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 (82)
1. Payneful Resolution Resolution
Aired 30 March 2011 • 30 min
CJ and Janine deal with marriage issues after CJ kisses her friend, Monica. Meanwhile, Calvin gets out of jail and Miranda has the baby. Janine asks for a divorce after CJ starts to go out of control on barking at Malik after he confronts CJ about kissing Monica, Jazmine told Malik when she overheard and saw CJ and Janine arguing
2. Growing Paynes
Aired 30 March 2011 • 30 min
Jazmine starts wearing make-up and hanging out with the wrong crowd. Curtis and Ella have a weight loss competition. CJ and Janine reconcile when they see how their kids need them and how much they love each other.
3. Payne Protection
Aired 6 April 2011 • 30 min
Malik gets ready for college. The men offer him advice and buy him condoms.
4. Payneful Visit
Aired 6 April 2011 • 30 min
Claretha reveals she has leukemia. Miranda's cousin Vanessa hooks up with Calvin's friend.
5. Where There's a Will, There's a Way
Aired 13 April 2011 • 30 min
After the death of a young firefighter, Ella decides it's time for Curtis and Ella to do a will. Meanwhile, Miranda's mom pays a visit.
6. Epic Fail
Aired 13 April 2011 • 30 min
Ella is overwhelmed and falls behind in her studies due to church duties, household duties, taking care of Curtis and the rest of the family. Ella fails a test she needed to graduate and she snaps on the family. Meanwhile, Calvin realize it's the day of their anniversary, and he pretend he didn't forget.
7. Praying for Attention
Aired 20 April 2011 • 30 min
Jazmine prays to pass a test and no longer wants to apply herself. Meanwhile, Calvin grows jealous of the baby.
8. Shout Out
Aired 20 April 2011 • 30 min
CJ and Janine go to marriage counseling. Then try the therapists way. But in the end they yell and scream at each other and they feel better. CJ sexes up the reunion between him and Janine. Meanwhile, Ella misses her graduation because she has to take Claretha to the hospital.
9. Love Thy Neighbor
Aired 27 April 2011 • 30 min
The family befriends a sex offender who moves into the neighborhood and all hell breaks loose when they find out his secret. Meanwhile, CJ and Janine decide to heed the advice of the marriage counselor. They go on a journey to find a hobby the two of them can share.
10. Dream Girls
Aired 27 April 2011 • 30 min
A music producer wants to sign Jazmine. Meanwhile, Calvin is embarrassed about his new job as a grocery store manager.
11. A Payneful Night Out
Aired 4 May 2011 • 30 min
Curtis and Ella decide to intervene when they see Janine and Roland at dinner until C.J. shows up with a woman. Meanwhile, Miranda goes on a grooming strike.
12. Payneful Assistance
Aired 4 May 2011 • 30 min
Miranda gets cooking advice after she makes a horrible dinner for Ella's club. Meanwhile, Curtis gets his tonsils pulled and can't talk.
13. House of Awkward
Aired 11 May 2011 • 30 min
C.J. is offered a promotion making him Janine and Roland's boss. Meanwhile, while packing the house Curtis finds a bag of weed in an old box of his and Floyd smokes the weed. Calvin asks Curtis to babysit and Curtis ends up babysitting Christian and Floyd.
14. Brain Payne
Aired 11 May 2011 • 30 min
Jayden may have autism. Janine blames herself. Meanwhile, Curtis lives by the rules of the bible.
15. Foster Paynes
Aired 18 May 2011 • 30 min
Ella brings home a troubled youth from the Help Center. Meanwhile, Janine and Miranda compete to get in a competitive day care.
16. Talented Paynes
Aired 18 May 2011 • 30 min
As Claretha secretly deals with the possibilty of losing her home, the family participates in a talent show. Calvin and Miranda combine their unique talents for the show.
17. Going, Going, Gone
Aired 25 May 2011 • 30 min
Janine is on the brink of a breakdown. Deshawn gets a lesson in the negro baseball league.
18. Mother's Day Out
Aired 1 June 2011 • 30 min
Deshawn's mother shows up at the Paynes'; C.J. upgrades Janine's wedding ring.
19. So Hard to Say Goodbye
Aired 8 June 2011 • 30 min
Malik goes off to college; Miranda is overwhelmed when Calvin Jr. visits.
20. Payneful Rescue
Aired 15 June 2011 • 30 min
The aftershocks of a fire impact Miranda and Calvin; Tracie and her new boyfriend show up at the hospital causing a huge argument. In the ending moments, the baby seems to be fine.
21. A Mother's Payne
Aired 21 October 2011 • 30 min
Ella's mother and sister Evie visit, and Ella experiences the effects of their mother's disease; Janine texts C.J. a sexy picture of herself.
22. Up from the Ashes
Aired 21 October 2011 • 30 min
Calvin finds out that Tracie checked Calvin Jr. out of the hospital. Calvin and Miranda try to find a place to stay.
23. The Payne Gang
Aired 28 October 2011 • 30 min
Curtis, Ella, and Floyd try to bring DeShawn a reality check when he wants to join a gang. C.J. and Calvin tussle over their living arrangements.
24. The Gifted and the Grout
Aired 28 October 2011 • 30 min
DeShawn is placed in a gifted-students program to avoid being expelled from school; Calvin and Miranda hire a contractor to repair their condo.
25. Do the Fight Thing
Aired 4 November 2011 • 30 min
DeShawn bullies a classmate and gets into trouble; Miranda and Janine fight over petty things.
26. 1096
Aired 4 November 2011 • 30 min
C.J. forgets Janine's 3-years-sober anniversary; Ella gets DeShawn an ugly outfit for school-picture day.
27. Number Five's Fight
Aired 11 November 2011 • 30 min
After budget cuts force C.J. to lay off firefighters, Roland must use his PR skills to avoid altercations; Calvin and Miranda want to move upstairs.
28. The Best Surprise
Aired 11 November 2011 • 30 min
Calvin and Miranda plan Calvin Jr.'s birthday party; Curtis and Ella have trouble with the Homeowners Association.
29. Working Paynes
Aired 18 November 2011 • 30 min
C.J. hires Calvin, whose performance is disappointing; bored with retirement, Curtis takes up painting.
30. Curtis Jefferson
Aired 18 November 2011 • 30 min
Curtis wakes up as a Jefferson.
31. Dead Wrong
Aired 25 November 2011 • 30 min
Miranda frets over her unemployment; C.J. looks into firefighter response times.
32. The Rich and Payneless
Aired 25 November 2011 • 30 min
Calvin is allowed supervised visits; Ella's friend Felicia visits.
33. Mentoring Paynes
Aired 2 December 2011 • 30 min
Janine sponsors a young girl; Curtis and Ella become DeShawn's foster parents.
34. Roommate Paynes
Aired 2 December 2011 • 30 min
C.J. and Janine are not comfortable with Malik's roommate; Claretha tries alternative cancer-fighting treatments
35. Pledging Paynes
Aired 30 December 2011 • 30 min
Malik gets hazed.
36. Help Me, Ella
Aired 30 December 2011 • 30 min
Ella becomes director of the center; Malik mulls dropping out.
37. Paynefully Fit
Aired 6 January 2012 • 30 min
Curtis becomes a contestant on Paynefully Fit, while Deshawn get advice about girls.
38. Do the Hustle
Aired 6 January 2012 • 30 min
Miranda's new client hits on her while the family honors Curtis.
39. No More Payne
Aired 13 January 2012 • 30 min
Miranda takes over renovating the condo while Calvin and Deshawn bond.
40. God Bless the Paynes
Aired 13 January 2012 • 30 min
The Paynes say goodbye while praising God in church.
41. Do Or Die
Aired 20 January 2012 • 30 min
The family gets ready to have one last Sunday dinner at Curtis and Ella's
42. R.I.P - Rest In Payne
Aired 20 January 2012 • 30 min
Calvin battles for his life at the hospital. Ella's unwavering faith won't let the family get down
43. Payneful Survival
Aired 27 January 2012 • 30 min
The Payne family waits for Calvin to wake up, but the fight isn't over. Curtis decides not to move.
44. Payneful Recovery
Aired 27 January 2012 • 30 min
Calvin might get discharged from the hospital after he finally awakened. Curtis attempts to mortgage his house for money to pay Calvin's medical bills.
45. House of Nightmares
Aired 3 February 2012 • 30 min
Calvin has nightmares about being shot and is uncomfortable at home with Miranda who is overwhelmed with caring for an ailing husband, two kids, a career and home. Ella and Curtis are worried that Calvin isn't receiving proper care and wants him to move in with them. Curtis prepares the house for Calvin.
46. In Payne
Aired 3 February 2012 • 30 min
A depressed Calvin admits to Ella that he think he would have been better off dead. The family is very concerned and Curtis has a heart to heart with Calvin. Deshawn's mother visits and wants Deshawn back. Deshawn decides to go live with her.
47. Payback
Aired 10 February 2012 • 30 min
Calvin plans to get revenge on Travis Harris for shooting him. Curtis makes plans with Ella then pretends to be sick when he gets tickets to a baseball game. When footage of Curtis at the game is aired, Curtis does everything he can to keep Ella from finding out.
48. Daddy Day Scare
Aired 10 February 2012 • 30 min
C.J. is left to look after the twins during the big game. Ella gets in the way of Calvin's transition back home.
49. Pills and Thrills
Aired 17 February 2012 • 30 min
Calvin is invited back to work, then decides he isn't ready and doesn't show. Floyd has a new girlfriend who looks awfully familiar to Curtis. Curtis realizes he knew the girlfriend, when she was a man.
50. Scars of Payne
Aired 17 February 2012 • 30 min
Ella runs a gun buy back program at the Help Center that is threatened by rival gang members. Curtis, bored, wants to volunteer at the Help Center and causes mischief.
51. Payne vs. Payne
Aired 17 February 2012 • 30 min
Curtis runs for neighborhood watch president. C.J. helps until he realizes he disagrees with some of Curtis's policies. When Curtis challenges C.J., C.J. decides to run himself. Meanwhile, Malik runs up his parent's credit card.
52. Guess Who Came to Breakfast
Aired 17 February 2012 • 30 min
The family meets Malik's new free-spirited girlfriend, Summer.
53. House of Force Closure
Aired 12 February 2012 • 30 min
Calvin and Miranda's condo gets foreclosed on and they are forced out.
54. If It Ain't Broke
Aired 3 February 2012 • 30 min
Ella is preparing to open a battered women's home in the church's unused classrooms, but it is shutdown.
55. Neighborhood Crisis
Aired 9 March 2012 • 30 min
Malik and Summer volunteer at a crisis hotline. Curtis goes overboard with the neighborhood watch as he tries to catch a criminal.
56. Down for the Count
Aired 12 March 2012 • 30 min
C.J. is offered perks as a city official. Miranda and Curtis bond.
57. Stop, Drop, and Roll
Aired 6 April 2012 • 30 min
C.J. and Janine have a fight which carries over into the office. Malik takes a class on evolution and doesn't know if he believes in God.
58. No Pass, No Play
Aired 6 April 2012 • 30 min
Malik tutors an athlete who can barely read. Curtis is overly canind with the newspapers and causes a PR scandal for C.J. and Janine.
59. Payneful Injection
Aired 18 May 2012 • 30 min
Malik and his father bumps heads when Malik leads a protest against a man being put to death. C.J. lead the arson investigation that put the man away.
60. Batter Up
Aired 18 May 2012 • 30 min
Miranda is hurt when she overhears Curtis and Ella talking bad about her. C.J.'s department enjoys the softball team until a horrible Janine wants to join.
61. Payneful Matrimony
Aired 25 May 2012 • 30 min
Malik marries Summer. Calvin and Miranda have a hard time adjusting to living with Curtis and Ella.
62. What You Know About Me
Aired 25 May 2012 • 30 min
C.J. and Janine have a party and don't invite Curtis and Ella. Malik and Summer argue over an obscure anniversary.
63. Right Turn
Aired 1 June 2012 • 30 min
Curtis does community service at the Help Center. Miranda doesn't invite Janine to a concert.
64. The Loan Ranger
Aired 1 June 2012 • 30 min
Malik finds out his friend is gay. Curtis loans Ella money.
65. Payneful Divorce
Aired 8 June 2012 • 30 min
Malik and Summer have their marriage annulled. Miranda temps at the office when Janine needs an assistant.
66. Up to the Challenge
Aired 8 June 2012 • 30 min
Malik takes caffeine pills irresponsibly and Curtis subs for Ella at a Help Center training program.
67. House of Sabotage
Aired 15 June 2012 • 30 min
Janine and Miranda co-chair a Help Center event and all they do is fight. Malik doesn't want to stop wearing his wedding ring.
68. Payneful Pop In
Aired 15 June 2012 • 30 min
Curtis and Ella keep popping in unannounced to C.J. and Janine's house. Jazmine is accused of cheating on an exam; she's covering for a friend.
69. House of OMG
Aired 22 June 2012 • 30 min
C.J. takes action when technology takes over the family.
70. Keep it Moving
Aired 22 June 2012 • 30 min
C.J. coaches Jazmine's soccer team.
71. Bake, Rattle and Roll
Aired 29 June 2012 • 30 min
Calvin's behavior at work gets him suspended. Meanwhile, Jazmine wants Ella to teach her how to bake.
72. Dodging Bullies
Aired 29 June 2012 • 30 min
Jazmine stands up to a cyber bully. Meanwhile, Miranda and Calvin have a pregnancy scare.
73. Payneful Distance
Aired 6 July 2012 • 30 min
Calvin takes Miranda's money and goes to a strip club. C.J. give Janine a bad evaluation.
74. Not in the Cards
Aired 6 July 2012 • 30 min
Floyd decides to host a night of fun and gambling at the Help Center, and Curtis gets quickly sucked in by the casino-like atmosphere and games. Jazmine lands herself in some serious trouble for talking during class time.
75. All Work and No Play
Aired 20 July 2012 • 30 min
Calvin and Miranda anticipates the prospects of having their own place. Jazmine jobshadows the PR office with CJ and Janine.
76. Amazing Matriarchs
Aired 20 July 2012 • 30 min
Ella receives news of the death of her mother Eunice.
77. The First Dance
Aired 27 July 2012 • 30 min
Jazmine ask CJ to go to the school dance with a boy.
78. The Invention of Trust
Aired 27 July 2012 • 30 min
Floyd's new invention causes friction between him and Curtis. Calvin questions Miranda about an unusual amount in her bank account.
79. Payneful Realization
Aired 3 August 2012 • 30 min
Calvin and Miranda try to save their marriage before it becomes too late.
80. Trial and Tribulation
Calvin faces his attacker Travis Harris in court when the shooter's trial finally arrives.
81. The Call Back
Curtis must deal with resentment after he is called back to work. Floyd learns important details of his heritage.
82. All's Well
Aired 10 August 2012 • 30 min
Calvin and CJ plan an anniversary celebration for Miranda and Janine. Miranda has to make a tough decision whether she stays with Calvin or not.