What Really Led To 'What's Happening's' Downfall? Mabel Leaving Or The Gang Maturing?

[Brian Damage]

What in your opinion was the real downfall of the sitcom? Mabel King leaving and being replaced by Shirley Hemphill or the friends getting older and maturing?

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

What in your opinion was the real downfall of the sitcom? Mabel King leaving and being replaced by Shirley Hemphill or the friends getting older and maturing?

Maybe the timeslot it was in because the show actually got better as it went along

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Maybe the timeslot it was in because the show actually got better as it went along

You mean you actually liked season 3 better than the 1st two seasons?

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

You mean you actually liked season 3 better than the 1st two seasons?

Yes, it was no more Mabel, and they were in their own place doing their own thing

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yes, it was no more Mabel, and they were in their own place doing their own thing

Wow, ok I never knew that. So you had no problem with little Earl then? lol

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Wow, ok I never knew that. So you had no problem with little Earl then? lol

Nope, even Snake was ok-lol

[Mr. Television]

I didn't care for the third season at all. lol I think it was a combination of the 2. The kids no longer had an adult to play against. Big Earl doesn't count. lol

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I didn't care for the third season at all. lol I think it was a combination of the 2. The kids no longer had an adult to play against. Big Earl doesn't count. lol

I am with you Sonny, season 3 was the weakest of the 3 seasons total. Mabel was the uncrowned star of this show. IMO

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I am with you Sonny, season 3 was the weakest of the 3 seasons total. Mabel was the uncrowned star of this show. IMO

Mabel King was not a good actress, that was it was. No way where the Great Esther Rolle

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Mabel King was not a good actress, that was it was. No way where the Great Esther Rolle

Solomon, Mable King was an award winning actress on Broadway.

[Gabgirl]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

What in your opinion was the real downfall of the sitcom? Mabel King leaving and being replaced by Shirley Hemphill or the friends getting older and maturing?

Hmmm, not really sure, but I do notice a lot of times when shows make big changes like characters leaving, or bringing in new characters it affects the ratings. I do remember when Raj and Rerun moving into an Apartment together, and the landlord, and his young son became a part of the cast. Then too, they had Shirley move into the house with Dee after Mabel King left. So its possible it was all of those things were apart of the show's downfall. The show didn't have the same appeal when the guys were young teens.

Ironic, how it later came back in the 80s with the gang all grown up. But even during those years, the show had a strong teen presence with Martin Lawrence's character, and friends.

[Gabgirl]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Mabel King was not a good actress, that was it was. No way where the Great Esther Rolle

I gotta agree! We rarely saw Mabel King's character, so I was okay with her leaving. I don't know how others may have felt, but she didn't feel like a major character. The show really was centered around Raj and his friends. In the closing credits, its says the series it was inspired by the film, "Cooley High." That movie was centered around teen characters, but back in the 60s. Raj always reminded me of the character Preach from CH.

[Marvo301]

I think the show started going downhill when Raj graduated high school. Raj went on to college, Rerun dropped out and got a job, and Dwayne, being younger, was still in high school. So the three friends were no longer together all of the time and in my opinion the show suffered because of it.

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I think the show started going downhill when Raj graduated high school. Raj went on to college, Rerun dropped out and got a job, and Dwayne, being younger, was still in high school. So the three friends were no longer together all of the time and in my opinion the show suffered because of it.

Excellent point Marv

[Smartboy]

Originally Posted by Gabgirl

Hmmm, not really sure, but I do notice a lot of times when shows make big changes like characters leaving, or bringing in new characters it affects the ratings. I do remember when Raj and Rerun moving into an Apartment together, and the landlord, and his young son became a part of the cast. Then too, they had Shirley move into the house with Dee after Mabel King left. So its possible it was all of those things were apart of the show's downfall. The show didn't have the same appeal when the guys were young teens.

Ironic, how it later came back in the 80s with the gang all grown up. But even during those years, the show had a strong teen presence with Martin Lawrence's character, and friends.

What character did Martin Lawrence play?