What's Happening!!: The Benefit Show

What's Happening!!: The Benefit Show
ABC
April 28, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C+

While this Joanne Pagliaro story is certainly better than the recent Welcome Back, Kotter talent show episode, with Dwayne's drumming the highlight, it's hard to get past Rerun lying and getting away with it.  Note that the studio audience remains vocal, with one man exclaiming, "Stole the rose!"

Diane Sommerfield, who was Guru Girl #2 on Three's Company, is Ginger here.  Helen Martin makes her third WH cameo, this time as Mrs. Lloyd.  And Richard Couture is featured quite prominently in the crowd shots.

What's Happening!! in its final season ranges from C+ to B, landing right on the C+/B- border for an average.  In other words, it was still somewhat entertaining, though past its peak.  Getting rid of Mrs. Thomas was a mistake, as was adding more supporting characters, but neither of these wrecked the show.  I actually would've have liked more to be done with Raj in college, other than vague references to him studying.

I occasionally watched What's Happening Now!, but the characters and I were older and it just didn't stay with me like the original series did.  If there were any moments on a level with, for instance, "Handyman," I'd be surprised.