Sanford and Son (TV Series) Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe (1974) User Reviews

One of the more funnier episodes of the series...

[dd-66056 · 10/10 · 17 June 2023]

This is one of the more funnier episodes of the series IMHO. I dunno whether it was just the good time seen by the actors for the episode, particularly Fred and Esther's exchange just before Grip arrives, they almost broke character as they were doing the scene a couple times or just Whitman Mayo's timing as Grady in this episode? He truly was funny and brought a liveliness to the series that was enjoyable. He just did a solid job. The other thing was DeMond Wilson as Lamont didn't really have to do a lot in terms of his acting even though the episode was centered around whether or not he was Big Money Grip's Son instead of Fred's. Redd Foxx, LaWanda Paige and Sonny Gaines carried the load ,along with Whitman Mayo, very well! Truly an enjoyable episode.

Sonny Jim Gaines as Big Money Grip

[kevinolzak · 10/10 · 12 December 2016]

"Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe" opens with Fred preparing for Grady his patented mixture of ripple and cream: "I call it cripple...after you drink a few of 'em you walk with a limp!" Paying a surprise visit from Fred's hometown of St. Louis is Big Money Grip Matlock (Sonny Jim Gaines, later seen as 'Bottom of the Deck Dan' in "The Lucky Streak"), who plans to move to Los Angeles to be with his son. Since Grip had no children Fred figures that the longtime joker is again trying to pull a fast one. It comes as a complete shock to hear Grip proclaim that Lamont is his son, from a one night liaison with Elizabeth during a weekend pass from the army back in St. Louis, being her first love before Fred came along. Lamont remembers reading Grip's girly magazines when he was a kid, while Grady comes up with a fitting phrase: "you know what they say Fred, mama's baby, papa's maybe!" Lamont can't believe his ears ("wow, this is heavy!"), but never shirks from the only father he's ever known: "if you are my father, that was between you and my mother, I ain't had nuttin' to do with that!" Taking the greatest offense is Elizabeth's devout older sister Esther (the sixth appearance of La Wanda Page), the unfortunate recipient of the awful truth as revealed by Grip: "that was MY room!" Poor Grip leaves in disbelief before a forgiving Fred: "at first I was mad at you, now I feel sorry for you cause you don't know the difference between a woman and a crocodile!" This time it's La Wanda Page dropping the 'N' word, to outrageous audience applause.

Grady Wilson steals the show

[jmpoole65 · 10/10 · 4 May 2024]

Big Money Grip comes to town to tell Fred about some monkey business he had with Elizabeth...Enter Aunt Esther to steal the show from Grady Wilson. A master class from Whitman Mayo is cut short by the great Lawanda Page. Aunt Esther turns out to be Grip's love interest on the night in question. The night in question is the night that Grip says he and Elizabeth conceived Little Lamont. But as it turns out, he got ahold of the wrong gal...Aunt Esther. Oh how the laughs heat up after Grip finds out about his love interest for the night is Aunt Esther. No mention of Woody in this episode. Need I say more?

First Time I Heard the N Word on Television.

[thejcowboy22 · 7/10 · 21 October 2016]

I was introduced to this Black Sitcom by my Dear Grandma Sadie. She would get excited and say, "The Junkman is on!" or "I have to see the Junkman." and thirdly, "Let's watch the Junkman!" My Grandmother fascination runs deep here because her late husband, My Grandpa Abe, was a Junkman as well. For many years in New Jersey he ran a junk/salvage business which was founded during the depression years. In those early days my Grandpa had a beat up Ford truck similar to the truck used in the same show. My Grandmother even had a drawer filled with eyeglasses in her home. In addition, my Grandma had three sons and arguments were plenty in that household. Lots of connections here. I just think it was the appeal of Redd Foxx and his Deadpan delivery, which was the main hook of the series that won his audiences over. Those funny verbal gems that would flow out so methodically of Fred G. Sanford's mouth as his agitated son Lamont played by Demond Wilson would use all his self control to keep a straight face in response. As for the review of this episode old rival Grip Madlock (Jim Gaines) flies out to Los Angeles from St. Louis to visit Fred with some appalling, unspeakable news. Grip claims to be Lamont's biological Father to the disbelief and heart pains with the gyrations of Fred as this might become the big one? Heart attacks, the usual response throughout the series whenever Fred heard distressing news. Fortunately Lamont takes this shocking info in stride and says tenderheartedly,"Hey Man, This is my Father, The only Pop I've ever known." Lamont continues with his devotion to his Father Fred as he continues,"Now all my life, it's been Sanford and Son,and,as far as I'm concerned that's the way it's gonna always be." Enter the Church going loud mouth Sister-In-Law, the lanky Aunt Ester played by LaWanda Paige. Grip breaks the same startling news to her and Ester responds "What did you say N----r?" That blew me away as well as the censors of Television for this early 70's show. Esther does follow with a priceless remark as her dear departed sister Elizabeth was pure as the driven snow. Fred responds with, "Yeah, but who's doing the driving?" As it turns out Grip claimed to climb into the bedroom of Elizabeth but it wasn't Elizabeth's room. Instead, it was Esther's as the look of disgust and squeamishness falls on everyone's faces as Fred's anger and frustration turns to Pity and sympathy for Grip as they imagine the intimacy with Grip and the Black crocodile like Ester. Glory, glory hallelujah what an episode.