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22 Episodes 1977 - 1978
Episode 1
Wed, Sep 21, 1977 30 mins
Part 1 of 4. The Evanses befriend a child who's trying to hide a terrible secret about her home life. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. Michael: Ralph Carter.
Episode 2
Wed, Sep 21, 1977 30 mins
Part 2 of 4. The Evanses learn that Penny's bruises were inflicted by her mother. Penny: Janet Jackson. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. Mrs. Gordon: Chip Fields. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis.
Episode 3
Wed, Oct 12, 1977 30 mins
Thelma shares a campus apartment with some strange roommates.
Episode 4
Wed, Oct 19, 1977 30 mins
At her new job as a store detective, Willona feels guilty about spying on the customers.
Episode 5
Wed, Nov 2, 1977 30 mins
A jointly owned jalopy is the source of constant argument among JJ and his friends.
Episode 6
Wed, Nov 9, 1977 30 mins
Michael becomes a Casanova on Bookman's CB radio.
Episode 7
Wed, Nov 16, 1977 30 mins
Bookman sets out to get even with the Evanses, whose grievances cost him his job. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Violet: Marilyn Coleman. Penny: Janet Jackson. Michael: Ralph Carter. Alderman Davis: Albert Reed. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Stanley: Mel Bryant.
Episode 8
Wed, Dec 7, 1977 30 mins
Willona suspects that Thelma's elusive new boyfriend is married. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Lloyd: James A. Watson Jr. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Penny: Janet Jackson. Michael: Ralph Carter.
Episode 9
Wed, Dec 14, 1977 30 mins
The Evanses hold a wake for a wino reportedly killed outside a local bar. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Fishbone: Robert Guillaume. Michael: Ralph Carter. Vagrant: Cal Gibson. Ray: Bill Henderson.
Episode 10
Wed, Dec 21, 1977 30 mins
After getting her wallet stolen, Penny steals a necklace from a department store in a desperate attempt to try to get Willona a Christmas gift. However, Penny's attempts may lead to Willona losing custody of her.
Episode 11
Wed, Jan 4, 1978 30 mins
Michael's apathetic behavior towards household chores and homework leads J.J. to put his foot down and to step in as a father figure. He really comes down hard when Michael and Penny are arrested for being in a stolen vehicle.
Episode 12
Wed, Jan 11, 1978 30 mins
The lifestyle of Willona's footloose beau threatens Penny's new-found stability. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. Penny: Janet Jackson. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Michael: Ralph Carter. Bookman: Johnny Brown.
Episode 13
Wed, Jan 18, 1978 30 mins
J.J. is given a sexy assistant, one whom he makes a play for immediately. However, later when he learns that she's the boss's daughter, he continues to go out with her thinking that it will give him special privileges with his boss.
Episode 14
Wed, Jan 25, 1978 30 mins
Michael, Thelma and J.J. each have their own version of how their sofa caught fire. Michael: Ralph Carter. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. Penny: Janet Jackson. Bookman: Johnny Brown. Mandy: Brenda Sykes.
Episode 15
Mon, Jan 30, 1978 30 mins
J.J. wants a promotion at work but a co-worker convinces him that the promotion will only go to a white man. This leads J.J. to have a crazy dream where he gets to experience being white.
Episode 16
Mon, Feb 6, 1978 30 mins
To pick up extra money for the rent, J.J. decides to take in a boarder. However, little does he know the man he takes in, is placed their by the police department for his protection.
Episode 17
Mon, Feb 13, 1978 30 mins
J.J. worries himself sick over his latest love's indecision about their relationship. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. Barbara: Fay Hauser. Ernie: Justin Lord. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Michael: Ralph Carter. Penny: Janet Jackson. Bookman: Johnny Brown.
Episode 18
Mon, Feb 27, 1978 30 mins
Mrs. Bookman catches her husband in a compromising position at Willona's apartment. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Michael: Ralph Carter. Penny: Janet Jackson.
Episode 19
Mon, Mar 13, 1978 30 mins
Inventor Grandpa Evans upsets his fiancée by deciding to postpone their marriage. J.J.: Jimmie Walker. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Michael: Ralph Carter. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. Penny: Janet Jackson. Bookman: Johnny Brown.
Episode 20
Mon, Mar 20, 1978 30 mins
A newly promoted Willona tries to choose between marriage and her job.
Episode 21
Mon, Mar 27, 1978 30 mins
Thelma learns she must make sweeping changes in her first play---if she wants it produced.
Episode 22
Mon, Apr 3, 1978 30 mins
The Evanses put on a show to benefit the project's day-care center. Willona: Ja'net DuBois. Thelma: BernNadette Stanis. Davis: Albert Reed. Joyce: Saundra Sharp. Michael: Ralph Carter. Bookman: Johnny Brown. Penny: Janet Jackson. Gary: Gary Coleman.