Ep 17. The TV Addict

Fred Sanford, a junk dealer in Watts, Los Angeles, is at it again with his son, Lamont. In Season 5, Episode 17, titled "The TV Addict," the Sanford duo has just gotten a new television set to watch the opening day of baseball season. However, Fred's constant channel surfing leads him to become addicted to television, which causes even more chaos in their already chaotic household.

With his sharp-tongued wit and sharp-tongued motivations, Fred becomes obsessed with watching every single show on television, from morning talk shows to afternoon soap operas and late-night infomercials. His obsession leads to him neglecting his daily responsibilities, including his junk business and spending time with his family. Lamont and his friends Bubba and Rollo try their best to break Fred's addiction, but they soon realize that it will be a lot harder than they expected.

As Fred's obsession spirals out of control, he becomes even more irritable and difficult to deal with. His addiction causes him to become distant from everyone around him, including his friends and family. Meanwhile, the rest of the neighborhood is suffering from their own addictions, including Aunt Esther's addiction to weight loss products and Julio's addiction to his new motorcycle.

Despite the challenges, Lamont continues to try and break his father's addiction to the television. With the help of Bubba and Rollo, they try everything from hiding the remote control to unplugging the television altogether. However, all of their efforts prove to be in vain, as Fred always manages to find a way to get his fix.

Throughout "The TV Addict," viewers will see how addiction can affect not only the individual, but those around them as well. The episode touches on topics such as neglect, isolation, and the importance of balance. In classic Sanford and Son fashion, the episode is filled with hilarious antics and one-liners from Fred, making it a must-watch for fans of the show.

The fifth season of Sanford and Son was one of the most popular seasons of the series, featuring some of the most iconic episodes of the show. With its mixture of comedy and heart, "The TV Addict" is a standout episode that truly showcases the talents of both Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson.