Oh, the ‘TV-on-DVD’ explosion just keep’s a-comin’. Earlier this year, Sony / Columbia Tristar added yet another popular show from the 1970’s to the DVD market. How many of you remember “What’s Happening?” I kind of scared myself by still remembering the theme music. Based loosely on the film, “Cooley High”, “What’s Happening” was about three African-American teenage boys growing up in the ‘wilds’ of Los Angeles. As you might expect from a situation comedy, Raj, Rerun and Dwayne always seemed to get themselves into trouble, only to find some wacky way to get out of it. I wouldn’t call “What’s Happening” one of my favorite shows from the 70’s, but I will admit that I liked it well enough to watch each week. It was certainly a funny enough series, but it didn’t tend to have much of a serious side like many of the other sit-coms of the day.

The humor here was based strongly on the stereotypes of the time, which I’m sure they would have had a hard time getting by with nowadays. I never found anything about the show offensive, but I sure know people who did.

The series starred Ernest Thomas (Raj), Fred Berry (Rerun), and Haywood Nelson (Dwayne) as the ‘three musketeers’ of get rich quick schemes. Raj was the ‘smart one’, Rerun was the token ‘fat guy’ and Dwayne was the ‘quiet shy one.’ Together, they made quite a team. I think the only time I ever got uncomfortable watching the series was when the focus was on Rerun. Because of his size, he was constantly under attack from wise-cracking jerks, and occasionally even his friends. I know Berry had to realize going into the series these jokes would be there, but I’ve always been curious as to how it affects a large size actor when their role calls for this kind of mean spirited humor.

Mabel King (Mama) portrayed the stereotypical mom. She was stern with the kids when she had to be, but was almost always willing to do anything to protect them. For me, the two standout performers in the series were Danielle Spencer (Dee) and Shirley Hemphill (appropriately enough, Shirley). Dee was Raj’s little sister and she often got some of the best lines in the show. I wouldn’t really say she was much of an actress, but her deadpan delivery almost always gave me a good laugh. Shirley worked as a waitress at the ‘dive’ the boys always ate at. I have to wonder why they kept going back with all the hell she’d give them.

“What’s Happening” ended up being popular enough to run for three seasons (1976 - 1979), and it even spawned a sequel a few years later. “What’s Happening Now” aired from 1985 - 1988 with the entire original cast returning, with the exception of Mabel King. This series followed our three main characters as they worked their way through adulthood. (You can even catch a then unknown Martin Lawrence in later episodes) Oddly enough, in spite of the popularity of both series, most of these actors worked only sparingly for years after they were canceled. Shirley Hemphill was already an accomplished stage comic and continued to work until her death in 1999. Fred Berry became probably the most recognized character from the series and utilized the name Rerun to continue to hold on to fame. Sadly, Berry passed away just last year at the age of 53.

The 2nd season of “What’s Happening” is gearing up to come on DVD thanks to the folks at Sony / Columbia Tristar. It is a modest 3-disc affair that offers up all of the 2nd season episodes. There are no extras to be had, but as in most of their TV series releases, they do include a foldout insert listing all the episodes and their descriptions. This season certainly had its share of highlights, including the introduction of Greg Morris (“Mission Impossible”) as Dwayne’s father in one of two appearances, as well as a 2-part episode that featured the Doobie Brothers. There was even an episode that could almost be considered a crossover from “The Gong Show!”

“What’s Happening” certainly does deserve to be remembered. It came out at a time when ‘political correctness’ was still far off on the horizon. Depending on who you’re talking to, this could have been either a good thing or a bad thing. But either way it allowed the writers to pretty much do as they pleased, unhampered by who they might offend. And that my friends, often opens the door for real comedy.

Episodes:
Rerun Gets Married
It’s All in Your Head
Trial and Error
Raj Goes to Press
Nothing Personal
If I’m Elected
The Play’s the Big Thing
Give Me Odds
Bill Gets Married
Mama, The School Girl
One Strike and You’re Out
The Testimonial
Black and White Blues
Going, Going, Gong
Dee’s First Date
Doobie or Not Doobie, Part 1
Doobie or Not Doobie, Part 2
Rerun Sees the Light
Raj and the Older Woman
Diplomatic Immunity
Shirley is a Mother
The Apartment

Starring: Ernest Thomas, Fred Berry, Haywood Nelson, Danielle Spencer, Mabel King, Shirley Hemphill,
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 10/5/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give What's Happening: Season 2 a B-.