Season 1 - Episode Guide

Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bussed to a predominantly white middle school two-hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris struggles to find his place while keeping his siblings in line at home and dealing with the school bully, Joey.

When Chris's mother, Rochelle, hires the girl next door, Keisha, to tutor Drew at Math, Chris sees this as an ideal chance to impress her. But someone else may have the same intentions. Meanwhile, Julius finds himself in an awkward position when he becomes attracted to another woman, Sheila.

Chris joins the school Basketball team even though he can't play, but a failed pop quiz threatens to get him dropped. Back at home Julius gets a lodger after he offers 6 months rent up front, despite the fact he makes Rochelle nervous.

Fists fly and Dr. Raymond (Jude Ciccolella) must intervene in the conflict between Chris and the school bully.

Despite his parents' warnings, Chris lends his bike to a kid who disappears with it; While Julius is on strike, he proves to be a better housekeeper than Rochelle which makes her very angry.

In order to impress a girl Chris goes to an adult party where the girl will be. With some urging from his friend he decides to go as the eccentric singer Prince.

When Rochelle and Julius go out for the night, they hire a sitter to look after Chris, Drew, and Tonya. But the babysitter keeps leaving the house and Chris covers for her. Julius and Rochelle's night-out is anything but romantic when the restaurant gets robbed.

Chris spends all day at the laundromat while watching his younger brother and sister. His parents try to get a good deal on a new TV.

Julius finds $200 worth of food stamps but Rochelle is too embarrassed to use them; Chris and Greg have a big argument over their science project.

When Chris decides to hang out and play games at Greg's house without parental permission, Greg's father comes home, so Chris must hide to avoid getting caught.

Rochelle and Julius don't have enough money to get Chris his new Walkman that he wants for Christmas. Drew tells Toyna the truth about Santa Claus, which makes Tonya question about other things her mom and dad told her.

After deciding to buy a leather jacket, Chris goes to work with his dad to earn money and quickly learns the value of a dollar.

Chris gets a new outfit for school picture day, but Caruso ends up stealing it. Drew hides Toyna's shoe when she breaks his toy. Rochelle sells make-up at home to make some extra money.

Chris gets a bunch of "I hate you" cards from Caruso and also develops a crush on a girl named Tangee on his bus ride. Tonya reveals that she has a boyfriend which surprises Julius, and Drew gets a bunch of Valentines' cards from a lot of girls.

Julius and Rochelle struggle to give up the things they like: chocolate turtles and lottery tickets. Meanwhile, Chris claims to be a pro at "Asteroids", but when he hears that someone beat his score, it's up to him to defend his title.

Chris gets an "F" on his report card and tries to figure out a way to change his grade before his parents find out. When Julius is sick with the gout, he starts watching The Young and the Restless.

When Rochelle's dad, Gene unexpectedly dies during a family dinner, Rochelle starts acting less than normal and Chris is shocked to see his mother not acting like herself.

Sick of the constant bullying from Caruso, Chris attempts to get kicked out of Corleone. Meanwhile, Julius' smelly new job may drive the family away.

Fed up with Drew being the best at everything, Chris decides to take up karate. But when the two brothers challenge each other, Chris ends up breaking Drew's hand. Meanwhile, Toyna gets a lesson in gossip at the beauty salon.

Chris finds a Playboy magazine in Julius' toolbox and takes it to school, but the assistant principal confiscates it, Chris attempts to get it back. Julius is surprised when he finds out that Rochelle has money stashed in their room. Toyna teases Drew because of his fear of spiders.

Chris has to sell cookies in order to go on a field trip to Washington D.C. Meanwhile Julius and Rochelle had tickets for Dreamgirls but Drew and Tonya get sick.

Chris tries to find a gift for Julius for Father's Day, but all Julius wants is a day to himself.