What's Happening!! backdrop
Comedy

The Best Episodes of What's Happening!! Season 1

Every episode of What's Happening!! Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of What's Happening!! Season 1!

Binge this in 10h 30m•Peaking at 8.6/10

What's Happening!! is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976 to April 28, 1979. The show premiered as a summer series. With good ratings and reviews, and after the failure

Airs on
ABC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 1 - The Runaway
    7.7/10(121 votes)

    #1 - The Runaway

    S1:E1

    Raj is all set to go to a party with Dwayne and Rerun but at the last minute Mama breaks the news that he has to babysit Dee while she goes out to work. This leads Raj to hire a babysitter but by the time he returns from the party, the babysitter has fallen asleep and Dee is no where to be found.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 2 - The Birthday Present
    7.7/10(82 votes)

    #2 - The Birthday Present

    S1:E2

    Trying to get enough money to buy Mama a birthday present is not as easy as it sounds for Raj. This leads him to some dice playing but Mama breaks it up and confiscates the money he won. In a last attempt, Raj, Rerun and Dwayne try to walk out of the store with a blouse after writing an IOU.

    Director:Bud Yorkin
    Writer:Bernie Orenstein

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 3 - When Daddy Comes Marching Home
    8.0/10(76 votes)

    #3 - When Daddy Comes Marching Home

    S1:E3

    Mama's shady ex-husband, Bill re-enters her life and she's sure he's come around to squeeze some money out of her. Mama's suspicions are right but Raj is on to his father's game and finds his $200 dollars for writing school to be in danger of being snatched.

    Director:Jack Shea
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 4 - My Three Tons
    8.0/10(84 votes)

    #4 - My Three Tons

    S1:E4

    After seeing a TV show, Rerun becomes obsessed with wanting to join a dance group, The Rockets. Miraculously, at the audition, he's accepted but Dwayne soon discovers, Rerun wasn't accepted because he could dance, but because he's overweight.

    Director:Alan Rafkin
    Writer:Jim Mulligan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 5 - Saturday's Hero
    7.7/10(72 votes)

    #5 - Saturday's Hero

    S1:E5

    Rerun is given the chance to join the floundering football team and becomes and instant hero. This leads to a swelled head and he begins to give Raj and Dwayne the cold shoulder, going so far as to give his two extra Gladys Knight tickets to two of his "new" friends instead of Raj and Dwayne, like he promised.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 6 - The Burger Queen
    8.4/10(89 votes)

    #6 - The Burger Queen

    S1:E6

    Rerun has his heart set on getting the role in a hamburger commercial. However, once down at the audition the producers find Dee to be better suited despite the fact that she can't stand the taste of them. An even bigger problem arises when Mama's permission is needed for her to do the commercial, but she's in Phoenix.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Bernie Orenstein

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of What's Happening!!

    READ
  7. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 7 - Speak for Yourself, Dwayne
    7.4/10(63 votes)

    #7 - Speak for Yourself, Dwayne

    S1:E7

    Dwayne has his eye on a new girl, Nancy but he's too shy to talk to her, so he gets Raj too. However, that turns into a mistake for Dwayne because this leads to Raj falling for Nancy. Raj is left with guilt and one angry friend.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Seaman Jacobs

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 8 - Shirley's Date
    7.7/10(69 votes)

    #8 - Shirley's Date

    S1:E8

    Raj has sold a kid's story to a children's magazine and to celebrate, throws a party. However, Shirley is reluctant to come because she doesn't want to show up without a date. This leads Raj and Rerun to take steps to get her a date. Raj goes so far as to get her one through an escort service and Rerun cons his brother into asking her.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 9 - Christmas
    8.3/10(76 votes)

    #9 - Christmas

    S1:E9

    With Mama planning to work on Christmas, Raj and Dee agree to have Christmas dinner at Bill's apartment. However, Mama is able to get out of working at the last minute and soon discovers that the kids have plans and she finds herself facing a lonesome Christmas.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Bernie Orenstein

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 10 - Puppy Love
    7.6/10(60 votes)

    #10 - Puppy Love

    S1:E10

    Raj is tutoring Patrice Williams in exchange for one of the puppies that her dog, Susie is soon to have. However, confusion erupts in the Thomas household, when Dee overhears a conversation between Raj, Dwayne and Rerun which leads her to believe Raj has gotten a girl pregnant.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writers:Bill Richmond, Gene Perret

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 11 - The Maid Did It
    7.5/10(68 votes)

    #11 - The Maid Did It

    S1:E11

    Mama is fired from her job as a maid for the Turner household after she's accused of stealing Mrs. Turner's diamond ring. However, Raj sets out to clear Mama and quickly discovers Mr. Turner may be a more likely suspect in the theft.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 12 - The Incomplete Shakespeare
    7.3/10(60 votes)

    #12 - The Incomplete Shakespeare

    S1:E12

    Raj writes a story for a new TV show, Central Avenue and can't wait to find out if the producers will buy it. However, Raj is in for a shock on the night the show premieres. It seems the producers have stolen his story and he goes straight down to their offices prepared to sue.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 13 - The Hospital Stay
    8.6/10(88 votes)

    #13 - The Hospital Stay

    S1:E13

    Raj lands in the hospital and is afraid to face impending surgery. Meanwhile, his roommate is a grouchy ex-baseball player whom Dee befriends and learns that he has kept up a bitter feud between himself and his daughter all because she married a white man.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 14 - The Sunday Father
    7.4/10(61 votes)

    #14 - The Sunday Father

    S1:E14

    Raj has become a practical joker and delights in playing tricks on his teacher, Miss Collins. However, when he goes overboard, he finds himself suspended from school and to avoid getting Mama involved in the situation, he turns to his father, who quickly discovers the joys of parenting.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 15 - The Firing Squad
    7.9/10(59 votes)

    #15 - The Firing Squad

    S1:E15

    When the bank manager arrives at Rob's Place to discuss his application for a loan, Shirley insults him which ends with Rob firing her. This leads Raj, Dwayne and Rerun to help Shirley find a new job even though she has very few skills.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 16 - The Boarder
    7.5/10(54 votes)

    #16 - The Boarder

    S1:E16

    Needing extra money, Mama agrees to take on a boarder who will stay in Dee's room while she reluctantly agrees to share a room with Mama. However, everyone is in for a surprise when Bill asks to take the room and even more surprising, Mama agrees to let him move in.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 17 - Dwayne's Dilemma
    7.7/10(63 votes)

    #17 - Dwayne's Dilemma

    S1:E17

    Raj has been dying for a date with a girl but soon finds that there is a hitch, in order to go out with her, he needs to find a date for her cousin, Brenda. Dwayne agrees but soon finds himself to be a corner in a love triangle, when Brenda's pushy ex-boyfriend threatens his well-being if he continues to see her.

    Director:Dick Harwood
    Writer:Jerry Ross

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 18 - The Tickets
    7.7/10(58 votes)

    #18 - The Tickets

    S1:E18

    Mama has two tickets to a Stevie Wonder concert and she gives them to Raj. However, Raj now has one tough decision to make, to take Dwayne or Rerun to the concert. Meanwhile, Mama makes a decision on a boarder, who introduces his girlfriend to the family.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Richard Baer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 19 - What's Wrong With Raj?
    7.4/10(57 votes)

    #19 - What's Wrong With Raj?

    S1:E19

    After a school lecture about hypertension, Raj begins spending more and more time down at the free clinic. This leads Dee to sneak a peek at his diary to see if she can find a clue to ""what's wrong with Raj.""

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Gene Farmer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 20 - Nice Guys Finish Last
    7.5/10(60 votes)

    #20 - Nice Guys Finish Last

    S1:E20

    Dee gets a surprise when she gets a phone call from her prison pen pal, Judy Crane, who is getting out of jail and needs a place to stay. Dee talks Mama into allowing Judy to stay with them unknown to all of them that Judy is really on the run after escaping.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. What's Happening!! Season 1 Episode 21 - From Here to Maternity
    6.5/10(57 votes)

    #21 - From Here to Maternity

    S1:E21

    Shirley is all excited when she gets a call from her sister, Norma who's coming to town for a visit. However, Shirley is in for a big surprise when she discovers Norma is six months pregnant and Norma is in for an even bigger surprise when she gets a phone call from her fiancee telling her it's over.

    Director:Mark Warren
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Runaway" is the best rated episode of "What's Happening!!" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 121 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 8/5/1976. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "The Birthday Present".