L.A. junk dealer Fred Sanford was Norman Lear’s black counterpart to Archie Bunker. The gravel-voiced widower hurled outrageous one-liners at his Bible-toting sister-in-law, Esther; cooked up get-rich-quick schemes with buddies Grady (who got his own spin-off series in 1975) and Bubba; and feigned countless ‘big ones’ (heart attacks) to win the sympathy of long-suffering son Lamont. Based on the British series ‘Steptoe and Son,’ the show consistently ranked in the Top 10.
Episode 1
The Hawaiian Connection: Part 1
Fri, Sep 24, 1976 30 mins
Part 1 of three. Fred and Lamont accept an expense-paid trip to Hawaii and unwittingly become involved in a jewel-theft scheme. Davis: Sheldon Leonard. Commander: Ed McMahon.
Episode 2
The Hawaiian Connection: Part 2
Fri, Sep 24, 1976 30 mins
Part 2. The Sanfords are enjoying their vacation in Hawaii, unaware they’re being used in a jewel-theft scheme. Commander: Ed McMahon. Davis: Sheldon Leonard.
Episode 3
The Hawaiian Connection: Part 3
Fri, Oct 1, 1976 30 mins
Conclusion. The Sanfords are pursued in Honolulu by jewel thieves looking for hot gems they planted on Fred.
Episode 4
California Crude
Fri, Oct 8, 1976 30 mins
The Sanfords strike oil while tilling their new garden. Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson. Aram: Ross Martin. Miller: Patrick Campbell. Bubba: Don Bexley.
Episode 5
The Stakeout
Fri, Oct 15, 1976 30 mins
Fred discovers that the “woman” he adores is a master of disguise wanted by the police. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Bubba: Don Bexley. Miss Wallace: Charles Weldon. Hoppy: Howard Platt.
Episode 6
I Dream of Choo Choo Rabinowitz
Fri, Oct 22, 1976 30 mins
Seeking fame, Fred challenges the world record for staying awake. Demond Wilson, LaWanda Page. Bubba: Don Bexley. Roger: Edward Crawford. Janet: Marlene Clark. Mrs. Gordon: Royce Wallace.
Episode 7
The Winning Ticket
Fri, Nov 5, 1976 30 mins
Fred concocts a phony sweepstakes to boost business at the junkyard. Demond Wilson. Bubba: Don Bexley. Esther: LaWanda Page. Danny: Danny Wells.
Episode 8
Committee Man
Fri, Nov 12, 1976 30 mins
A housing-project builder tries to buy the vote of Fred, a new appointee to the mayor’s Community Relations Bureau. Demond Wilson. Sam Andrews: Edward Andrews. Mrs. Channing: Fritzi Burr. Rodriguez: Sosimo Hernandez.
Episode 9
Fred’s Extra Job
Fri, Nov 19, 1976 30 mins
Fred’s plan to help Lamont financially: offer his junk empire as collateral for a loan he will repay by moonlighting as a waiter. Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson. Bubba: Don Bexley. Donna: Lynn Hamilton. Janet: Marlene Clark. Bank Officer: Mel Carter. Maitre d’: Milton Frome. Bruno: Barry Wright.
Episode 10
Carol
Fri, Nov 26, 1976 30 mins
An unexpected visitor claiming to be an old friend has Fred drawing a blank until mention is made of their former alliance in crime. Demond Wilson. Grady: Whitman Mayo.
Episode 11
Aunt Esther Has a Baby
Fri, Dec 3, 1976 30 mins
Nervous about adopting a child, Woody has a few too many before a crucial interview with the agency. Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson. Aunt Esther: LaWanda Page.
Episode 12
Here Today, Gone Today
Tue, Dec 7, 1976 30 mins
Fred collects insurance on the furniture his friends and family secretly removed for reupholstering. Demond Wilson. Esther: LaWanda Page. Bubba: Don Bexley. Rollo: Nathaniel Taylor. Donna: Lynn Hamilton. Janet: Marlene Clark.
