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 (46)
1. Where's the Payne?
Aired 4 November 2009 • 30 min
A forced retirement for Curtis creates obstacles, but the drama spikes when Miranda goes missing. Elsewhere, Claretha returns without her said husband and moves in with Curtis and Ella.
2. Recurring Paynes
Aired 4 November 2009 • 30 min
Miranda remains missing, and her mother storms on over to the house. She blames Calvin for her disappearance and even called the police on him! She believes Calvin is a suspect in her vanishing. Meanwhile, CJ, Janine and Jazmine return, hoping to stay with Curtis and Ella. And a secret is unearthed regarding Curtis's forced retirement. Also, Jazmine has become very intelligent due to her being at a school for gifted children but it concerns the family because she is acting so weird.
3. Wigging Out
Aired 11 November 2009 • 30 min
Miranda finally returns and tells Calvin there is no baby. Despite his pleads, begs, and understanding Miranda refuses to let Calvin stay in the condo therefore, shocked and confused, Calvin must move back in with Curtis and Ella.Claretha decides to start a home business.
4. Payne Speaking
Aired 11 November 2009 • 30 min
Curtis protests his retirement at City Hall and C.J. reveals to Curtis that he's taking Curtis's job at the firehouse. Meanwhile, Ella battles with an innovative new pastor who plans to shut down the help center to make way for a new multi-media outreach program.
5. Parental Payne
Aired 18 November 2009 • 30 min
Calvin confronts Miranda, thinking she had an abortion. Meanwhile, the school casts Malik in its production of Othello but the supposedly bigot father of the white girl cast opposite Malik won't allow Malik to kiss her in the play.
6. Payne, Payne Go Away
Aired 18 November 2009 • 30 min
It's a revolving door at the Payne house when CJ, Janine and the children move out, and Floyd in turn moves in because of his divorce. Then there's Jazmine. The youngster, feeling ignored and jealous, makes the choice to run away.
7. Marriage Paynes
Aired 25 November 2009 • 30 min
All three of the Payne couples (Curtis and Ella, C.J.and Janine, and Calvin and Miranda) go on an eye-opening marriage retreat. At the end of the retreat, Miranda asks Calvin for a divorce. Meanwhile, Claretha and Floyd babysit for the twins while everyone is out of the house.
8. Ms. Curtis
Aired 2 December 2009 • 30 min
It's an awkward up-and-down meeting for Calvin and Miranda when they get trapped in an elevator together, their first encounter after she asked for a divorce. Meanwhile, Curtis unwittingly takes Ella's estrogen pills. At the end Miranda and Calvin finally overcome their marriage problems before they reach the dreaded "33rd Floor".
9. Oh Christmas Payne
Aired 9 December 2009 • 30 min
Family and friends share their different versions of the Nativity story when Jazmine fails to appreciate her gift from Ella (a wooden version of the Nativity scene).
10. Til Payne Do Us Part
Aired 23 December 2009 • 30 min
Curtis and Ella are shocked to learn that their not legally married, so Claretha and Floyd convince them to enjoy single life.
11. Payneful Reunion
Aired 3 March 2010 • 30 min
When Ella tries to arrange a family reunion, a chagrined Jazmine opposes the idea of connecting with her extended family. As such, Curtis and Ella set out to teach her a valuable lesson about honoring her family heritage.
12. From the Mouths of Babes
Aired 3 March 2010 • 30 min
The issue of birth control creates divisions between CJ and Janine. Meanwhile, surprise developments transpire when Calvin and Miranda spend a day with Jazmine.
13. Blackout X 3
Aired 10 March 2010 • 30 min
A blackout ironically sheds light on all three Payne couples when Curtis, CJ and Calvin are taken away from their televised football game and keep company with their wives.
14. Lady Sings to Blue
Aired 10 March 2010 • 30 min
The Paynes worry that the newly happy Janine might be returning to drugs after her erstwhile dealer arrives. And Curtis is turning Japanese---that is, he becomes captivated by Japanese culture
15. Something Brewing
Aired 17 March 2010 • 30 min
Janine cares for her dying former dealer, jeopardizing her relationship with C.J.; Floyd and Curtis launch a beer-brewing business. While at the help center C.J. and Janine pray that Blue will be led to Heaven while dying.
16. Seal of Approval
Aired 17 March 2010 • 30 min
Malik decides to join the ROTC, upsetting Janine. And Curtis is fired up when he's hired by the fire department---but it's not in the capacity he expected.
17. Payneful Pie
Aired 25 March 2010 • 30 min
Ella breaks some news, which only creates a downturn in Curtis' financial plans. Elsewhere, Calvin squares off against Miranda's critical mother.
18. How Do You Like Your Roast?
Aired 25 March 2010 • 30 min
Curtis is the man of honor at a surprise retirement party. In other developments, a case of puppy love blooms for Jazmine.
19. Curtis Sings the Blues
Aired 31 March 2010 • 30 min
Curtis spirals into a depressive funk following successive life-altering events, but he gets support from a very unlikely source. In other developments, Calvin and Miranda compete against CJ and Janine in a bid for a weekend getaway.
20. Firestorm
Aired 31 March 2010 • 30 min
During a fire routine a fireman dies under CJ's authority and he blames himself. Meanwhile, Ella studies a book at school and recommends the literary work to Miranda and Claretha.
21. Heartbeat
Aired 7 April 2010 • 30 min
A pregnancy scare upends Calvin and Miranda's world. Elsewhere, Curtis' sales scheme lands him in trouble with the law.
22. Through the Fire
Aired 7 April 2010 • 30 min
Janine's mother (Anne-Marie Johnson) arrives, to a downcast CJ's immense annoyance. Elsewhere, Curtis is a flop during his guest-star role on a morning TV show.
23. The Bible: King Payne's Version
Aired 14 April 2010 • 30 min
Ella futilely tries to fit in with college-age peers in her study group; Curtis offers his own unique spin on religion when he teaches at Jazmine's Bible school.
24. Matured Investment
Aired 14 April 2010 • 30 min
A different side of Calvin opens up when he cares for Calvin Jr. Elsewhere, new neighbors arrive---and they have unique notions about relationships.
25. Who's Your Daddy, Now?
Aired 21 April 2010 • 30 min
Daddy issues plague CJ, who at long last meets his birth father. Elsewhere, Curtis tries not to miss a beat when he helps Jazmine choose a musical instrument.
26. Feet of Clay
Aired 21 April 2010 • 30 min
Curtis' old pal resurfaces, only to emerge as a much different person than before. Additionally, Calvin works to awe a nursery-school recruiter in the hopes of getting his child enrolled.
27. Date Night X 3
Aired 28 April 2010 • 30 min
The Payne men are pressured to take their wives out on the town, resulting in some poor date fate.
28. Watch the Son Shine
Aired 28 April 2010 • 30 min
Calvin and Ella work on a school project. Meanwhile, Curtis anticipates his first post-retirement interview and gets pointers from Malik.
29. The Drinking Game
Aired 5 May 2010 • 30 min
Malik and a pal are home alone, and they exploit that freedom. Meanwhile, Curtis and Ella have dinner at a top-notch restaurant, but the evening lacks flavor when Curtis tangles with a snobby waiter.
30. Who's on Top?
Aired 5 May 2010 • 30 min
CJ meets his new boss. Meanwhile, Floyd's ex-wife reappears, pulling Ella and Curtis into the dramas of a messy love triangle.
31. Help! Help! Help!
Aired 12 May 2010 • 30 min
When the help center must close due to a flood, Ella is forced to work at home, resulting in a chagrined Curtis and a flow of dramas. Elsewhere, a serious accident affects the Paynes.
32. Stinging Payne
Aired 12 May 2010 • 30 min
CJ tries to create a trap for his new boss and enlists Curtis to help him. Elsewhere, Calvin and Miranda's financial condition worsens.
33. Worth Fighting For
Aired 19 May 2010 • 30 min
Malik tries to win over an upperclassman by dueling with a bully. Meanwhile, Calvin puts into motion a plan to solve his financial problems.
34. Who's Your Nanny
Aired 19 May 2010 • 30 min
The mother of Calvin's child reappears and breaks stunning news. Meanwhile, the family must hire a nanny due to Janine's new work schedule.
35. The Chef
Aired 26 May 2010 • 30 min
Malik cooks up a scheme to impress his girlfriend, lying to her that he's a gourmet chef. Desperate, he then turns to Curtis to help him prepare a tasty dish. Meanwhile, Calvin's second job keeps him away from Miranda.
36. My Fair Curtis
Aired 26 May 2010 • 30 min
Floyd hopes to win Claretha's heart. Cut to Curtis and Ella, who are enlisted to help him. In addition, CJ's boss bombards him with more lusty advances.
37. Rest for the Weary
Aired 2 June 2010 • 30 min
Calvin falls into a perilous circumstance when he takes on two jobs. Meanwhile, Janine's home life suffers when she scores a promotion.
38. Thug Life
Aired 2 June 2010 • 30 min
Big Jesse reappears and inches closer to Ella, triggering jealousy in Curtis. Elsewhere, Malik faces the consequences of hanging out with some bad folks.
39. Rehabilitation
Aired 9 June 2010 • 30 min
CJ protests when Malik's crime partner makes an appearance. Meanwhile, Curtis starts a barbershop in the backyard.
40. A Payne in Need Is a Pain Indeed
Aired 9 June 2010 • 30 min
Tracie's unexpected visits to the house come under scrutiny. Elsewhere, Curtis is enlisted as CJ and Janine's babysitter.
41. House Guest
Aired 5 January 2011 • 30 min
Ella provides assistance to a domestic-abuse victim named Monica. Monica turns out to be a friend of Janine's and moves in with her and C.J as their new nanny. In other events, Jazmine and CJ anticipate a father-daughter dance.
42. Payne Showers
Aired 5 January 2011 • 30 min
Ella and Miranda's mother complicates Miranda's baby shower. As for the men, Curtis throws Calvin a "man shower". Tracie makes moves at Calvin when she shows up to the party but when he pushes, she takes Calvin Jr. away from him and Miranda.
43. Playing With Fire
Aired 12 January 2011 • 30 min
Janine's friend, Monica, has moved in and transformed herself and the house. Meanwhile, Miranda confronts Tracie and she puts up drastic measures at suing Calvin for child support.
44. When the Payne's Away
Aired 12 January 2011 • 30 min
While Janine is taking an overnight trip with her boss, Monica keeps the house warm and cozy with C.J. Meanwhile, Calvin tries to help Miranda prepare for labor pains, but this preparation doesn't go as planned.
45. Beginnings
Aired 19 January 2011 • 30 min
Curtis and Ella think it is time to move. They soon realize that their house is the gem that holds their family together.
46. Payne-ful Resolution
Aired 19 January 2011 • 30 min
Calvin is graduating from school. Miranda is about to go into labor with their child, but Calvin is then arrested for back child support. Meanwhile, Janine shares an intimate moment with her boss, Roland. In the ending moments of the episode, CJ intentionally kisses Janine's friend Monica. Feeling guilty, Monica tries to leave but unfortunately, Janine is at the door, resulting in a cliffhanger.