AllMovie

Season four of Sanford and Son was launched with an episode heralding the return of series star Redd Foxx (Fred Sanford), who'd been absent from several second-season episodes due to a contract dispute. In this opener, Fred's son Lamont (Demond Wilson) and best friend, Grady (Whitman Mayo), prepare a surprise party honoring Fred's return from a trip to St. Louis. Alas, Fred spoils the festivities by arriving home too early, whereupon the revellers, hoping to retain the element of surprise, pretend that they aren't planning anything -- which in turn leads Fred to believe that he's no longer wanted.