Ep 7. The Winning Ticket

In the sixth season of the iconic 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son, the titular junk dealer with a heart of gold, Fred G. Sanford (played by the legendary Redd Foxx), is up to his usual antics as he navigates his community in Los Angeles. In episode seven of season six, entitled "The Winning Ticket," Fred and his son Lamont (Demond Wilson) stumble upon what they believe to be a winning lottery ticket that could change their lives.

As the episode opens, Fred and Lamont are cleaning out the attic of their home, looking for treasures they can sell in their junk shop. Amid the dusty clutter, they come across an old lottery ticket that Fred had forgotten about, which Lamont decides to check against the winning numbers posted by the local news. To their absolute shock, the numbers on the ticket match perfectly, and Fred and Lamont are elated at their newfound wealth.

Their excitement is short-lived, however, as Fred quickly realizes that the ticket is not in his name, and instead belongs to an elderly woman named Miss Wallace (played by Bebe Drake). Fred is torn between keeping the ticket and cashing it in for a large sum of money, or being honest and giving it back to Miss Wallace, who is a regular customer of his shop. He decides to do the right thing and return the ticket to Miss Wallace, despite Lamont's objections.

Upon returning the ticket, Fred and Lamont are surprised to find out that Miss Wallace is not the wealthy grandmother they had imagined her to be, but rather a struggling widow who needs the money badly. The Sanfords decide to help Miss Wallace claim the ticket, and offer to drive her to the lottery office to collect her winnings. Along the way, however, they must contend with unscrupulous lottery ticket dealers who try to steal the ticket, and other obstacles that threaten to derail their plans.

As the episode unfolds, Fred finds himself in a moral quandary as he grapples with the decision to keep the winning ticket or give it back to its rightful owner. The episode touches on themes of honesty, loyalty, and family values that are central to the Sanford and Son series. As always, the chemistry between Foxx and Wilson is impeccable, as they deliver their trademark comedic timing and memorable one-liners.

"The Winning Ticket" is a classic episode of Sanford and Son that showcases the wit, charm, and heart of one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 1970s. It is a testament to the enduring popularity of the show that it continues to resonate with audiences today, as it did when it first aired over four decades ago. For fans of the show and newcomers alike, "The Winning Ticket" is a must-see episode that exemplifies the best of what Sanford and Son has to offer.