What's Happening!! is an American sitcom that aired 69 episodes over three seasons on ABC from August 5, 1976, to April 28, 1979.
The series focused on the lives of three African-American teenagersRerun, Dee, and Dwayneliving in the fictional inner-city community of Carver. The show was created by Eric Monte and Stu Silver, and produced by Norman Lear's TAT Communications Company.
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom for its time, as it was one of the first to feature an all-black cast and to focus on the lives of working-class African Americans. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of black life and for its positive messages about friendship, family, and community.
What's Happening!! has been cited as an influence on a number of later sitcoms, including The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
What's Happening!! TV Series
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. The show focused on the lives of three African-American teenagers living in the fictional inner-city community of Carver. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of black life and for its positive messages about friendship, family, and community.
- Groundbreaking: What's Happening!! was one of the first sitcoms to feature an all-black cast and to focus on the lives of working-class African Americans.
- Realistic: The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of black life, including the challenges and triumphs of growing up in an inner-city community.
- Positive: What's Happening!! was also praised for its positive messages about friendship, family, and community. The show showed that even in difficult times, it is possible to find joy and laughter.
- Funny: What's Happening!! was a funny show that made audiences laugh out loud. The show's humor was often derived from the characters' everyday experiences and their relationships with each other.
- Influential: What's Happening!! has been cited as an influence on a number of later sitcoms, including The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
- Nostalgic: What's Happening!! is a nostalgic show for many people who grew up watching it in the 1970s. The show's theme song and characters are still fondly remembered today.
What's Happening!! is a significant sitcom that made a positive impact on television and society. The show's realistic portrayal of black life, positive messages, and humor made it a groundbreaking and influential series.
Groundbreaking
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. It was one of the first sitcoms to feature an all-black cast and to focus on the lives of working-class African Americans. This was a significant achievement, as it helped to break down racial barriers on television and to give a voice to a group of people who had been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
The show's creators, Eric Monte and Stu Silver, wanted to create a show that would be both entertaining and socially relevant. They succeeded in doing this by creating a show that was funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. What's Happening!! tackled a number of important issues, including racism, poverty, and drug abuse. However, the show always did so in a way that was both sensitive and humorous.
What's Happening!! was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the most popular sitcoms on television during its three-season run. The show also received numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards. What's Happening!! has been praised for its groundbreaking work in breaking down racial barriers on television and for its positive portrayal of African-American life.
The show's legacy is still felt today. What's Happening!! helped to pave the way for other groundbreaking sitcoms, such as The Cosby Show and Black-ish. It also helped to change the way that African Americans are portrayed on television. What's Happening!! is a reminder that television can be a powerful force for social change.
Realistic
What's Happening!! was praised for its realistic portrayal of black life, including the challenges and triumphs of growing up in an inner-city community. This was a significant achievement, as it helped to break down stereotypes and to give a voice to a group of people who had been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
The show's creators, Eric Monte and Stu Silver, wanted to create a show that would be both entertaining and socially relevant. They succeeded in doing this by creating a show that was funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. What's Happening!! tackled a number of important issues, including racism, poverty, and drug abuse. However, the show always did so in a way that was both sensitive and humorous.
The show's realism was due in part to the fact that it was based on the real-life experiences of its creators and writers. Monte and Silver grew up in the inner-city themselves, and they drew on their own experiences to create the show's characters and storylines.
The show's realism also helped to make it relatable to audiences of all backgrounds. Even if viewers did not grow up in an inner-city community, they could still relate to the show's themes of friendship, family, and community.
What's Happening!!'s realistic portrayal of black life was a groundbreaking achievement. The show helped to break down stereotypes and to give a voice to a group of people who had been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
Positive
The positive messages in "What's Happening!!" are an important part of what made the show so groundbreaking and influential. The show's creators, Eric Monte and Stu Silver, wanted to create a show that would be both entertaining and socially relevant. They succeeded in doing this by creating a show that was funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking.
Funny
The humor in "What's Happening!!" is an important part of what made the show so groundbreaking and influential. The show's creators, Eric Monte and Stu Silver, wanted to create a show that would be both entertaining and socially relevant. They succeeded in doing this by creating a show that was funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking.
- Everyday experiences
One of the things that made "What's Happening!!" so funny was its relatable humor. The show's characters were always getting into funny situations, and their reactions were always hilarious. This made the show relatable to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
- Relationships
Another source of humor in "What's Happening!!" was the relationships between the characters. The show's characters were always getting on each other's nerves, but they also loved each other deeply. This created a lot of funny moments, as the characters tried to navigate their relationships with each other.
- Slapstick comedy
In addition to its more subtle humor, "What's Happening!!" also featured a lot of slapstick comedy. This type of humor is always popular with audiences, and it helped to make "What's Happening!!" a hit with viewers of all ages.
- Social commentary
While "What's Happening!!" was a funny show, it also had a serious side. The show often tackled social issues, such as racism and poverty. However, the show always did so in a way that was both humorous and thought-provoking.
The humor in "What's Happening!!" is an important part of what made the show so groundbreaking and influential. The show's humor was relatable, funny, and thought-provoking. This combination of humor and social commentary made "What's Happening!!" a show that was both entertaining and educational.
Influential
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of black life, its positive messages, and its humor. What's Happening!! has been cited as an influence on a number of later sitcoms, including The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
- Breaking down racial barriers
What's Happening!! was one of the first sitcoms to feature an all-black cast and to focus on the lives of working-class African Americans. This was a significant achievement, as it helped to break down racial barriers on television and to give a voice to a group of people who had been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
- Positive representation of black life
What's Happening!! was also praised for its positive representation of black life. The show's characters were complex and relatable, and they showed that even in difficult times, it is possible to find joy and laughter. This positive representation of black life was a groundbreaking achievement, as it helped to change the way that African Americans were portrayed on television.
- Influence on later sitcoms
What's Happening!! has been cited as an influence on a number of later sitcoms, including The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. These sitcoms all feature black casts and focus on the lives of working-class African Americans. This is a testament to the groundbreaking work that What's Happening!! did in breaking down racial barriers on television and in creating positive representations of black life.
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom that had a significant impact on television and society. The show's realistic portrayal of black life, its positive messages, and its humor made it a groundbreaking and influential series.
Nostalgic
What's Happening!! is a nostalgic show for many people who grew up watching it in the 1970s. The show's theme song and characters are still fondly remembered today. There are a number of reasons for this nostalgia.
- Cultural significance
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom that broke down racial barriers on television and gave a voice to a group of people who had been largely ignored by the mainstream media. The show's positive representation of black life was a significant achievement, and it helped to change the way that African Americans were portrayed on television.
- Personal connections
Many people who grew up watching What's Happening!! have fond memories of the show. They remember watching it with their families and friends, and they remember laughing at the show's jokes. These personal connections make the show even more nostalgic for them.
- Timeless appeal
What's Happening!! is a timeless show that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The show's humor is still funny, and its characters are still relatable. This timeless appeal is one of the reasons why the show is still so popular today.
The nostalgia for What's Happening!! is a testament to the show's cultural significance, personal connections, and timeless appeal. The show is a reminder of a simpler time, and it brings back fond memories for many people who grew up watching it.
Frequently Asked Questions about What's Happening!!
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of black life, its positive messages, and its humor. Here are some frequently asked questions about the show:
Question 1: What was the significance of What's Happening!!?What's Happening!! was a significant sitcom because it was one of the first to feature an all-black cast and to focus on the lives of working-class African Americans. This was a groundbreaking achievement, as it helped to break down racial barriers on television and to give a voice to a group of people who had been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
Question 2: What were some of the positive messages in What's Happening!!?What's Happening!! tackled a number of important issues, including racism, poverty, and drug abuse. However, the show always did so in a way that was both sensitive and humorous. The show's positive messages about friendship, family, and community helped to make it a groundbreaking and influential series.
Question 3: What made What's Happening!! so funny?What's Happening!! was a funny show that made audiences laugh out loud. The show's humor was often derived from the characters' everyday experiences and their relationships with each other. The show's humor was relatable, funny, and thought-provoking.
Question 4: What was the impact of What's Happening!! on later sitcoms?What's Happening!! has been cited as an influence on a number of later sitcoms, including The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. These sitcoms all feature black casts and focus on the lives of working-class African Americans. This is a testament to the groundbreaking work that What's Happening!! did in breaking down racial barriers on television and in creating positive representations of black life.
Question 5: Why is What's Happening!! still so popular today?What's Happening!! is still popular today because it is a timeless show that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The show's humor is still funny, and its characters are still relatable. The show's positive messages about friendship, family, and community are also still relevant today.
Question 6: Where can I watch What's Happening!!?What's Happening!! is available to stream on a number of platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Tubi.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about What's Happening!!. The show was a groundbreaking sitcom that had a significant impact on television and society. The show's realistic portrayal of black life, its positive messages, and its humor made it a groundbreaking and influential series.
Next, we will discuss the critical reception of What's Happening!!
Conclusion
What's Happening!! was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of black life, its positive messages, and its humor. What's Happening!! was a significant achievement, as it helped to break down racial barriers on television and to give a voice to a group of people who had been largely ignored by the mainstream media.
The show's legacy is still felt today. What's Happening!! helped to pave the way for other groundbreaking sitcoms, such as The Cosby Show and Black-ish. It also helped to change the way that African Americans are portrayed on television. What's Happening!! is a reminder that television can be a powerful force for social change.
