Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Konterr Brilliant and touching

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

waiching liu I caught some episodes of 'What's happening!!' on You Tube last year and being a U.S sitcom fan myself, I had to give this one a try. I thought it was very good.From the writer of Good Times, 'What's Happening!' followed the trials and tribulations of young Raj aka Roger, the family he lives with and his friends, Rerun and and Dwayne.Raj had a mother, Mabel going by the name of mama, who was single and a sister named Dee. She was somewhat interesting because at times i found some of the things she uttered funny, but also on occasions she'd annoy me. But props go to Danielle Spencer who for someone so young at the time, then possessed so much comedic talent. Raj, Rerun and Dwayne often hang out at Shirley's café and talk about things together, which a lot of it was humorous but good natured as well. The 3 teens along the way experience love, more about what friendship means and through Raj see his relationship with his sister and mother grow, in addition to experiencing more problems and resolving them. Shirl was a hoot at times and was such a fun character. What's Happening had a very good run, in spite of the fact it was overshadowed by the likes of The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Diff'rent Strokes and Good Times. There was a follow-up titled 'What's Happening Now', but that series didn't do so well in contrast to its predecessor.Being in my 20s and entering my 30s, I've become more used to see shows that I never managed to see when they aired in the U.S via the internet and You Tube because I was too young to know or have heard of them. People lauded the Jeffersons, Good times and What's Happening as great shows and having seen episodes of those programmes I could see why.This series deals with in particular the notion of how being a child of a single parent doesn't mean one is at a complete disadvantage from other children as seen mostly from Raj's perspective; with friends by your side, such as Re-Run and Dwayne, Raj still was happy, content and had fun in his teen-hood. And later on through the spin-off, What's Happening Now, he got married and a had a wife of his own, whilst still retaining his friends. What's Happening is good, clean fun and if you love your classic American sitcoms, you should give this one a watch. It's funny, well-written and scripted and the performances are very, very good. Recommended.

BaileySEA In 1976 my dad sold the house on Los Higos St. in Alhambra CA. While it was vacant, it was used for a short sequence in the What's Happening opening credits. When Dwayne skateboards down the driveway, that's my Dad's childhood home, Gram died in April 1976, Dad sold it in September, 1976, as property taxes went up by 300% back then. When I saw the opening credits I was shocked and amazed. Never do you think your family's home will be used for location filming for a television sitcom. I still look at the opening on YouTube every now and then. It makes me nostalgic. It reminds me of all the times I went to my Grandma's house, and what a corny and wonderful show What's Happening was.

retro_fan What's Happening!! was one of the greatest shows of the late 70's. What I really liked about the show was that every episode seemed to have a different plot line to it. I gave it a 9 and not a 10 because it was canceled and did not go out on top. The reason why I gave it a 9 was because it captured positive late 70's black culture. It did not have to use " black exploitation" to make it a great show. In the entire run of the show (3 seasons) their never was a violent scene and they never had to use the "N" word to make it funny. My favorite character of the show was Rerun (Fred Berry) because he seemed to play the personality of the "loveable loser" to perfection which made him a great actor. Also, I liked Dee (Danielle Spencer) a lot because she handled the role of childhood star with grace. After her childhood acting days ended she didn't use the money for bad reasons. She went on to become a veterinarian. Which can show people that you can be a childhood star and still live a normal adult life (contatary to popular belief).

MikeSmash Anyone who is in their late thirties to forties should remember laughing to the antics of Raj(Ernest Thomas), Dwayne(Haywood Nelson), & Rerun(late Fred Berry) from the popular sitcom "What's Happening!" The show was centered around three ghetto Los Angeles black high school boys & their hilarious high jinks. Roger Thomas(studious & spectacled), Dwayne Nelson(nervous but loyal), & Freddy Stubbs(chubby & dimwitted) were the best of friends who spent a lot of time together at school & at Rob's Soda Shop. At Rob's was Shirley(late comedian Shirley Hemphill), the wise-cracking & worldly waitress who provided sparkling wit with insults to spare. When not with Dwayne & Rerun, Raj came home to strict but loving divorcée mother Mabel Thomas(late Mabel King) & cute but pain in the keister little sister Dee Thomas(Danielle Spencer). From one kind of trouble or silly situation to the next, the three guys never split up, always help each other, & find a way to persevere when the going gets tough. The show was quite successful & can be shown in reruns on TVLand or Nick at Nite. Oldschoolers & kiddies alike can enjoy a show that gave me hours of unadulterated pleasure as a kid. "What's Happening!" did expand to an unsuccessful spin off called "What's Happening Now!" which featured the core cast all grown up. Raj & Shirley bought & co-owned a diner while Raj pursued a writing career. Raj also is married in this show to Ann-Marie Johnson & cares for her niece. Dwayne & Rerun are off on their careers while sharing an apartment. Dee Thomas is all grown up & in college. The comedy was not as sharp as the original series but kept loyal fans watching. The show did not last but entertained some nonetheless. All said, "What's Happening!" holds fond memories of a time long gone. Three of the show's actors have passed on in recent years & the core thespians have been low key since the show ended. For those who watched & enjoyed the show, you know that successful sitcoms are hard to come by. Those of you who have not seen "What's Happening!", you missed out on a small piece of 70's Americana.