The BEST episodes written by Rodney Barnes
#1 - Promised Land
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 10
Down two men and with the 1980 NBA Championship on the line, the outnumbered Lakers look to an unlikely source for inspiration. In Philly, Earvin faces off against his role-model-turned-rival Dr. J, while in LA, Haywood grapples with his own worst enemy: himself.
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#2 - Jr.'s Risky Business (1)
My Wife and Kids - Season 3 - Episode 17
As a very impressed Michael sees it, his son's girlfriend, Vanessa is an absolute prize: ""She's beautiful, smart, personable and polite... you guys have nothing in common,"" he tells Jr. But there's something about her that rubs Jay the wrong way. Elsewhere in the courtship department, Kady's similarly smart and personable gentleman caller is a budding piano prodigy named Franklin. As for Claire, all she's courting is a severe case of nerves: the PSATs are coming up and her face has broken out in hives.
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#3 - Road Trip
My Wife and Kids - Season 2 - Episode 15
Jay organizes a historic trip to Paul Revere's house for the entire family to learn more about American history. She even packs colonial food (which Michael hates) to give it an extra touch. Michael, unlike Jay, isn't so excited about spending a long time with Jay and Claire in a car. The reason? They're both on that time of the month, which spells trouble! The trip is full of problems, including being pulled over twice, Michael being lost and refusing to use the navigational system, Jay's neurosis about her weight, Jr. terrorizing Kady, Claire's whining and Kady playing with the voice alternator she got in her chicken from the chicken place clerk. The family survives, but when they finally get to Paul Revere's house, it's closed.
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#4 - Stinkmeaner Strikes Back
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 4
Huey has a dream of Stinkmeaner and Granddad says that he was a menace and he sent him to hell like he deserves. Stinkmeaner's spirit later inhabits Tom Dubois' body and goes looking for revenge against Granddad. Huey must stop him from killing Granddad.
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#5 - Home Alone
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 10
Granddad takes a vacation, leaving the boys alone, but just who is in charge?
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#6 - The Maid
My Wife and Kids - Season 4 - Episode 26
While Jay is away at a seminar, Michael hires a maid, Mrs. Hopkins, to look after the family. Mrs. Hopkins fulfills their every need and want to a sweet perfection, including homemade ice cream, an immaculately clean house and handmade outfits for Claire. When Jay comes home, she appreciates Mrs. Hopkins' attention to every detail, but begins to feel that perhaps she has taken over just a bit too much.
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#7 - Invisible Man
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 7
As the Lakers hit the road, Dr. Buss makes a dangerous bid with Coach Westhead, and Earvin's rivalry with Larry Bird is put to the test.
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#8 - Jr. Kyle, Boy Genius
My Wife and Kids - Season 2 - Episode 23
After receiving Jr.'s SATs score results (a perfect 1600), the Kyles believe they have a genius in the house and start treating him more respectfully. Unfortunately, the results weren't Jr.'s, and his true score turns out to be only 200. Still, he proves he's not so dumb and puts together the jungle gym Michael couldn't put together for Kady. Meanwhile, Jay asks the girls what they to be when they get older. Claire wants to shop (to for companies, for her), and Kady wants to be an officer, so she starts practicing it around the house.
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#9 - Who the F**k Is Jack McKinney?
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 4
While training in Palm Springs, the introduction of a new playing style threatens to further divide an already fractured Lakers franchise.
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#10 - Acceptable Loss
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 9
As the Lakers prepare to enter the play-offs, Buss struggles with the team's tenuous coaching situation and his mother's failing health. Later, Haywood receives an ultimatum from Kareem.
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#11 - The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 15
Uncle Ruckus is given his own reality show by BET.
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#12 - The Hamburger Hamlet
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 2 - Episode 5
After a final clash between Earvin and Coach Westhead, Buss tasks Jerry West with picking up the pieces. As Honey attempts a heart-to-heart with Jeanie, Buss faces pushback from the press and his Captain. Later, Pat faces his demons and takes control of his team.
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#13 - Childcare Class
My Wife and Kids - Season 5 - Episode 3
Michael fails a child-care course for grandparents, so Vanessa and Jr. refuse to let him baby-sit his grandchild.
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#14 - Pieces of a Man
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 5
While the Lakers prepare for their season opener, Kareem experiences a crisis of faith, and Buss clashes with those closest to him.
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#15 - The Story of Catcher Freeman
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 12
Huey and Riley listen to different perspectives on the story of their ancestor Catcher Freeman.
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#16 - The Passion of Reverend Ruckus
The Boondocks - Season 1 - Episode 15
While Ruckus spreads the word of White Jesus to get into White Heaven, Huey desperately tries to save his friend from death row.
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#18 - California Dreaming
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 8
McKinney's potential return threatens Paul and Pat's increasingly successful status quo, while Earvin and Buss each face shocking truths.
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#19 - All That I Got Is You
Wu-Tang: An American Saga - Season 1 - Episode 4
Bobby and Dennis find a new hustle to make some cream.
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#20 - Invasion of the Katrinians
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 9
Jericho Freeman, Granddad's cousin, and his family, who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, arrive at the Freeman's home looking for a place to stay. Granddad reluctantly allows the family to stay, but is soon trying to get rid of them.
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#21 - Crouching Mother, Hidden Father
My Wife and Kids - Season 3 - Episode 7
Jay volunteered to be the director for Kady's kindergarten class play, but due to illness she is forced to step away from the production, leaving it all on the hands of Michael – for the children's salvation, because Jay was way too competitive, even arguing with their teacher over the quality of their last show. Michael allows the children to make any changes they want on Shakespeare's ""Romeo and Juliet"", and the result is a very successful – and very weird – play.
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#22 - Granddad's Fight
The Boondocks - Season 1 - Episode 4
Grandad and Colonel Stinkmeaner have a beef. One man's blind. One man's feeble. Both are really, really old. Let "The Slugfest In Woodcrest" commence!
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#23 - The Lady is Not a Tramp
My Wife and Kids - Season 4 - Episode 12
Michael's imagination takes off when he finds a package of condoms in daughter Claire's backpack the same day her boyfriend, Tony, is returning from a month in the desert. Annoyed that her father is jumping to conclusions, Claire decides to give him a taste of his own unique brand of discipline. Meanwhile Jr. accidentally gives Kady his pet dog's medicine and Kady pretends to turn into a dog.
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#24 - 'beat L.A.'
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 2 - Episode 6
Despite taking home another ring, the Lakers face a series of humiliating defeats. While attempting to regroup, Buss fields accusations from Honey, Norm receives devastating news, and Earvin does his best to win Cookie over for good. Then, when a life-changing event alters Kareem’s perspective, a newly united team vies for a shot at taking on the Celtics – and Larry Bird.
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Legends of Chamberlain Heights - Season 2 - Episode 7
Grover, Montrel and Malik are caught off guard when their deadbeat dad attempts to reconnect with the family; Milk and Jamal hit up local massage parlors in search of a happy ending.
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#26 - The S Word
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 11
A teacher calls Riley a "nigga" in class, causing Robert to decide that he wants to sue for restitution.
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#27 - Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner
The Boondocks - Season 1 - Episode 3
Huey and Riley try to convince Grandad that his new girlfriend Cristal (like the champagne) is actually a prostitute. Of course, Grandad doesn't believe them, even when she spends all his money. But when A Pimp Named Slickback shows up, the truth is revealed.
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#28 - The Story of Gangstalicious Part 2
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 13
Granddad worries about Riley's sexuality when he notices that he begins to dress and act like "in-the-closet" rapper, Gangstalicious.
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#29 - The Trial of Robert Kelly
The Boondocks - Season 1 - Episode 2
When the trial of R&B star R. Kelly comes to town and Tom Dubois is the ADA, Huey and Riley are on opposing sides of the hot-button "underage peeing" issue. Meanwhile, Granddad and Uncle Ruckus argue about white people during a game of checkers.
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#30 - The Garden Party
The Boondocks - Season 1 - Episode 1
When the owner of Granddad's house invites Granddad and the kids to his garden party, Huey tries to start trouble by saying Jesus was black and comparing Ronald Regan to the devil. Meanwhile, Riley and the owner's grandson (a soldier back from Iraq) play with guns and Granddad runs into the self-loathing black butler Uncle Rukus.
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#31 - The New World
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 2 - Episode 4
After Earvin’s record-setting contract reaches the press, resentments flair in the locker room – and extend to the court. As the Lakers fight for their standing in the league, Buss looks to take his relationship with Honey to the next level, while Pat questions his role, and Coach Westhead meets with an old friend.
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#32 - What Is and What Should Never Be
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 2 - Episode 7
As the 1984 NBA Finals begin, tensions between the Lakers and Celtics reach new heights. While Buss fends off a potentially life-altering lawsuit, Claire faces the possibility of yet another bankruptcy, and Jeanie questions her place in professional sports. Later, Earvin and Larry battle to the bitter end of their first Finals face-off.
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#33 - Memento Mori
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 6
Assistant coach Paul Westhead adds to the Lakers' growing list of problems when he finds himself dealing with a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. Increasingly courted by corporate sponsors, Earvin consults a newfound financial advisor.
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#34 - The Second Coming
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 2 - Episode 3
In the 1970s, college drop-out Larry Bird fends off offers from Indiana State’s Bill Hodges – and, later, Celtics’ head coach Red Auerbach. As the ’81-’82 season begins, Earvin pushes Buss for a long-term commitment, while Coach Westhead risks it all on a key move.
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#35 - Everybody Hates Halloween
Everybody Hates Chris - Season 1 - Episode 6
It's Halloween and Chris is excited when another girl invites him to a costume party. But Caruso has plans for him... Back at home, Julius buys cheap candy for the local kids.
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#36 - The Magic Is Back
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 2 - Episode 2
When Earvin’s return threatens the Lakers’ new "system," Pat Riley and Jerry West push for a risky trade. While Coach Westhead fights for his team, Jeanie clashes with her brothers, and a melancholy Buss attempts to court a figure from his past.
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#37 - Is That All There Is?
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 2
As Buss attempts to connect with a fellow franchise owner, Coach West and Claire face near impossible mandates, and Earvin looks for love.
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#38 - Kingdom
Marvel's Runaways - Season 1 - Episode 5
After their not-so-fearless leader is taken, our kids spring into action. Alex discovers long-buried secrets about his dad, as the kids uncover new truths about themselves.
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#39 - Jr.'s Dating Dilemma
My Wife and Kids - Season 3 - Episode 10
Michael decides to help Junior on his women approach techniques, seeing that his son has absolutely no clue on how to behave around women. His advice consists on primarily having women say ""really?"", which is the key for a successful approach. When Jr. tests Michaels advice on one of Claire friends, he's surprised that it works, and even gets the girl to agree on going on a school dance with him. But Jr. was just testing her so he could ask the hottest girl on school out, which he does (and she accepts, on a move to make her ex-boyfriend jealous). Claire's friend is crushed, and Michael now has to teach him how to apologize properly to a woman. Meanwhile, Jay freaks out about her dream of Michael and Janet Jackson having an affair.
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#40 - Tsunami
Marvel's Runaways - Season 1 - Episode 8
PRIDE tries desperately to clean up their latest mess without involving Jonah. But can they handle this on their own?
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#41 - Freedom Ride or Die
The Boondocks - Season 4 - Episode 5
A young Granddad is held as an unwilling freedom rider on a trip through the racist South.
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#42 - Everybody Hates Chain Snatching
Everybody Hates Chris - Season 2 - Episode 16
When Chris ruins Malvo's plans to steal Vanessa's gold chain, he must figure out a way to replace it or pay the price to Malvo. Rochelle finds out that Julius has kept a credit card secret from her for over 15 years. Tonya tries to win Billy Ocean concert tickets from a radio station.
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#43 - One Ring Don't Make a Dynasty
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 2 - Episode 1
1980. As the Lakers’ post-victory season begins, a laser-focused Jerry Buss shores up his all-star roster – and his relationship with his children. Later, a catastrophic injury threatens the team’s chance at defending their title.
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#44 - Everybody Hates Father's Day
Everybody Hates Chris - Season 1 - Episode 22
While Chris finds his dad the perfect gift Julius decides he would like to spend Father's Day alone... SEASON FINALE
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#45 - Pause
The Boondocks - Season 3 - Episode 8
Granddad is cast as the leading man by mega-superstar of stage and screen, Winston Jerome. But when the theater group turns out to be a homoerotic evangelical cult, it's up to Huey and Riley to put a pause to it.
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#46 - The Itis
The Boondocks - Season 1 - Episode 10
Grandad opens "The Itis", the only soul food restaurant in Woodcrest. White people didn't expect it. They also didn't expect high cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity.
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#47 - The Good Life
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty - Season 1 - Episode 3
Leaving the Lakers to deal with the fallout of Coach West's shocking announcement, Buss travels to Las Vegas, and soon becomes entangled with a dangerous foe. Back in LA, Earvin finds himself alone in a new city, while former Laker Pat Riley seeks out a new place within the team.
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#48 - A Date With the Health Inspector
The Boondocks - Season 1 - Episode 5
District Attorney and law-abiding citizen Tom Dubois fits the description of the elusive "X-Box Killer" and is arrested. Huey has to find the real killer before Tom is shipped off to "real" prison where he will most assuredly become "someone's girlfriend."
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#49 - Freedomland
The Boondocks - Season 4 - Episode 7
The Freemans get trapped in a slavery-amusement park.
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#50 - The Hunger Strike
The Boondocks - Season 2 - Episode 14
Huey goes on a hunger strike in a boycott of BET, and receives some high-profile support.
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