List of Sanford and Son episodes

Sanford and Son is an American sitcom based on the BBC sitcom Steptoe and Son that aired Fridays at 8:00-8:30 pm (EST) on NBC from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977. Starring Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson, the series follows Fred G. Sanford and his son Lamont Sanford as they operate a junk and antique dealership out of their home.

Series overview

Season		Episodes	Originally aired
			First aired	Last aired
	1	14	January 14, 1972	April 14, 1972
	2	24	September 15, 1972	March 16, 1973
	3	24	September 14, 1973	March 29, 1974
	4	25	September 13, 1974	April 25, 1975
	5	24	September 12, 1975	March 19, 1976
	6	25	September 24, 1976	March 25, 1977

Episodes

Pilot

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production No.
1	1	"Crossed Swords"	Bud Yorkin & Norman Lear	Bud Yorkin	February 21, 1971	1

Season 1 (1972)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production No.
1	1	"Crossed Swords"	Bud Yorkin	Aaron Ruben	January 14, 1972	1
Lamont (Demond Wilson) buys a porcelain figure for $15 from a silent movie star. After having it appraised, Lamont and Fred (Redd Foxx) decide to sell it at an auction. They attend the auction pretending to be buyers to bid the price even higher. However, things go awry to Lamont's dismay. The first of 16 stories adapted from Steptoe and Son based on the episode with the same title and some parts from "The Offer" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
2	2	"Happy Birthday, Pop"	Bud Yorkin	Aaron Ruben	January 21, 1972	2
During his birthday celebration, Fred is overwhelmed by a visit to a fancy bar, a movie theater to see Fiddler on the Roof, and dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Based on "65 Today" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
3	3	"Here Comes the Bride, There Goes the Bride"	Bud Yorkin	Aaron Ruben	January 28, 1972	3
Lamont is excited about his upcoming wedding, but on the big day he quickly finds himself the only one who is. The bride dumps him at the altar, and his relatives beg to get back their wedding gifts. Based on "And Afterwards At..." by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
4	4	"The Copper Caper"	Bud Yorkin	Aaron Ruben	February 4, 1972	4
Fred and Lamont buy a load of copper from a man who has been stealing it from people in the neighborhood. Based on "The Lead Man Cometh" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
5	5	"A Matter of Life and Breath"	George Tyne	Aaron Ruben	February 11, 1972	5
Concerned about his father's smoker's cough, Lamont brings Fred in for a free tuberculosis screening at the American Lung Association's Breathmobile. The test results take his breath away. Based on "T.B. or Not T.B." by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
6	6	"We Were Robbed"	Coby Ruskin	Aaron Ruben	February 18, 1972	6
O, what a tangled web Fred weaves when he fakes a robbery to cover-up his careless destruction of Lamont's prized porcelain and glass collection. Based on "Robbery with Violence" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
7	7	"A Pad for Lamont"	Bob LaHendro	Aaron Ruben	February 25, 1972	7
Fed up with his father frustrating his love life, Lamont strikes out on his own and rents a swingin' bachelor pad. Based on "A Box in Town" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
8	8	"The Great Sanford Siege"	Peter Baldwin	Aaron Ruben	March 3, 1972	8
The Sanfords haven't been paying their bills and now find themselves trapped in their home in a standoff with a process server and a collection agency ready to repossess their unpaid furniture. Based on "The Siege of Steptoe Street" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
9	9	"Coffins for Sale"	Charles S. Dubin	Aaron Ruben	March 10, 1972	9
Lamont's keeping a pair of coffins in the living room spooks superstitious Fred. Based on "The Wooden Overcoats" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
10	10	"The Barracuda"	Charles S. Dubin	Aaron Ruben	March 17, 1972	10
Fred's in love and engaged to be married, but not if Lamont can help it. Based on "The Stepmother" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
11	11	"TV or Not TV"	Peter Baldwin	Aaron Ruben	March 24, 1972	11
In need of a new color television, Fred is upset when Lamont decides to spend the money instead on a new car. Lamont has a change of heart, however, when Fred wanders away from home and is taken to the hospital - with an apparent case of amnesia. Based on "The Colour Problem" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
12	12	"The Suitcase Case"	Peter Baldwin	Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell	March 31, 1972	12
Lamont's daily haul of junk includes a tattered briefcase stuffed with stolen cash. Will Fred and Lamont decide whether to keep it or turn it over to the police before the crook it belongs to comes looking for it?
13	13	"The Return of the Barracuda"	Peter Baldwin	Aaron Ruben	April 7, 1972	13
Fred and Donna kiss and make up, sparking Lamont to hatch new plans for putting the kibosh on Cupid.
14	14	"The Piano Movers"	Bruce Bilson	Aaron Ruben	April 14, 1972	14
It's putting the match to the powder keg when rough and tumble Fred and Lamont are engaged to remove a piano from the lavish Beverly Hills apartment of a cultured antiques collector. Based on "The Piano" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.

Season 2 (1972–73)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production No.
15	1	"By the Numbers"	Peter Baldwin	Terry Ryan	September 15, 1972	17
Freeloading family and friends flock to fleece the golden sheep when Fred plays the numbers.
16	2	"Whiplash"	Rick Edelstein	Allan Katz & Don Reo	September 22, 1972	19
Fred's fine following his fender bender with a Cadillac, but Bubba convinces him to claim whiplash and then lay claim to a gold mine in monetary damages.
17	3	"The Dowry"	Jack Shea	Richard Pryor & Paul Mooney	September 29, 1972	21
Cousin Grady's overweight stepdaughter stands to receive a $10,000 dowry on her wedding day, which sets Fred to playing matchmaker with Lamont.
18	4	"Jealousy"	Jack Shea	Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell	October 6, 1972	22
When Donna said she would be bringing a patient to dinner, Fred didn't expect the spry and sophisticated Osgood Wilcox.
19	5	"Tooth or Consequences"	Peter Baldwin	Ilunga Adell	October 13, 1972	23
After all else fails, fraidy-cat Fred finally agrees to see a dentist for his toothache.
20	6	"The Card Sharps"	Peter Baldwin	Aaron Ruben	October 27, 1972	18
Lamont won't heed Fred's warnings that he's being played for a sucker by some canny card sharps. Based on "Full House" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
21	7	"Have Gun, Will Sell"	Rick Edelstein	Ilunga Adell	November 3, 1972	20
After Fred and Lamont scare away a burglar, they realize that he left his gun at their house. Lamont and Rollo then pressure Fred into going to a pawn shop to try and sell the gun.
22	8	"The Puerto Ricans Are Coming!"	Peter Baldwin	Allan Katz & Don Reo	November 10, 1972	25
Fred's fighting mad to find that his new neighbor is a Puerto Rican man with a goat.
23	9	"The Shootout"	Peter Baldwin	Allan Katz & Don Reo	November 17, 1972	24
Lamont brings home an antique Revolutionary War rifle and Fred finds out whether it can still fire after 200 years.
24	10	"Blood Is Thicker Than Junk"	Peter Baldwin	Allan Katz & Don Reo	November 24, 1972	16
After a nasty spat Sanford and Son split up. Fred hires a new man to replace Lamont, who signs on to work with a competing junk dealer.
25	11	"Sanford and Son and Sister Makes Three"	Rick Edelstein	Richard Pryor & Paul Mooney	December 1, 1972	27
A husband-seeking old flame of Fred's returns with a shocking revelation about her daughter, who has sparked a flaming passion in Lamont's heart.
26	12	"A Guest in the Yard"	Jack Shea	Ilunga Adell	December 8, 1972	29
Fred and Lamont discover that no good deed goes unpunished when the homeless man they help plays the Sanfords for suckers, resisting their every effort to throw him out.
27	13	"Fred & Carol & Fred & Donna"	Rick Edelstein	Lloyd Garver & Ken Hecht	December 15, 1972	28
Two-timing Fred's in the soup when he accidentally double books his dining room table by inviting both his fiancée Donna and the attractive saleswoman Carol over for supper on the same evening.
28	14	"The Light Housekeeper"	Peter Baldwin	Teleplay by: Lee Kalcheim and Aaron Ruben Story by: Lee Kalcheim	December 22, 1972	15
Lamont hires a housekeeper, but Fred isn't wild about her being white.
29	15	"The Big Party"	Jack Shea	Teleplay by: Odie Hawkins and Aaron Ruben Story by: Odie Hawkins	January 5, 1973	30
Behind on their bills, Fred and Lamont look to raise money by throwing a house party and charging admission. LaWanda Page makes her first appearance as Aunt Esther.
30	16	"A Visit from Lena Horne"	Jack Shea	Allan Katz & Don Reo	January 12, 1973	26
Fast-thinking Fred fools Lena Horne into visiting the Sanford home after he spins her a sob story about little lame Lamont who looks upon Lena as a second mother.
31	17	"Lamont Goes African"	Jack Shea	Ilunga Adell	January 19, 1973	31
Lamont looks to reinvent himself by adopting an African name and lifestyle.
32	18	"Watts Side Story"	Jack Shea	Lloyd Garver & Ken Hecht	January 26, 1973	32
Lamont just met a girl named Maria (Migdia Chinea), but she's Julio's Puerto Rican sister, and the possibility of an interracial romance ruffles the feathers of both Fred and Mrs. Fuentes.
33	19	"The Infernal Triangle"	Sid McCoy	Aaron Ruben	February 2, 1973	34
Fred announces his engagement to Judy, a woman young enough to have been his daughter-in-law, who is also Lamont's ex-girlfriend. Based on "Two's Company" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
34	20	"Pops 'n' Pals"	Rick Edelstein	Allan Katz & Don Reo	February 9, 1973	33
Jealous of Lamont's friendship with Julio, Fred tries to be a buddy to his son.
35	21	"Home Sweet Home for the Aged"	Peter Baldwin	Aaron Ruben	February 16, 1973	35
Before setting off to sail the world aboard a tramp steamer, Lamont must convince Fred to move into a retirement home. Based on "Homes Fit for Heroes" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
36	22	"Pot Luck"	Peter Baldwin	Aaron Ruben	February 23, 1973	36
Lamont takes advantage of an ignorant seller and buys an antique commode for $20, greedily anticipating reselling it for a tremendous profit. Based on "The Three Feathers" by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.
37	23	"The Kid"	Jack Shea	Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell	March 9, 1973	37
A lonely latchkey kid stows away on Lamont's truck and spends a day with the Sanfords.
38	24	"Rated X"	Peter Baldwin	Ilunga Adell	March 16, 1973	38
Fred tags along to a movie casting call that Lamont and Rollo hope will make them respected black actors, not suspecting this film is blue.

Season 3 (1973–74)

Note: Twenty-five episodes were written for Season Three, but the nineteenth was never taped due to contract disputes with Redd Foxx and producers of the show. The negotiations led to Foxx being absent from the last six episodes, but he returned to the series at the beginning of Season Four.

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production No.
39	1	"Lamont as Othello"	Peter Baldwin	Ilunga Adell	September 14, 1973	40
Fred is uneasy with Lamont's rehearsing Othello with a white actress in their home, so Marilyn invites Fred and Lamont to come to her home in Beverly Hills.
40	2	"Libra Rising All Over Lamont"	Jack Shea	Ilunga Adell	September 21, 1973	43
As an astrologer tells Lamont that as a Libra he must avoid strife and arguing, hypochondriac Fred is home suffering from gas after eating eight-day-old collard greens.
41	3	"Fred, the Reluctant Fingerman"	Jack Shea	Gene Farmer	September 28, 1973	44
Fred, fearing retaliation after witnessing a robbery at Julio's, is unwilling to get involved by describing the burglars to the police.
42	4	"Presenting the Three Degrees"	Peter Baldwin	Ilunga Adell	October 5, 1973	42
The Three Degrees, the Philadelphia-based singing trio, are the Sanfords' house-guests. The ladies perform "I Didn't Know" for Fred.
43	5	"This Little TV Went to Market"	Peter Baldwin	Gene Farmer	October 12, 1973	41
Grady claims the television Fred got for a steal from Guy's Groovy Grabbag was indeed stolen--from him.
44	6	"Lamont, Is That You?"	Peter Baldwin	James R. Stein & Robert Illes	October 19, 1973	39
Fred fears Lamont and Rollo are homosexuals after Bubba reports seeing them go into the Gay Blade Bar.
45	7	"Fuentes, Fuentes, Sanford & Chico"	Jack Shea	Gene Farmer	October 26, 1973	45
Feeling betrayed when Lamont starts a sideline business with Julio, Fred moves out and into a downtown flophouse.
46	8	"Superflyer"	Peter Baldwin	Teleplay by: Charles T. Williams and Ilunga Adell Story by: Charles T. Williams	November 2, 1973	48
Fred's Uncle Leotis dies and leaves him $1,500, but the catch to collecting it is Fred and Lamont must fly to St. Louis and oversee the funeral arrangements. But steady Freddy isn't sure he's ready to take his first flight in an airplane.
47	9	"The Members of the Wedding" "The Engagement"	Jack Shea	James R. Stein & Robert Illes	November 9, 1973	49
Fred and Donna are to be married on Sunday, but Lamont plots to put them asunder before the Lord joins them together by inviting to the wedding his Aunt Esther and the rest of Fred's irascible in-laws.
48	10	"The Blind Mellow Jelly Collection" "The Chameleon"	Mark Warren	Phil Mishkin	November 16, 1973	47
Lamont becomes annoyed that Fred is constantly playing old blues records featuring a band named Blind Mellow Jelly. Then, he finds out the records are rare and could be worth several hundred dollars.
49	11	"A House is Not a Pool Room"	Jack Shea	Winston Moss	November 23, 1973	46
Lamont suffers buyer's remorse after the pool table he gave Fred for his birthday brings the boys over for billiards every day while Fred's work and girlfriend Donna go neglected.
50	12	"Grady, the Star Boarder"	Jack Shea	Gene Farmer	November 30, 1973	50
Fred seizes a financial opportunity when Grady gripes about his neighbors' fighting: invite Grady to come live in serenity for $60 a month with him and Lamont.
51	13	"Wine, Women & Aunt Esther" "Leaving the Nest"	Peter Baldwin	Teleplay by: Ilunga Adell Story by: James R. Stein & Robert Illes	December 14, 1973	52
Depressed about death and growing old, Fred and his drinking buddies determine to think young and go for the gusto by throwing a wild party, inviting topless waitress Fast Fanny and four of her fast friends to spice it up.
52	14	"Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe"	Jack Shea	Ilunga Adell	January 4, 1974	51
Fred's feathers get ruffled when an old friend from St. Louis comes to town claiming to be Lamont's actual father.
53	15	"Fred Sanford, Legal Eagle"	Bob LaHendro	Teleplay by: Gene Farmer Story by: Paul Mooney and Gene Farmer	January 11, 1974	53
When Lamont gets a traffic ticket, Fred convinces him to fight it in court, where the poor man's Perry Mason steps up to defend his son against the system.
54	16	"This Land is Whose Land?"	Peter Baldwin	Ilunga Adell	January 18, 1974	54
Fred, petty and prejudiced against his Puerto Rican neighbor, hires a surveyor to mark the legal property line to ensure Julio keeps his stuff off the Sanford side.
55	17	"Fred's Cheating Heart"	Stan Lathan	Ilunga Adell	February 1, 1974	55
After learning about the dangers and high risk of heart disease, Lamont plots to get his heart attack-prone father to the hospital for a cardio check-up.
56	18	"The Party Crasher"	Stan Lathan	Gene Farmer	February 8, 1974	56
Lamont and Rollo don't want to invite fuddy-duddy Fred to their party with a pair of live-wire women from Detroit.
57	19	"Lamont Goes Karate"	Bud Yorkin	Ilunga Adell	February 15, 1974	57
Lamont learns karate to defend himself against bully Jo Jo Jackson.
58	20	"Will the Real Fred Sanford Please Do Something"	Stan Lathan	Aaron Ruben	February 22, 1974	58
A woman Fred wooed over one too many boilermakers comes looking to take him up on his marriage proposal. Betty is bent on getting satisfaction and skeptical of Grady's insisting he's not Fred.
59	21	"Tyranny, Thy Name Is Grady"	Stan Lathan	Gene Farmer	March 1, 1974	59
With Fred away in St. Louis, Grady is put in charge of the house. He quickly makes his presence known by keeping Aunt Esther out and preventing Lamont from bringing girls home.
60	22	"Aunt Esther & Uncle Woodrow Pfft..."	Bud Yorkin	Ilunga Adell	March 8, 1974	60
"I'm not a cream puff!" declares Uncle Woody after Grady gives him an empowering man-to-man talk and sends him home to reclaim his castle. But Aunt Esther doesn't appreciate Grady's making a man of her mouse and shows that hell hath no fury like the wife of a worm turned.
61	23	"The Way to Lamont's Heart"	Hal Cooper	Story by: Paul Wayne & George Burditt Teleplay by: Paul Wayne & George Burditt and Aaron Ruben	March 15, 1974	61
Lamont's looking for a little lovin', but new girlfriend Judy is looking to settle down. When Lamont tells Judy he can't get married because his godfather Grady would disapprove, Judy sets to winning Grady's approval with a smile and a smoked pork butt, which sets Grady jumping to conclusions.
62	24	"Hello Cousin Emma, Goodbye Cousin Emma"	Hal Cooper	Bill Manhoff	March 29, 1974	62
Grady's cousin Emma blows in from the Windy City and promises to make the living easy for the two men, but Lamont has his doubts, especially after being bumped from his bedroom and having to share a bed with Grady.

Season 4 (1974–75)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production No.
63	1	"The Surprise Party"	Norman Abbott	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	September 13, 1974	71
Fred returns from St. Louis to a welcome home surprise party. Lamont must exercise diplomacy and peacekeeping after he bruises the feelings of both Fred and Grady.
64	2	"Matchmaker, Matchmaker"	Bill Foster	Jerry Ross	September 20, 1974	69
Lamont stands to inherit $7,000 if within a year he marries and has a son named after his late uncle George. Fred sees dollar signs, so he and Grady set to making marriage bells ring by turning to a computer dating service.
65	3	"Ol' Brown Eyes is Back"	Bill Foster	Rick Mittleman	September 27, 1974	68
Fred is celebrating 35 years in the junk business and snoops and finds his intended gift: a signet ring with his initials on it that Rollo got for a good price. Then Fred learns that among the items recently stolen from Frank Sinatra's hotel room was an initialed signet ring.
66	4	"Grady and His Lady"	Stan Lathan	Gene Farmer	October 4, 1974	70
Fred fears wedding bells will break up his beautiful friendship after Grady announces he's engaged to Dolly, so Fred plots to puncture the romance.
67	5	"There'll Be Some Changes Made"	Norman Abbott	Jerry Ross and Earl Pomerantz	October 11, 1974	66
Lamont moves out after a fight with Fred, but Fred lures his son back by agreeing to allow Lamont's eccentric encounter group to hold its meeting in their home. This episode introduces the recurring character Ah Chew.
68	6	"Going Out of Business"	Norman Abbott	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	October 18, 1974	67
To get a better tax break and increase their income, Lamont gets a job as a clerk at a haberdashery and Fred considers closing down Sanford & Son.
69	7	"Home Sweet Home"	Norman Abbott	Ted Bergman	October 25, 1974	73
A Japanese real estate firm wants to buy and tear down all the properties on the Sanfords' block in order to build a brewery.
70	8	"My Kingdom For a Horse"	Bill Foster	Arnie Rosen	November 1, 1974	72
Fred buys a retired thoroughbred racehorse, betting on a big profit after selling him as a breeding stud.
71	9	"Sanford and Niece"	Norman Abbott	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	November 8, 1974	74
Fred's tender side is stirred when his niece Elizabeth comes to visit and bears a striking resemblance to his late wife.
72	10	"Julio and Sister and Nephew"	Alan Rafkin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	November 15, 1974	76
Allergic to Chico the goat, Julio's sister and young nephew stay with the Sanfords. Controversy arises when young Roberto is placed down a grade in school because of his poor English skills.
73	11	"Fred's Treasure Garden"	Herbert Kenwith	Ilunga Adell	November 29, 1974	63
Among the vegetables growing in Grady's garden is "wild parsley," only Lamont and Rollo recognize it by a different name: marijuana!
74	12	"Tower Power"	Bill Foster	Calvin Kelly	December 6, 1974	78
A visit to a gallery of abstract art inspires Fred to create his magnum opus: a towering heap of junk.
75	13	"A Little Extra Security"	Herbert Kenwith	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	December 13, 1974	65
Grady receives an extra Social Security check by mistake and wastes no time celebrating his windfall, but the wind falls from his sails when he learns Mr. Hastings from the Social Security office is on his way over to the house.
76	14	"The Merger"	Bill Foster	Jerry Ross	December 20, 1974	77
The Sanfords and Julio agree to merge their competing junkyards and bank on business booming after they broadcast a television commercial.
77	15	"Once a Thief"	Herbert Kenwith	Winston Moss	December 27, 1974	64
Grady gets uptight when Lamont brings his ex-convict friend Herman home to stay until he can find a job.
78	16	"The Stand-Ins"	Bill Foster	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	January 17, 1975	82
The Sanfords welcome Fred's buddies Bow Legs and Al, who are bringing their song, dance and comedy act to an LA nightclub. When Al hurts his back, Fred and Lamont step up and step out in this revue episode highlighted by Billy Eckstine singing "Jelly Jelly."
79	17	"Strange Bedfellows"	Norman Abbott	Ted Bergman	January 24, 1975	75
Praise for Lamont's impassioned call into a radio political program sparks him to run for the state assembly. Will it be Mr. Sanford goes to Sacramento?
80	18	"The Masquerade Party"	Norman Abbott	Teleplay by: Ted Bergman Story by: Redd Foxx	January 31, 1975	80
In this spoof of "Let's Make a Deal," Fred, Grady and Bubba appear as contestants on "Wheel and Deal," hoping to win a birthday present for Lamont.
81	19	"Golden Boy"	Norman Abbott	George Yanok & Bob Garland	February 7, 1975	81
Fred hopes to get rich quick by becoming co-owner of a boxer dubbed Junior Joe Louis. It then becomes Fred and Grady's job to get Junior into fighting shape before Friday's bout.
82	20	"My Brother-in-Law's Keeper"	Norman Abbott	Ted Bergman	February 14, 1975	79
Fred is bothered and bewildered by his baby sister's marriage to a white man.
83	21	"The Headache"	Bill Foster	Arnie Rosen	February 21, 1975	83
Lamont's headache drives him to the psychologist's couch, where it is suggested the pain in Lamont's head is caused by the pain in the neck he lives with.
84	22	"The Stung"	Alan Rafkin	George Yanok & Bob Garland	February 28, 1975	85
Tired of Lamont telling him he's a loser at cards, Fred and his professional gambler friend play a prank on Lamont and his poker pals. But will Fred be left holding the dead man's hand?
85	23	"The Older Woman"	Alan Rafkin	Ted Bergman	March 7, 1975	84
Fred and Grady don disguises to discover the cougar who has her claws in Lamont's heart.
86	24	"The Over-the-Hill Gag"	Stan Lathan	Matt Robinson	March 14, 1975	87
Lamont misunderstands the doctor and believes Fred has only six months to live and lavishes love and kindness upon him. Fred's content to ride the gravy train, though it may land him in the soup.
87	25	"The Family Man"	Bud Yorkin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	April 25, 1975	86
The story of Grady and his eyebrow-raising gift to his daughter and son-in-law just before their cocktail party for stuffy university professors. This episode serves as the pilot for the spin-off Grady.

Season 5 (1975–76)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production No.
88	1	"Earthquake II"	Bill Foster	Jerry Ross	September 12, 1975	95
An earthquake shakes up the Sanfords, and the threat of an even bigger quake sparks Fred to sell the house and seek shelter in Las Vegas.
89	2	"Divorce, Sanford Style"	Alan Rafkin	Ted Bergman	September 19, 1975	91
Following a fight with Woodrow, Aunt Esther moves in with Fred and Lamont. Fred works overtime engineering a reconciliation so she'll return home.
90	3	"Bank on This"	Alan Rafkin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	September 26, 1975	92
Fred and Lamont are applying for a loan to finance their purchase of Julio's former property when a pair of robbers burst into the bank.
91	4	"The Sanford Arms"	Mark Warren	Ted Bergman	October 3, 1975	94
With the bank ready to foreclose, Fred and Lamont desperately seek to find tenants for the Sanford Arms.
92	5	"Steinberg and Son"	James Sheldon	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	October 10, 1975	97
The series spoofs itself when the characters in the new television show "Steinberg and Son" turn out to be Borscht Belt parallels to those in the life of Fred G. Sanford.
93	6	"Brother, Can You Spare an Act?"	Bill Foster	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	October 17, 1975	96
When Fred's white brother-in-law Rodney lands a job emceeing a local vaudeville revival, Fred, Lamont and Smiley Rogers help out by providing the song and dance.
94	7	"Della, Della, Della"	Mark Warren	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	October 31, 1975	100
When two competing politicians each seek to use Fred's junkyard for a campaign headquarters, Della Reese appeals to Fred to stand by her man.
95	8	"Donna Pops the Question"	James Sheldon	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	November 7, 1975	89
After receiving a proposal from another man, Donna gives Fred one final chance to marry her.
96	9	"My Fair Esther"	James Sheldon	Jerry Ross	November 14, 1975	98
Fred becomes a latter-day Henry Higgins when he undertakes the task of transforming ugly duckling Esther into a swan so she can win the Mrs. Watts Businessman's Contest and net Fred half the prize money.
97	10	"Sanford and Rising Son"	Mark Warren	Ted Bergman and Garry Shandling	November 21, 1975	102
Fred and Ah Chew team up and turn the Sanford home into a Japanese restaurant.
98	11	"The Olympics"	Mark Warren	Madelyn Davis & Bob Carroll, Jr.	December 5, 1975	90
Jealous of Donna's athletic new boyfriend, Fred begins training so he can challenge him in the Senior Olympics.
99	12	"Ebenezer Sanford"	James Sheldon	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	December 12, 1975	104
Tightfisted Fred gets a ghostly wake-up call in this spoof of "A Christmas Carol."
100	13	"The Oddfather"	James Sheldon	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	January 2, 1976	88
Fred is wounded while witnessing a mob hit and is hospitalized under police protection until he can identify Mr. Big.
101	14	"Can You Chop This?"	Mark Warren	Joni Rhodes	January 9, 1976	101
Fred plans to get rich quick by selling Whopper Chopper food processors, using Lamont's acting school tuition money to make his initial investment.
102	15	"Greatest Show in Watts"	Sid McCoy	Jerry Ross	January 16, 1976	99
While babysitting an elephant, Fred holds a circus in the junkyard, allowing the cast to display their talents, especially Aunt Esther as the Bronze Goddess.
103	16	"Fred Sanford Has a Baby"	James Sheldon	Jay Burton	January 23, 1976	103
A very pregnant woman rents Lamont's room for the week he's away on a fishing trip.
104	17	"The TV Addict"	Mark Warren	Jerry Ross	January 30, 1976	93
Fred's lifestyle of too much TV and too little exercise has Lamont concerned for his father's health, so Fred undergoes hypnotism to break his addiction to television.
105	18	"Lamont in Love"	Alan Rafkin	Ted Bergman	February 6, 1976	105
When Lamont falls in love with a mysterious woman, Fred and Esther play amateur sleuths to learn more about her.
106	19	"The Escorts"	Alan Rafkin	Jerry Ross	February 13, 1976	106
When Fred's friend Elroy can't find a date, Fred's inspired to launch his latest get rich quick scheme: an escort service for seniors.
107	20	"The Engagement Man Always Rings Twice"	Lewis Gomavitz	Ted Bergman	February 20, 1976	107
Lamont musters the courage to pop the question to Janet.
108	21	"The Director"	Alan Rafkin	Garry Shandling	February 27, 1976	110
Starstruck Fred assumes the director's chair when the champ George Foreman comes to star in a play for Lamont's theater workshop.
109	22	"A Pain in the Neck"	Alan Rafkin	Rick Mittleman	March 5, 1976	108
Fred's friends have got his back, as he discovers when he suffers from a backache on the day he is to receive the Watts Businessman's award and his friends rush to his aid with all kinds of quack cures.
110	23	"Sergeant Gork"	Bill Wyse	Teleplay by: Ted Bergman Story by: Redd Foxx and Ted Bergman	March 12, 1976	111
Fred regales young Roger with tall tales of his World War II exploits that draw more from the late movie than the history books.
111	24	"Camping Trip"	Alan Rafkin	Garry Shandling	March 19, 1976	109
Lamont brings Fred along on a camping trip to have some solitude and quality time together. Fred is no friend of nature and does nothing but complain...when the truck won't start they are stranded and begin to reminisce about old times.

Season 6 (1976–77)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production No.
112 113	1 2	"The Hawaiian Connection: Part 1" "The Hawaiian Connection: Part 2"	Alan Rafkin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	September 24, 1976	115 116
Luring Fred and Lamont to Hawaii, a trio of jewel thieves plot to make Fred their mule for smuggling stolen diamonds to California.
114	3	"The Hawaiian Connection: Part 3"	Alan Rafkin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	October 1, 1976	117
Fred and Lamont visit Hawaii tourist attractions while running for their lives from the jewel thieves.
115	4	"California Crude"	Norman Abbott	Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz	October 8, 1976	119
While Fred and Lamont are digging a garden, oil is discovered underground at the junk yard. Fred sees millions but before any money can be paid it must first be tested.
116	5	"The Stakeout"	Norman Abbott	Earl Barret	October 15, 1976	118
The police are looking for a fence named Alex Hacker who's been spotted coming in and out of The Sanford Arms. They use Fred and Lamont's home to stakeout the Arms. Meanwhile, Fred has a crush on a new lady tenant.
117	6	"I Dream of Choo-Choo Rabinowitz"	Alan Rafkin	Larry Mintz & Alan Eisenstock	October 22, 1976	113
Fred is determined to break Choo-Choo Rabinowitz's official world record for the longest amount of time staying awake.
118	7	"The Winning Ticket"	Alan Rafkin	Bob DeVinney	November 5, 1976	114
A couple of con men sucker Fred into running a rigged lucky number contest for which the crooks secretly hold the winning ticket.
119	8	"Committee Man"	Chuck Liotta	Garry Shandling	November 12, 1976	120
Soon after Fred is appointed to serve on a mayor's committee he is sought out by a slumlord offering a bribe for political favors.
120	9	"Fred's Extra Job"	Alan Rafkin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	November 19, 1976	112
Fred works nights as a bus boy in a fancy restaurant so he can begin paying back the $6,000 bank loan he took out in order to give Lamont an impressive wedding gift.
121	10	"Carol"	Alan Rafkin	Earl Barret	November 26, 1976	125
Fred's old friend Carol shows up after 40 years, stirring up memories and sparking a flashback to the Summer of 1936 when Fred was a pool hustler in Cleveland.
122	11	"Aunt Esther Has a Baby"	Alan Rafkin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	December 3, 1976	121
Esther and Woody plan to be parents for the first time, but for it to happen Esther is going to need Fred's help.
123	12	"Aunt Esther Meets Her Son"	Al Rabin	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	December 10, 1976	122
Esther and Woody welcome their son Daniel, but quickly discover they must practice the forgiveness that Esther preaches.
124	13	"Sanford and Gong"	Bill Foster	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	December 17, 1976	123
Fred, Lamont, Donna and Bubba attend a taping of "The Gong Show" and are inspired to audition as contestants, bringing their musical act onto the show.
125	14	"Here Today, Gone Today"	Bill Foster	Warren S. Murray	January 7, 1977	126
Misunderstandings abound and compound when Fred's friends try to honor his fortieth year in business with a secret surprise.
126	15	"Fred Meets Redd"	Bill Foster	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	January 14, 1977	124
The fourth wall falls when Fred enters NBC's Redd Foxx look-alike contest and eagerly anticipates meeting his idol face to face.
127	16	"The Defiant One" "Chinese Torture"	Russ Petranto	Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz	January 21, 1977	127
Rehearsing his magic act, Grady snaps a pair of trick shackles onto Fred and Esther, only to discover the instructions for removing them are printed in Chinese.
128	17	"A Matter of Silence"	Russ Petranto	John T. Bell	January 28, 1977	128
Lamont fears Fred is going deaf, and Fred is content to play along and milk sympathy from Lamont and Donna.
129	18	"When John Comes Marching Home"	Russ Petranto	Alan Eisenstock & Larry Mintz	February 4, 1977	129
Lamont's engagement to Janet is jeopardized by the unexpected return of her ex-husband John.
130	19	"The Reverend Sanford"	Russ Petranto	Jim Belcher	February 11, 1977	130
To avoid paying taxes, Fred buys a mail-order clergy ordination and transforms his home into the Chapel on the Junkpile for the church of the Seventh-Day Junkists.
131	20	"The Will"	Russ Petranto	Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein	February 18, 1977	131
Fred suffers amnesia after being bludgeoned with Esther's silver-plated Bible. Having looked death in the face, Fred wants to get his affairs in order and so prepares his last will and testament and summons his friends for its reading.
132	21	"Fred the Activist"	Russ Petranto	Richard Freiman & Stephen Young	February 25, 1977	132
Angered by the age discrimination policy of a local stereo dealer, Fred rallies a troop of Gray Foxes and leads the charge to change the policy.
133	22	"The Lucky Streak"	Russ Petranto	Joseph R. Henderson	March 4, 1977	133
Fred and Lamont need to raise $4,000 by Friday or lose the Sanford Arms. Fred plans to parlay his $500 savings into the needed amount by playing poker, betting on horses and letting it ride in Las Vegas.
134	23	"Funny, You Don't Look It"	Russ Petranto	Rabbi Joseph Feinstein	March 11, 1977	134
Inspired by Alex Haley's "Roots," Fred orders a family crest and genealogical scroll that states he's African royalty and a descendant of the Jewish Ethiopian Falashas.
135	24	"Fred Sings the Blues"	Russ Petranto	Larry Mintz & Alan Eisenstock	March 18, 1977	135
Fred invites B.B. King to dinner at Sanford home and may give the famous singer another reason to sing the blues. B.B. King Guest stars.
136	25	"School Daze"	Carl McCarthy	Rick Mittleman	March 25, 1977	136
For a month Fred and Bubba have been sneaking out at night, concerning family and friends and leading Donna to fear that Fred has fallen for another woman.

References

• List of Sanford and Son episodes at TV.com
• Sanford and Son at the Internet Movie Database
• Sanford and Son at epguides.com