money, Mama agrees to take Bill in as a boarder.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:Amazon
The Incomplete Shakespeare
star
7.63
16 votes

#16 - The Incomplete Shakespeare

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/13/1977

Roger earns a chance to write for a black TV show, but its producers don't want to face the realities of ghetto life.

Directors: Dick Harwood
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Christmas
star
7.62
26 votes

#17 - Christmas

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/11/1976

With Mama having to work on Christmas, Roger and Dee have Christmas dinner at Bill's apartment.

Directors: Hal Alexander
Watch Now:Amazon
What's Wrong with Raj?
star
7.46
13 votes

#18 - What's Wrong with Raj?

Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/10/1977

A lovesick Roger spends his time at the local clinic trying to win over an older nurse.

Directors: Mark Warren
Writer: Gene Farmer
Watch Now:Amazon
Puppy Love
star
7.43
21 votes

#19 - Puppy Love

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/30/1976

Confusion arises when Roger's plans to buy a puppy from a girl in school lead Mama and Bill to think he got the girl pregnant.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:Amazon
The Sunday Father
star
7.29
17 votes

#20 - The Sunday Father

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/27/1977

When Roger is suspended from school, he turns to his father instead of facing Mama's wrath.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:Amazon
From Here to Maternity
star
7.14
14 votes

#21 - From Here to Maternity

Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/31/1977

Shirley tries to support her pregnant younger sister.

Directors: Mark Warren
Watch Now:Amazon