Soul Food

The everyday life and problems of the Josephs, a black family living in Chicago, Illinois.

Genre: Drama

Cast:Rockmond Dunbar , Darrin Dewitt Henson , Aaron Meeks , Nicole Ari Parker , Malinda Williams , Vanessa Williams , Boris Kodjoe , Taylor Love , Irma P. Hall , Kathryn Winslow , Yannick Bisson , Tony Sciara , Anais Granofsky , Nyla Crawford Noel , Kevin Rahsaan Grant , Yvette McKoy , Bradley Reid , Michael Warren

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ The More Things Change

Wed, Jun 28, 2000

Bird gives birth to a baby boy. Tension still hangs in the air between Teri and her ex-husband, Miles. Damon Carter, a deliveryman who services Teri's office, declares his affections for Teri, but she gives him the cold shoulder. Due to extensive water damage, Lem, Bird, the baby and Uncle Pete are forced to move in with Teri. Meanwhile, Ahmad runs into trouble at his new school. Bird and Lem's baby becomes sick and has to stay at the hospital. Later, Teri finally decides to let her guards down and go out on a date with Damon. Also, Lem's cousin, Franco, who had recently gotten out of jail, loans Lem money and tries to convince him to start hustling again.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ The More Things Stay the Same

Wed, Jul 5, 2000

The girls take their father's business partner, Hardy Lester, to court. Lem takes dangerous measures to address his money problems and Teri blows it with Damon.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Heart of the Matter

Wed, Jul 12, 2000

Teri struggles with her feelings about Damon and Miles, the girls meet Hardy Lester to avoid a trial and Lem's cousin, Jack, saves him from jail.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ What Women Want

Wed, Jul 19, 2000

Lem's cousin, Jack, finds a temporary job for Lem. And hiding his new agenda from Bird is a hard task. While Josephina is away, Teri represents the Joseph vs. Lester case. Bird returns to work at the salon, but all her customers were taken away by the other beauticians. Later, the girls win back half of their father's store, much to Hardy's dismay.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ The Watermelon Theory

Wed, Jul 26, 2000

Ahmad catches his parents in an awkward position

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ Claiming

Wed, Aug 2, 2000

Lem helps Kenny face some aggressive competition for his tow truck business and Teri meets Damon's family. Meanwhile, Maxine makes a new friend.

7Season 1

S1.E7 ∙ Truth Be Told

Wed, Aug 9, 2000

The family finds out that Hardy Lewis has cancer and the news impacts everyone differently. Also, Teri and Damon are mugged by Teri's old classmate.

8Season 1

S1.E8 ∙ Bad Luck

Wed, Aug 16, 2000

Everyone comes up with ideas to celebrate Ahmad's 12th birthday party. Maxine becomes upset because Ahmad all of a sudden wants to have his party at Teri's house. Bird volunteers to bake Ahmad's birthday cake, much to everyone's dismay. Ahmad worries if K.C. and Reggie will accept his new friends at Lakeside Prep. Kenny searches hard to find the video game that his son wants more than anything, but when he takes Lem's suggestion to go out and buy it "hot", it lands him in jail. While in jail, he's interrogated by a harsh detective. He also ends up being the cellmate of a psychopath. After almost getting killed by his cellmate, Kenny is finally released. Upset with both Jack and Lem, Kenny refuses to accept the gift that he originally was sent to get.

9Season 1

S1.E9 ∙ Anything You Can Do

Wed, Aug 23, 2000

Damon stops by Teri's to hand her some flowers to show her his sympathy, but Teri wants to end their relationship so that they can just be "friends". Ahmad befriends Callie, a classmate from Lakeside Prep, but he soon believes that she only likes him because he's black. Maxine and Lem decide to pool their money to invest in a corporation, but are saddened when they lose everything they've earned. Meanwhile, Bird wants to learn more of what Lem does while she's not around.

10Season 1

S1.E10 ∙ Samurai Secrets

Wed, Aug 30, 2000

Maxine is upset to learn that Kenny took Teri to a concert when he was also dating her. Lem's involvement with Jack continues to cause him difficulties.

11Season 1

S1.E11 ∙ Man Trouble

Wed, Sep 6, 2000

Teri confronts her friend Brian over his relations with Heather and the double standard for women in the work place. Maxine catches Ahmad with a condom and fights with Kenny over giving him the sex talk.

12Season 1

S1.E12 ∙ The Language of Life

Wed, Sep 13, 2000

Damon accepts a temporary job as a translator for Teri's firm, which affects their relationship. Bird discovers that Lem has not been working at the docks and confronts him with the help of her sisters. Ahmad lets Bird buy him a video game he's not supposed to have, and is anxious about the consequences.

13Season 1

S1.E13 ∙ Ordinary Pain

Wed, Jan 3, 2001

The sisters learn from their Uncle Melvin that they have a half sister named Nina and she wants part of the inheritance. Ahmad would rather hang with his friends than take his PSAT classes.

14Season 1

S1.E14 ∙ Nice Work If You Can Get It

Wed, Jan 10, 2001

Teri's anger continues over not making partner then she lands a big client and has two attractive job propositions offered to her. Bird asks Lem to move back in yet not resume their physical relationship but he declines.

15Season 1

S1.E15 ∙ Little Girl Blue

Wed, Jan 17, 2001

Teri learns she didn't make partner at the same time she believes Damon is having an affair with Christine. Lem has trouble with a cookie salesman. Kenny is concerned that Ahmad is spending time with Steve, a gay man.

16Season 1

S1.E16 ∙ This Crazy Life

Wed, Jan 24, 2001

Ahmad gets upsets, running away to Damon's house. A quarrel between a couple at Bird's salon escalates, a gun is produced and Bird with Lem find themselves being by held hostage.

17Season 1

S1.E17 ∙ Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose

Wed, Jan 31, 2001

Teri goes to court for Global Airlines, Bird and Lem take baby steps toward reconciliation and Kenny hires an assistant.

18Season 1

S1.E18 ∙ Everything Is Unfolding Perfectly

Wed, Feb 7, 2001

Ahmad wants to impress a girl named Keisha. Bird and Lem work on co-parenting plus their communication skills. Maxine tries to get speed bumps installed but finds her meeting with an Alderman sabotaged by a family member.

19Season 1

S1.E19 ∙ A Clear and Present Stranger

Wed, Feb 14, 2001

Kennys father comes to visit

20Season 1

S1.E20 ∙ Take Me to the Water

Wed, Feb 21, 2001

Ahmad takes baptism class and Teri tries to reconnect with her religion just as most of the family is involved in a catastrophic car crash.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ The Aftermath

Wed, Jun 27, 2001

Kenny and Bird deal with their injuries from the accident; Damon feels guilty, while Lem is angry; everyone depends on Teri, who eventually has her meeting with the partners of her law firm; Ahmad is determined never to get baptized, thinking that he is under a "baptism curse".

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Welcome Home

Wed, Jul 4, 2001

Kenny finally comes home from the hospital, and turns into a grump; Lem and Bird deal with Lem's lack of sexual interest in her since the accident; Damon's guilt over his part in the accident creates friction with Teri; Lila helps Max run Kenny's Towing business; Keisha lets Ahmad take her to the next level, but he jeopardizes it all trying to be a player; Damon's ex, Christine discovers that he may still be attracted to her; Max finds out the one thing she can do for Kenny that will stop an argument before it even begins. Musical Guest: Kina Cosper

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Who Do You Know?

Wed, Jul 11, 2001

Lem takes Kenny to The Funk Box to 'stimulate his brain', but it backfires when their wives find out; Teri persuades Josefina to get a "pre-nupt" before she marries Carlos; her discussion with Josefina brings up hard feelings about her first husband, Russell, who then decides rather inconveniently to show up at her door; Ahmad and his partner, Richie, have to do a report, but Ahmad gets stuck doing all of the work; Bird's anger over the strip club incident prompts her to challenge Lem to a shocking dare.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ God Bless the Child

Wed, Jul 18, 2001

Teri begins having panic attacks; Lem's mother, Lynnette tries to work her way back into his life; Keisha is not ready to forgive Ahmad for kissing Callie; a still-injured Kenny takes his frustrations out on his family, leading to an unexpected confrontation with his son. Musical Guest: Dave Hollister.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ Sex and Money

Wed, Jul 25, 2001

Teri becomes a partner at a minority law firm, where she is surprised to find out that Damon is starting a sports management company; Kenny is anxious to get back in the saddle with Maxine; Bird decides to get a new car, despite Lem's objections; while celebrating his new enterprise, Damon winds up sleeping with Christine; Ahmad, with Reggie's help, records and copies late-night-cable porn to sell at school for money to go to a concert.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ Come Back for the Comeback

Wed, Aug 1, 2001

Kenny comes back to work at his towing company, but he's taking a lot of pain pills to help him through the day; after helping out with the towing business, Maxine doesn't want to go back to being just a stay-at-home mom; Faith, the Joseph sisters' wayward cousin, is back in Chicago and in very hot water, but Teri reluctantly agrees to help her; Damon, at his brother's urging, pursues a promising college ball player for his sports management company, and in the process learns a valuable lesson about handling business before pleasure.

7Season 2

S2.E7 ∙ Games People Play

Wed, Aug 8, 2001

Teri is totally smitten with an attorney/author with whom she went to law school, but then she learns he is the opposing counsel on a case she is handling; Kenny's pain pill problem reaches its tipping point when Lem cuts him off; Kenny and Lila are forced to confront the increasing attraction between them.

8Season 2

S2.E8 ∙ Life Lessons

Wed, Aug 15, 2001

Teri jumps at the chance to represent a senior bank executive who is being sued for sexual harassment by her old law firm, but the case is not quite what it seems; Christine arranges to get Damon some new business, while Damon resists getting help from his father; Ahmad starts flunking math so he can get with the hot new tutor. Musical Guest: Blu Cantrell.

9Season 2

S2.E9 ∙ The Root

Wed, Aug 22, 2001

Lem's decision to reinvest the store's profits, without consulting the sisters, starts a family quarrel. Teri tries to hide her anxiety attacks from everyone, but Ahmad is suspicious. Damon accepts his father's financial help with his new company, while keeping Christine at a distance. Teri's avoidance of Damon at a party is more than obvious to her date.

10Season 2

S2.E10 ∙ Never Can Say Goodbye

Wed, Aug 29, 2001

Ahmad's basketball coach gives him advice that sends his parents to the principal with their complaints. Teri confronts Christine at Damon's apartment. Lester tries to fake dementia to retain his interest in the store. Damon expresses his love to Teri, who ends up telling him goodbye. (Wynton Marsalis is the musical guest and takes part in the story.)

11Season 2

S2.E11 ∙ I'm Afraid of Americans

Wed, Sep 5, 2001

The Joseph family deals with the impact of a violent race-related riot in their community. Lem tries to help a young drug dealer.

12Season 2

S2.E12 ∙ Running as Fast as I Can

Wed, Sep 12, 2001

Maxine decides to run for alderman of her district. Teri is asked to do more pro bono work. Ahmad tells a lie to get out of a school trip to WDC, but to his dismay, it backfires on him. Teri's firm might lose a big client if Maxine continues to run against the incumbent.

13Season 2

S2.E13 ∙ Fly Away Home

Wed, Sep 19, 2001

Bird is excited when singer Deborah Cox asked her to go on tour with her. But she is angered when Maxine and Lem aren't supportive because of how it would impact her family.

14Season 2

S2.E14 ∙ If You Don't Know Me by Now

Wed, Sep 26, 2001

Lem becomes the key suspect when J and H Groceries is burned down. Kenny is torn between business and family demands. Meanwhile, Ahmad is roped into a fight to defend Keisha's honor.

15Season 2

S2.E15 ∙ From Dreams to Nightmares

Wed, Jan 9, 2002

Lem is arrested for the suspected arson at the grocery store and the family can't raise the bail. Ahmad starts having nightmares about his ongoing problems. Teri has difficulty with her sibling's friendship with her ex.

16Season 2

S2.E16 ∙ A Taste of Justice

Wed, Jan 16, 2002

Lem and Philky join forces to find the actual arsonist to completely clear Lem's name. When his daughter Kelly has an disagreement with another child Kenny gets into a physical fight with the other father.

17Season 2

S2.E17 ∙ Help

Wed, Jan 23, 2002

Teri's erratic behavior continues and Damon gives her an unwelcome ultimatum. Bird urges to Teri to seek professional help. Lem recives a loan which helps him receive a city towing contract and he is able to expand his business.

18Season 2

S2.E18 ∙ Lovers and Other Strangers

Wed, Jan 30, 2002

Lem helps his mother Lynette get rid of her latest boyfriend but she then turns her attention in an unwanted direction. Maxine finds her father-in-law Benjamin in a delicate situation which leads to a family showdown.

19Season 2

S2.E19 ∙ In Transition

Wed, Feb 6, 2002

Kenny faces work problems when his employees want a share of his city contract. Teri tries to get her personal and professional life on track. Reggie hires Ahmad a stripper to help him get over Keisha.

20Season 2

S2.E20 ∙ This Must Be Love

Wed, Feb 13, 2002

Maxine has big anniversary plans with Kenny involving concert tickets and a San Francisco trip. It's spoiled when she finds a letter Lila wrote to Kenny. Teri has to delicately handle a female customer who is showing an interest in her.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ Tonight at Noon

Wed, Jun 26, 2002

Musical guest: Ludacris Teri returns to her old law firm after being offered a position as managing partner by Katherine Burke, the head of a big New York City law firm. Damon is haunted by the ghost of Christine. Meanwhile, Maxine and Kenny, who are struggling with their separation, receive a Best Teamwork Award from Ahmad's school. Also, Lem and Bird try to reunite Maxine and Kenny.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Ultimate Power

Wed, Jul 3, 2002

After a break in Maxine wants to get a weapon for protection but Kenny is opposed. Bird has a bigger issue when Lem illegally obtains a gun and confronts him. Teri's new client is a famous and powerful media mogul.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Past Imperfect

Wed, Jul 10, 2002

Kenny has a business opportunity come up while dealing with his separation from Maxine. Ahmad wants an expensive tuxedo to wear for a thirteenth birthday party. A past boyfriend from school Michael reappears in Bird's life.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ Out with the Old...

Wed, Jul 17, 2002

Teri clashes with her friend Brian over work differences. Bird enters the Chicago Hair Show and Ahmad films it all including her problems with Zeke Fabulous. Lem tries to help his buddy Jerome put his criminal past behind him.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Empty Spaces

Wed, Jul 24, 2002

Kenny and Lem start a new business venture but almost immediately disagree. Teri becomes upset when Damon introduces her as a friend and Damon asks a washroom attendant for advice. Maxine gets a new job.

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ Stranger Than Fiction

Wed, Jul 31, 2002

Musical guest: Eisa Davis Maxine asks Kenny to move back home. Bird shines in her makeover segment on "Chicago Update." Teri struggles with loyalty and morality in a suit against Peter Redmond Enterprises.

7Season 3

S3.E7 ∙ Child Safety

Wed, Aug 7, 2002

Ahmad sees a drug related murder and his parents aren't sure they want him coming forward as a witness. Kenny learns he can't trust Lem. Damon's new client Kevin found his match in a woman he just met.

8Season 3

S3.E8 ∙ Let's Do It Again

Wed, Aug 14, 2002

After going through marriage counseling Kenny is so inspired he asks Maxine to renew their wedding vows. Teri and Damon move in together but discover they have compatability issues.

9Season 3

S3.E9 ∙ Big Dreams in Small Spaces

Wed, Aug 21, 2002

Bird's plans for changing their mother's home finds resistance from Teri and Maxine. Ahmed decides to go out for the football team and must keep it hidden from his parents who aren't in favor.

10Season 3

S3.E10 ∙ Emotional Collateral

Wed, Aug 28, 2002

Maxine gets too emotionally involved with a client at the agency. Damon can't deal with the indecisive nature of his relationship with Teri and decides it needs to change.

1Season 4

S4.E1 ∙ All Together Alone

Wed, Apr 9, 2003

Damon's drinking gets worse and he is arrested for drunk driving. Teri convinces him to seek help for his problem. Lem is concerned when a former teacher of Bird reappears and seems intent on keeping his attention on her.

2Season 4

S4.E2 ∙ Life 101

Wed, Apr 16, 2003

Bird is surprised to learn she's pregnant. Teri has trouble living up to her reputation as being able to handle everything. Ahmad starts dating Keisha.

3Season 4

S4.E3 ∙ The New Math

Wed, Apr 23, 2003

Benny's ex-girlfriend is creating difficulties for him and Damon tries to assist him. Kelly's grades cause concern for Maxine and Kenny who attempt to help. Teri decides to become a mentor.

4Season 4

S4.E4 ∙ Truth's Consequences

Wed, Apr 30, 2003

A visit from Aunt Ruthie wreaks havoc in the girls' lives. Meanwhile, Damon seeks help for his drinking problem. Ahmad falls for Reggie's girl.

5Season 4

S4.E5 ∙ Shades of Grey

Wed, May 7, 2003

Lem hires a developmentally challenged man at the grocery which makes some of his customers uncomfortable. Bird and Eva grow closer. Ahmed and Jewish classmate Jamie's project is to learn about each other's cultures.

6Season 4

S4.E6 ∙ My Brother's Keeper

Wed, May 14, 2003

Teri and Damon become engaged but the sisters don't like the engagement ring. Bird and Maxine try to convince their guys to talk Damon into getting a different one. Ahmad starts his own paper.

7Season 4

S4.E7 ∙ Attracting Opposites

Wed, May 21, 2003

Lem clashes with Baron Marks' son. Meanwhile, Bird takes a surprising step with Eva when Teri catches Eva and Bird sharing a kiss. Also, Ahmad is having unwelcome dreams about Bird.

8Season 4

S4.E8 ∙ Sacrifice Fly

Wed, May 28, 2003

Bird and Lem realise that Teri has one of their sextapes. Kenny and Damon get a young baseball player hurt and deal with the consequences.

9Season 4

S4.E9 ∙ Nobody's Child

Mon, Jun 9, 2003

Mandel's mother abandons him at Maxine's home leaving her and the sisters to decide what to do. The girls at Ahmad's high school share information about his anatomy with everyone.

10Season 4

S4.E10 ∙ Falling from Grace

Wed, Jun 11, 2003

When Estella returns, wanting Mandel back, Teri begins to investigate her rights. Tobias is released from the hospital.

1Season 5

S5.E1 ∙ Pagan Poetry

Wed, Feb 25, 2004

After a series of purse snatchings the family learns Ahmad is the chief suspect. Teri struggles after her latest breakup. Law enforcement officials pressure Lem to be an informant.

2Season 5

S5.E2 ∙ Two to Tango

Wed, Mar 3, 2004

Maxine wanting the best for Kelly, begs a prominent tutor to take the youngster on as a student. Teri begins to show interest in a courier who has a strong resemblance to Damon.

3Season 5

S5.E3 ∙ The Son Also Rises

Wed, Mar 10, 2004

Kenny's brother visits with a request that reopens old family wounds; Willie White increases the pressure on Lem to roll over on Baron; Ahmad seeks refuge in a neighborhood school after a classmate takes his false arrest seriously.

4Season 5

S5.E4 ∙ We Plan

Wed, Mar 17, 2004

Teri is surprised and not at all pleased when Damon's mother arrives to take back her engagement ring; Maxine is offered a full-time position at work - but her handsome new boss and new career put a strain on her relationship with Kenny.

5Season 5

S5.E5 ∙ Decisions and Choices

Wed, Mar 24, 2004

Kenny allows an old friend to use his towing company as a movie set, not realizing that the movies are gay porn. Maxine, a dark-skinned Black woman accuses Ahmad of being "color struck", due to the fact that she introduced him to the dark-skinned daughter of one of her friends, yet he falls for her cousin who is light skinned, with long, wavy hair.

6Season 5

S5.E6 ∙ A Rock Hard Place

Wed, Mar 31, 2004

Teri and Brian take their relationship to an intimate level but decide to keep it private at their work place. Bird discovers the FBI is making inquiries about Baron which creates a distance between Lem and Baron.

7Season 5

S5.E7 ∙ Survival Techniques

Wed, Apr 7, 2004

Ahmad talks back to a teacher leaving him in trouble with school plus Kenny and Maxine. Lem is extorted by by Baron's friends by involving Teri. Charles gets closer to Teri through dancing.

8Season 5

S5.E8 ∙ Angelitos Negros

Wed, Apr 14, 2004

Kelvin reveals that he's HIV positive to Maxine and Ken who struggle with their reaction to the news. Bird decides to act on her attraction to Malik and find it's reciprocated.

9Season 5

S5.E9 ∙ Successful Failure

Wed, Apr 21, 2004

The sisters have an explosive argument on Mama Joe's birthday; as Bird and Lem drift further apart, they each find refuge in other partners.

10Season 5

S5.E10 ∙ Love Me or Leave Me

Wed, Apr 28, 2004

Lem is stunned to find Bird with Malik; Teri and Charles struggle with the demands of her career on their relationship; Kenny realizes the dangers of being a repo man.

11Season 5

S5.E11 ∙ Take It to the Limit

Wed, May 5, 2004

Teri is uncomfortable with how close Charles is with ex-wife Danielle. When Lem reveals Bird's affair with Malik to Kenny one of the ramifications is Maxine losing her job.

12Season 5

S5.E12 ∙ In the Garden

Wed, May 12, 2004

Aunt Ruth lets the sisters know their Uncle Pete has died. Bird is kidnapped with Maxine and Teri believing Lem is behind it.

13Season 5

S5.E13 ∙ Fear Eats the Soul

Wed, May 19, 2004

Damon returns to Chicago; Alliance makes Kenny an offer; Lem collapses

14Season 5

S5.E14 ∙ Don't Think This Hasn't Been Fabulous

Wed, May 26, 2004

Damon tries to win Teri's love; Terri makes a career choice; Lem and Bird reconcile; Maxine enjoys a windfall.