Sanford and Son Top Five Rollo Episodes.
Rollo Lawson was Lamont’s cool cat best pal and the Tupac Shakur of the 1970s. A snazzy dresser with a love for the ladies and making a quick buck, Rollo Lawson was the coolest dude on the block. Fred Sanford may have hated his guts but we all loved him. And to be honest, he was a huge part of what made Sanford and Son one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. Let’s dig into the top five episodes that Rollo was at his very best.
5. Lamont Is That You? Season 3, episode 6.
Synopsis: Lamont and Rollo are out on the town one evening and decide to stop in at a new bar for a couple drinks. However, they soon realize they have stumbled into a gay bar. Unknown to them, Bubba just happened to see them go inside. Bubba promptly jumps to conclusions and then proceeds to tell Fred that Lamont is gay. Not believing Bubba’s story, Fred decides to get to the bottom of the situation.
With a short lived screen time in this episode Rollo managed to get in some very funny lines and reactions that made this hilarious episode even funnier. His delivery of “Is you a fool?” as a response to Lamont refusing to go out on a night of the town with him is priceless.
4. Have Gun, Will Sell. Season 2, episode 7.
Synopsis: One evening, Lamont and his friend Rollo go out. When they return they interrupt a robber trying to flee from the scene. Later they discover the crook dropped his gun and in an attempt to get some quick cash, decide to pawn it. However, once at the pawn shop, the broker mistakes Fred wanting money for the gun for a stickup.
This was Rollo’s first ever appearence on the show and it was a really good introduction because right away we see the specific dynamics Rollo had with both Lamont and Fred as well as the easy chemistry between all three. Another great Rollo line with his explanation regarding black people who turn in guns to the police vs what a white person does is perfect hood eloquence.
3. Rated X. Season 2, episode 24.
Synopsis: Lamont and Rollo answer an ad that promises them stardom through low-budget movies. Fred gets a hold of the brochure and decides to try out too. When they get down there they quickly discover the low budget movies are X-rated followed by a police raid and Fred, Lamont and Rollo are hauled off to jail.
You know it’s always gonna be a great episode when Rollo’s involved whether big or small, and this classic episode is one of them. One of the great moments that show how great Redd Foxx and Nathaniel Taylor actually got along offscreen as opposed to their characters’ conflict is when Fred asks Rollo where the toilet is in the jail cell and Taylor holds for several seconds looking as if he’s about to bust out laughing.
2. The Party Crasher. Season 3, episode 18.
Synopsis: Lamont and Rollo are planning a double date and they have a plan to get Fred out of the house so they can have it all to themselves. However, Fred catches on and Lamont and Rollo must make do with the cramped quarters of Rollo’s apartment, but they still have problems, the girls aren’t happy with the entire arrangement, right down to the refreshments, that’s when Fred steps in.
It may surprise people to know that Demond Wilson and Nathaniel Taylor weren’t exactly buddies offscreen, but you’d never know it with how good their chemistry was as Lamont and Rollo. This episode showcased the duo’s friendship very well and finally let us see Rollo’s apartment.
- Fred’s Treasure Garden. Season 4, episode 11.
Synopsis: A fun time is had by all when Grady serves his friends, including two policemen, a salad made with marijuana.
When Redd Foxx went on strike due to contract issues you’d expect the show to fall apart, but to everyone’s surprise the episodes featuring Grady as a fill in for Fred are some of the funniest and fan favorite episodes of the series and this classic is no exception. Rollo especially shines in this episode as he gives Lamont the plan for how to “get rid of” the Marijuana. It was truly Rollo’s finest moment.
Honorable Mentions: Presenting The Three Degrees, Lamont Goes African, and Lamont Goes Karate.
Next time we dig into the top five episodes of Shady Grady Wilson himself. Till next time, folks!