<Tr> <Th> Preceded by </Th> <Td> What's Happening!! </Td> </Tr> <P> What's Happening Now!! is an American sitcom sequel to the original ABC 1976--79 sitcom What's Happening!! focusing on its main characters as adults . It aired in first - run broadcast syndication from September 7, 1985, to March 26, 1988, and, like the previous series, What's Happening Now!! is loosely based on the motion picture Cooley High (written by Eric Monte and directed by Michael Schultz). </P> <P> In the series, Roger "Raj" Thomas (played by Ernest Thomas) has become a fledgling writer . He bought half of the restaurant Rob's Place (renamed Rob's) and was running the business with Shirley (Shirley Hemphill), making money for himself and his new wife Nadine (Anne - Marie Johnson), who was a social worker . Dwayne (Haywood Nelson) has become a computer programmer, and Rerun (Fred Berry) a used - car salesman . Raj and Nadine live in Raj's childhood home while Rerun and Dwayne share an apartment . </P> <P> The antics and sarcastic one - liners were reminiscent of the first series . Raj's little sister Dee (Danielle Spencer) showed up on a sporadic basis in guest spots, with the explanation that she had gone away to college . Raj and Nadine also became foster parents to a young girl named Carolyn Williams, played by Reina King (sister of actress Regina King), who displayed the sass that was seen in Dee when she was younger . </P>

Who played roger's wife on what's happening