Guest stars and more guest stars seem to be the theme of
Sanford and Son's very funny fifth season (1975-1976). The 25 episodes feature a parade of celebrities supporting stars Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson in guest and recurring roles, including John Larroquette and Robert Guillaume in
Steinberg and Son, a TV sitcom based on Fred and Lamont's life; Marlene Clark as Lamont's girlfriend June; Nancy (
The Beverly Hillbillies) as Officer Hoppy's overprotective mom; and George Foreman, Merv Griffin, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme as themselves. The other addition to the series comes with the introduction of the Sanford Arms, a apartment built on former neighbor Julio's place, and which comes complete with a host of eccentric guests (the hotel, along with
Sanford stars LaWanda Page and Don Bexley, would be the focus of its own short-lived sitcom following
Sanford and Son's cancellation in 1977).
Otherwise, it's business as usual at Fred and Lamont's junkyard, with the pair getting involved in bank robberies, earthquakes, and escort services, while still finding time to go camping (in the season finale, written by Garry Shandling). The sheer amount of laughs offered by season 5 was a strong reminder of why the show had remained so popular for four seasons; unfortunately, time slot changes and the disinterest of both leads would spell the show's demise only one season later. As with the other Sanford sets, the fifth season box contains no supplemental features. --Paul Gaita
1 REDD'S THE GREATEST
I am and have been a devout fan of Redd Foxx and Sanford and Son. I have purchased all of the box sets that have been released, but I am still waiting on the set that has the episode with BB King on it. It's my all time favorite.
By watching his shows you can definitely see that Redd Foxx was loved by many many people. He will always be a star in my heart.
2 When is season 6 coming out?
I have all of the Sanford and son dvd's, and watched every single one succession. But, I do agree the fifth season is when the show started to "jump the shark" so to speak. There wasn't enough Grady. I loved Grady, he did a good job filling in for REd Foxx in the 3rd season. I still think Sanford and Son was the best show ever.
3 When the show started to go downhill
Sanford and Son's 5th season shows one of the best sitcoms ever created running out of steam. While Redd Foxx was funny as ever, especially when he was insulting Aunt Esther, the writing really went downhill. Fred Sanford seemed to becoming the Ralph Kramden of the '70s, entering one big money making scheme after another (selling Whopper Choppers, having a circus in his junkyard, opening a Japanese restaurant in his house, etc). Grady, played by Whitman Mayo, made far less appearances due to his ill-fated spinoff of the same name. There were still several funny episodes in Season 5 with the best being "The Over The Hill Gag" and "Bank On This" from Disc 1 and "Sanford And Son Rising", "The Olympics", "The Oddfather", and "Can You Chop This" from Disc 2. As stated earlier, the writing was getting stale. In "Brother, Can You Spare An Act?", Fred and Lamont show their singing and tap dancing skills respectively. Which makes you ask the question, "Why are they working in a junkyard?" The "Steinberg And Son" episode, where Fred and Lamont attempt to sue over a show that copies their lives, was very unrealistic. Lamont's character was getting softer as he engaged to be married to his fiance Janet. Special guests such as Della Reese and George Foreman were making appearances and there were a few flashback episodes, clear signs that the writers were running out of ideas. If you're a big fan of the show, you'll still enjoy most of the episodes here as even the weaker episodes have their moments. It just isn't consistently humorous like nearly every episode from Seasons 1-3 and most of Season 4.
4 GREAT! Bring on season 6!!!!!!!!!
Cannot wait til season 6 comes out. Cannot wait to own the entire series.As soon as season 6 comes out i will immediately be ordering.Such a good show.
5 "Wolf woman don't come out until there's a full moon."
Add another 25 episodes of the classic Sanford & Son to your collection with the Complete Season 5! If you own the 5 seasons of Sanford & Son available right now, then you have 111 of the 136 episodes of this essential show(leaving the 25 episodes that will wrap up the series in Season 6). There are some opinions that say Season 5 was when the show started to run out of steam. The reality is this season offers tons of laughs because of the talent of it's stars, especially Redd Foxx, who despite being unhappy with the show, continued to turn out hilarious performances as always as Fred G. Sanford (that's S-A-N-F-O-R-D period). The same can be said for Demond Wilson and the supporting cast. Season 5 saw the appearances of new characters like Lamont's fiancee Janet, Officer Hoppy's Mom, and Hutch, one of the residents of the new "Sanford Arms" boarding house. This season is also notable for several guest appearances such as Robert Guillaume (Benson), John Larroquette (Night Court), Della Reese, Merv Griffin, and George Foreman. Discs 1 & 2 each have 9 episodes and Disc 3 has 7. Here are the episode titles for Season 5 (Sept 75-Mar 76):
01. Earthquake II
02. Divorce, Sanford Style
03. Bank on this
04. The Sanford Arms
05. Steinberg & Son
06. Brother, can you spare an act?
07. Della, Della, Della
08. Donna pops the question
09. My fair Esther
10. Sanford and Rising Son
11. The Olympics
12. Ebenezer Sanford
13. The Oddfather
14. Can you Chop this?
15. Greatest Show in Watts
16. Fred Sanford has a baby
17. The TV Addict
18. Lamont in Love
19. The Escorts
20. Engagement man always rings twice
21. The Director
22. A Pain in the Neck
23. Sergeant Gork
24. The Over the Hill Gag
25. Camping Trip
Trivia:
*The episode where Lamont thinks Fred has 6 months to live, "The Over the Hill Gag", was actually produced and aired during the 4th season (Mar 75). For some reason it was not included on the 4th season set.
*The episode "The Sanford Arms" spawned a very short lived spin off series with the same name. The show mostly featured Aunt Esther and Bubba, but with no Fred and Lamont, it didn't make it. There were only 8 episodes, 4 of which actually aired. It ranks last in success among the 3 Sanford & Son spinoffs ("Grady" being second with 12 episodes)
*The most successful spin off from Sanford & Son, not surprisingly, featured Redd Foxx reclaiming his classic role. The sitcom, appropriately titled "Sanford" featured Fred alongside new sidekick Cal. There were also appearances by S&S regulars Esther, Grady, & Rollo. It lasted for two seasons (Mar 1980 to July 1981). Hopefully it will see a DVD release for all of us wanting more Redd Foxx after Sanford & Son is complete.
Excerpt from "My Fair Esther":
Lamont: She's gonna be competing with her own peers.
Fred: Her peers?
Lamont: Yes.
Fred: You mean Godzilla is in the contest?
I'm so glad this is on DVD!
6 The greatest sitcom ever made!
I am writing this review to let everyone know that this is the greatest sitcom ever made. I watch seasons 1-4 over and over gain they are classics! Redd Foxx is a comic genuis who should be appreciated for his immense talents! The entire cast is great from Grady to his son Lamont to his friend Bubba they are all funny. I am excited to see season 5 it will be just as good as the previous 4. Go out and buy every last one of these DVD's they are instant classics! R.I.P. Redd Foxx
7 Sanford and Son becomes Sanford and Son all the more fun.
If anyone in the world asked me why a white man like me watches a black comedy sitcome my reply would and will be this. Sanford and Son is the most funniest tv comedy series the 1970's and in all the world. Redd Foxx who played Fred Sanford is one of the most funniest comedian actors of my time I grew up watching all of the black comedies. and every single one of them rock,and in some cases they make white tv series comedies look like amateurlistic crap. but don't get me wrong brotha's and sista's I do love white comedy sitcomes and they are also great. I love most all things in television. but to the brotha's and sista's of america, and in all the world in my opinion, black comedies will always make me laugh, and SANFORD AND SON WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. and last but certainly not least. the very specialy talented Demond Wilson who successfuly palyed Lamont Sanford. of course known to his father as Dummy, played a loving character that not even the orginal actor was going to play the son Cleavon Little would have matched. and here is 2 factors. 1. Demond Wilson in the 70's during the shows run had a comedic approch to everything and everybody around in his performances. he was a witty and charming black fellow and just 100 percent smart when it came time for Fred Sanford to start faking heart attacks, and alway saying the classic line that fans will never forget. you here that "Elizabeth,I'm comin to join you honey." and one of my many favs. try walkin while you talkin. but back to Demond Wilson. Demond but on a show for 6 long seasons and he was and still his hip to every thing he said. and in my opinion, he was an early version of what Three's Company star John Ritter eventualy became, and this was as far as Jack getting the women. and that to me is really fantastic. 2 Demond Wilson just did a fantastic job. Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson did a unforgettable great job. I am happy to announce that i pre-ordered Sanford and Son: the fifth season. and believe me, i already know it's going to be halarious. and as far as the the sixth and final finale of this great show, it will to be a halarious. i conclude with this in mind. when Redd Foxx walked away from Sanford and Son in 1977 the show was not getting tired. the show eneded because Redd walked away from the show and said that's it. no more Sanford and Son. and walked off. Norma Miller who played Grady Wilson's girlfriend in a episode called Grady and his Lady said on The E True Hollywood Story confirms this fact. the greatest role you ever had in your life and you are going to walk away from it. i have that documentary and what she said confirms that. thanks Norma for clearing that up. the show was to good to become tired. another reason why he left the show was he had been at odd struck with his producers Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear. the 2 greats of Sanford and Son. in the second great season Redd wanted more money so Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear from Tandem productions tore up the original contracts and gave both Red Foxx and and i'm almsost postive Demond Wilson also got more money as well. But the tensions we're happening with Redd more than Demond. and also. his marriage was in ruins for quite some time at that point. well, thanks for all the memories and all that Columbia Tri star has to offer the entire regular cast of the show to Bud and Norman Lear. thank you and godbless to some of the cast memebers who have past on. Whitman Mayo, LaWanda Page, and others. and of course the 4 greats you made this happen. FROM TANDEM PRODUCTIONS: BUD YORKIN- NORMAN LEAR- and the 2 male leads REDD FOXX, and DEMOND WILSON. thanks again. and i will never forget it. Marty.
8 A GREAT MAN
Redd Foxx was a genuine human being, great comic, and Sanford and Son was the greatest comedy show ever. When he gained notoriety for this sitcom, he unselfishly brought in an array of his real-life friends and colleagues in showbiz, which gave them the opportunity to become household names themselves. He was a master showman, wonderful son to his mother, Mary, and never forgot where he came from.
Having the opportunity to perform in his stage act with the Norma Miller Jazz/Lindy Dancers, it was one of the best times of my life! (Norma Miller also played the part of Dolly Simpson, Grady's fiancˇ in an episode of Sanford). Foxx also had a short-lived variety show on NBC "The Redd Foxx Show" that wasn't given the credit it was due. It too was a great show with more unsung heros of comic genuis, novelty acts and unsurpassed showbiz veterans. (I'm hoping those episodes become available for DVD purchase someday). I'll never forget Redd Foxx, the spirit of which I will forever uphold.
9 Redd Foxx is still a way of Life for me
this is Probably my All time Favorite Show when push comes to shove. but yeah the show started losing it's flavor by season five. there was alot of issues going down&things started taking it's toll.but never the less I'm a Die-Hard of the show&always will be.
10 I Love Sanford & Son even if the show is silence:)
I love Sanford & Son Show and think that Redd foxx is the greatest and the show is one of the best comedy shows, Sanford & Son is simply GREAT:)
11 One foot in the grave, the other on a Banana peel
By the time the fifth season of Sanford and Son came around,it was obvious that the show was on it's last leg.
Despites some funny episodes (Earthquake II,Steinberg and Son,My Fair Esther, Sanford and Rising Son, The TV Addict and The Director featuring George Foreman) we get a ton of stinkers (Sergeant Gork, The Oddfather, Can You Chop This?, Greatest Show in Watts and A Pain in the Neck).
Aside from the supporting cast becoming more prominant, the season also introduces Janet,Lamont's new fiancee,, Hutch and May Hopkins (Hoppy's Mother) , two resident of the new Sanford Arms.
Even with the new recurring charaters,it's obvious Sanford and Son was getting tired, and the fact that the two leads quitting the show after the next and final season makes this obvious.
