Sanford and Son

Watch Sanford and Son

  • TV-PG
  • 1972
  • 6 Seasons
  • 7.9  (10,996)

Sanford and Son is a show about an African American father and son who own a junkyard. The main characters are Fred G. Sanford (Redd Foxx) and Lamont Sanford (Demond Wilson). The men live together in a beat up house full of junk. Fred and Lamont depend on each other a great deal. Fred is a widow and Lamont, though grown, has never been married.

Lamont wants a life of his own and continually tries to break-free from Fred. Fred always seems to win in the end though. Lamont has a great deal of love for his father, but does not understand his often bigoted ways. For instance, Fred is ever ready with a snide comment about the Puerto Rican that lives next door. Fred has an ongoing battle with his sister-in-law Esther (LaWanda Page), which makes for the shows funniest moments.

Lamont and Fred buy and sell junk in order to survive. They live in a rough neighborhood in South Central, Los Angeles, California. The show was filmed from 1972 to 1977. Television shows such as this were generally geared towards bringing about public awareness about bigotry and hatred. Sanford and Son is a comedy that covered very serious issues of the day.

Lamont is more enlightened than Fred about the world they live in. He pushes his father to open his mind and heart to other cultures, but generally fails miserably at actually changing Fred's opinion. Lamont is the one with the level-headedness to keep the business running smoothly. If he catches Fred attempting to get rich quick, he puts a stop to it as fast as possible. In reality, Lamont runs the business, including finding and buying junk to sell.

Fred is, for all intents and purposes, retired from the business. That does not stop him from constantly coming up with new ways to make fast cash. He would, if not for Lamont, con every person who walked through the door. He ultimately gets caught and reprimanded by his honest son. Fred often tries to make his son feel guilty by grabbing his heart and acting as though he is having a heart attack. As he grabs his heart, he yells out, Elizabeth, I coming. It is one of the most famous and beloved longstanding quotes throughout the show's history.

All in all, Sanford and Son is an excellent comedic show to watch. The content can be a little too involved for small children to watch though. It was a genius weekly sitcom that thrives as one of America's most beloved television shows.

Sanford and Son is a series that ran for 6 seasons (245 episodes) between January 14, 1972 and on NBC

Sanford and Son
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Seasons
School Daze
25. School Daze
March 25, 1977
When Fred is caught spending a lot of time with Doris, a white school-teacher, everyone is sure he's only studying about the birds and bees.
Fred Sings the Blues
24. Fred Sings the Blues
March 18, 1977
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.
Funny, You Don't Look It
23. Funny, You Don't Look It
March 11, 1977
Fred is so certain he is a descendant of a famous person that he pays a company $25 to trace his roots.
The Lucky Streak
22. The Lucky Streak
March 4, 1977
Fred embarks on a lucky gambling streak as he and Lamont need a quick $4,000 to buy the Sanford Arms.
Fred the Activist
21. Fred the Activist
February 25, 1977
An innocent shopping trip turns violent when a shady salesman refuses to grant a time payment plan to anyone over 65.
The Will
20. The Will
February 18, 1977
Fred is fearful that his days are numbered after Esther delivers a crashing blow to his head with her Bible-laden purse.
The Reverend Sanford
19. The Reverend Sanford
February 11, 1977
To avoid taxes, Fred becomes a clergyman of the Divine Profit Church and appoints Bubba and Woody as officers.
When John Comes Marching Home
18. When John Comes Marching Home
February 4, 1977
Lamont's future wife's ex-husband arrives with some earth-shattering news that could change the course of everyone's life.
A Matter of Silence
17. A Matter of Silence
January 28, 1977
After being cured from a sudden loss of hearing, Fred is reluctant to give up the loving sympathy he's been getting from his girlfriend and decides to stay "deaf."
Chinese Torture  (a.k.a.)  The Defiant One
16. Chinese Torture (a.k.a.) The Defiant One
January 21, 1977
Grady tries an ancient Oriental magic trick and shackles Fred to Esther without realizing the directions for releasing the locks are written in Chinese.
Fred Meets Redd
15. Fred Meets Redd
January 4, 1977
The tax season has come and Fred and Lamont have been going through their inventory to prepare their tax papers. However, Fred gets preoccupied when he discovers Redd Foxx is in town holding a look-alike contest and Fred is certain he will win the contest and the $100 that comes along with it.
Sanford and Gong
14. Sanford and Gong
December 17, 1976
Fred, Lamont and Bubba perform a song and dance routine on Fred's favorite television program, "The Gong Show, " with plans of winning the grand prize.
Aunt Esther Meets Her Son
13. Aunt Esther Meets Her Son
December 10, 1976
Fred and Lamont become peacemakers when Esther finds that her newly adopted son doesn't believe in God and kicks him out of the house.
Here Today, Gone Today
12. Here Today, Gone Today
December 7, 1976
Unaware that Lamont and Esther are trying to surprise him by sending out the furniture to be re-upholstered, Fred comes home early and thinks it's all been stolen.
Aunt Esther Has a Baby
11. Aunt Esther Has a Baby
December 3, 1976
Esther has been trying to adopt a baby for quite some time and finally gets an appointment with the adoption agency.
Carol
10. Carol
November 26, 1976
When a curious visitor arrives at the Sanford home and claims to have known Fred forty years ago, Fred's memory suddenly falters.
Fred's Extra Job
9. Fred's Extra Job
November 19, 1976
In a desperate attempt to persuade Lamont to stay with him in the junk business, Fred secretly borrows money from the bank to show his son that business is booming.
Committee Man
8. Committee Man
November 12, 1976
Fred is ecstatic when the Mayor selects him to represent Watts businessmen on a community relatives committee.
The Winning Ticket
7. The Winning Ticket
November 5, 1976
Fred can't wait to try out the new promotion idea that he just bought from two "salesmen."
I Dream of Choo Choo Rabinowitz
6. I Dream of Choo Choo Rabinowitz
October 22, 1976
Fred is determined to impress Lamont's future mother-in-law by setting a new world's record and getting his name in the Guinness book.
The Stakeout
5. The Stakeout
October 15, 1976
Fred falls for one of his tenants and can't understand her aloofness'until he discovers the "lady" is really a man on the run from police.
California Crude
4. California Crude
October 8, 1976
When Fred and Lamont are told there might be oil in their own backyard, they trust an Arab oil company representative to confirm the findings.
The Hawaiian Connection (3)
3. The Hawaiian Connection (3)
October 1, 1976
Completely unaware that he is part of a robbery, Fred loses track of his friend's "package" and is chased by the crooks all over the island.
The Hawaiian Connection (2)
2. The Hawaiian Connection (2)
September 24, 1976
Coincidentally, the Junkmen of America are having their annual convention in Hawaii as three professional jewel thieves are faced with the problem of finding someone to smuggle the gems out of Hawaii into Los Angeles.
The Hawaiian Connection (1)
1. The Hawaiian Connection (1)
September 24, 1976
Coincidentally, the Junkmen of America are having their annual convention in Hawaii as three professional jewel thieves are faced with the problem of finding someone to smuggle the gems out of Hawaii into Los Angeles.
Ep 112 - Fred's Extra Job
112. Ep 112 - Fred's Extra Job
January 1, 1976
Fred's plan to help Lamont financially: offer his junk empire as collateral for a loan he will repay by moonlighting as a waiter.
Ep 113 - I Dream Of Choo-Choo Rabinowitz
113. Ep 113 - I Dream Of Choo-Choo Rabinowitz
January 1, 1976
Seeking fame, Fred challenges the world record for staying awake.
Ep 114  - The Winning Ticket
114. Ep 114 - The Winning Ticket
January 1, 1976
Fred concocts a phony sweepstakes to boost business at the junkyard.
Ep 115 - Hawaiian Connection Part 1
115. Ep 115 - Hawaiian Connection Part 1
January 1, 1976
Part 1 of three. Fred and Lamont accept an expense-paid trip to Hawaii and unwittingly become involved in a jewel-theft scheme.
Ep 118 - The Stakeout
118. Ep 118 - The Stakeout
January 1, 1976
Fred discovers that the "woman" he adores is a master of disguise wanted by the police.
Ep 119 - California Crude
119. Ep 119 - California Crude
January 1, 1976
The Sanfords strike oil while tilling their new garden.
Ep 120 - The Committee Man
120. Ep 120 - The Committee Man
January 1, 1976
A housing-project builder tries to buy the vote of Fred, a new appointee to the mayor's Community Relations Bureau.
Ep 121 - Aunt Esther Has A Baby
121. Ep 121 - Aunt Esther Has A Baby
January 1, 1976
Nervous about adopting a child, Woody has a few too many before a crucial interview with the agency.
Ep 122 - Aunt Esther Meets Her Son
122. Ep 122 - Aunt Esther Meets Her Son
January 1, 1976
Esther and Woody's newly adopted teenager quickly dashes their hopes for him.
Ep 123 - Sanford And Gong
123. Ep 123 - Sanford And Gong
January 1, 1976
Fred is unaware that his brother-in-law Rodney plans to upstage the junkman's act on "The Gong Show" and carry off the prize money. Chuck Barris: Himself.
Ep 124 - Fred Meets Redd
124. Ep 124 - Fred Meets Redd
January 1, 1976
Despite a pressing tax deadline, Fred competes in a Redd Foxx look-alike contest.
Ep 125 - Carol
125. Ep 125 - Carol
January 1, 1976
An unexpected visitor claiming to be an old friend has Fred drawing a blank until mention is made of their former alliance in crime.
Ep 126 - Here Today, Gone Today
126. Ep 126 - Here Today, Gone Today
January 1, 1976
Fred collects insurance on the furniture his friends and family secretly removed for reupholstering.
Ep 127 - The Defiant One
127. Ep 127 - The Defiant One
January 1, 1977
Hours before a heavy date, Fred is accidentally handcuffed to Esther (LaWanda Page).
Ep 128 - A Matter Of Silence
128. Ep 128 - A Matter Of Silence
January 1, 1977
Fred decides to keep the cure of his hearing problem a secret so he can get more attention from Donna (Lynn Hamilton).
Ep 129 - When John Comes Marching Home
129. Ep 129 - When John Comes Marching Home
January 1, 1977
Janet and Lamont are shaken when her ex-husband shows up to make amends.
Ep 130 - The Reverend Sanford
130. Ep 130 - The Reverend Sanford
January 1, 1977
Fred declares his junkyard a church in order to avoid ever-rising property taxes.
Ep 131 - The Will
131. Ep 131 - The Will
January 1, 1977
Fred, fearing he is about to die, reveals the contents of his will.
Ep 132 - Fred The Activist
132. Ep 132 - Fred The Activist
January 1, 1977
Fred leads a march protesting age discrimination.
Ep 133 - The Lucky Streak
133. Ep 133 - The Lucky Streak
January 1, 1977
Fred believes gambling is the way to raise money to forestall foreclosure on the Sanford Arms.
Ep 134 - Funny, You Don't Look It
134. Ep 134 - Funny, You Don't Look It
January 1, 1977
Fred claims to be descended from King Solomon.
Ep 135 - Fred Sings The Blues
135. Ep 135 - Fred Sings The Blues
January 1, 1977
Aspiring songwriter Fred plans to sell his material to B.B. King (who appears as himself).
Ep 136 - School Daze
136. Ep 136 - School Daze
January 1, 1977
Lamont and Donna are puzzled by Fred's nightly disappearing act, until they learn his purpose: night school.
Description
Where to Watch Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son is available for streaming on the NBC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Sanford and Son on demand at Peacock Premium, Amazon Prime, Philo, Starz, Sling, Tubi TV and Pluto TV.
  • Premiere Date
    January 14, 1972
  • IMDB Rating
    7.9  (10,996)