Review(s): DVD What's Happening - The Complete Third Season
corny, but still funny!
It almost seemed like the acting got worse after every season. I'm really a big fan
of what's happening. There is a episode where Raj is singing a ballad which I found
really funny, because I never thought I would ever see Earnest Thomas (raj) sing a song
with so much sincerity. The third season is really corny, however, if you have
been a on going fan you will enjoy watching many of the episodes.....if you were
never a fan of what's happening! don't waste your money, or just buy the second
season (the best season) and call it a day.
What's Happening Wraps On DVD, Season 3 Great
A lot of people dog the final season of the popular series "What's Happening." They claim the show wasn't as funny with the mother figure (Mabel King) written out of the show. What happened with this show is they attempted to transition "the boys" into adults. What did kill the show was Little Earl the most misplaced character in 70's sitcom history. The addition to Little Earl to me is like adding a cute kid to a show for ratings, kind of like the Brady Bunch did when their little cousin came on to the show in late seasons. The season 3 episodes aren't that bad as a matter of fact I enjoy a lot of these episodes. Re-run breaks it down with his fabulous dancing in the episode "Disco Dollar Disaster." Raj has to deal with a jock who wants him to compromise his ethics in the episode "Basketball Brain." Then the episode "Charge" is too funny when Re-run gets into debt and puts Raj's furniture on the line. I really, really enjoy this show and although some of the episodes might not be as funny as some of the first season episodes, this show is classic and I am so happpy that I now own the entire season on DVD. Another thing I noticed about this season is that the producers took the cast out of their notmal setting. Whereas the first two seasons the majority of the show took place in the soda shop and mama's house with the occasional different location, there are a lot more different locations shown during this season.
The season 3 packaging is similar to the packaging for seasons 1 & 2 but it seems much brighter with the bold blues and reds. This is really a great season. Like the others, no extras, so viewers holding out for a tribute featurette, commentary or anything like that can give it up I guess because this is the last season.
AN EARLY END TO A GREAT SERIES
Although the third season of What's Happening had a couple of minor changes (minus the mother Mable King, and the addition of Big Earl and Little Earl) in direction, it was a fresh change of pace for the show's characters. I really enjoyed the storylines surrounding Rerun and Raj being roommates, especially the episode when they compete to see who can score with the ladies and stretched the truth!!!
However, I must admit that the evolution of Dee's character was somewhat a disappointment. First of all it seemed like the producers were not sure if they wanted to grow her up by having her go back and forth wearing her hair in those stupid ponytails. Then it seemed like she just read her lines without the zest she had in the first 2 seasons. I am happy to say that storylines surrounding Shirley's character were even funnier when the producers made her presence stronger in the Thomas family home.
All in all it was a great season but was cancelled way too soon! I'm just glad that all three seasons were released on dvd for fans old and new to enjoy!!!
Related DVD's What's Happening - The Complete Third Season
I watched this show when it was on in the 70s and I've been a big fan. It just goes to show you that "there is nothing new under the sun...". The concerns and problems the Evans family dealt with then are mostly the same ones we have today. The surviving cast should do a reunion movie. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Esther Rolle DVD Release Date: Released the 23 August 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I really enjoyed this TV Series when I was younger and have seen every episode, so finally getting them on DVD is a special treat for me. Seasons 1-3 were great! I looked up to John Amos' character "James". To me, James was what I needed growing up without a Dad in the home. So as a kid, when I first saw the episode where he dies and since I really looked up to James, I felt for Florida and the Evans Family and I even went into the bathroom and cried after that episode because I didn't want any of my family members to see me crying. To my understanding, John Amos was constantly frustrated and voicing his opinion about the writing and wanted to see more positive situations written into the show. I guess people at CBS thought they knew enough about African-Americans who watched the show and... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Esther Rolle DVD Release Date: Released the 15 February 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Being a fan of other 70's shows such as "What's Happening!!", I received both seasons of "That's My Mama" for my past birthday from a friend. Like another reviewer or 2 here, the show was before my time, and personally, I didn't recall the show at all. So as for the "cuts" made to these episodes, I can't back up that claim.
One thing I noticed, however, was the episode "The Hero" from disc 3 has lines going through the picture at one point - like a bad VHS tape. This is somewhat unacceptable, but fortunately this is the only episode I noticed that has a problem like this. Another thing I noticed is the color seems to be a little "off" in some episodes. I'm assuming the source tapes from this show likely wasn't well taken care of in the vaults.
I' m only 26 so I wasn't even born when "What's Happening" was on TV, but I use to catch re-runs a few years back. I just had to have this to own and enjoy whenever I want to. It's still funny over 25 years later! Dee is too much! Even my 7 year old son watches and laughs along with me! They don't make shows like this anymore!! I enjoyed every episode on every disc!! More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Ernest Thomas DVD Release Date: Released the 05 October 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I just bought Season 3 of the "Jefferson's" this classic comedy is still so funny! Sherman Hemsley and Marla Gibbs (George and Florence) are so crazy! The 2 of them keep you in stiches! I will be ordering all 4 seasons on DVD. All the episodes are funny as hell!! More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Isabelle Sanford DVD Release Date: Released the 12 April 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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