J.J. is managing Michael's singing group and gets them a gig at a local tavern. When Florida learns that Michael may be performing in a tavern, she hits the roof and storms down there to put a stop to it, thus breaking up the act. While there, J.J. comes across Judith Cohen, an act whom he knows will hit it big, given the right exposure.

The family is looking forward to Grandpa Evans visiting for Thanksgiving dinner, but he has a surprise for them: he's got a woman! And to make matters worse, she is staying with Grandpa! When Florida discovers this, she hits the roof and it soon becomes a battle over morals and this leads Grandpa to decide that the best thing to do is leave.

When Cliff’s father and his old Army buddies join Cliff in a pinochle game, Cliff is frustrated because the older men keep talking about the Army and won't let Cliff get in a word about his days in the Navy. Cliff becomes further exasperated when his father pulls one of his notorious pinochle hoaxes, with Cliff as the victim. Also, Vanessa is excited about her date with Tyrone, until she decides she also wants to date another boy.

When Clair and her mother-in-law go to Hillman College to visit Denise, Cliff and his father, Russell, are left in charge of the kids. Russell is pleasantly surprised to see first-hand what a good father Cliff is. Needless to say, all does not go smoothly when Clair is away: Russell helps out when Theo has girl problems; Rudy has a spat with her "boyfriend" Kenny; the sidewalk outside the Huxtable home is in dire need of repair; and a tired Cliff is summoned to deliver two babies.

Sondra and Elvin visit the family on their way to the theater, just as Theo "Monster Man" Huxtable practices for a big wrestling match. When Elvin volunteers to teach Theo some expert wrestling moves, he has to break it to Sondra that he won’t be able to go to the theater with her. The family, thinking Elvin's decision will lead to one of Sondra and Elvin’s infamous fights, is shocked when Sondra readily agrees that Elvin should do whatever he feels like doing.

Grandpa and Grandma Huxtable go all-out to entertain Rudy when the youngster spends the night at their home. Meanwhile, with Cliff and Theo left alone in the house, Cliff decides to hold the first meeting of the Huxtable Men's Club. But their plans are thwarted when Theo has a surprise visitor - the girl of his dreams, Lana Herman.

Kyle is devastated to learn that an historic jazz club, the Showboat, is to be demolished. All his friends chip in with his campaign to save the club. Kyle fantasizes about the club's heyday, with all of the characters assuming other roles. Kyle is a busboy with a dream of singing on stage; Max is Big Max, the sexist club owner who constantly comes on to him; Khadijah is Kay, the club's singer; Regine is Zelda Fitzsimmons, a diva who seems to be missing a few marbles; Synclaire is Claire, a no-nonsense bible thumper; and Overton is Hooch Jones, the moonshiner who wins her heart when she learns he is funding orphanage repairs. Big Max fires Kyle for refusing to sleep with her, but is forced to let him take the stage when Kay quits to pursue a film career. Before he can sing his first note, the police raid the club. After all efforts to save the Showboat prove fruitless, Kyle heads down to the club to say goodbye. He bribes the construction crew into allowing him a few moments alone. He fulfills his dream of singing on the Showboat stage, then tearfully says farewell to this piece of his musical heritage.

Max's college roommate, Shayla, comes to town for her wedding. Max is stunned to learn that Shayla's intended, Chris, is a woman. She is hurt that Shayla failed to disclose the fact that she is gay, particularly when she discovers that Khadijah had known the truth since college. Max behaves rudely at the bridal shower, prompting Shayla to confront her in the kitchen. When Max demands to know why she was shut out, Shayla confesses that she was in love with Max. Max announces that she will not attend the wedding, as she feels that their entire frienship was a lie. Khadijah disagrees, pointing out that Shayla hid her true feelings because she was afraid of losing Max's friendship. Max tracks Shayla down at the beauty parlor to apologize. Although she admits that she might have initially overreacted to the news, she wishes that Shayla had given her a chance to rise to the occasion. Meanwhile, Kyle refers Overton to his tailor, but soon fears that Overton has stolen his fashion "look."

Kyle receives a promotion, but becomes extremely disenchanted after realizing that he is no longer allowed any contact with clients; the entire job consists of attending meeting after meeting. When Kyle is asked to speak before a church youth group, a young man who has followed his career closely suggests that he use his creativity to make his job more interesting. Kyle proposes an intermediary position, in which he would be involved in middle management, yet still work with clients. He must take a pay cut, but feels it is worth it. Meanwhile, Max tests Regine's claim that she doesn't mind when Keith paints portraits of nude models by volunteering to pose. Regine finally admits her jealousy, and Keith agrees to work with her to put her mind at ease.

Khadijah's estranged father asks her to keep an eye on her spoiled half-sister, Stephanie, while she is in town for a track meet. Khadijah asks Ivan to take her out and keep her out of trouble, but she slips away at a party and gets really drunk. She has a terrible hangover the morning of the finals. Khadijah forces her to get in the blocks, but she has to quit the race to go throw up. Khadijah can't understand why Stephanie would throw her opportunity away, but Stephanie explains that she is tired of being touted as a future Olympian; she would rather be a regular college student. Khadijah doesn't sympathize, pointing out that Stephanie at least has a father to pressure her. She is surprised to learn that their father always holds up Khadijah as a role model to her sister. Regine suspects that Max penned a letter to a magazine expressing concern about her habit of pushing men away (one in particular). She and Kyle pester Max about this, but she steadfastly denies it. Overton, however, sees through her lies.

When a young mother is found stabbed to death in her tub, police first suspect her recent ex. But when he produces an airtight alibi, it looks like the case may never be solved, until a frightened witness finally finds the courage to come forward.

Shortly after a large worker’s comp settlement gave one family a chance at a good life, their husband and father is found dead in his truck. As police expose dark secrets, they’re led to a cold-blooded killer nobody expected.

A beautiful, young woman has the world at her fingertips until a charming, bad boy sweeps her off her feet.

After escaping a bad relationship, a young woman thinks she finally found Mr. Right. But soon, she realizes her new man is actually worse than her ex.

A beautiful young bank teller falls head over heels for a starving musician. Under his spell, she becomes willing to risk it all.

Whitley tries to decide whether she should take her relationship with Dwayne to the next level.

Ron learns that he can't graduate because he failed to take a history course. Walter announces that he is leaving Hillman.

Dwayne begins teaching classes as Whitley takes a job as a director of a new dorm, encountering her first problem with a freshman seeking a place to stay.

Dwayne's high standards for his class, leads to a student walk-out. Jaleesa starts a temp agency and her first assignment is to find Freddie a job.

When Cliff’s father and his old Army buddies join Cliff in a pinochle game, Cliff is frustrated because the older men keep talking about the Army and won't let Cliff get in a word about his days in the Navy. Cliff becomes further exasperated when his father pulls one of his notorious pinochle hoaxes, with Cliff as the victim. Also, Vanessa is excited about her date with Tyrone, until she decides she also wants to date another boy.

When Clair and her mother-in-law go to Hillman College to visit Denise, Cliff and his father, Russell, are left in charge of the kids. Russell is pleasantly surprised to see first-hand what a good father Cliff is. Needless to say, all does not go smoothly when Clair is away: Russell helps out when Theo has girl problems; Rudy has a spat with her "boyfriend" Kenny; the sidewalk outside the Huxtable home is in dire need of repair; and a tired Cliff is summoned to deliver two babies.

Sondra and Elvin visit the family on their way to the theater, just as Theo "Monster Man" Huxtable practices for a big wrestling match. When Elvin volunteers to teach Theo some expert wrestling moves, he has to break it to Sondra that he won’t be able to go to the theater with her. The family, thinking Elvin's decision will lead to one of Sondra and Elvin’s infamous fights, is shocked when Sondra readily agrees that Elvin should do whatever he feels like doing.

Grandpa and Grandma Huxtable go all-out to entertain Rudy when the youngster spends the night at their home. Meanwhile, with Cliff and Theo left alone in the house, Cliff decides to hold the first meeting of the Huxtable Men's Club. But their plans are thwarted when Theo has a surprise visitor - the girl of his dreams, Lana Herman.

After a morning of being taken granted for by her children and her husband, Florida decides to take her boss up on a lunch invitation. This eventually leads to a confrontation with a jealous James.

Thelma's fiance's idea of romance is taking her to a basketball game but that is the least of her worries after he gets a big break in California leaving her with two options, stay with her family in Chicago or move to California with her fiance. Florida tries to calm a furious James and insists that it's time to let Thelma make her own decisions.

While J.J. is in St. Louis at an art show, the Evans family decides to hold a rent party to help out Wanda, a neighbor in the building, whose electricity has just been turned off. However, the party may come to a quick halt when the heartless building superintendent, Nathan Bookman catches wind of it. Meanwhile, Michael, Thelma, Willona and Florida all prepare to provide entertainment during the party.

The family is getting ready to move to Mississippi which is where James has gotten a promising new job. However, the family is waiting for the right time to tell Bookman the news. Later, Willona throws a going-away party but the happiness is interrupted by heartbreaking news that James has been killed in a car accident.

The death of James has J.J., Thelma and Michael overcome with grief and also leaves them wondering what is wrong with Florida, who hasn't cried once since she found out the news of James' death. During a get-together at the apartment after James' funeral, the kids plan to confront Florida, who is seen laughing and having a great time.

Thelma is trying to impress her new ballet teacher, Miss Jessica Bishop, with guacamole. She seems to be more interested in J.J.'s paintings....and J.J.! This relationship gets Florida's goat because she's 15 years older than J.J. Things really get serious when Jessica asks J.J. to move in with her, is he ready for this step?

Widespread violence has been running rampant in the neighborhood and a large part of it is due to the street gang, the Warlords. While Florida and some concerned citizens discuss the problem, Michael does his best to conceal a secret from his mother, he himself is a member of the gang.

After losing his job, J.J. tries his best to find a job. However, when Bookman serves the Evans' family with an eviction notice due to late rent, J.J. decides to take a job offer from a couple of his shady friends. Meanwhile, Thelma contemplates dropping out of college to get a full time job and help the family out.

J.J. is in the money, now that he has a new job working with two friends in a gambling operation. However, little does he know, the gambling business also includes prostitution and drugs. Meanwhile, Florida demands some answers from J.J. and kicks him out when she learns what line of work he is now in.

Florida, Willona, J.J., Thelma and Michael are all excited, having each purchased lottery tickets for the state lottery. Good luck strikes the family when J.J. wins the lottery, a total of $2500. However, the luck doesn't last long, that is until, Thelma's friend Edna shows up with her sister, Rozzie, both wielding pistols and demanding the winning money.

Michael is in love with Yvonne but every time he's around her he freezes. When Yvonne meets J.J. she instantly falls for him thus creating a sibling rivalry between Michael and J.J. Meanwhile, Florida must cope with the two fighting siblings and tries to explain to Michael what he's doing wrong.

The kids feel Florida has been spending too much time alone and they decide to cancel their plans and spend an evening with her. But Florida surprises them all and goes out with Willona. Willona takes her to a local night spot where they have an exciting evening.

Alderman Davis makes a visit to the Evans' household wanting J.J. to speak at his re-election campaign. However, when J.J. refuses, an eviction notice is immediately handed to Florida. Soon, the Evans family is caught between a rock and a hard place when they must decide whether or not to stand up for their principles and get evicted for it or support a political shyster.

J.J. is managing Michael's singing group and gets them a gig at a local tavern. When Florida learns that Michael may be performing in a tavern, she hits the roof and storms down there to put a stop to it, thus breaking up the act. While there, J.J. comes across Judith Cohen, an act whom he knows will hit it big, given the right exposure.

After a night at the movies, Latrell and Imunique get locked out of their condo. With no keys or cell phones, they have to spend the night in the hallway where they meet an array of wacky neighbors and strange visitors. After spending so much time together, Latrell and Imunique share a tender kiss.

Fabian realizes that Latrell’s new girlfriend is transgender and plots with the gang on how to break the news before he “seals the deal.” Imunique kisses him to sell the story that she broke them up because she was jealous. Meanwhile, Delroy and Macaroni Tony are on a roadtrip to Lake Tahoe and Delroy finds out Macaroni Tony used to date Bridget.

Imunique drives Latrell to his commercial audition and ends up landing the role he was going in for. After the commercial shoot, Latrell and Imunique have a huge fight… and end up in bed together. Meanwhile, Delroy has to finally get his first prostate exam.