Sanford and Son Season 5 Episodes

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

Earthquake II
Fri, Sep 12, 1975 30 mins

Fred wakes up one morning to discover what looks like a robbery took place but learns that there was a small earthquake overnight. Grady breaks the news that a big one is scheduled to hit on the 6th and a fed up Fred decides to sell the house and move. Meanwhile, Fred heads to Las Vegas to avoid the earthquake on the 6th and has a run in with Merv Griffin and Steve and Eydie.

Episode 2

Divorce, Sanford Style
Fri, Sep 19, 1975 30 mins

Aunt Esther moves in with the Sanfords after a fight with her husband. Fred: Redd Foxx. Esther: LaWanda Page. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Uncle Woody: Raymond Allen.

Episode 3

Bank on This
Fri, Sep 26, 1975 30 mins

Julio has moved out of his house and Fred and Lamont decide to buy it and turn it into a boarding house and call it The Sanford Arms. To get enough money for the project, Fred and Lamont go down to the bank to apply for a loan but soon find themselves hostages in a bank robbery attempt.

Episode 4

The Sanford Arms
Fri, Oct 3, 1975 30 mins

Julio’s house has been transformed into Fred and Lamont’s boarding house called The Sanford Arms. Now they’ve come to the task of finding some boarders and soon find themselves bombarded with an endless supply of crazies, including a hooker, an ex-con, a hippie, a newlywed couple, and Hoppy’s eccentric mother.

Episode 5

Steinberg and Son
Fri, Oct 10, 1975 30 mins

The Sanfords, suspecting that a TV series is about them, consider suing. Fred’s Counterpart: Max Steinberg. Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson. Grady: Whitman Mayo.

Episode 6

Brother, Can You Spare an Act?
Fri, Oct 17, 1975 30 mins

Fred helps his entertainer brother-in-law with his act. Frances: Mary Alice. Lamont: Demond Wilson. May: Nancy Kulp.

Episode 7

Della, Della, Della
Fri, Oct 31, 1975 30 mins

Della Reese wants to turn Fred’s house into a campaign headquarters. Fred: Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. George: Arnold Johnson. Bob Williams: Paul Reid Roman.

Episode 8

Donna Pops the Question
Fri, Nov 7, 1975 30 mins

Fred’s girlfriend issues an ultimatum. Fred: Redd Foxx. Aunt Esther: LaWanda Page. Mrs. Harris: Elma Jackson.

Episode 9

My Fair Esther
Fri, Nov 14, 1975 30 mins

Fred helps his sister-in-law prepare for a beauty contest. Fred: Redd Foxx. Esther: LaWanda Page. Woody: Raymond Allen. Lamont: Demond Wilson.

Episode 10

Sanford and the Rising Sun
Fri, Nov 21, 1975 30 mins

Fred is eager to help his friend start a Japanese restaurant. Fred: Redd Foxx. Ah Chew: Pat Morita. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Bubba: Don Bexley. Hutch: Arnold Johnson.

Episode 11

The Olympics
Fri, Dec 5, 1975 30 mins

Saturday night sees Fred heading over to Donna’s for a date that he didn’t tell her about before hand. Once he arrives, he discovers Donna already has a date with a man who’s won the decathlon every year in the Senior Olympics. Wanting to outdo him, Fred decides to compete in the Olympics this year and beat his romantic competition.

Episode 12

Ebenezer Sanford
Fri, Dec 12, 1975 30 mins

Fred, the Christmas Scrooge, is reproached by ghosts of the past. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Esther: LaWanda Page.

Episode 13

The Oddfather
Fri, Jan 2, 1976 30 mins

Fred lands in the hospital after an accident in which Fred accidentally witnesses a murder attempt. With a guarded hospital room, Fred becomes suspicious of everyone since the real criminal wants him killed. However, Fred is after the reward money he’ll get if he testifies despite putting his life on the line.

Episode 14

Can You Chop This?
Fri, Jan 9, 1976 30 mins

Fred steals money from Lamont for a get-rich-quick venture. Hutton: Arnold Johnson. Lamont: Demond Wilson.

Episode 15

The Greatest Show in Watts
Fri, Jan 16, 1976 30 mins

Fred accepts an elephant as collateral for back rent. Fred: Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Tenant: Rozelle Gayle.

Episode 16

Fred Sanford Has a Baby
Fri, Jan 23, 1976 30 mins

Fred rents a room to a forlorn expectant mother (Bonnie Banfield). Fred: Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Donna: Lynn Hamilton.

Episode 17

The TV Addict
Fri, Jan 30, 1976 30 mins

Fred has been watching way too much television and Lamont suggests that he go out and get some exercise. Fred scoffs and refuses which leads to an argument which results in the television breaking. Lamont refuses to get it fixed until Fred agrees to start exercising. Lamont later brings in a doctor to hypnotize Fred to help him get over his television addiction.

Episode 18

LaMont in Love
Fri, Feb 6, 1976 30 mins

Aunt Esther and Fred scheme to uncover the history of Lamont’s girlfriend (Marlene Clark). Fred: Redd Foxx. Esther: LaWanda Page. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Bubba: Don Bexley.

Episode 19

The Escort
Fri, Feb 13, 1976 30 mins

Fred starts his own escort service to prove his “animal magnetism.” Lamont: Demond Wilson. Hutch: Arnold Johnson.

Episode 20

The Engagement Man Always Rings Twice
Fri, Feb 20, 1976 30 mins

Fred has reservations about Lamont’s wedding plans. Fred: Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Janet: Marlene Clark. Esther: LaWanda Page.

Episode 21

The Director
Fri, Feb 27, 1976 30 mins

Fred gets the acting bug when he learns former boxing champ George Foreman will be in Lamont’s play. Fred: Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Elroy: George Wiltshire.

Episode 22

A Pain in the Neck
Fri, Mar 5, 1976 30 mins

Ailing Fred insists on attending a banquet in his honor. Fred: Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Aunt Esther: LaWanda Page. Bubba: Don Bexley.

Episode 23

Sgt. Gork
Fri, Mar 12, 1976 30 mins

Fred inflates his role in World War II to impress his grandson-to-be (Ed Crawford). Fred: Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Esther/Brunhilda: LaWanda Page. Hayakawa: Pat Morita.

Episode 24

Camping Trip
Fri, Mar 19, 1976 30 mins

Stranded on a back road, Lamont and Fred reminisce about their past. Redd Foxx. Lamont: Demond Wilson. Ms. Barnes: Carol Arther.