Up the Ladder Through the Roof

After Overton and Synclaire bring a pile of classic '60s records home from a garage sale, everyone (including Russell) annoys Khadijah by playing loud music and dancing while she is trying to work. She retreats into the hallway and falls asleep on the stairs. She dreams that she is Flo, a member of a pop group called the Flavorettes. The other members are Maxy (Max), the brassy lead singer and founder; Cynthia (Synclaire) a militant woman with ties to the Black Panthers; and Regina (Regine) a woman who cares little for glamour and is hopelessly devoted to their manager Rupert (Russell, no accent). At Flo's urging, they take a gig at a club run by her boyfriend Sonny (Tripp). When Maxy trips over a microphone cord during the performance, Flo takes over the lead. Suave producer O.W. Jones (Overton) is very impressed, and takes the group under his wing--with Flo as lead singer. The others are angry that Flo is being groomed for stardom, but agree to perform at the Apollo. Flo is momentarily stung by her friends' resentment and the loss of Sonny to Maxy, but decides her new fame is worth it. When Khadijah wakes up, she is in the mood to dance after all.Tag:Cast tries to sing along with Chaka (shown only in syndication).Music:"Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas; "Tell Him" (Exciters), performed by Erika Alexander and Queen Latifah with the Flavorettes; "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" (Betty Everett) and "Up the Ladder to the Roof" (Supremes), performed by Queen Latifah with the Flavorettes; "Sweet Thing," performed by Chaka Khan