What’s Happening? – The Untold Story Behind the Groundbreaking 1976 Sitcom

It seemed like just another lighthearted sitcom when it premiered, but What’s Happening? was much more than a simple comedy about three African-American teenagers in Los Angeles. Premiering in August 1976 as a summer test run on ABC, the show quickly found its audience, becoming the first African-American sitcom to center on teens and earning a permanent place in network television history. By the time it ended in 1979, it had already broken barriers, inspired millions, and survived behind-the-scenes drama that could rival any Hollywood soap opera.

This is the untold story of how What’s Happening? came to be, the battles that shaped it, the secrets that nearly tore it apart, and the enduring legacy of its beloved cast.

The Birth of a Groundbreaking Series

The origins of What’s Happening? trace back to a 1975 film titled Cooley High. Before the series we know today, producers attempted a more serious TV adaptation called Central Avenue. The tone was heavier, the humor muted. But network executives decided to lighten the mood, transforming the concept into a more family-friendly comedy.

Of the original pilot cast, only Ernest Thomas—who would play Roger “Raj” Thomas—was retained. The series debuted as a summer replacement show in 1976, but the chemistry between its young cast members and its fresh portrayal of African-American teen life struck a chord. Soon, it was on ABC’s prime-time schedule full-time, quickly breaking into the Nielsen Top 30.

The Eric Monte Controversy

While the show found success, its very foundation was tied to a legal fight few fans knew about. Eric Monte, the creative mind credited with co-creating What’s Happening?, had also been involved in Good Times and The Jeffersons. He sued ABC, CBS, Norman Lear, and others, claiming they used his ideas without proper credit or compensation.

Reports spoke of a $300 million lawsuit, but Monte says he only received $1 million plus limited rerun payments. According to Monte, even his own lawyers pressured him into settling, threatening to drop his case if he refused. The fallout was devastating: Monte was blackballed from Hollywood, his career derailed. By 2006, the man who helped shape television history was living in a Salvation Army shelter, battling addiction.

Casting Surprises and “What If” Moments

Casting What’s Happening? brought its own set of surprises. Ernest Thomas landed Raj’s role after auditioning against 200 other actors. Producers had initially envisioned actor Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in the part, but Thomas’s mix of charm and comedic timing won the day.

The biggest twist came with the role of Freddie “Rerun” Stubbs. Originally written as a skinny white kid, the character transformed completely after Fred Berry—an energetic, plus-sized Black dancer—auditioned. Berry famously told producers, “I am a skinny white guy,” delivering the line with such comedic confidence they rewrote the role entirely.

Even Thomas came close to another career-defining moment—he was among the final contenders for the lead role of Kunta Kinte in Roots. Though that part went to LeVar Burton, Thomas still appeared in the miniseries in a smaller role.

Success, Tension, and the First Cancellation

What’s Happening? wasn’t just popular—it tackled topics rarely addressed in teen sitcoms of the time, from obesity and poverty to racism and teen pregnancy. But with success came tension.

During Season 2, Berry and Thomas walked off set over poor dressing room conditions. This left Haywood Nelson (Dwayne) and Shirley Hemphill (Shirley) to carry an episode alone. Producers responded by suspending Berry and Thomas, forcing them to sign $25,000 promissory notes promising not to walk out again.

By Season 3, Berry—reportedly convincing Thomas and Nelson to join him—pushed for higher pay. Instead of meeting their demands, producers canceled the show outright in 1979. Mabel King (Mama Thomas) had already left after Season 2, not over money, but over a creative disagreement—she wanted the show to portray a two-parent Black family.

Life After the First Run

Ernest Thomas continued acting, eventually reprising Raj in What’s Happening Now!! (1985–1988), where the character was now a married writer. He went on to appear in The Jeffersons, Martin, Malcolm X, and as the funeral director Mr. Omar in Everybody Hates Chris.

Fred Berry, meanwhile, struggled with fame and addiction. At one point, he admitted to spending a million dollars in three years on drugs, property, and lavish purchases. After appearing in What’s Happening Now!! for just one season—leaving over a salary dispute—Berry found work as a motivational speaker and ordained minister before his death in 2003 at age 52.

The Cast’s Unique Journeys

Haywood Nelson (Dwayne) became one of television’s first Black teen idols. After the revival ended, he shifted to behind-the-scenes work in film production, lighting, and stage tech. Today, he balances business ventures with entertainment industry work.

Danielle Spencer (Dee) faced unimaginable tragedy during the show’s second season when a car accident killed her stepfather and left her in a coma. She later became a veterinarian, a career inspired by her stepfather. Spencer also battled serious health issues, including partial paralysis and breast cancer, and wrote a memoir, Through the Fire.

Shirley Hemphill (Shirley) started as a stand-up comic before becoming one of sitcom television’s most beloved waitresses. After What’s Happening?, she headlined her own short-lived series, One in a Million, returned for What’s Happening Now!!, and toured the country performing stand-up. She died in 1999 at age 52.

Mabel King (Mama Thomas) was a fierce advocate for positive Black representation on TV. In later years, she suffered severe health challenges from diabetes, including multiple amputations. She passed away in 1999 at age 66.

The Revival and Renewed Tensions

When What’s Happening Now!! premiered in 1985, fans were thrilled to see their favorite characters return. But old tensions resurfaced quickly. Berry’s contract dispute cut his role short, and while the show lasted three seasons, it never quite recaptured the original’s cultural spark.

Still, the revival allowed the cast to reconnect—and in some cases, reconcile. Before Berry’s death, Thomas said they made peace, attending his funeral despite others urging him not to. “There’s a thing called forgiveness,” Thomas said.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

While What’s Happening? only ran for three seasons, its influence far outlived its original broadcast. Syndication brought in even higher ratings, introducing Raj, Rerun, Dee, and Dwayne to new generations.

In the 2010s, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the complete series on DVD, cementing its place as a cherished piece of TV history. The show’s mix of humor, relatability, and willingness to tackle real-life issues still resonates today.

For African-American representation on television—especially for teens—What’s Happening? was more than entertainment. It was a cultural touchstone, proof that diverse stories could be told with warmth, honesty, and universal appeal.

The Real Story Behind the Laughs

To the casual viewer, What’s Happening? was a breezy sitcom with quirky characters and memorable catchphrases. But behind the scenes were legal battles, creative disagreements, personal tragedies, and the complicated lives of actors navigating fame and identity in a changing Hollywood.

Some walked away from the industry, some fought to stay relevant, and some paid a steep price for their success. Yet together, they created something that not only entertained millions but also opened doors for future Black-led teen comedies.

More than 45 years later, the show’s impact is still “happening”—one rerun at a time.

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