Sanford and Son: The 10 best episodes in the series, ranked (According to IMDb)
Sanford and Son is a 1970s sitcom that still has a fan base today. Below are the 10 best episodes according to IMDb.
Sanford and Son revolves around a black trash dealer (Sanford) and his adult son (Lamont) in their Los Angeles neighborhood. The show debuted in 1972, following the success of All in the Family. Both programs were developed by Norman Lear.
This ’70s sitcom’s wit actually endured a solid decade before its debut; The American show is based on the British sitcom Steptoe and Son which premiered in 1962. Today, Sanford and Son is still loved by many loyal fans. This classic series consistently has high episode ratings on IMDb, with the show’s overall rating reaching 7.9. Here are the ten best episodes according to IMDb.
Sharp Card – 8.4
It was the luck of the draw in this season’s second episode. Lamont invited some suspicious friends over to play poker. His father, Fred, understood the game better and recognized Lamont’s weaknesses. However, Lamont despises Fred’s attempts to interfere with the playing of the game.
According to IMDb user “kevinolzak”, this episode is “a direct adaptation of its British cousin.” It also features one of Fred’s famous quotes: “Treat others as they have treated you.”
Sanford and Son and Sister make three – 8.4
This two-part episode includes some of Fred’s off-color language on an off-color subject. His former lover, Juanita, comes to visit with her daughter, Alice.
Lamont falls in love with Alice, but there’s a small problem, as the title indicates. Juanita and Fred were together once so Alice could be Lamont’s sister!
X rating – 8.4
The naming of this second season episode is blunt but accurate. Lamont and Rollo are ready to pursue a big acting opportunity and Fred is also in it for the opportunity. The three men are surprised when their big break is actually a porn movie.
The police happened to arrive before Fred, Rollo and Lamont could leave. However, Aunt Esther got them out of prison after reading Bible verses to them.
Super fly – 8.4
The 1970s shows were especially skilled with storylines about heroic legacies. Episode three “Superflyer” gives Fred such a testament. His uncle Leotis in St. Louis died and left Fred $1500. However, there is a catch.
Fred, who was afraid of flying, had to personally go to St. Louis for money. It turns out he doesn’t have to deal with the will but just the money for Uncle Leotis’s funeral.
The House Is Not a Pool Room – 8.4
Lamont tries to do something special for Fred’s birthday in the third season and buys him his own pool table. Fred is very content and enjoys playing billiards with his friends. Actually, he loves it a little too much.
Everyone was always at the Sanfords’ house; it doesn’t look like a house anymore because it’s a billiards room! Lamont had to get creative to solve this problem and Fred only left the pool table when he thought it was his idea.
Wine, Women and Aunt Esther – 8.4
Episode three of this season is when Fred has to think about the aging process. He was pushed into these thoughts by the death of one of his friends.
The crafty trash dealer turns his grief into dance by throwing a wild party at his own home. This event really goes off the rails with an invitation to the topless waitress known as “Fast Fanny”. Of course, Aunt Esther will have something to say about this.
Lamont, is that you? – 8.5
This is definitely one of those old TV episodes that just doesn’t get old anymore. Fred’s friend, Bubba, sees Rollo and Lamont walking around a gay bar.
Fred does not accept homosexuality and he is worried that Lamont and Rollo are both gay. Fred then searches for a “cure” for his son. Definitely a problematic episode.
Blind Mellow Jelly Collection – 8.6
Blind Mellow Jelly is a band that Fred listens to over and over again in his records. Lamont grew tired of listening to this music and had his father give it to a library for a tax deduction. However, when he realized that these files were of great value, Fred made a plan to get them back.
He asks Bubba to dress up as Blind Mellow Jelly’s son, eventually leading to the classic line, “I want my dad’s record!”
Mom’s Baby, Maybe Dad’s – 8.8
This episode from season three has an interesting premise. Fred and Lamont may not always see eye to eye, but they are a close-knit father and son pair.
All of that was called into question when one of his old friends from St. Louis’s Fred visits the Sanford family. The man went to Los Angeles to claim that he was Lamont’s biological father.
Fred Sanford, Legal Eagle – 8.8
Season three is quite a stretch for good episodes. This is still relevant today. At Fred’s urging, Lamont goes to court for a traffic ticket.
In a broken system, Grady receives legal advice from Lamont about a barter agreement. Fred and his friends arrive to support Lamont in court, but they show a lack of manners, which unfortunately hurts the young man’s case.
