I used to watch What's Happening all the time but I've only seen most of season 1 of WHN and a few episodes afterwards. I always wondered how Rerun's absence was explained on WHN. Did they say or did they make believe he never existed?

Well there was exit episode for him or any reference as to what happened to him. He was referred to in the second season when Raj was going to have a garage sale and came across Rerun's old pom poms from episode four of the original series. I hope that this helps.

yeah dwayne showed them reruns hat and they all said yeah rerun like he died or something it was confusing u said there was exit for him or that was only thing metioned

LOL. True. I know how Rerun really died though. It was reported that he died of a Twinkie Overdose. He had one hostess too many.

I thought they just wrote him out with no explanation. Sitcoms are notorious for that when they fire people or cut their budgets and layoff actors. I do remember some references being made about him in later episodes.

I thought they just wrote him out with no explanation. Sitcoms are notorious for that when they fire people or cut their budgets and layoff actors. I do remember some references being made about him in later episodes.

Maybe they also left it open ended so that if Berry came to his senses, he could return.

Berry was an idiot for leaving. He did nothing after the original show went off the air. He should have been grateful to be working with his old friends again.:rolleyes:

Thanks everybody. It's just something that I've wondered for years. lol

And Doc you are right about Fred Berry...he even changed his name to Rerun. It's who he was. He should have been happy to resume playing the character and he should have learned his lessons from the original series where he was probably as responsible as anyone for getting it canceled.

LOL. True. I know how Rerun really died though. It was reported that he died of a Twinkie Overdose. He had one hostess too many.
Wow, looks like Rerun's eating habits had taken its toll.

I did not know that Rerun was write out of What's Happening Now

I used to watch What's Happening all the time but I've only seen most of season 1 of WHN and a few episodes afterwards. I always wondered how Rerun's absence was explained on WHN. Did they say or did they make believe he never existed?

Well, as far as I can guess (and that's all it is), I don't think that writers ever really wrote him out, explained why he wasn't around as much, etc. Though when it happened I though (or maybe "fancied" was a better word) that the character had finally caught his (entertainment field) "big break" and was travelling overseas in pursuit of well deserved fame, etc. Back then I wasn't privy to a lot of entertinment/tabloid news so didn't know there was an issue between the Berry and the suits that ran show. In fact I spent virtually all of season two waiting for him to show up again:lol: . Have a good one, everybody.

Well, as far as I can guess (and that's all it is), I don't think that writers ever really wrote him out, explained why he wasn't around as much, etc. Though when it happened I though (or maybe "fancied" was a better word) that the character had finally caught his (entertainment field) "big break" and was travelling overseas in pursuit of well deserved fame, etc. Back then I wasn't privy to a lot of entertinment/tabloid news so didn't know there was an issue between the Berry and the suits that ran show. In fact I spent virtually all of season two waiting for him to show up again:lol: . Have a good one, everybody.

TVParty and Urbanite Magazine (Georgia State University) reported that Berry wanted more money for season two since he felt he was the REAL start of the show. He tried to get his castmembers to rally behind him for more money for everyone like he did with the original series but no one signed on. He was simply let go. It was reported within both that he was still using substances during the 80's revival of the series.

It's sad because Berry was more of a dancer than an actor. He should have been greatful to get a role on TV and looking back, he did nothing else major outside of the WH franchise in terms of acting. In fact, no one went big or major from WH or WHN.

Maybe they also left it open ended so that if Berry came to his senses, he could return.

Berry was an idiot for leaving. He did nothing after the original show went off the air. He should have been grateful to be working with his old friends again.:rolleyes:

I always thought that too but by season three you notice that Ken Sagoes and Martin Lawrence were casted. Sagoes resembled a younger Berry in looks and antics on the last season. He could have been easily a long lost brother for Rerun on the show giving both of them an opportunity to bring in the laughs together.

TVParty and Urbanite Magazine (Georgia State University) reported that Berry wanted more money for season two since he felt he was the REAL start of the show. He tried to get his castmembers to rally behind him for more money for everyone like he did with the original series but no one signed on. He was simply let go. It was reported within both that he was still using substances during the 80's revival of the series.

It's sad because Berry was more of a dancer than an actor. He should have been greatful to get a role on TV and looking back, he did nothing else major outside of the WH franchise in terms of acting. In fact, no one went big or major from WH or WHN.

Indeed, after doing nothing after the cancellation of the original show, Berry should have been thankful that he was getting another TV job and to work with his old castmates as well. But ego is a strange thing that turns and out-of-work has been into a player with a major ego. He shot himself in the foot as he never did anything after leaving the show and he hurt the show, too.

Indeed, after doing nothing after the cancellation of the original show, Berry should have been thankful that he was getting another TV job and to work with his old castmates as well. But ego is a strange thing that turns and out-of-work has been into a player with a major ego. He shot himself in the foot as he never did anything after leaving the show and he hurt the show, too.

Especially when the original version of the series was about to be renewed for a 4th season back in the 70's. I always thought that the show could have easily lasted to 81 or 82 ending with the graduation of Raj and everyone else moving on to new phases of their lives. Mabel King also had greviances and with the kids getting older, obviously there would have been less for her to do. The producers would have to eventually make a decision to either focus more on the post high school lives of the gang or provide more storylines for Mabel and Dee as she was starting high school.

But these are what ifs we'll never know. Berry should have had some vision for the series.

Especially when the original version of the series was about to be renewed for a 4th season back in the 70's. I always thought that the show could have easily lasted to 81 or 82 ending with the graduation of Raj and everyone else moving on to new phases of their lives. Mabel King also had greviances and with the kids getting older, obviously there would have been less for her to do. The producers would have to eventually make a decision to either focus more on the post high school lives of the gang or provide more storylines for Mabel and Dee as she was starting high school.

But these are what ifs we'll never know. Berry should have had some vision for the series.

Where did you hear the show was going to be renewed for a fourth season?? I thought the ratings had tanked in season three, hence its cancellation in 1979.

Indeed, after doing nothing after the cancellation of the original show, Berry should have been thankful that he was getting another TV job and to work with his old castmates as well. But ego is a strange thing that turns and out-of-work has been into a player with a major ego. He shot himself in the foot as he never did anything after leaving the show and he hurt the show, too.
:thumbsup: Berry had the same attitude like Jimmie Walker and Gary Coleman. Biting the hand that feeds them. :rolleyes: Although, Berry was willing to walk around doing that same ol' dance routine of his that he made famous on WH, although he was always doing that dance with the Lockers dance troupe.

:thumbsup: Berry had the same attitude like Jimmie Walker and Gary Coleman. Biting the hand that feeds them. :rolleyes: Although, Berry was willing to walk around doing that same ol' dance routine of his that he made famous on WH, although he was always doing that dance with the Lockers dance troupe.

Yeah, but I don't remember Jimmie Walker ever threatening to quit for more money. I know Good Times had problems with John Amos and Esther Rolle, but I don't recall hearing about JJ.

Where did you hear the show was going to be renewed for a fourth season?? I thought the ratings had tanked in season three, hence its cancellation in 1979.

Here is the TV Party article about that issue and others:
http://www.tvparty.com/recwhats.html

Here is the Urbanite article about that issue surrounding Fred and his wife. The article contains typos as it appears a rough draft was mistakenly placed on the online version. The print edition was much better
http://media.www.gsusignal.com/media/storage/paper924/news/2006/04/18/Urbanite/The-Exploitation.Of.Fred.rerun.Berry-1861374.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab

The way I heard it was that the actor was a pain in the rump to work with so they gave him his walking papers.

Maybe they also left it open ended so that if Berry came to his senses, he could return.

Berry was an idiot for leaving. He did nothing after the original show went off the air. He should have been grateful to be working with his old friends again.:rolleyes:

I wish all actors and actresses could understand that. One person alone does not make a show.

I wish all actors and actresses could understand that. One person alone does not make a show.

I guess your ego gets inflated and you feel entitled. Well, Berry made his decision and his career pretty much ended then and there. Too bad.

I guess your ego gets inflated and you feel entitled. Well, Berry made his decision and his career pretty much ended then and there. Too bad.


I always felt he shared the spotlight with Shirley. He was a huge part of the show's funny moments

I always felt he shared the spotlight with Shirley. He was a huge part of the show's funny moments

True. It's just too bad he didn't appreciate the show getting a second life in syndication and let his ego get the better of him. Maybe the show would have ran a little longer had he stayed on. Who knows?

True. It's just too bad he didn't appreciate the show getting a second life in syndication and let his ego get the better of him. Maybe the show would have ran a little longer had he stayed on. Who knows?
I found a tape of an old ET "Where Are They Now" (from 2001, I believe) and Fred Berry stated that when WHN came on, he was offered a lucrative deal with some company to endorse Rerun dolls and other merchandise. The WHN production company vetoed it, and Fred quit the show. Such a shame, because WHN would probably have had a longer run had he stayed. In the end, no one won. ohno:

I found a tape of an old ET "Where Are They Now" (from 2001, I believe) and Fred Berry stated that when WHN came on, he was offered a lucrative deal with some company to endorse Rerun dolls and other merchandise. The WHN production company vetoed it, and Fred quit the show. Such a shame, because WHN would probably have had a longer run had he stayed. In the end, no one won. ohno:

You're right, Monika. It wasn't like Fred Berry was in demand in the years between the original show and the revival. I don't recall seeing him in anything after the first show ended. Too bad greed and ego torpedoed what could have been a long run.

You're right, Monika. It wasn't like Fred Berry was in demand in the years between the original show and the revival. I don't recall seeing him in anything after the first show ended. Too bad greed and ego torpedoed what could have been a long run.
Sad but true. ohno:

Rerun was missed when They wrote him out of the show.

You're right, Monika. It wasn't like Fred Berry was in demand in the years between the original show and the revival. I don't recall seeing him in anything after the first show ended. Too bad greed and ego torpedoed what could have been a long run.
I found another old ET show where Ernest Thomas and Haywood Nelson talked about the situation. Both said that they resented Fred for years afterwards, but I believe both made amends with him before his passing in 2003.

They had the right to be mad, Reruns big head caused them their paychecks. But they were part of the demise of WH by walking out with rerun.

I found another old ET show where Ernest Thomas and Haywood Nelson talked about the situation. Both said that they resented Fred for years afterwards, but I believe both made amends with him before his passing in 2003.

I could imagine. None of the leads from WH were really in high demand. I think Ernest had some roles here and there. Haywood may have guest starred one one or two other shows but nothing steady. Danielle focused on her education. Shirley had a short lived sitcom and then went back to stand up comedy. Mabel went back to the theatre.

I could imagine. None of the leads from WH were really in high demand. I think Ernest had some roles here and there. Haywood may have guest starred one one or two other shows but nothing steady. Danielle focused on her education. Shirley had a short lived sitcom and then went back to stand up comedy. Mabel went back to the theatre.


That's because the show wasn't that much of a hit to begin with so I can understand the actors not being that high in demand

Here is the TV Party article about that issue and others:
http://www.tvparty.com/recwhats.html

Here is the Urbanite article about that issue surrounding Fred and his wife. The article contains typos as it appears a rough draft was mistakenly placed on the online version. The print edition was much better
http://media.www.gsusignal.com/media/storage/paper924/news/2006/04/18/Urbanite/The-Exploitation.Of.Fred.rerun.Berry-1861374.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab

I remember Ernest Thomas saying on the Unsung: Hollywood special on What's Happening!!, that ABC canceled What's Happening!! (or at least the straw that broke the camel's back) was when Fred Berry called the producers racists. Many of these producers according to Ernest, many of these producers were very sensitive about being called bigots since they had relatives who survived the Holocaust. Anyway, to make a long story short, the producers shot back at Fred by saying that since he doesn't like to work for "racists" they were going to end production of the show after three years.

On What's Happening Now!!, Fred's lack of humility and foresight is what got him in trouble again. Fred should've counted his blessings that he was able to get a second chance after all of the shenanigans that he pulled on the original show. But he of course, had to pull a Suzanne Somers on Three's Company firmly believing that he deserved a massive pay-raise since he was in theory, the main reason why people watched the show.

Fred needed to understand that What's Happening Now!! was a first-run syndicated show, and therefore was going to be cheaper than a prime time, network show. Also, I don't think that Fred/Rerun was as essential to the show (even though, the show did sorely missed his presence during the last two seasons) when compared to Ernest/Raj.

That's because the show wasn't that much of a hit to begin with so I can understand the actors not being that high in demand

The original WH!! was actually a modest success during its three year run on ABC. For its first and third seasons (when it aired on Thursdays instead of Saturdays like in the second season), it was actually in the top 28. When the show entered syndication, it's ratings were better (kind of like what happened with the original Star Trek) than they were during its original network run. That's how WHN!! came about.

I don't think Rerun was written out per say. They just never mentioned him.

I don't think Rerun was written out per say. They just never mentioned him.

They did mention him at some point, but I don't think that they said what happened to him.

As noted, Rerun was mentioned, and seen via flashbacks of the original series, in the season 2 episode "The Yard Sale."

Fred Berry wasn't content to merely ruin the show once back in 1979, he had to do it again when the show was revived in the mid-eighties.

You'd think being out of work and struggling would have taught him a lesson, but drugs and ego really took their toll on him.

In "The Sorority Sisters," when Raj sees Dee dressed as Heidi, he asked if she was wearing Rerun's baby clothes. :lol:

So, the show really didn't act as if he never existed after season 1- no Chuck Cunningham Syndrome, even if mentions of him ceased in season 3.