Throughout Sanford and Son, Lamont often dreamed about escaping the junkyard business. He wanted more than sorting scrap metal and dealing with his father’s antics. But in the actual series, Lamont never truly left. In this reimagined version, however, he accepts a lucrative job offer in San Francisco and says goodbye to the yard — and to Fred.
The first act would focus on the emotional farewell. Fred hides his feelings under sarcastic remarks (“Don’t forget to send me some of that fancy rice they eat up there!”), but once Lamont’s gone, he’s clearly lonely. Running the yard solo proves tougher than expected. Fred’s schemes get wilder: offering “junkyard tours” for $5 a person, inventing “Luxury Scrap Packages” by spray-painting items gold, and hiring neighbors like Bubba — who accidentally sells a valuable antique for $2.
Meanwhile, Lamont enjoys the perks of city life: a modern apartment, fine restaurants, and a steady paycheck. Yet, something feels off. Without the daily back-and-forth with Fred, his life feels hollow. A poignant subplot shows him passing an old salvage yard in San Francisco and pausing, as if hearing his father’s voice.
In the final act, Lamont returns to Los Angeles unexpectedly. Fred, pretending to be annoyed, mutters, “Well, if it isn’t the prodigal junkman.” But his relief is clear. Lamont explains that success means nothing if you can’t share it with family. The junkyard isn’t glamorous — but it’s home. The episode would close with the two of them bickering as they sort through a pile of scrap, the way they always have.
