"Florida's Homecoming" kicks off the four part opener for the sixth and final season (chapters one and two a one hour broadcast), welcoming back Esther Rolle and adding new cast member Ben Powers as aspiring running back Keith Anderson (Janet Jackson as Penny now almost as tall as her screen mother). The network was hoping to prevent ratings from slipping even further, and while that didn't happen it was definitely an improvement on season five. JJ chooses to spend his salary on clothes rather than save it in the bank: "I attracts more interest this way!" Michael is getting ready to leave for college, both he and Thelma coming home late at night. Bookman spotted Thelma necking with a guy in a red Cadillac, so JJ figures he'll teach the creep a lesson: "I think he already knows how!" She reveals her boyfriend of one month to be Keith Albert Anderson, Heisman trophy runner up, in town to sign a million dollar contract with the hometown Bears: "you mean you, the ugly duckling, has snagged the golden goose?" Keith is pleased to meet JJ: "the man who has created more moves than prune juice!" Penny's impression of Mae West inspires Keith's impression of W.C. Fields. Right in front of everybody he proposes to Thelma, who can't find herself saying no. Walking through the door at the conclusion is Florida, home at last in time for her daughter's wedding (no further mention of her atheist second husband Carl Dixon, the unspoken rumor being that he died from his cancer).
Review of Florida's Homecoming: Part 1
