Ep 12. Grady, the Star Boarder

Grady, the Star Boarder is the twelfth episode of the third season of the classic American sitcom Sanford and Son. The episode opens with Fred Sanford and his son Lamont deciding to become landlords by renting out their spare room to boarders. They get excited at the prospect of earning some extra cash, but things don't exactly go as planned when their first boarder arrives.

The boarder, Grady Wilson, is a dear old friend of Fred's who has fallen on hard times. He has recently lost his job and his wife has kicked him out of the house. Fred and Lamont feel bad for him and agree to let him stay in their spare room for a reduced rate. Grady is ecstatic to be back with his old buddies, but things quickly become awkward when he begins to overstay his welcome.

Grady is a cheerful and friendly fellow, but he's also a bit of a slob. He leaves his shoes and clothes all over the house, eats all of their food, and creates messy, makeshift bedding arrangements on the living room floor. Fred and Lamont try to be patient, but they soon become fed up with Grady's freeloading ways.

Meanwhile, Grady is blissfully unaware of the havoc he's causing. He spends his days lounging around the house, sharing tall tales and reminiscing about old times with Fred. He's completely content with his new living arrangement, but he's also clueless about the fact that Fred and Lamont are losing their minds.

As the days go on, things continue to deteriorate. Fred and Lamont start fighting more often, their nerves frayed from dealing with Grady's mess and his constant chatter. They try to talk to Grady about his behavior and convince him to start chipping in for rent and groceries, but he's always one step ahead. Whenever they bring up the subject, he distracts them with another story about his wild escapades back in the day.

At one point, Lamont reaches his breaking point and decides to move out temporarily, leaving Fred and Grady to their own devices. This only exacerbates the situation, as Grady begins to feel even more at home in the house. He starts inviting his old buddies over for parties and loud card games, much to Fred's chagrin.

By the end of the episode, tensions reach a boiling point. Fred and Lamont can't take it anymore and decide to give Grady an ultimatum: shape up or ship out. Grady is taken aback by their sudden hostility and doesn't understand why they're so upset. Eventually, he realizes that he's been taking advantage of their kindness and promises to start paying his fair share.

In the end, everything works out for the best. Grady becomes a model tenant and Fred and Lamont learn the importance of setting boundaries. They realize that being a landlord can be more trouble than it's worth, but they're grateful for the lessons they've learned along the way. Overall, Grady, the Star Boarder is a hilarious and heartwarming episode that showcases the dynamic between the three central characters while delivering some timeless laughs.