What's Happening!!: Christmas

What's Happening!!: Christmas
ABC
December 11, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Orenstein & Turtletaub story has Mabel giving up a chance to spend Christmas with her children because she knows how important it is to Bill that he get to be with them that day.  I like that Dee is still not 100% comfortable with Bill, even saying she hates him, since she obviously doesn't remember him from when she was a baby.  I also like that Bill's girlfriend Loretta (Rosalind Cash) is presented as a nice person, while on some shows she would've been a bitch and/or bimbo, and it's good to know she'll return.  The episode is a bit too slow-moving though.

What's Happening!!: Speak for Yourself, Dwayne

What's Happening!!: Speak for Yourself, Dwayne
ABC
November 27, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Dwayne falls for new girl Nancy (Ronalda Douglas, who previously played a Secretary).  This Fred S. Fox and Seaman Jacobs story is predictable, especially when Roger acknowledges the "Miles Standish" parallels, but it works, and it is fun to hear the studio audience heartily participating, from making comments to cheering.

Debbi Morgan returns as Diane.  This is the first of two WH episodes directed by Hal Alexander.  I don't know if it's fault that there's a visible hanging mic, like on Welcome Back, Kotter sometimes.  (The cameras in the above picture suggest that this is behind the scenes.)