About this season
A multigenerational, working-class family experience life's struggles with faith, love and, most importantly, humor. Curtis, aka 'Pops', the uncle and head of the household, has house and home turned upside down when an unexpected event forces his nephew, CJ, and CJ’s kids to move in, putting three generations under one roof. This chaotic living situation takes its toll on cranky Pops, who is reluctant to have his routine disturbed. In addition to CJ’s family, Pops and Ella’s son, Calvin, a wise-cracking, broke college student, hangs out at home, making it impossible for any peace and quiet. It soon becomes evident just how wide the gap is, as the family tries to find a way to coexist through all of life’s hilarious ups and downs.
Episodes (55)
1. Bully and the Beast
Aired 6 June 2007 • 30 min
Malik is confronted by a school bully, and Curtis has to handle the situation. What he can't handle is the bully's mother.
2. I Can Cry If I Want To
10.0Aired 6 June 2007 • 30 min
C.J. moves in with Curtis and Ella after his house burns down. Meanwhile, the family plans a surprise 50th birthday party for Curtis.
3. More Than Meets the Eye
Aired 13 June 2007 • 30 min
C.J. becomes suspicious of Janine, while Jazmine misses her toys and friends.
4. Busted
Aired 13 June 2007 • 30 min
Janine's drug abuse is recognized, while Calvin tries to sell fake designer wear.
5. Lost and Found
Aired 20 June 2007 • 30 min
C.J. looks for Janine, while Curtis enrolls in an anger management course.
6. Down and Outted
Aired 20 June 2007 • 30 min
Curtis thinks Malik is gay after seeing him wear a tutu. Meanwhile, Curtis offers some of his and Ella's retirement money to C.J. in order to jump start him and the kids moving out.
7. No Money, Mo’ Problems
Aired 27 June 2007 • 30 min
C.J. accepts Curtis and Ella's money offer, but when he uses the money to put Janine in rehab she checks herself out, causing C.J. to lose the money and find a way to break the news to Curtis. Meanwhile, Calvin shows off Curtis and Ella's house as his own to impress a girl.
8. Just Say No
Aired 27 June 2007 • 30 min
A school assembly about "Say No To Drugs" upsets Jazmine, because of Janine's drug problems. Meanwhile, the firefighters protest after Curtis refuses to replace the broken television at the firehouse.
9. Surprise, Surprise
Aired 4 July 2007 • 30 min
Janine's parents show up looking for her. Claretha believes she knows Janine's father.
10. Father Knows Best
Aired 4 July 2007 • 30 min
Janine's parents return and want custody of the kids. The firefighters "misplace" the fire truck.
11. I Keep Coming Up Short
Aired 11 July 2007 • 30 min
Curtis has impotency issues. Meanwhile, C.J. tries to work out his debt.
12. The Buck Stops Here
Aired 11 July 2007 • 30 min
The firefighters do a pinup calendar as a fundraiser and are surprised when a new firefighter assigned to the house is a woman named Angel. Meanwhile, Jazmine sells candy for her school.
13. Wax On, Wax Off
Aired 18 July 2007 • 30 min
Malik's going through puberty and the women in the house are clueless. Meanwhile, a failing inspection at the firehouse is Curtis's fault.
14. Head of the Class
Aired 18 July 2007 • 30 min
Jazmine, despite being in the 3rd grade, runs for president of the school. She enlists the entire family into helping her with election with Uncle Curtis as her debate opponent.
15. Paternity and Fraternity: Part 1
Aired 25 July 2007 • 30 min
An old high school flame of C.J.'s comes back in his life with a claim that is bound to rock his world. Meanwhile, Malik's hanging around a bad group of kids and gets into trouble.
16. Paternity and Fraternity: Part 2
Aired 25 July 2007 • 30 min
The possibility that CJ might be the father of another child continues to be a family issue. Meanwhile, Malik continues to keep company with sketchy kids.
17. Cracking Under Pressure
Aired 1 August 2007 • 30 min
Janine and her associates from the crack-house break in and steal from the Payne's house. Meanwhile, Calvin trains for a marathon.
18. Club PCP
Aired 1 August 2007 • 30 min
Calvin plans a house party when the rest of the family visits relatives in Florida.
19. Sadly Mistaken
Aired 8 August 2007 • 30 min
Janine's associate, Beverly, steals Ella's identity, causing Ella to be briefly jailed for check kiting. Afterward, Ella feels compelled to confront Janine at the crack house. Meanwhile, Calvin crams for mid-terms.
20. And Justice for All
Aired 8 August 2007 • 30 min
Malik and Kevin meet someone on the Internet, who turns out to be a man. Meanwhile, Curtis and Claretha have jury duty together.
21. I Got the Hook Up
Aired 15 August 2007 • 30 min
Everyone tries to hook C.J. up on a date. Meanwhile, a woman who's HIV-positive volunteers at the Help Center.
22. Absolutely Positive
Aired 15 August 2007 • 30 min
Curtis gets a colonoscopy and thinks he's dying. Meanwhile, Calvin goes on a date with Karen, the woman who's HIV-positive.
23. The Perfect Storm
Aired 22 August 2007 • 30 min
The firehouse is overwhelmed by a nasty storm that hits Atlanta. Miscommunication about retrieving the kids from school causes a mix up that leads to sparks flying between C.J. and the assistant principal.
24. Teacher's Pet
Aired 22 August 2007 • 30 min
After Jazmine "rescues" a hamster from her school, her assistant principal comes to the Payne household to investigate. When Malik finds out that Jazmine did abscond with the hamster, they keep it a secret, and it becomes a problem, and the mayhem becomes the order of the day.
25. Sad, Sad Leroy Brown: Part 1
Aired 29 August 2007 • 30 min
Brown burns down his house and imposes himself on the Paynes. And Calvin's new girlfriend offers him an investment opportunity.
26. Sad, Sad Leroy Brown: Part 2
Aired 5 September 2007 • 30 min
Tension escalates between Curtis and Mr. Brown, a Payne houseguest in the wake of his home fire. Meanwhile, Malik gets a tattoo and comes to regret that decision.
27. Weeping May Endure for a Night
Aired 12 September 2007 • 30 min
Mr. Brown, Cora and Will come by the Paynes after Pop Brown's funeral. Brown is upset because Pop Brown left him his run down house which makes Brown thinks his Daddy really hates him. After going on another bad date, Calvin starts a website called "She's A Whack" dot com only for it to backfire on him.
28. The Big Test
Aired 19 September 2007 • 30 min
C.J. has a date with Nicole who tells him she is waiting until she is married before having sex. Meanwhile, Jazmine cheats on a test.
29. Balancing Act
Aired 26 September 2007 • 30 min
C.J. tries to find time for Nicole without neglecting the children. Meanwhile, Jazmine hopes a new look will attract the attention of Malik's friend.
30. Why Can't We Be Friends
Aired 3 October 2007 • 30 min
Jazmine's friend, Tiffany, convinces Jazmine that C.J. is going to marry Nicole and move to San Francisco with Nicole just like her Dad did when he remarried. Jazmine and Tiffany devise a plan to break up C.J. and Nicole. Meanwhile, Curtis and Malik clean out the attic and bond.
31. Dog Day Afternoon
Aired 10 October 2007 • 30 min
While Malik must make a documentary for a school assignment, Curtis is unknowingly roped into assisting a bank robber.
32. New Beginnings
Aired 17 October 2007 • 30 min
When his divorce from Janine is at last finalized, C.J. attempts to start life anew, and his firehouse buddies urge him to savor the single life. Meanwhile, Janine asks Ella to get her into a rehab.
33. Heavy Petting
Aired 24 October 2007 • 30 min
When an old friend of C.J.'s turns up, they stir up jealousy in Nicole which causes C.J. and Nicole's budding romance to hit a bump. In the meantime, the Payne children push to get a pooch.
34. The Fast and the Furious
Aired 31 October 2007 • 30 min
Curtis must take an online driving course after he gets a speeding ticket. Meanwhile, Claretha and Ella clash over playing the lottery.
35. Gone in 60 Seconds
Aired 7 November 2007 • 30 min
Curtis surprises the family with a new motorcycle, but his new bike causes more trouble than any one family could ever imagine. Malik's new friend from New York convinces him to steal Curtis' motorcycle, leaving Curtis no choice but to press charges, causing Ella to kick him out of the house. (Part one of three.)
36. Lost Without U
Aired 14 November 2007 • 30 min
C.J. and Nicole's relationship is seriously tested when Nicole's jealousy gets out of hand, but that's the least of C.J.'s problems. Curtis filled charges against Malik, who faces time in prison for stealing and wrecking Curtis' motorcycle. Meanwhile, the firehouse crew must find a way to get Curtis back into the house that Ella kicked him out of before they go insane.
37. I Rest My Case
Aired 21 November 2007 • 30 min
Malik and Tracie's nephew Kyle go to court to be sentenced for stealing Curtis' motorcycle.
38. A House is Not a Home
Aired 28 November 2007 • 30 min
C.J. thinks they he may have found the perfect new apartment for he and the kids, but he soon learns that his dream home is too good to be true. Curtis is ecstatic that C.J. and the kids are finally getting out of his house. Meanwhile, Ella has had enough of Janine once she learns that she has been taking advantage of her.
39. Home Alone
Aired 5 December 2007 • 30 min
Just as C.J. and the kids adjust to their new surroundings, an unexpected break in changes everything. Meanwhile, Curtis and Ella are thrilled to have their home all to themselves again.
40. The Wench Who Saved Christmas
Aired 12 December 2007 • 30 min
Christmas has arrived and everyone is excited...except for Curtis. When he learns that Ella decided to cancel their holiday vacation to help celebrate C.J. and the kids spending Christmas without Janine, Curtis throws a Scrooge-like tantrum. He returns to reality after being in a dream state where Madea haunts him into realizing the true meaning of the holiday season.
41. Trial by Fire: Part 1
Aired 19 December 2007 • 30 min
When a raging house fire is reported in the neighborhood, Curtis and the other firefighters rush to the scene. Calvin believes that he has finally found the right opportunity to prove to himself what he can do in a perilous situation. An uncalculated move results in Calvin rushing to safety and C.J. remaining trapped inside underneath the rumble.
42. Trial by Fire: Part 2
Aired 26 December 2007 • 30 min
When a raging house fire is reported in the neighborhood, Curtis and the other firefighters rush to the scene. Calvin believes that he has finally found the right opportunity to prove to himself what he can do in a perilous situation. An uncalculated move results in Calvin rushing to safety and C.J. remaining trapped inside underneath the rumble.
43. Trial by Fire: Part 3
Aired 2 January 2008 • 30 min
As C.J. fights for his life, he regains consciousness while awaiting the help from the other firefighters.
44. Reality Check
Aired 9 January 2008 • 30 min
The firehouse becomes the subject of a new reality series about firefighters, but the producer of the show tampers with everyone's interviews by showing them in a not-so perfect image. Meanwhile, C.J. and Ella are at odds when Ella decides to takes the children to see their mother without C.J.'s consent.
45. Piece of Mind
Aired 16 January 2008 • 30 min
The family visits a therapist and after a group session degenerates into a shouting match, the therapist sees them in individual sessions.
46. There's No Place Like Home
Aired 23 January 2008 • 30 min
Janine comes to Ella after getting out of rehab and she moves into the house causing the rest of family to become upset. Curtis fails the fireman physical but is in denial about eating better or exercising.
47. Mommie Dearest
Aired 30 January 2008 • 30 min
C.J. is at odds with the family as they continue to allow Janine to live with them. The Payne family ties are once again tested when Malik becomes embarrassed by Janine's arrival as he wants to avoid being taunted by his classmates because of his troubled mother.
48. You Big Dummy
Aired 6 February 2008 • 30 min
Janine and C.J. are at odds when she takes the children out to an amusement park without C.J.'s consent. But the drama ensues when C.J. discovers that Calvin has been dating Tracie behind his back. Meanwhile, Curtis guides the firehouse into a mandatory CPR certification.
49. It's a Boy
Aired 13 February 2008 • 30 min
Tracie gets frustrated when Calvin won't stop playing video games with Malik and Kyle.Tracie tells him that if he wants to be with her, he has to be more mature.
50. No Payne, No Gain
Aired 20 February 2008 • 30 min
Jazmine is scheduled for surgery when she has an appendix attack, and she milks it for all she can. Even Malik is forced to abide by her wishes. Meanwhile, Curtis is on the hunt for a pesky rat which is roaming the firehouse.
51. Devil in a Blue Suit
Aired 27 February 2008 • 30 min
Devil in a Blue Suit Janine acts strangely, leading her family to think she is using drugs again. With Blue back in her life, the family must find a way to fix Janine's past. Meanwhile, Malik gets a paper route to pay for sneakers.
52. Bad Influence
Aired 5 March 2008 • 30 min
Ella has the flu, which means Curtis is in charge of the cleaning and cooking. Soon, he's also having to nurse Malik, C.J. and Janine after they catch Ella's bug.
53. Play on Playa
Aired 12 March 2008 • 30 min
Calvin misreads a relationship counselor's signals when she invites him to her house for dinner; Curtis does not let anything interfere with the firehouse's poker party.
54. It's Getting Hot in Here
Aired 19 March 2008 • 30 min
C.J. catches the eye of a lovely woman at a wedding, where he gets a little frisky with Janine. Meanwhile, Calvin's friends volunteer at the firehouse.
55. Don't Get It Twisted
Aired 26 March 2008 • 30 min
The family grills Janine and C.J. after they spend the night together. But Curtis has problems of his own, when a man thinks his wife is having an affair with him.