Tue, Sep 17, 1974
J.J. is turning 18 and Florida and James decide to give him some new art supplies as well as a fancy new case. Unfortunately, James is denied credit due to the fact that he was late on a few payments over the years and as a result they have to give J.J. a much cheaper present. Later that night after a small gathering in the Evans' apartment, J.J. gets arrested for allegedly holding up a liquor store. Now the family begin to worry that J.J.'s 18th birthday will wind up with him doing time in prison.
Tue, Sep 24, 1974
After hearing about J.J. getting arrested, the Evanses and Willona head for the police station to learn what happened and, hopefully, post bail. Unfortunately, they can't afford the bail and even consider accepting money from a loan shark. Meanwhile, in his cell, J.J. has a confrontation with a meaner, much larger guy, with very funny results.
Tue, Oct 1, 1974
Michael is selected to be bussed to a school in a more affluent and predominantly white section of Chicago. However, he is against it due to his strong views. James does convince him, in his own way, to get on the bus. However, Michael is nervous that he won't fit in and Florida is afraid that her youngest child might be a target of violence due to the color of his skin.
Tue, Nov 12, 1974
JJ is forced into joining the Satan's Knights street gang. However, he is a less than active member, especially when it comes to getting involved in the gang's ongoing turf war with the Warlords. When he is threatened with physical harm if he doesn't participate in the next rumble, he must find a way to get Florida and James out of the house before the gang's leader, Mad Dog, comes and physically removes him from the house.
Top-rated
Tue, Nov 19, 1974
After getting shot by Mad Dog while trying to save James, JJ comes home and makes like he was critically injured even though it was just a flesh wound. However, on a more serious note, James threatens physical violence on Mad Dog for shooting his oldest son. However, after a court hearing, James has second thoughts on what he wants to do, especially after seeing an incident between Mad Dog and his mother.
Tue, Dec 3, 1974
James comes across a bag containing a claimed $27,000 in stolen money and turns it into the police. The Evanses are quickly hassled by ghetto neighbors, strangers and people they thought were their friends about James' good deed. However that's nothing compared to Florida's reaction when James reveals that the bag actually contained $29,000, and that he kept $2,000 to help his family get out of the slums once and for all.
Tue, Jan 14, 1975
One of the Evanses sexiest neighbors wants JJ to paint a very special picture of her to give to her husband for her birthday. However, Flo puts her foot down when she learns that the woman wants to be painted in the nude. The woman then suggests that instead of a nude that she would be glad to pose in her bathing suit. However, things really get complicated when the woman's husband thinks that she and JJ are having an affair. Now JJ must keep from getting his face pounded before he gets paid for his first commissioned portrait.
Tue, Jan 21, 1975
When James is rejected for a loan to open a repair shop, he sets up shop in the apartment ... well-aware of a clause in his lease prohibiting the operation of commercial activities inside rental units. Can the Evans family keep the business a secret from Bookman, the scheming building superintendent, knowing he might make the new venture very difficult for James if he finds out?
Tue, Mar 4, 1975
James gets word that he is about to be "temporarily" laid off leaving JJ the only bread winner in the Evans household. Unfortunately, he finds out that the theater where he has been working is about to be shut down. He then takes drastic measures and decides to enlist in the army. However, James Sr. finds out that the rumors of his layoff were false and now must hurry to the induction center before JJ becomes Uncle Sam's latest recruit.
