What's Happening!! Quotes

Context

This line is spoken by Dwayne Nelson, played by Haywood Nelson, in the TV show What's Happening!! (1976-1979).

Dwayne was the youngest of the trio of teens living together on the 1970s sitcom What's Happening!! Together, the three friends learned all about life, friendship, and trying to talk to girls. Dwayne might have been the shyest of the group, but he was also known for his over-the-top greeting—"Hey, HEY, hey!"—which he liked to repeat whenever he walked into a room.

Heck, who wouldn't want to be friends with Dwayne after a hello like that?

Where you've heard it

People still use this one today as a fun and funky greeting. Feel free to let it fly when you walk into a room.

Additional Notable References:

• In Snoop Dogg's song "Perfect," the rapper says, "It won't be no rerun. Hey, HEY, hey, what's happening?"
• Rappers like this line. In "Pass That Dutch," Missy Eliot sings, "Hey, HEY, hey, I'm what's happening."
• "Hey, hey, hey!" is also Fat Albert's favorite catchphrase, but you'll notice there's no emphasis on the second "hey." Totally different.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Break out this fun-loving greeting and you'll be making friends in no time.