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 (26)
1. Labor Paynes (1)
Aired 3 December 2008 • 30 min
Janine goes into labor, resulting in surprises and white-knuckle moments, as a double wedding uniting CJ and Janine, plus Calvin and Miranda, swiftly changes locations to the hospital.
2. Labor Paynes (2)
Aired 3 December 2008 • 30 min
While in labor, Janine worries about her baby being born out of wedlock so the double wedding is moved to the hospital.
3. Your Wife's a Payne
Aired 10 December 2008 • 30 min
Calvin and Miranda move into their new digs, but Miranda's shadowy past life as a con artist comes to the fore. Elsewhere, it gets snippy at the barbershop when the couple quarrel over business plans.
4. Casa De Payne
Aired 10 December 2008 • 30 min
Claretha gets the royal treatment when she becomes engaged to an African prince. Planning a move to Africa, she sells her home to a new family. Meanwhile, Curtis blows a gasket when he receives a slew of parking tickets; Calvin and Miranda return from their honeymoon; and Jazmine journeys to a boarding school in North Carolina.
5. It's A Payne Growing Up
Aired 17 December 2008 • 30 min
Malik's friend Kevin has an intimate relationship with a woman who has syphilis. C.J. counsel's Malik which leads to a misunderstanding. Meanwhile, Calvin is pressured by Miranda to be more thoughtful towards their marriage.
6. Payne And Prejudice
Aired 17 December 2008 • 30 min
The Payne's are invited for dinner at the Hernadez home which leads to a culture clash. Dana's falsehood's come back to haunt her back at the barbershop.
7. Payneful News
Aired 11 February 2009 • 30 min
Calvin and Miranda are trying to have a baby, but they run into problems when they discover that Calvin isn't "firing on all cylinders."
8. Payneful Loss
Aired 11 February 2009 • 30 min
Ella and Rosie conspire to get themselves and their husbands to lose weight and get healthy. Meanwhile, Malik and Kevin get in over their heads when they throw a house party while house sitting for Calvin and Miranda.
9. Payneful Employment
Aired 18 February 2009 • 30 min
CJ gets a very important job interview in another city which excites Curtis who begins to think he might finally have the house to himself again.
10. Slightly Payneful Truth
Aired 18 February 2009 • 30 min
Malik, as a favor to Alexandra, helps Consuela prepare for her U.S. citizenship test. Curtis jumps in to help when Malik gets sick.
11. Joy and Payne
Aired 25 February 2009 • 30 min
Curtis, Calvin and the rest of the Paynes are caught in the middle of a Hernandez family confrontation between Carlos and his son, Diego.
12. A Sisters Payne
Aired 25 February 2009 • 30 min
Kiki's brother, Darnell returns to the shop. Malik and Alex find a way around the 'no date' rule by having a date in Malik's back yard.
13. A Grand Payne
Aired 4 March 2009 • 30 min
Malik asks Alex out on a date, but their parents insist that they be supervised; Janine's parents visit to see the new twins.
14. Games People Play
Aired 4 March 2009 • 30 min
The Payne's love their annual tailgating shindig, but when Miranda finds out about Calvin and Mercedes date, she becomes ill. Meanwhile, Diego becomes agitated and starts fighting with people.
15. Help Wanted
Aired 8 April 2009 • 30 min
Miranda runs into her successful, good looking ex-fiance, and it drives Calvin crazy. To show that he is doing something with his life, Calvin takes a job at Mercedes company.
16. Old Lady Paynes
Aired 8 April 2009 • 30 min
When Ella's demanding mother arrives, the elder exhibits a lapse of memory, causing Ella to worry that she has Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, there's a hair-raising quandary at the barbershop when Floyd's supposedly dead first wife emerges.
17. I Don't Know This Payne
Aired 15 April 2009 • 30 min
Ella and Rosie get jobs working at a boutique at the mall, while Curtis and Carlos enjoy their new 'man world.'
18. Paul Mall
Aired 15 April 2009 • 30 min
Curtis may need to be careful after Ella meets a handsome and charming man at the mall. Meanwhile, Diego asks for Calvin and Miranda's help in scrutinizing Mercedes newest man.
19. With Friends Like These
Aired 22 April 2009 • 30 min
Malik forms a new friendship with a fellow student who is being abused in the classroom because of his HIV positive status. Elsewhere, when Rosie calls out sick, Consuela is left in charge with the boutique.
20. The Talent Show
Aired 22 April 2009 • 30 min
The firehouse is being jeopardized by city budget cuts. But holding a big fund raising talent show, along with an appearance by Gladys Knight, could still save the firehouse and the firemen's jobs. Meanwhile, Diego is still dealing with post war anger issues.
21. Bringing Down the House
Aired 29 April 2009 • 30 min
The foundation of the Payne house needs desperate repair. Curtis tries to save money by hiring a jackleg contractor, who ends up doing more damage and the Paynes have to move out of their house. Meanwhile, Ella grows closer to Paul, the man at the mall.
22. Moving Day
Aired 29 April 2009 • 30 min
Curtis, Ella and Malik are moving out of the house (CJ, Janine and the babies have gone to stay at Janine's parents in Florida. Ella is devastated. They have to move into Calvin and Miranda's condo and Calvin turns the table on Curtis and treats him the way he was treated when he lived at home.
23. Moving Out
Aired 27 May 2009 • 30 min
Curtis, Ella and Malik are moving out of the house (CJ, Janine and the babies have gone to stay at Janine's parents in Florida. Ella is devastated. They have to move into Calvin and Miranda's condo and Calvin turns the table on Curtis and treats him the way he was treated when he lived at home.
24. Back Where We Belong
Aired 27 May 2009 • 30 min
Curtis and Calvin move into the barbershop due to their marriage problems, which causes hair raising havoc in the process. Meanwhile, Floyd blows up when he learns of Zach and Olivia's act of love.
25. Surprise! (Part 1 of 2)
Aired 3 June 2009 • 30 min
Calvin has gotten the $20,000 needed to repair his parent's house and surprises them with the check. Meanwhile, Janine reveals that CJ is in Chicago interviewing for a new job.
26. Surprise! (Part 2 of 2)
Aired 3 June 2009 • 30 min
Calvin tries to fix the mess he is in with Miranda and the conflict only gets worse. Meanwhile, Janine, the twins and Malik are preparing to move.