Series Description:

The What's Happening TV show was a 30 minute comedy series on ABC about three young black guys named Raj, Rerun, and Dwayne and their antics while growing up in the inner-city of Los Angeles, California. Their constant monkey business and get rich overnight schemes got them into one jam after another and it was usually Roger's mother who had to get them out.

What's Happening TV Show Cast:

Ernest Thomas ............... Roger "Raj" Thomas
Fred Berry .................. Fred "Rerun" Stubbs
Haywood Nelson .............. Dwayne Nelson
Mabel King .................. Mama
Danielle Spencer ............ Dee Thomas
Shirley Hemphill ............ Shirley Wilson
Leland Smith ................ The Snake (1978-1979)
David Hollander ............. Little Earl (1978-1979)
John Welsh .................. Big Earl Babcock (1978-1979)

What's Happening Trivia:

The What's Happening TV show was originally to have been based on the 1975 movie, "Cooley High". The writer of that film's script, "Eric Monte" did go on to become co-creator and writer for this TV series. When the pilot did not do well, however, ABC insisted that the entire storyline be reworked!

One of the changes made was that, originally, Rerun was going to be a skinny little white guy.

Fred Berry actually had his middle name legally changed to "Rerun"! He also wears a red beret in real life, just like his character did. Talk about identifying with your role!

Danielle Spencer became a real-life veterinarian in 1996. In her final two acting roles (thru 2001) in the films, "As Good As It Gets (1997)" and "Peter Rabbit and the Crucifix (2001)", she played the part of a veterinarian!

In episode #42, "The Apartment", Raj graduated from High School and hinted to his mother that he wanted to move into Rerun's apartment. She agreed and he did.

Episodes List With Original Air Dates

The First Season

The Runaway (8/5/1976)
The Birthday Present (8/12/1976)
When Daddy Comes Marching Home (8/19/1976)
My Three Tons (8/26/1976)
Saturday's Hero (11/13/1976)
The Burger Queen (11/20/1976)
Speak for Yourself, Dwayne (11/27/1976)
Shirley's Date (12/4/1976)
Christmas (12/11/1976)
Puppy Love (12/30/1976)
The Maid Did It (1/6/1977)
The Incomplete Shakespeare (1/13/1977)
The Hospital Stay (1/20/1977)
The Sunday Father (1/27/1977)
The Firing Squad (2/10/1977)
The Boarder (2/17/1977)
Dwayne's Dilemma (2/24/1977)
The Tickets (3/3/1977)
What's Wrong With Raj? (3/10/1977)
Nice Guys Finish Last (3/24/1977)
From Here to Maternity (3/31/1977)

The Second Season

Rerun Gets Married (9/22/1977)
It's All in Your Head (9/29/1977)
Trial and Error (10/6/1977)
Raj Goes to Press (10/13/1977)
Nothing Personal (10/20/1977)
If I'm Elected (10/27/1977)
The Play's the Big Thing (11/3/1977)
Give Me Odds (11/10/1977)
Bill Gets Married (11/17/1977)
Mama, the School Girl (11/24/1977)
One Strike and You're Out (12/8/1977)
The Testimonial (12/15/1977)
Black and White Blues (12/22/1977)
Going, Going, Gong (1/5/1978)
Dee's First Date (1/12/1978)
Doobie or Not Doobie - Part 1 (1/28/1978)
Doobie or Not Doobie - Part 2 (2/4/1978)
Rerun Sees the Light (2/11/1978)
Raj and the Older Woman (2/18/1978)
Diplomatic Immunity (2/25/1978)
Shirley is a Mother (4/13/1978)
The Apartment (5/11/1978)

The Third Season

Disco Dollar Disaster (9/21/1978)
Shirley's Boyfriend (9/28/1978)
Basketball Brain (10/12/1978)
The Creep Detective (11/2/1978)
Shirley's Cookies (11/9/1978)
The Landlady (11/16/1978)
Charge (11/23/1978)
Raj Moves Out (11/30/1978)
No Clothes Make the Man (12/14/1978)
Positive Identification (12/21/1978)
Making Out (1/11/1979)
Dee, the Cheerleader (1/25/1979)
A Present for Dee (2/9/1979)
Dwayne's Dream (2/16/1979)
Shirley's Fired (2/23/1979)
Food Poisoning (3/2/1979)
The Eviction (3/9/1979)
The Thomas Treasure (3/16/1979)
The Last Page (3/31/1979)
First Class Coach (4/7/1979)
Dwayne's Debate (4/21/1979)
The Benefit Show (4/28/1979)