What's Happening Now!! - The Complete First Season DVD Review - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 06-02-2007, 10:28 PM

The gang from What’s Happening!! return after six years for more comic misadventures when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment debuts the first-run syndicated series What’s Happening Now!!: The Complete First Season on DVD for the first time on June 12 with all 22 first season episodes on 3-discs. It’s been almost two years since the third and final season of What’s Happening!! came on DVD, so it was just a question of when to me when this show would come out, as the parent series sold very well on DVD.

All the major cast members, minus Mama, are depicted about six or seven years later. All of their lives have changed. Raj is an aspiring writer now married to Nadine, a social worker and civic organizer. They later are both foster parents to an orphan named Carolyn, who displays the sass of Raj’s sister Dee, who visits from time to time from college. Raj also purchased a half interest in his favorite high school hangout, Rob’s Place, which he now runs with feisty waitress Shirley. His dimwitted friend Dwayne has become a computer programmer and his other friend Rerun is a used-car salesman known as “Swami Stubbs.” Rerun and Dwyane are both bachelors and share an apartment.

What’s Happening Now!! stars Ernest Thomas as Roger “Raj” Thomas, Anne-Marie Johnson as Nadine Thomas, Haywood Nelson as Dwyane Nelson, Fred Berry as Freddy “Rerun” Stubbs, Reina King as Carolyn, and Shirley Hemphill as Shirley Wilson. With Special Guest Star Danielle Spencer as Dee Thomas.

Read our review here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/whatsha...dvdreview.html

Post any questions or comments about this set.

Scoobiedoo30 · 06-02-2007, 11:02 PM

thanks for the review my friend

Robert 13 · 06-13-2007, 09:49 AM

Great review TJ! Thanks for that!

I picked up my copy yesterday. There were 2 copies on the shelf at Best Buy. They didn't advertise this release much and it wasn't in their Sunday circular.

Anyhow, I started watching some of it last night. The first episode is pretty funny. "A Horse Is Not A Home" was a little silly but Shirley was funny in it. I also watched "The Houseguest". I love the scene where the construction worker is at the diner and he's puffing on a cigar. Shirley asks him to put out the cigar and he says this ain't a no smoking section and she grabs the cigar and dumps it in his drink and says it is now.

mlingerfelt · 06-15-2007, 11:01 PM

everyone I watched so far is funny.

mlingerfelt · 06-20-2007, 12:09 AM

I just finished watching season 1 I liked the one where Dee and Dwayne went on a date. also liked the one about the wrestler. I am ready for Season 2.

jamesanthony · 06-22-2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlingerfelt

I just finished watching season 1 I liked the one where Dee and Dwayne went on a date. also liked the one about the wrestler. I am ready for Season 2.

This is good viewing- I prefer watching something like this to the current shows- it is not aspiring to be something profound or great, but for what it is- it is a fun, inoffensive little show. The one with Dee and Dwayne is a memorable episode. Definitely one of the highlights of the series. Also it is fun to see actors from other things appearing here like Teddy Wilson, Harold Silvester, Mescach Taylor (for once acting masculine) and Judy Pace and Felton Perry. All of them could act well and made the show a pleasure to watch. This show also was a bit more depth to it than the original- several episodes have scenes several minutes long with relatively serious dialogue rather than just jokes and I like that it was videotaped giving it that theatrical look.

Robert 13 · 06-22-2007, 12:13 PM

This is easily one of my favorite dvd sets that I have purchased. I'm almost done watching it. I've made it through the whole set much faster than any other tv-on-dvd set I have purchased (except for "Gimme a Break!").

It's so strange that they used pics of Maurice and Daryl on Disc 3 since they did not join the cast until Season 3!!! Very strange!

The "Married Or Not" episode was hysterical!!! The scene at the disco when Raj falls down trying to dance made me laugh out loud.

mlingerfelt · 06-22-2007, 11:45 PM

also in the Robert we got Thelma on Good Times she Raj she was divorced I guess her in Keith divorced LOL.

mlingerfelt · 06-22-2007, 11:47 PM

also Robert I went through mine fast too. this one of my favorite DVD,S I have purchased. there was not a dull moment in the show. I am ready for S2 now.

TVFactFan · 06-23-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

The gang from What’s Happening!! return after six years for more comic misadventures when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment debuts the first-run syndicated series What’s Happening Now!!: The Complete First Season on DVD for the first time on June 12 with all 22 first season episodes on 3-discs. It’s been almost two years since the third and final season of What’s Happening!! came on DVD, so it was just a question of when to me when this show would come out, as the parent series sold very well on DVD.

All the major cast members, minus Mama, are depicted about six or seven years later. All of their lives have changed. Raj is an aspiring writer now married to Nadine, a social worker and civic organizer. They later are both foster parents to an orphan named Carolyn, who displays the sass of Raj’s sister Dee, who visits from time to time from college. Raj also purchased a half interest in his favorite high school hangout, Rob’s Place, which he now runs with feisty waitress Shirley. His dimwitted friend Dwayne has become a computer programmer and his other friend Rerun is a used-car salesman known as “Swami Stubbs.” Rerun and Dwyane are both bachelors and share an apartment.

What’s Happening Now!! stars Ernest Thomas as Roger “Raj” Thomas, Anne-Marie Johnson as Nadine Thomas, Haywood Nelson as Dwyane Nelson, Fred Berry as Freddy “Rerun” Stubbs, Reina King as Carolyn, and Shirley Hemphill as Shirley Wilson. With Special Guest Star Danielle Spencer as Dee Thomas.

Read our review here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/whatsha...dvdreview.html

Post any questions or comments about this set.

Well I believe they are NOT EDITED because I just started watching the DVD and in the first ep I don't remember Raj saying on the T Land version that his mom bought 5 Novels from him.

TVFactFan · 06-23-2007, 01:16 PM

Correction, the eps on the DVD are the same as the ones on TV LAND which is a disappointment to me.

Pavan · 06-23-2007, 07:30 PM

The show was a first-run syndicated sitcom. It ran 2-3 minutes shorter than network sitcoms in those days. That is why TV Land and the DVD versions are exactly the same, because TV Land has nothing to cut out because it is the right amount of time for syndication.

TVFactFan · 06-23-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

The show was a first-run syndicated sitcom. It ran 2-3 minutes shorter than network sitcoms in those days. That is why TV Land and the DVD versions are exactly the same, because TV Land has nothing to cut out because it is the right amount of time for syndication.

I was just hoping TV land cut something out so that I would feel i got my money's worth-lol

06-02-2007, 10:28 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,648	What's Happening Now!! - The Complete First Season DVD Review The gang from What’s Happening!! return after six years for more comic misadventures when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment debuts the first-run syndicated series What’s Happening Now!!: The Complete First Season on DVD for the first time on June 12 with all 22 first season episodes on 3-discs. It’s been almost two years since the third and final season of What’s Happening!! came on DVD, so it was just a question of when to me when this show would come out, as the parent series sold very well on DVD. All the major cast members, minus Mama, are depicted about six or seven years later. All of their lives have changed. Raj is an aspiring writer now married to Nadine, a social worker and civic organizer. They later are both foster parents to an orphan named Carolyn, who displays the sass of Raj’s sister Dee, who visits from time to time from college. Raj also purchased a half interest in his favorite high school hangout, Rob’s Place, which he now runs with feisty waitress Shirley. His dimwitted friend Dwayne has become a computer programmer and his other friend Rerun is a used-car salesman known as “Swami Stubbs.” Rerun and Dwyane are both bachelors and share an apartment. What’s Happening Now!! stars Ernest Thomas as Roger “Raj” Thomas, Anne-Marie Johnson as Nadine Thomas, Haywood Nelson as Dwyane Nelson, Fred Berry as Freddy “Rerun” Stubbs, Reina King as Carolyn, and Shirley Hemphill as Shirley Wilson. With Special Guest Star Danielle Spencer as Dee Thomas. Read our review here: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/whatsha...dvdreview.html Post any questions or comments about this set.

06-02-2007, 11:02 PM	#2
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	thanks for the review my friend
	__________________ Who Dat

06-23-2007, 07:30 PM	#12
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,814	The show was a first-run syndicated sitcom. It ran 2-3 minutes shorter than network sitcoms in those days. That is why TV Land and the DVD versions are exactly the same, because TV Land has nothing to cut out because it is the right amount of time for syndication.
	__________________ SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

06-13-2007, 09:49 AM	#3
Robert 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,521	Great review TJ! Thanks for that! I picked up my copy yesterday. There were 2 copies on the shelf at Best Buy. They didn't advertise this release much and it wasn't in their Sunday circular. Anyhow, I started watching some of it last night. The first episode is pretty funny. "A Horse Is Not A Home" was a little silly but Shirley was funny in it. I also watched "The Houseguest". I love the scene where the construction worker is at the diner and he's puffing on a cigar. Shirley asks him to put out the cigar and he says this ain't a no smoking section and she grabs the cigar and dumps it in his drink and says it is now.

06-15-2007, 11:01 PM	#4
mlingerfelt Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 16, 2005 Posts: 549	everyone I watched so far is funny.

06-20-2007, 12:09 AM	#5
mlingerfelt Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 16, 2005 Posts: 549	I just finished watching season 1 I liked the one where Dee and Dwayne went on a date. also liked the one about the wrestler. I am ready for Season 2.

06-22-2007, 12:13 PM	#7
Robert 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,521	This is easily one of my favorite dvd sets that I have purchased. I'm almost done watching it. I've made it through the whole set much faster than any other tv-on-dvd set I have purchased (except for "Gimme a Break!"). It's so strange that they used pics of Maurice and Daryl on Disc 3 since they did not join the cast until Season 3!!! Very strange! The "Married Or Not" episode was hysterical!!! The scene at the disco when Raj falls down trying to dance made me laugh out loud.

06-22-2007, 11:45 PM	#8
mlingerfelt Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 16, 2005 Posts: 549	also in the Robert we got Thelma on Good Times she Raj she was divorced I guess her in Keith divorced LOL.

06-22-2007, 11:47 PM	#9
mlingerfelt Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 16, 2005 Posts: 549	also Robert I went through mine fast too. this one of my favorite DVD,S I have purchased. there was not a dull moment in the show. I am ready for S2 now.

06-23-2007, 01:16 PM	#11
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Correction, the eps on the DVD are the same as the ones on TV LAND which is a disappointment to me.