I use to watch this show and originally, was happy when the old gang reunited for an updated version of the 70's classic. However, thinking about it, the show was more fail than pass for me. Here are my reasons why I think it failed...

1. Raj was back living in his old house and now part owner of Rob's Place along with Shirley.

2. Rerun still didn't grow up at all.

3. No Mabel

4. Dwayne should've been married to Dee

5. Fred Berry left the show

I still haven't seen WHN. I'll have to see if I can find the DVD set through the library system. I wonder why Mabel King didn't even do any guest appearances. :confused:

I still haven't seen WHN. I'll have to see if I can find the DVD set through the library system. I wonder why Mabel King didn't even do any guest appearances. :confused:
She wasn't even in any episodes of the third and final season of the original series. I think whatever reasons she chose to leave the series hadn't yet been resolved. And since the character had already been written out of the show it was probably easier just to leave her out.

Hmmmm.

She wasn't even in any episodes of the third and final season of the original series. I think whatever reasons she chose to leave the series hadn't yet been resolved. And since the character had already been written out of the show it was probably easier just to leave her out.

Of course technically, "Mabel" wasn't written out of the show. I mean she was absent, but her character still lived in the house. She just wasn't seen by the viewers. It's when they did "Now!!" that they made up a reason why she was gone.

It just seems like the cast had no growth, they basically tried to recreate the original show with most of the origainal cast and it just didn't click.

I still haven't seen WHN. I'll have to see if I can find the DVD set through the library system. I wonder why Mabel King didn't even do any guest appearances. :confused:

monika, visit this guy's account on you tube- he has a few episodes of what's happening now, as well as good times and the jeffersons! :)

http://www.youtube.com/user/Belgusto1#p/u

monika, visit this guy's account on you tube- he has a few episodes of what's happening now, as well as good times and the jeffersons! :)

http://www.youtube.com/user/Belgusto1#p/u
Thanks!! :D

I would agree with you. The original version was still going strong in syndication and to this day, you can still find it in local syndication. The 1980's version had potential but missed out on several opportunities.

1. The Dwayne and Dee storyline could have been developed more. It was time to give other characters some romance interests. If Rerun could have stayed, him pursuing a woman could have matured him.

2. The adoptive kid was just not needed. She was there briefly and then gone by the end of the season. It was no point. She could been used as an employee of Rob's Place.

3. Mabel should have at least came by to visit the house or came by and cooked for a holiday or something. It was her house and for them not to mention anything about her left a void.

4. Based off the article links that have been posted here, the actors morale definitely went down as this series progressed. Fred walked off during season one. Haywood reports their was less creative freedom. At least during other revivals (mamas family, sanford, charles in charge), actors reported they got to make script changes and propose storylines.

The Mother was needed on the original show so you know she wasn;t going to be needed on the revival series-lol


Maybe they should have been living somehere else besides Mabel's House

Does anyone know for sure why Mabel King left the first show and why she didn't appear in the revival? Contract/money issues? Health? Other obligations?

As good an actress as Mabel King was, if she wasn't going to be part of the show - the producers should've just recast her part. That's just my opinion, but I think it would've made more sense in the long run.

Does anyone know for sure why Mabel King left the first show and why she didn't appear in the revival? Contract/money issues? Health? Other obligations?

As good an actress as Mabel King was, if she wasn't going to be part of the show - the producers should've just recast her part. That's just my opinion, but I think it would've made more sense in the long run.


She had problems with her decreased role on the show

She had problems with her decreased role on the show

Thanks, Sol!!!

She had problems with her decreased role on the show
I read somewhere that she was unhappy because her character had so little to do on the show. She would have a few lines at the beginning of the show and then her character would go to work and we wouldn't see her again until the final scene where she would have a few more lines. The show just began to revolve more and more around the kids and Mrs. Thomas got pushed more and more into the background. She did also have health issues later in life. She had her legs amputated as a result of diabetes and eventually passed away as the result of that disease.

The thing about What's Happening Now is that even though I didn't like the show all that much, I can't say it was a failure. It lasted 3 years the same as the first series(though it wasn't as good or successful) and had high ratings during it's first two seasons as a syndicated show. It wasn't good but their are show's from the mid eighties that I don't like even more(227, Benson, and Full House).

I may have to watch the 1st season again on DVD this weekend

Dwayne didn't have to be married to Dee though. I don't tink tht was one of the mandatory elements. I would have liked to seen a bit more on the relationship. My issue with Dee was that it was her freshman year of college when she clearly should have been a senior or junior since she was bumped up two grades on the original series. She would have graduated c/o 1982.

I also read that Mabel Kings was offered a role but the money was not enough. I wish that I could find the link to that article. I liked the syndicated first run but it did seem a little watered down to me especially after Fred Berry left. According to Ernest Thomas, Ernest was heartbroken when the show was not returning for a fourth season just like original back in 1979. He stated this in an interview on TV One's "Life After".

Dwayne didn't have to be married to Dee though. I don't tink tht was one of the mandatory elements. I would have liked to seen a bit more on the relationship. My issue with Dee was that it was her freshman year of college when she clearly should have been a senior or junior since she was bumped up two grades on the original series. She would have graduated c/o 1982.

I also read that Mabel Kings was offered a role but the money was not enough. I wish that I could find the link to that article. I liked the syndicated first run but it did seem a little watered down to me especially after Fred Berry left. According to Ernest Thomas, Ernest was heartbroken when the show was not returning for a fourth season just like original back in 1979. He stated this in an interview on TV One's "Life After".


Maybe people at the time couldn't deal with the mom being gone and shirley moving in

Of course technically, "Mabel" wasn't written out of the show. I mean she was absent, but her character still lived in the house. She just wasn't seen by the viewers. It's when they did "Now!!" that they made up a reason why she was gone.

It kind of reminds me of Mrs. Powell (being in the house but we the audience hardly ever seeing her) during the later seasons of another first-run syndicated sitcom from the '80s Charles in Charge.

What's Happening was a failure too if you want to really be analytical

Let's be clear on a few things:

1. WHN was never really successful in the ratings. Had it been on a network (as opposed to in syndication), it wouldn't not have lasted longer than one, maybe 1 1/2 seasons.

2. Looking back, I think Raj should not have been married. Remember they were still pretty young, basically only a few years out of college. So they didn't necessarily have to be married with kids. As three bachelors, there would more interesting story lines and more antics with the three boys and Shirley, both at the diner and out in the world. I don't think Earnest Thomas was able to walk that line between married man and still part of the trio. And it really couldn't happen when Fred Berry left.

3. The scripts for WHN were HORRIBLE. Like really bad. The comedy writing was just not good. And the acting between jokes was waaay to dry.

4. Mabel King may have been able to save the show. She was not ill during the time WHN aired, 1985-88. She only got sick around 1990. I think she still had leftover resentment from being devalued in the WH. Maybe money was an issue too, because the show was obviously shot on a low budget. Their sets looked cheap, and you could see the production value of the show was clearly not on the level of the major shows at the time.

5. Fred Berry and the character or Rerun was a necessary part of the WHN. When he left, that show really had a gaping hole in it. Shirley was still good, but she was unable to carry the comedy of the show all by herself, although in some episodes, she did.

6. If I had to point to one reason why WHN was not successful, it would be the poor quality of the scripts.

I watched every episode of What's Happening Now of season 1 and I enjoyed it


I want to see he episodes with Martin Lawrence again one day which I haven't seen since the 80's

I vaguely remember WHN. I think it was on in syndication back in the early 90s when I saw it. Btw, wasn't Dee off at college which is why she wasn't in the show much? And this romance between Dee and Dwayne? That actually happened? Can someone fill me in?

I vaguely remember WHN. I think it was on in syndication back in the early 90s when I saw it. Btw, wasn't Dee off at college which is why she wasn't in the show much? And this romance between Dee and Dwayne? That actually happened? Can someone fill me in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSa4zOFvU2M

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=155848

I don't find the original show all that funny, but it has a certain charm and cast chemistry that carries it through some of the weaker scripts (much like "Happy Days"). But when I watched WHN this morning, I realized that whatever magic the original had did not survive to the 80s version. I don't know if it's because the characters are acting more mature, or because no one has really moved on with their lives (except for Mabel). Everyone just seems to be going through the motions, as if they're aware that the revival is being done for financial, not creative, reasons.

Read more: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=155848#ixzz2vuYeGHXd

From what I saw of it during the marathon, I thought the show was ok. I mean I dont think it would ever win any awards but I dont think it was terrible.

From what I saw of it during the marathon, I thought the show was ok. I mean I dont think it would ever win any awards but I dont think it was terrible.


All seasons of WHN is better than the last season of What's Happening

IDK. I need to watch again or really think about this one.

IDK. I need to watch again or really think about this one.


Come on Tom, WHN with Martin lawrence is not better than season 3 of WH?

Dude, it seems to me that the original is better. Rerun wasn't even in season three of the revival. That is one strike right there. Mrs. Thomas wasn't in season three of the original. I like that Martin Lawrence was in the show but people would most likely go with the original than the sequel, IMO. It just seemed the second version was a little watered down because of missing elements. It was still good but the original is key.

Dude, it seems to me that the original is better. Rerun wasn't even in season three of the revival. That is one strike right there. Mrs. Thomas wasn't in season three of the original. I like that Martin Lawrence was in the show but people would most likely go with the original than the sequel, IMO. It just seemed the second version was a little watered down because of missing elements. It was still good but the original is key.


Ok, what about season 1 of WHN and season 3 of WH?


Wouldn't you choose season 1 of the revival?

Season one was a nice follow-up for viewers to see what everyone was up to. It is the original (even season three) that will have the upper hand IMO. It was just funnier. I am a fan of the revival, though. It just seemed low budget (which it was) and watered down.

I tend to agree with both ThomasE and the OP.

It's nice to have those "where is everyone now" moments in a sitcom, but I think they should only be a one time/novelty thing.

As was the case with Rugrats / All Grown Up and Dragon Ball Z / Dragon Ball GT, it runs its course pretty fast.

Now I have to ask. Its been almost 2 months since the "marathon." What exactly was the point of showing WHN if they are not going to show it anymore?

Now I have to ask. Its been almost 2 months since the "marathon." What exactly was the point of showing WHN if they are not going to show it anymore?

TVLand pulled this same move back in 2007. They only aired the first season and select episodes in the later seasons. Why would you air the season that we already have on DVD? Reminds me of how all of these old sitcoms on DVD are the most available in syndication.

I'm hoping that TVOne picks up the series as they are known for airing forgotten about black shows that had a following. Aspire is another potential candidate.

TVLand pulled this same move back in 2007. They only aired the first season and select episodes in the later seasons. Why would you air the season that we already have on DVD? Reminds me of how all of these old sitcoms on DVD are the most available in syndication.

I'm hoping that TVOne picks up the series as they are known for airing forgotten about black shows that had a following. Aspire is another potential candidate.


That's s show TV One needs to pick up instead of WH

That's s show TV One needs to pick up instead of WH

We need to bang up TVOne on their comments boxes and them we want WHN! Everyone and their father has already aired the original series. Lets see the revival a few times.

We need to bang up TVOne on their comments boxes and them we want WHN! Everyone and their father has already aired the original series. Lets see the revival a few times.


Exactly, I am so done with What's Happening and Good Times

What if they put WH and then WHN back to back? I mean I just dont see why they can't put WHN on. I mean I think they could spare replacing a show or two.

What if they put WH and then WHN back to back? I mean I just dont see why they can't put WHN on. I mean I think they could spare replacing a show or two.


It should since What's Happening is only 3 seasons

Let's be clear on a few things:

1. WHN was never really successful in the ratings. Had it been on a network (as opposed to in syndication), it wouldn't not have lasted longer than one, maybe 1 1/2 seasons.

2. Looking back, I think Raj should not have been married. Remember they were still pretty young, basically only a few years out of college. So they didn't necessarily have to be married with kids. As three bachelors, there would more interesting story lines and more antics with the three boys and Shirley, both at the diner and out in the world. I don't think Earnest Thomas was able to walk that line between married man and still part of the trio. And it really couldn't happen when Fred Berry left.

3. The scripts for WHN were HORRIBLE. Like really bad. The comedy writing was just not good. And the acting between jokes was waaay to dry.

4. Mabel King may have been able to save the show. She was not ill during the time WHN aired, 1985-88. She only got sick around 1990. I think she still had leftover resentment from being devalued in the WH. Maybe money was an issue too, because the show was obviously shot on a low budget. Their sets looked cheap, and you could see the production value of the show was clearly not on the level of the major shows at the time.

5. Fred Berry and the character or Rerun was a necessary part of the WHN. When he left, that show really had a gaping hole in it. Shirley was still good, but she was unable to carry the comedy of the show all by herself, although in some episodes, she did.

6. If I had to point to one reason why WHN was not successful, it would be the poor quality of the scripts.

Based on the comments that I've read on IMDb, most felt that Anne-Marie Johnson didn't fit into the show at all (even if she wasn't playing Raj's wife). AMJ has shown that she could be a good dramatic actress (e.g. In the Heat of the Night), but she's isn't as good in comedy. Basically, she often acted too peppy/cheerful, overemotional, and simply tried too hard in being funny.

Also, AMJ (and maybe this isn't fair) seemed too pretty and sophisticated for this type of show or at least, arguably, to be w/ Raj. What I mean is that she always had a young, "black yuppie" type of vibe like Hilary on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Whitley on A Different World, or Sondra on The Cosby Show. Therefore, it in theory, doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense for a woman like that to be living in her husband's old house/neighborhood.

I liked her on the show. I thought she was very good. Good addition and had chemistry with Ernest Thomas. We do have to remember that unusual elements are added to shows all the time. Raj fell someone classy and sophisticated and it happens a lot in real life so I buy the storyline.

From what I have seen, which really isnt much lately, WHN was an ok show. I dont think it was terrible by any means. In a perfect world, would you want Rerun there? Of course, but if he was difficult on set, you have no choice but to get rid of him.

Was WHN also hampered by its time period? I don't necessarily want to turn this into a debate over how '70s era sitcoms were better than '80s era sitcoms or vice versa. But it seemed like the earlier sitcoms (like the original What's Happening!! or Norman Lear's stuff) were grittier or more raw. By the time the '80s rolled around, sitcoms were more family or kid oriented (which is ironic because the original WH!! was a youth-oriented sitcom) and dare I say, more conservative or less strident/confrontational. For example, I don't think that shows like Sanford & Son or Good Times would've worked in the '80s w/ blander (but more "polished"), more "safe" black sitcoms like The Cosby Show.

Based on the comments that I've read on IMDb, most felt that Anne-Marie Johnson didn't fit into the show at all (even if she wasn't playing Raj's wife). AMJ has shown that she could be a good dramatic actress (e.g. In the Heat of the Night), but she's isn't as good in comedy. Basically, she often acted too peppy/cheerful, overemotional, and simply tried too hard in being funny.

Also, AMJ (and maybe this isn't fair) seemed too pretty and sophisticated for this type of show or at least, arguably, to be w/ Raj. What I mean is that she always had a young, "black yuppie" type of vibe like Hilary on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Whitley on A Different World, or Sondra on The Cosby Show. Therefore, it in theory, doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense for a woman like that to be living in her husband's old house/neighborhood.
I personally felt Bernadette Stanis or Tina Andrews would have been better for Raj than her. She wasn't bad but tried too hard and was skinnier and an inch taller than Raj!

I use to watch this show and originally, was happy when the old gang reunited for an updated version of the 70's classic. However, thinking about it, the show was more fail than pass for me. Here are my reasons why I think it failed...

1. Raj was back living in his old house and now part owner of Rob's Place along with Shirley.

2. Rerun still didn't grow up at all.

3. No Mabel

4. Dwayne should've been married to Dee

5. Fred Berry left the show

WHN had many great opportunities to bring back the magic of the original but the show ignored TOO MANY details.

-When Dwayne had a politician for a client in Season 2, he mentioned that he was never into politics like this before. In the original series, his father was a school board member who later became a city councilman.

-Raj's father comes back as a long lost father when he was a 'Saturday style' parent in the original series who got married in the second season to the woman who he was dating in the series. It made no mention of the wife or even said if they got divorced.

-Mama was a domestic worker so where did she get money and backing to ove to Arizona. She barely finished high school and worked two jobs. They could had Mabel working as a Housekeeper manager at a nice hotel downtown or used her singing talents to have her focusing on being a lounge singer.

-The dumb antics of Rerun as a grown man were just stale. No character development for him nor Shirley. What was Shirley doing since the diner closed? Surely a woman her age would had a love interest or something.

-The Dee and Dwayne storyline could have been stretched throughout the series with the two later getting married.

-Mabel could have guest starred a few times such as coming home to cook for the holidays. We could have saw her remarried

-The Goodbye Mr. Rips episode could have been better used for a Goodbye Ms. Collins episode since she was their teacher for many years and she could have been referred as teaching Dee. The kid who played the funeral director's son could have been a great waiter at Rob's Place. With his dumbness and Shirley's sassy antics, that could have been comedy gold

-Dwayne's dad could have came back in a political show running for Mayor and losing but later being appointed to a vacant county commission seat

-Marvin could have been the city newspaper editor or had his own newspaper featuring the food critic from Dueling Menus episode

-A better explanation of why Rob's Place closed could have been given with Rob coming back to talk about the restaurant or even having him ditch the soda shop concept for a BBQ spot or something

-A valentine's day flashback of how Raj and Nadine met.

-WHN like other black sitcoms had a bad problem of just adding characters instead of fixing bad storylines. Caroline was not needed. She could have been a neighborhood kid who ate at the restaurant. Maurice and his friend could have been used for spin-off characters for their own series thus giving What's Happening the college franchise they wanted.

I could have easily made this show last 100 episodes with a spin-off that could have yielded three seasons with Martin Lawrence, Ken Sagoes and some other young actors at the time

Good post. I dont remember too much of WHN. I, too, dont like inconsistencies in a show.

Good post. I dont remember too much of WHN. I, too, dont like inconsistencies in a show.

The 1980 Sanford ignored the events of Sanford Arms (for good reason). Sanford Arms should have been a regular family sitcom without the name Sanford in there and I think it could have lasted about 4 seasons. I've been watching WHN on youtube as someone put up some season 2 episodes there and the series is in syndication again on TVOne and some new retro network. TVLand gave this show **** treatment back in 2007. They aired it at 7am and only aired the first season which was just released on DVD at the time and select episodes from later seasons.

Dont forget I think Centric or TVOne gave them the same treatment back in 2014. The shows were off the clock and only from season 1.

Dont forget I think Centric or TVOne gave them the same treatment back in 2014. The shows were off the clock and only from season 1.

I interviewed Essie Berry almost 10 years ago and she warned me this would happen. She told me there were plans to release WHN to DVD and she said, 'Fred's years are what people wanted and the series could have been a hit if they realized he was the reason people watched it. Even in local markets, stations often will air the first season of WHN as an unofficial 4th season of WH and go back to the first episode of WH.'

Didnt know you did that interview. But still its part of WHN they should air the whole series. Because it wasnt just Rerun. It was Raj and Dwayne too.

The 1980 Sanford ignored the events of Sanford Arms (for good reason). Sanford Arms should have been a regular family sitcom without the name Sanford in there and I think it could have lasted about 4 seasons. I've been watching WHN on youtube as someone put up some season 2 episodes there and the series is in syndication again on TVOne and some new retro network. TVLand gave this show **** treatment back in 2007. They aired it at 7am and only aired the first season which was just released on DVD at the time and select episodes from later seasons.


What events? It was only on NBC for 10 mins:lol:

What events? It was only on NBC for 10 mins:lol:

LMAO! That was funny

WHN had many great opportunities to bring back the magic of the original but the show ignored TOO MANY details.

-When Dwayne had a politician for a client in Season 2, he mentioned that he was never into politics like this before. In the original series, his father was a school board member who later became a city councilman.

-Raj's father comes back as a long lost father when he was a 'Saturday style' parent in the original series who got married in the second season to the woman who he was dating in the series. It made no mention of the wife or even said if they got divorced.

-Mama was a domestic worker so where did she get money and backing to ove to Arizona. She barely finished high school and worked two jobs. They could had Mabel working as a Housekeeper manager at a nice hotel downtown or used her singing talents to have her focusing on being a lounge singer.

-The dumb antics of Rerun as a grown man were just stale. No character development for him nor Shirley. What was Shirley doing since the diner closed? Surely a woman her age would had a love interest or something.

-The Dee and Dwayne storyline could have been stretched throughout the series with the two later getting married.

-Mabel could have guest starred a few times such as coming home to cook for the holidays. We could have saw her remarried




Since she left WH because she was unhappy with it why would she wanna return to this updated version?

I guess I'm in the minority, but I actually like "What's Happening Now" just as much as I like "What's Happening."

And I liked Nadine and I thought she fit in perfectly. I also liked her and Raj as a married couple.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I actually like "What's Happening Now" just as much as I like "What's Happening."

And I liked Nadine and I thought she fit in perfectly. I also liked her and Raj as a married couple.

Yeah both shows were about the same and fun to watch

I wonder if WHN "failed" because at the end of the day, it really had or served no purpose. It was presumably a sequel series that was about kids becoming adults so to speak. But didn't it seem like Raj and Rerun felt more like they were in their 30s (as they were in real life) instead of their mid-20s?

I wonder if WHN "failed" because at the end of the day, it really had or served no purpose. It was presumably a sequel series that was about kids becoming adults so to speak. But didn't it seem like Raj and Rerun felt more like they were in their 30s (as they were in real life) instead of their mid-20s?

WHN was better than WH

WHN was better than WH
Let’s see the dead weight

Nadine
The mother

WH, we have a winner

Let’s see the dead weight

Nadine
The mother

WH, we have a winner

Never liked Mrs Thomas. I had the same feeling I had when I went to my friends house and his mom walked in when she appeared on screen lol

Never liked Mrs Thomas. I had the same feeling I had when I went to my friends house and his mom walked in when she appeared on screen lol
Well describe the mom and I might be able to relate :lol:

Well describe the mom and I might be able to relate :lol:

No it wasnt about her looks, it was just her presence they made me annoyed because that was our time to chat with each other without adults

No it wasnt about her looks, it was just her presence they made me annoyed because that was our time to chat with each other without adults
Reminds me of one of my aunts, never there when you need her but always sticking around at the wrong time

What's Happening Now was in the same category as

Three's Company
Jeffersons
Cosby show
George Lopez


Very Upbeat and Fun to watch

What's Happening Now was in the same category as

Three's Company
Jeffersons
Cosby show
George Lopez


Very Upbeat and Fun to watch

I agree with you.