The Oddfather

The Oddfather was the landmark 100th overall episode of Sanford and Son. Also the 13th episode of Season Five, it first aired on NBC-TV on January 2, 1976.

Episode synopsis
Fred is wounded while witnessing a mob hit and is hospitalized under police protection until he can identify Mr. Big.

Episode summary
Fred is really put "on the spot" when he witnesses a bungled gangland slaying attempt. For a while, Fred basks in the likelihood that he will earn a 25,000-dollar reward for identifying the would-be assassin of a one "Johnny Popcorn" when he and Donna were coming out of the local movie theatre. Unfortunately, the gunman, Daniel Tracy, who's notoriusly known as "Mr. Big", has decided to add Fred to his hit list, generously prepared to knock off two for the price of one. When Fred, who seems initally to basking in the "luxury" of recuparting from a "sore foot" in his hospital room, which is all paid for by the LAPD (whose assigned officers seem to be waiting on him at his beck and call) is given a chain letter message from Mr. Big telling him to "forget all that he saw", he, fearing for his life and for loved ones Donna, and Lamont, who was out of town with Rollo,  has his fears cemented even further, which began almost as soon as the police, Donna, and Esther visit him, as a banana which the police got for him explodes as his throws it in a nearby wastebasket, and machine gun fire erupts after Donna closes the window curtains!

When the Police Commisioner arrives with TV news reporter Lyle Martinson, and then when the Commisioner brings Mr. Big in for Fred to identify him, he conveniently forgets everything he saw,which foils the cops attempts to indict Daniel Tracy. When Esther steps up and identifies Tracy as "the man who robbed our store and wounded my husband (Woodrow)", the Commissioner declares that Esther, by swearing of her testimony on a Bible "is safe", which dashes Fred's hopes of collecting on the reward money, which then goes to Esther and Woodrow.

Note: Roy Stuart makes a third and final and final guest appearance as news reporter Lyle Martinson, his 2nd appearance in the role. Gloria Delaney appears as a Nurse/Mob Moll Paul Harris appears as Daniel "Mr. Big" Tracy, and Dick O'Neill makes a second appearance as the LAPD Police Commissioner.