TV Episode: "Mama's Baby, Daddy's Maybe" from "Sanford and Son"
This episode originally aired on January 4, 1974, and it is my number one favorite episode from "Sanford and Son".
The day starts off pleasantly enough with Fred (Redd Foxx) anticipating a visit from one of his old friends from St. Louis, MO named Grip Madlock (Sonny Jim Gaines). When Grady (Whitman Mayo) hears this, he tells Fred that the purpose of Grip's visit is to see his son -- Lamont (Demond Wilson). Grip has a reputation as a practical joker, so Fred dismisses this as just another one of them.
When Grip arrives, Fred laughs as he tells him what Grady said. The laughter turns to anger when Grip announces that he believes that he is Lamont's real father. Grip maintains that he and Fred's late wife, Elizabeth, had a night together that produced Lamont. Lamont comes in from working, and after having his memory jogged, he remembers who Grip is and warmly welcomes him. Fred is steamed when it appears that Grip is making comparisons in an attempt to prove that Lamont looks like him. But neither man says anything to Lamont about their conversation.
Later, Fred invites his sister-in-law Esther (LaWanda Page) over to the house to see Grip. "Big Money Grip? My sister Elizabeth was crazy about you!" she says upon seeing Grip. Fred demands that his old friend tell Esther the reason for his visit. When he does, it's Esther's turn to be angry, and her reaction to the news sounds like an ad-lib that wasn't in the script; the audience howls. She goes on to declare that Elizabeth was as pure as the driven snow, to which Fred replies, "And you're looking at the only driver she ever had!"
Grip will not back off of his story, so Esther suggests to Fred that they both give Grip a beat down. Lamont comes home, saving Grip. Fred explains the situation to Lamont. Lamont gives a heartfelt speech to Fred, stating that he'll always recognize him as his dad. He also tells Grip that whatever happened between him and his late mother is their business, and he had nothing to do with it.
Grip will not be swayed. "Do I have to give the time, the date. . .?" he says. He describes the house that Esther and her family lived in, and tells her that he came around to the window of the bedroom that belonged to Elizabeth. Esther says that Grip is lying because that bedroom was hers. It dawns on them that the woman Grip was with that night was Esther. Fred, always eager to pick on Esther, tells her to give the full story. Esther quotes Bible scripture then storms out of the house, as Grip looks horrified.
At the end of the episode, Lamont and Fred stop to think about what transpired between Esther and Grip and they shudder.
The day starts off pleasantly enough with Fred (Redd Foxx) anticipating a visit from one of his old friends from St. Louis, MO named Grip Madlock (Sonny Jim Gaines). When Grady (Whitman Mayo) hears this, he tells Fred that the purpose of Grip's visit is to see his son -- Lamont (Demond Wilson). Grip has a reputation as a practical joker, so Fred dismisses this as just another one of them.
When Grip arrives, Fred laughs as he tells him what Grady said. The laughter turns to anger when Grip announces that he believes that he is Lamont's real father. Grip maintains that he and Fred's late wife, Elizabeth, had a night together that produced Lamont. Lamont comes in from working, and after having his memory jogged, he remembers who Grip is and warmly welcomes him. Fred is steamed when it appears that Grip is making comparisons in an attempt to prove that Lamont looks like him. But neither man says anything to Lamont about their conversation.
Later, Fred invites his sister-in-law Esther (LaWanda Page) over to the house to see Grip. "Big Money Grip? My sister Elizabeth was crazy about you!" she says upon seeing Grip. Fred demands that his old friend tell Esther the reason for his visit. When he does, it's Esther's turn to be angry, and her reaction to the news sounds like an ad-lib that wasn't in the script; the audience howls. She goes on to declare that Elizabeth was as pure as the driven snow, to which Fred replies, "And you're looking at the only driver she ever had!"
Grip will not back off of his story, so Esther suggests to Fred that they both give Grip a beat down. Lamont comes home, saving Grip. Fred explains the situation to Lamont. Lamont gives a heartfelt speech to Fred, stating that he'll always recognize him as his dad. He also tells Grip that whatever happened between him and his late mother is their business, and he had nothing to do with it.
Grip will not be swayed. "Do I have to give the time, the date. . .?" he says. He describes the house that Esther and her family lived in, and tells her that he came around to the window of the bedroom that belonged to Elizabeth. Esther says that Grip is lying because that bedroom was hers. It dawns on them that the woman Grip was with that night was Esther. Fred, always eager to pick on Esther, tells her to give the full story. Esther quotes Bible scripture then storms out of the house, as Grip looks horrified.
At the end of the episode, Lamont and Fred stop to think about what transpired between Esther and Grip and they shudder.
Labels: Demond Wilson, LaWanda Page, Redd Foxx, Sonny Jim Gaines, Whitman Mayo
posted by Hillari | 1:47 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home