Jimmie Walker stars as Sonny Barnes, a former con artist, who has been caught by the authorities and sentenced to five years of community service. He is placed in the home of social worker Mimi Shaw (Vonetta McGee), who lives with four orphans: Rudey (Larry O. Williams, Jr.), Trish (Tyren Perry), Nikky (Aaron Lohr), and Sue Anne (Marie Cole). Sonny lives in the basement and works around the house doing odd jobs. Meanwhile, the kids all love listening to Sonny's often exaggerated tales.[2]
Mimi decides that Sonny is a poor role model for the kids when they neglect their chores to listen to his colorful stories.
2
"The Baby"
Unknown
Unknown
September 26, 1987 (1987-09-26)
Mimi's widowed friend is pregnant and determined to give up the baby, but when she goes into labor at Mimi's house the gang conspires to change her mind.
3
"Turn Around"
Unknown
Unknown
October 3, 1987 (1987-10-03)
A rough day leaves Mimi unable to deal with the children's demands so Sonny steps in and handles their problems expertly much to her surprise.
4
"Cold Water Blues"
Unknown
Unknown
October 10, 1987 (1987-10-10)
Sonny uses mind over muscle to get "Honest Pete" the plumber to fix the water heater.
5
"Homeless, Sweet Homeless"
Unknown
Unknown
October 17, 1987 (1987-10-17)
The children helps a homeless man who helps himself to Sonny's clothes, then makes a unique contribution to the family garage sale.
6
"Sisters"
Unknown
Unknown
October 24, 1987 (1987-10-24)
Mimi plans a fun-filled but inexpensive party for Sue Anne, but her well to do sister (Margaret Avery) turns it into a lavish gala.
7
"Go for the Gold"
Unknown
Unknown
October 31, 1987 (1987-10-31)
Sonny trains Rudy for the "Special Games" and regaling the teen with tales of his days as an athlete. Kareem Abdul Jabbar guest stars
8
"Wet Weather Ahead"
Unknown
Unknown
November 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
Sonny helps one of the boys overcome a bed wetting problem, Mimi helps Sonny and Trish deal with their fear of rodents.
9
"I Paint What I See"
Unknown
Unknown
November 14, 1987 (1987-11-14)
Sue Anne creates a painting of her neighborhood for the third grade art show, but the school's art director won't allow her to submit it. Little Richard and Bern Nadette Stanis guest star
10
"Rain, Rain, Go Away"
Unknown
Unknown
November 21, 1987 (1987-11-21)
When the children finds the money, Sonny wants to use the cash to fix the leaky roof, but Mimi wants to turn the money over to the police.
11
"Seems Like Old Times"
Unknown
Unknown
November 28, 1987 (1987-11-28)
The household is disrupted by a visit from Sonny's old buddy Satin who reacts violently when Rudy discovers a secret that Satin's been keeping.
12
"Words of Wisdom"
Unknown
Unknown
December 5, 1987 (1987-12-05)
Sonny is named a finalist in a slogan writing contest, but it was Nicky who submitted the entry in Sonny's name.
13
"The Kindest Cut"
Unknown
Unknown
January 30, 1988 (1988-01-30)
Rudy and Sonny both have sore throats, but hey are reluctant to follow the doctor's orders when he prescribes a tonsillectomy for both of them. Dick Anthony Williams guest star.
14
"Doo Wop"
Unknown
Unknown
February 6, 1988 (1988-02-06)
Sonny may have promised more than he can deliver when he assures Mimi that legendary soul singer Calvin James will perform at a fund raiser.
15
"Oh, Big Brother"
Arlando Smith
Richard W. Baxter
February 13, 1988 (1988-02-13)
Rudy feels neglected when Sonny spends all his time earning money for a trip to Jamaica, Sue Anne's teacher has the cure for Sue Anne's sudden illness.
16
"Scammed Straight"
Marlena Laird
Gordon Mitchell
February 20, 1988 (1988-02-20)
When Rudy has difficulty earning the money to go on a class trip, Sonny makes the mistake of telling Rudy how he raised cash in his youth.
17
"The Grass Isn't Greener"
Arlando Smith
Sara V. Finney & Vida Spears
February 27, 1988 (1988-02-27)
Trish hopes to make a good impression at her wealthy friend's country club and Sonny hopes to make a good fortune with a skin cream scheme.
18
"Snow Place Like Home"
Unknown
Unknown
March 5, 1988 (1988-03-05)
When Mimi and Sonny are stranded in a snowstorm, The children call the police to report them kidnapped so that the search will began immediately.
19
"The Parent Trap"
Unknown
Unknown
April 9, 1988 (1988-04-09)
Rudy is ambient about the news that his mother is coming to take him home with her, Sonny has a toothache but is reluctant to go to the dentist. Little Richard guest stars
20
"The Gang's All Here"
Unknown
Unknown
April 16, 1988 (1988-04-16)
Rudy is excited about gaining membership to a new club called The Dragons and Mimi suspects that the club may actually be a gang.
21
"I Am Woman"
Unknown
Unknown
April 23, 1988 (1988-04-23)
Trish resents Mimi's interference in her plan to impress a boy and Sonny recruits Rudy and Nicky to work on his fast food truck.
22
"Nostalgia Ain't What It Used to Be"
Unknown
Unknown
April 30, 1988 (1988-04-30)
Sonny's not laughing when he finds out that Nicky has sold a rare and valuable comic book for five dollars.
23
"Rudeo and Tricia-ette"
Unknown
Unknown
May 7, 1988 (1988-05-07)
Trish saves Rudy's life and a grateful Rudy decides he's in love with her.
24
"It's a Great Big Wonderful World"
Unknown
Unknown
May 14, 1988 (1988-05-14)
The house is rife with tensions represent various countries in a school project.
25
"What's a Nice Girl Like You ...?"
Bob Lally
Ron Friedman
May 21, 1988 (1988-05-21)
Sonny brings home a young woman (Irene Cara) who claims to be an aspiring singer, but turns out to be a gun toting robber.
26
"It's a Pizza Cake"
Unknown
Unknown
May 28, 1988 (1988-05-28)
Sonny wins over the children when he outsmarts the cranky owner of a pizza parlor.