Roger 'Raj' Thomas has graduated from the University of Southern California, and become a fledgling writer. He and his wife Nadine, a social worker, move in to his old home in Watts (given to him by his mother, Mabel, now remarried and living in Phoenix, Arizona). His sister Dee is away at college. Childhood friend Dwayne Nelson has become a computer programmer, while Freddie 'Rerun' Stubbs is a used-car salesman. The old soda shop hangout, Rob's Place, has gone out of business and left abandoned. Reminded of his youth, and seeing an opportunity, Raj and Shirley Wilson, who used to wait tables there, decide to buy the business together, renaming it Rob's.
CreatorEric Monte
Raj Returns
Sep 7, 1985
After getting married and having his first book published, Raj returns home to find that Rob's Place has closed, and Dwayne and Shirley are overjoyed to see him again. However, one person who doesn't share in the excitement is Rerun, who is now a used car salesman and jealous of Raj's new success.
A Horse Is Not a Home
Sep 14, 1985
When Rerun ends up with a horse, he convinces Raj to keep it at his house until they can sell it. A misprint in the newspaper regarding the sale leads Raj to mistakenly sell his house to a couple for $5,000.
Dwayne's Crush
Sep 21, 1985
Dwayne is on cloud nine after meeting the girl of his dreams at a dentist's office. However, when Raj finds out that she's married, he must save Dwayne from a painful heartbreak and the wrath of her husband, the dentist.
The Houseguest
Sep 28, 1985
When Dwayne and Rerun have a falling out, Raj and Nadine agree to let Dwayne temporarily stay with them. However, as Dwayne begins to overstay his welcome, the couple hatch a plot to get Rerun and Dwayne to make amends.
One Enchanted Evening
Oct 5, 1985
When Nadine's hard-to-please mother Yvonne visits, Raj and Nadine go out of their way to impress her. They take her to Rob's, where she is wooed by a patron who is really a wino.
Aunt Shirley
Oct 12, 1985
After overhearing Raj and Nadine say that they're excited to be spending some time alone away from her, Carolyn decides to run away. This leaves Shirley, the babysitter, in charge of trying to find her before Raj and Nadine return from their trip.
The New Kid
Oct 19, 1985
Raj and Nadine take in a homeless 10-year-old who just ran away from an orphanage.
The Bully
Oct 26, 1985
When Raj ends up in jail in a chicken suit, he recounts the events leading up his arrest, from when he meets the health inspector and former high school bully, who threatens to shut down Rob's unless Raj follows through on a dare.
That Old Gang of Mine
Nov 2, 1985
When teen thugs threaten the neighborhood and diner, the guys dress up as older gang members to try and scare some sense into them.
Dueling Menus
Nov 9, 1985
Raj clashes with Shirley after she insults one of the customers who happens to be a restaurant critic. She quits shortly after, leaving Raj and Nadine to try and run the restaurant.
Dee's Dilemma
Nov 16, 1985
When Dee comes home from college, she considers quitting school and starting a career selling cosmetics. This creates a rift with Raj, who thinks that she is still a child and cannot make her own decisions.
Raj on the Run
Nov 23, 1985
A series of misunderstandings, misadventures and mistaken identities combine to disguise Raj as a woman and sends him fleeing from two FBI agents.
The Challenge
Dec 7, 1985
While taping a commercial, Raj accidentally accepts a wrestling match with the ferocious Mama's Boy Jones after he insults the wrestler's mother.
Married or Not
Dec 14, 1985
When Raj opts a softball game over attending an art show with Nadine, who strongly objects, the couple begins to think each other selfish and split up.
The Improbable Dream
Dec 21, 1985
The entire gang became characters from The Wizard of Oz when Carolyn is accidentally knocked unconscious.
Rags to Riches
Jan 18, 1986
When Rerun's new investment manager makes him a wealthy man, his old friends find they're losing him to the fast life.
Goodbye, Mr. Ripps
Jan 25, 1986
When the gang hears that their favorite teacher, and renown practical joker, is retiring, they plan the ultimate farewell party.
Dee and Dwayne
Feb 1, 1986
When Dwayne takes Dee to a rock concert, a romance seems to flare up between them, much to the displeasure of protective brother Raj.
Mr. First Nighter
Feb 8, 1986
Raj writes a play, and to help him out in launching the project, his friends agree to take on the roles, where it appears they really begin to live out their parts with comical results.
Shirley's Pen Pal
Mar 1, 1986
Romance blossoms for Shirley when the Navy seaman she has been writing to for years comes to town.
Nadine's Boss
Mar 8, 1986
An efficiency expert with the nickname 'Pink-Slip Patty' gives Nadine and her fellow social workers a case of the jitters — which eventually affects Raj the same way.
The Wedding
Apr 28, 1986
When the legality of their first wedding is questioned, Raj and Nadine decide to get married all over again. While they want to simply go the courthouse and redo the paperwork, the gang wants them to have a real wedding. Eventually, the planning causes tension between everyone.
