Characters on "What's Happening!!" Quiz

Answer: Roger Thomas

If there is a central character on "What's Happening!!" it is Roger "Raj" Thomas. It is his family who frequently appear on the show, not those of his friends. It is his friends that frequently appear on the show, not those of other family members. Roger's appearance is distinctive because of his thin frame and eyeglasses.

His dream is to be a writer. In one episode he is saving money to enroll in a writing correspondence course and in another to purchase a typewriter. During the show's first season, he sells a short story to a children's magazine.

He was portrayed by Ernest Thomas (born 1949) also starred in the revival "What's Happening Now!!" as well as the 2012 film "The Lords of Salem".

Answer: Ms. Collins

Ms. Collins was a history teacher and newspaper advisor at the high school that Roger, Dwayne, and Rerun (Freddy) attended. She saw great promise in Roger but also convinced the principal to temporarily expel after a long train or practical joke that he played against her.

In an episode where Mabel takes a course in night school, Ms. Collins teaches the class. Ms. Collins was portrayed by Fritzi Burr (1924-2003), who also appeared on "Sanford and Son" and in the 1968 film "Funny Girl".

Answer: Mabel Thomas

Mabel Thomas was the mother of Roger and Dee and ex-wife of Bill. She worked long hours as a maid to support her children. The show used "fat jokes" less often with her than with Freddy (Rerun) or Shirley. The most frequent one was her hugging one of her children, who would say "Mama, I can't breathe." She did not appear in the show's final season, being described as caring for a sick relative out-of-state. Mabel Thomas was played by Mabel King (1932-1999), who also starred in the original stage production and movie versions of "The Wiz".

Answer: Diane Harris

Diane Harris was a classmate of Roger, Dwayne, and Rerun (Freddy) and often appeared in scenes set in the classroom or at Rob's Place in the first two seasons. In the pilot episode, Diane (then with the last name Stewart) was hosting a house party of which her parents were unaware. Diane Harris was played by Debbie Morgan (born 1951), who also appeared in the series "All My Children" and "Charmed".

Answer: Dwayne Nelson

Dwayne was easily frightened but once stood up to a controlling ex-boyfriend of a girl he was dating. Once he changed his plans to take Shirley out so she wouldn't feel self conscious when attending a party. His regular greeting when walking in the Thomas house was "Hey, hey, hey." He can sometimes be very shy. Dwayne Nelson was played by Heywood Nelson (born 1960), who also appeared in the series "Grady" and "What's Happening Now!!"

Answer: Rob

Rob, whose last name was never given on the show, was the owner of "Rob's Place", where the gang often spent time after school. In one episode, he fired Shirley after she insulted the officer of a bank where Rob wanted a loan. Rob did not appear in "What's Happening Now!!" when Roger and Shirley by the now-abandoned business. Rob was played by Earl Biggins (born 1945), who also appeared on the short-lived series "South Central" and "Miss Guided".

Answer: Shirley Wilson

Shirley was the sarcastic waitress at Rob's Place who exchanged "fat joke" insults with Freddy (Rerun). When Mabel King left the show, Shirley became Dee's guardian. She came from a large family whom she helped her mother support after the death of her father. Shirley Wilson was portrayed by Shirley Hemphill (1947-1999), who also appeared in the series "One in a Million" and "What's Happening Now!!"

Answer: Bill Thomas

Bill Thomas was the father of Roger and Dee who appeared periodically in the first and second seasons of the show. In his first appearance he attempted to con money out of Roger, but later became a more caring father. In one episode, he pretended to lose his job as a cab driver so he could move back into the Thomas House as a boarder to give money to the struggling family that the proud Mabel would not accept otherwise. Bill Thomas was played by Thalmus Rasulala (1939-1991), who also appeared on "One Life to Live" and the movie "Blacula".

Answer: Freddy Stubbs

Freddy Stubbs was known as Rerun for often having to retake classes in summer school. He could often be seen with a red beret and rainbow colored suspenders.
He was often greedy for money and known for his large appetite. He and Shirley would often trade "fat joke" insults. Freddy "Rerun" Stubbs was played by Fred Berry (1951-2003), who also starred in the first season of "What's Happening Now!!" and later became a Baptist minister.

Answer: Dee Thomas

Dee was the bratty younger sister of Roger who often threatened to snitch on Him to their mother unless he played her a quarter. On some occasions she could show kindness, such as when she offered the money from her piggy bank to an out of work Shirley.

She had a great love of peanut butter, which she could be seen eating in several episodes. Dee Thomas was portrayed by Danielle Spencer (born 1965), who later became a veterinarian.