Seasons & Episodes
Too Old Blues
James is all excited because he's sure he's going to get a high paying job. However, at the interview, he learns that h
Black Jesus
J.J.'s painting of a Black Jesus, becomes the family's good luck charm after a string of success hits each family member
Getting Up the Rent
With an eviction notice over their heads, the Evans family scrambles to come up with $74 dollars needed for their rent.
God's Business is Good Business
An old friend of James, who is now a shady televangilist, stops by the Evans apartment and offers James a job that would
Michael Gets Suspended
Michael comes home from school early one day with the announcement that he has been suspended. This, after telling his
Sex and the Evans Family
Florida finds what she believes to be a dirty story called, ""Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto"". Assuming it to be J.J.'s
Junior Gets a Patron
J.J. is sure he's bound to make it big when he gets a patron in Leroy Jackson, who begins providing him with all the sup
Junior the Senior
Florida and James are worried that J.J. won't pass into the 12th grade but when he gets his report card he did indeed pa
The Visitor
Michael submits a angry letter about the conditions in the Evans' apartment to a newspaper and gets an immediate respons
Springtime in the Ghetto
Florida is running in a cleanest apartment competition and is sure she will win. However, her chances are dashed when M
The TV Commercial
Florida comes home from the supermarket with great news, she's been offered a role in a TV commercial. What's even bett
The Check Up
Florida and the kids become concerned about James's health after reading an article in a magazine about hypertension. W
My Son the Lover
A popular girl wants J.J. to paint her portrait and J.J. mistakenly assumes that they will become more serious when he m
Florida Flips
Florida's strange behavior has the family and Willona wondering what's wrong with her. Michael thinks she's beginning m
J.J. Becomes a Man (1)
J.J.'s 18th birthday has James and Florida in a fit when they find out they won't be able to give J.J. the art supplies
J.J. Becomes a Man (2)
J.J. is taken down to the police station for questioning in the liquor store robbery. The family gathers there and trie
Crosstown Buses Run All Day, Doodah, Doodah
Michael has the chance to be bused to a better school in a white neighborhood but he is determined to get out of it. Fl
The Man I Most Admire
Michael must write an essay on the person whom he most admires. He first picks Florida for her strength and effort in k
Thelma's Young Man
Thelma's been seeing the same man for two months and hasn't introduced him to the family yet. However, when she comes h
The I.Q. Test
Michael, one of the brightest boys in his class, comes home with the news that he scored the lowest out of his whole cla
The Encyclopedia Hustle
An encyclopedia salesman is the last person James wants to see when he comes home from work. However, he softens when h
The Gang (1)
J.J. secretly has become a member of the Satan's Knights, a gang who are in the midst of a gang war with the Warlords.
The Gang (2)
J.J. is recovering after being shot by Mad Dog, which only turned out to be a flesh wound. Meanwhile, a vengeful James
The Matchmaker
A wedding has Florida realizing that Willona is the only friend of hers left that isn't married. So this leads Florida
The Windfall
James finds a bag of robbery loot adding up to $27,000. After some coaxing from Florida, James decides to turn it in.
Sometimes There's No Bottom in the Bottle
Cousin Naomi is visiting the Evans' for the Christmas season. However, her visit is not a happy one for Thelma, who dis
Florida's Big Gig
James is sure he's going to get a sales position at a department store but when he brings Florida along on the interview
Florida Goes to School
Florida is going to night school hoping to achieve a High School Equivalency diploma, but her working in the daytime and
The Nude
A woman aks J.J. to paint a nude portrait of her as a birthday gift for her husband. However, Florida has a hard time u
The Family Business
Realizing his mechanical skills, Florida suggests that James open a fix-it shop but when they go to the bank, they're tu
The Debutante Ball
J.J. is enchanted with his new girlfriend, Clarissa, and is all set to take her to a ritzy debutante ball. However, Cla
The Dinner Party
An elderly resident of the projects appears to be living on pet food after Michael takes out her garbage. The Evans fami
The Houseguest
A childhood friend of James' arrives for a visit and quickly his gambling problem becomes an Evans family problem when t
My Girl Henrietta
The Evans family's joy at finally getting to meet J.J.'s girl Henrietta is shrouded by J.J.'s declaration that his immed
The Enlistment
The Evans' family is hit with a double dose of unemployment blues after both James and J.J. lose their jobs. Wanting to
Thelma's Scholarship
Thelma has a chance at winning a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school in Michigan. However, even before she know
The Lunch Money Ripoff
A bully has been stealing Michael's lunches which prompts James to give him some tips on how to handle the situation. H
A Real Cool Job
After taking some courses at a trade school, James has a chance of getting a good paying job. However, when he is final
The Family Gun
James brings a gun home to protect his family.
Operation Florida
Florida has had a pain in her side for the last two weeks but doesn't want to see a doctor out of fear of the cost. How
Love in the Ghetto
Thelma has great news, she's engaged. However, her opinion of great news differs greatly with her parents who hit the r
Florida's Rich Cousin
Florida plans on borrowing money from her cousin to help pay some unexpected bills. James's pride stands in the way cau
The Weekend
A friend of James' gives him permission to use his cabin to celebrate his and Florida's 20th wedding anniversary. Howev
The Baby
Florida and the kids throw a baby shower for a friend, Loretta. However, the joyous occasion is dampened when Loretta a
Michael's Big Fall
When James is out of town, Florida and her brother Wilbert are left to deal with a troubled Michael. His cutting classe
The Politicians
A feud erupts in the Evans' household when James and J.J. take the side of Alderman Fred Davis during his attempt at a r
Willona's Dilemma
When J.J. brings home Walter, a man from his art class, he hits it off with Willona. Despite the fact that he's deaf, h
Florida's Protest
Florida and James become outraged when the kids get a touch of food poisoning after eating meat from the local supermark
The Mural
J.J. is commissioned by a bank to paint a mural and in return will receive $250 needed for Thelma's college education wh
A Loss of Confidence
Thelma brings home a friend of hers and instantly J.J. is smitten. However, when she rejects him he quickly loses all o
Cleatus
A bank robbery in Atlanta has the FBI showing up at the Evans' apartment to question Florida since her nephew, Cleatus i
The Family Tree
Thelma researches her family tree for a school project and discovers James's father is very much alive and living in the
A Place to Die
An elderly man that Michael befriended stops by the Evans' apartment just prior to the New Years celebration and knowing
J.J.'s Fiancee (1)
J.J. and his girlfriend, Diana, are getting serious and the topic of marriage comes up, something which both J.J. and Di
J.J.'s Fiancee (2)
On the night of her senior prom, Diana decides to run off to Indiana and elope with J.J. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, sw
Sweet Daddy Williams
J.J. has been commissioned by a number's runner, Sweet Daddy Williams, to paint the portrait of his girlfriend, Savannah
The Investigation
The family is being investigated by the FBI because they are suspected to be security risks due to Michael doing researc
J.J. in Trouble
When the children are left at home for the weekend, J.J. receives bad news that he has given VD to an ex-girlfriend. Th
Florida the Woman
After a morning of being take granted for by her children and her husband, Florida decides to take her boss up on a lunc
The Break Up
Thelma's fiancee's idea of romance is taking her to a basketball game but that is the least of her worries after he gets
The Rent Party
The Evans family decides to hold a rent party to help out a neighbor in the building whose electricity has just been tur
The Big Move (1)
The family is getting ready to move to Mississippi which is where James has gotten a promising new job. However, the fa
The Big Move (2)
The death of James has J.J., Thelma and Michael overcome with grief and also leaves them wondering what is wrong with Fl
J.J. and the Older Woman
Thelma invites her favorite teacher to the apartment and while she is there she is fascinated with JJ's artwork. She and
Michael the Warlord
Widespread violence has been running rampant in the neighborhood and a large part of it is due to the street gang, the W
Michael's Great Romance
Michael is in love with Yvonne but every time he's around her he freezes. When Yvonne meets J.J. she instantly falls fo
Evans Versus Davis
Alderman Davis makes a visit to the Evans' household wanting J.J. to speak at his re-election campaign. However, when J
J.J.'s New Career (1)
After loosing his job, J.J. tries his best to find a job. However, when Bookman serves the Evans' family with an evicti
J.J.'s New Career (2)
J.J. is in the money, now that he has a new job working with two friends in a gambling operation. However, little does
Grandpa's Visit
Florida and the children are excitedly anticipating the arrival of Grandpa Evans. However, he arrives with a loud compan
Rich is Better Than Poor . . . Maybe
Some good luck strikes the family when J.J. wins a lottery. However, the luck doesn't last long, that is until, Thelma'
Florida's Night Out
The kids feel Florida has been spending too much time alone and they decide to cancel their plans and spend an evening w
The Judy Cohen Story
J.J. is managing Michael's singing group and gets them a gig at a local tavern. While there, J.J. comes across Judith C
The Comedian and the Loan Sharks
J.J. borrows money from a loan shark to back his talented new comedian. However, within days, two thugs come to collect
The Hustle
Florida's bad mood prompts the kids to go into the underwear selling business in order to raise enough money to send Flo
Thelma's African Romance (1)
The cafeteria at Thelma's college is in disrepair. Thelma and her friends picket the college. She meets Ibe, an African
Thelma's African Romance (2)
Florida hits the roof when Thelma announces her plans of moving in with Ibe. However, things begin moving a little bit
Willona's Surprise
Willona gets a surprise for her birthday, a visit from her womanizing ex-husband, Ray. Ray does his best at convincing
A Friend in Need
When Florida's away for the weekend, J.J., Thelma and Michael throw a wild party. However, it gets even wilder than they
A Stormy Relationship
Florida is horrified to learn that Michael is harboring atheist attitudes planted by his boss. This leads Florida to co
Florida and Carl
A reluctant Florida agrees to go on a date with Carl. However, once at the restaurant, she gets into an argument with h
My Son, the Father
J.J. is all excited about taking Michael to a father-son dinner but when Michael breaks the news that he invited Carl to
J.J. in Business
JJ has another money-making idea. He starts a greeting card business and has the whole family involved in making up mess
Love Has a Spot on His Lung (1)
Florida and Carl's relationship has gotten quite serious and Carl breaks the news to J.J., Thelma and Michael that he's
Love Has a Spot on His Lung (2)
A furious J.J. confronts Carl, who makes up an excuse that a war injury in the groin is the reason why he's breaking up
The Evans Get Involved (1)
When a young girl, Penny Gordon follows J.J. home, she quickly insinuates herself into the Evans household and makes up
The Evans Get Involved (2)
Willona and the Evans children are convinced that Penny is being abused, but when Willona takes Penny to see a doctor ab
The Evans Get Involved (3)
Willona and the Evans kids are stunned to discover that Penny and her mother have moved. They are equally stunned when
The Evans Get Involved (4)
Willona worries over whether or not she will be able to adopt Penny. Meanwhile, a well meaning, Bookman, tries to help
Thelma Moves Out
Fed up with having no privacy and being burdened by two brothers, Thelma decides to move out and into an apartment that
Willona, the Fuzz
Willona is offered a new job but her morals force her to refuse it. However, when Penny has her heart set on figure ska
Wheels
J.J. and his friends become partners in the ownership of car, a car that they foolishly bought from Bookman. However, t
Breaker, Breaker
Michael passes himself off as J.J. while using a CB radio and quickly discovers he's not the only one who's putting on a
Bye, Bye, Bookman
The conditions in the building become to much for Willona, Penny and the Evans kids to bare so they decide to circulate
Thelma's Brief Encounter
Thelma begins dating a man named Lloyd Williams, however, suspicions run rampant between J.J., Willona and Michael who b
Requiem for a Wino
Fishbone, a wino, complains that he has no friends and quickly discovers he has many when a vagrant steals his wallet an
Penny's Christmas
After getting her wallet stolen, Penny steals a necklace from a department store in a desperate attempt to try to get Wi
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Michael's apathetic behavior towards household chores and homework leads J.J. to put his foot down and to step in as a f
Willona's Mr. Right
Willona's old boyfriend arrives back in town and asks Willona her hand in marraige. However, Willona turns him down sin
J.J. and the Boss' Daughter
J.J. is given a sexy assistant, one whom he makes a play for immediately. However, later when he learns that she's the
Where There's Smoke
A hole has been burned into one of the couch cushions and J.J., Thelma and Michael each have their own versions of how i
I Had a Dream
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
The Boarder
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 i
J.J.'s Condition
J.J.'s latest relationship with a woman, Barbara, who's currently married but plans on divorcing her husband, results wi
Willona, the Other Woman
Bookman's strange behavior leads his wife, Violet to become convinced that he's seeing another woman. However, appearan
Something Old, Something New
Grandpa Evans visits and has plans of becoming rich thanks to his new invention. Meanwhile, Lena, Grandpa's fiancee get
Willona's New Job
Willona's boyfriend, Frank, continues his efforts to try to get her to marry him. Meanwhile, down at the boutique, Will
Write On, Thelma
Thelma has written a full length play and is ecstatic when it is chosen to be produced as the local theater's latest pro
That's Entertainment, Evans Style
A child-care center in the neighborhood is scheduled to close due to lack of funds. To keep it open, the Evan's plan a s
Florida's Homecoming (1)
The Evans children and Willona are pleasantly shocked to learn that Thelma has been dating the nationally renowned footb
Florida's Homecoming (2)
Florida arrives home after hearing the news of Thelma's engagement. However, Thelma's impending wedding may never take
Florida's Homecoming: The Wedding
After losing his job, J.J. takes out a $1,000 loan from Sweet Daddy Williams, to pay for Thelma's wedding. The wedding
Florida's Homecoming: United We Stand
After a joyous wedding ceremony, things are anything but happy. Thelma and Keith cannot go on a honeymoon because Keith'
Florida Gets a Job
Both Florida and J.J. are looking for work but neither are having any luck. One ad, in the newspaper, for part-time wor
Stomach Mumps
Willona adamently refuses to discuss the birds and the bees with Penny especially after Willona learns a 13-year old fri
J.J. the Teacher
J.J.'s student has to deal with a violent father who ademently refuses to allow his son to take art lessons from J.J., e
Michael's Decision
The Evan's apartment feels crowded with Thelma and Keith still living there after their marriage. In addition, things co
J.J. and the Plumber's Helper
JJ's former girlfriend Vanessa is back in town, and she still has expensive taste. JJ does not want to tell her that he
The Witness
J.J. could pay dearly for witnessing an auto accident.
The Snow Storm
A snowstorm hits Chicago and Florida gets stuck in it with her school bus. This leads her and the kids on the bus to ta
The Traveling Christmas
When Keith's Scrooge-like boss at the taxi-cab company won't give him Christmas off, the Evans family brings their Chris
House Hunting
The Evans family has found the perfect home to move into and plan on taking out a loan to pay for it. However, they qui
Florida's Favorite Passenger (1)
A student whom Florida drives to school on her bus, becomes the center of attention when Florida discovers he has a hear
Florida's Favorite Passenger (2)
After a near fatal accident, Larry's mother finally realizes that Larry has a hearing problem. Unable to take him to th
Blood Will Tell
Sweet Daddy Williams sends his hoods to snatch J.J. from his home and bring him to the hospital. His reasons: J.J. is t
Where Have All the Doctors Gone?
When Willona goes out of town, she leaves Penny in Florida's care. Shortly after, Penny comes down with a virus and Flo
J.J. and T.C.
A tomboy who's been helping out Bookman, wants J.J. to ask her to a dance. However, J.J. thinks of her as just one of t
The Physical
Florida discovers she must take and pass a physical examination to keep her bus driving job. However, the night before
A Matter of Mothers
Willona's latest boyfriend, Jeffrey, has been showering her and Penny with extravagant gifts even though they've only be
The Evans' Dilemma
Keith's search for a job results in strange behavior that everyone plainly points out is not just frustration, but rathe
The Art Contest
With the art contest approaching, J.J. believes that he is shoo-in to win. However things don't go as planned after he t
Cousin Raymond
Florida gets a surprise visit from her cousin, Raymond, who has hit it big and gives each member of the family an expens
The End of the Rainbow
This final episode brings all too good news for the Evans family. J.J. gets an offer to a comic company, Keith's bad kne
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