Original subtitles

Crutch is filmed in front of a live studio audience.

Slowly.

Slowly. Be careful with my baby.

Dad, your barbecue pellets are here.

Behold, my new smoker in all its glory.

Careful. I want all of Harlem

to see Smoke-o-saurus Rex before it lands.

Well, at that height,

I think all of Jersey's gonna see it, too.

That's right.

I want this to be the perfect end

of the summer barbecue for Jamilah and my grandbabies

before they go back to Minnesota.

I'm sure gonna miss them.

Yeah. I am, too.

You know, now that they're leaving,

probably the perfect opportunity to talk about your next tenant.

Definitely, because I need you

to do the lease for my new renters.

Okay. Or you could let me have it.

Can you afford to pay hipster rent prices?

No. No, no, but I could do a family and friends rate.

Jake, I already have enough friends.

Besides, you've been paying broke family rates all summer.

It's called freeloading.

All right. We'll talk about this later.

Wow. Isn't she beautiful?

Oh, thank you, Francois.

Now, you know damn well I ain't talking about you.

Whoo! That's a big smoker.

Looks like somebody's compensating for something.

Anyway, I have confirmed all the guests.

But the bad news is,

Violet wants to bring that damn vegan lasagna.

I'd rather eat a dead subway rat

than eat that lasagna.

Well, we'll just put it over

in the corner, way, way in the back.

- That's a good idea. - Mm-hmm.

You want me to bring my rum cake to the barbecue?

Oh, uh, no, Miss Pearl.

We have you down for a coconut upside down cake.

Yeah, but my rum cake is better.

Well, we don't want your rum cake.

We want your coconut upside down cake.

Okay, well, I'm gonna put rum in it anyway. Ha.

♪ Tells it like it is ♪

♪ Crutch is here ♪

- ♪ For friends, family, kids ♪ - Yo, it's Francois!

- ♪ Crutch is Crutchfield ♪ - ♪ Crutch. ♪

Chicka-bow, chicka-bow, chicka-bow-bow.

Chicka-bow, chicka-bow, chicka-bow-bow.

Chicka-bow, chicka-bow, chicka-bow-bow.

What are you so happy about?

Oh, my Realtor just called.

I get more rent money for upstairs now

than I could at the beginning of the summer.

- Hmm. - Oh.

Wow, okay. Like, how much more?

Oh, I could afford to start buying

name-brand trash bags again.

- We're back. - Hey.

Oh, how was it going to seeing your dad?

It went by so fast,

but it was so fun seeing Dad in person.

His beard is huge now.

- He looks like a wizard. - Yeah.

He kept saying, "You shall not pass!"

All right, kids, go upstairs and wash up, yeah?

How was the visit for you?

Oh, you know, overall, it was pleasant, you know?

It was good to see the facility,

and the kids obviously love to see their father.

And it was comforting to know

that he's getting the support he needs.

You can't go wrong with a place with farms and hammocks.

Hey.

Thanks again for making that all happen, Daddy.

Of course. You know I got you.

I know, and that's good

because I'm gonna need you for another thing.

Well, you name it.

All right, so Andrew and I talked.

And although we don't really know

where our relationship stands,

we both agreed that the best way to pay off his gambling debts

is to sell the house.

Aw, damn.

I know how much you love that house.

Yeah.

It's more than a house. It's a home.

- Yeah. - Yeah, so, uh...

since we have no home to go back to,

the three of us are gonna have to stay here a little longer.

Say no more. You and my grandkids, anything.

Plus, you can still work at the store.

Thank you, Daddy.

Mmm.

Still my little girl.

Have you told Lisa and Mase yet?

No, I just haven't decided when to do it.

Well, don't tell them in the morning,

'cause it'll ruin their day.

And don't tell them before bed, or they won't be able to sleep.

Bump all of that. This is not up for discussion.

You got to rip the Band-Aid off these kids.

Tell them the real. It builds character.

I appreciate you, Dad, but this is not the first time

I've had to give them bad news.

And I think it's important for me to create a safe space

for them to process their emotions.

What is there to process?

You made a decision. That's what it is.

Process.

Very insightful, Dad.

I'll remember that next time I don't feel seen at work.

Excuse me.

Well, we're all here for you.

- Thank you. - Yeah.

And I know I've been working my ass off and I haven't

been able to see the kids as much as I want to see them,

so I'm gonna step it up, too, be more involved.

I'm going to be their "funcle."

- That's the fun uncle. - Ah.

You didn't need to explain that.

Thanks, bro. I thought you'd be irritated

because you're losing out on the apartment again.

Well, at least Dad's taking it well.

Damn, damn, damn!

Oh, sorry. That was my Realtor.

I'm just processing my emotions

from losing all that rent money again.

I'm sorry, Daddy.

Oh, don't worry about it, Jamilah.

You and the kids can stay as long as you want to.

'Cause family is God's greatest blessing.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Damn, damn, damn.

Sorry, it's just leftover emotions.

Jake took them to this new cookie place.

So they will come back in a good mood,

I will tell them the news,

and we will all start our new lives in Harlem.

He better get my black and white cookie, I know that.

Well, thank you both for being here.

It's gonna be really helpful for them to see your faces

when I tell them the news.

- Well, I brought my auntie emergency kit. - Mm.

I got some Flamin' Hot Cheetos, an iPad

and a roll of quarters 'cause I got to do laundry later.

Yeah, when I say funcle, you say Jake. Funcle!

- Jake! - Funcle!

Jake!

Hey! Hey, guys. How was it?

It's so cool. You can see them make the cookies right there.

Yeah. This has to be my new favorite place.

Aw, thanks, bro, for taking them.

I did my part. Now the rest is up to you.

Did you get my ebony and ivory cookie?

No, I didn't get your ebony and ivory cookie, man.

Racist.

Uh, Lisa and Mase, have a seat.

All right, so I have some pretty big news.

But I want you to know this is a safe space

for you to express all of your feelings.

- Okay. - What's going on?

Your father and I have to sell our home in Minnesota.

And for a lot of reasons,

like that this is close to Dad's rehab,

and I have a new job here,

we're going to have to stay in Harlem a little bit longer.

Wait, so what's gonna happen with my hockey stuff?

Nana Kathy and Grandpa Joe will make sure

all of our stuff gets packed.

What about my friends?

My school? My chess club?

We're gonna have to work through all that, baby.

I'd rather go live with Nana.

She says I can come stay with her.

Come on, Mase.

I-I'd better go.

You really funcled that up, Jake.

Okay, Raven, Charlotte's Web. What you got?

First of all, I hate spiders,

but I love that Charlotte gave Wilbur the pig

the confidence he needed.

Ah, so what happened at the end?

Did you not read the book?

Yeah, I read the book. I'm just testing you.

Charlotte sacrificed herself

to save Wilbur the pig from being eaten.

Oh. Well, she saved the pig.

That's good, Raven. That's good.

What are you serving at your barbecue, Mr. Crutchfield?

Oh, I-I'm having vegetables and juice.

I was hoping for some pork ribs.

Hey, Raven.

Hi, Ms. Jamilah.

Lisa still giving you attitude about staying in Harlem?

Yes, but she'll come around when she's ready.

I just did not expect that.

Hmm. When you were their age, parents are in charge.

And what we said goes. You know?

You learned to accept life didn't always go your way.

And that's why my generation is always triggered

and we need emotional support animals.

What's so funny?

There goes that eyeroll again.

Lisa reminds me of you when you were a little girl.

I think you met your match.

Oh, come on, I wasn't that bad.

No, you were worse. That's why I always kept it 100 with you.

Dad, I respect your point of view,

but you got to let me raise my kids my way.

So where they at now?

Oh, they're with Uncle Jake.

He took them to the Museum of Natural History.

Oh, that's that one with the dinosaurs.

- That's a good one. - Mm-hmm.

I just know I'm doing my part.

I'm gonna make this barbecue

the best they ever had in Harlem, ever.

Oh, and I know they're gonna love it.

Mm-hmm.

Uh, hey, Flaco.

What's that?

It's the brine buckets.

Because of the osmosis, it allows the meat

to hold more water,

making it more succulent and delicious.

Whoo! You talk your brine talk, Flaco.

Jamilah, watch the store.

Me and Flaco gonna get this meat on the grill.

Oh, you're putting it on now?

But the party's not till tomorrow.

Smoking is a very delicate business.

It takes at least 20 hours to get that perfect tenderness.

Me and Flaco are gonna be on that roof all night.

Wow, Dad, you're really getting into

- that new smoker. - It's amazing.

I even got this app your cousin Calvin

- told me about. - Oh.

On my phone, I can control everything.

Even the temperature.

By the way, papi, I have some bad news.

What is it?

My wife wishes to attend the barbecue.

Tough break, Flaco.

What? I haven't seen Sofia in so long.

- Why don't you want her to come? - She's a killjoy.

I mean, I love my wife-- she's my first and last love--

but she spoils the mood every time.

Don't worry about it.

We'll just put her back there with the vegans.

Nobody will go back there.

That was so much fun. Thanks, Funcle Jake!

- What are we doing tomorrow? - Tomorrow?

Tomorrow's the barbecue.

That's in the afternoon.

I was thinking, before the barbecue,

you can take us to the Ice Cream Museum.

Yeah.

I got us VIP tickets for us all set up.

All you have to do is pay.

Oh.

Oh, wow.

Okay, okay.

How about we just cut the games? I know y'all are playing me.

Lisa made me do it.

Mase, Mase, it's-it's okay.

Just tell me what's really going on.

I thought we were going back.

I can't believe this. All my friends are in Minnesota.

Okay. Doesn't mean you should

up and go live with your grandma Kathy.

Why not?

She was just here saying that her door was always open.

And that we can stay with her anytime we want.

Uncle Jake, you told me once that you wanted a dog growing up

but Grandpa wouldn't let you have one, right?

Right.

Where you going with this?

How would it make you feel

if in the spring he promised to give you a dog

at the end of the summer, and then didn't?

He's done that many times.

And how'd it make you feel?

I'd rather not unpack that right now,

but I get your point.

One summer, I even bought a leash and a bowl.

Then he said,

"No, Jake. I'm allergic."

I still have it.

Crutch!

Flaco! Wake your asses up! Look!

- No! - Oh, my God.

Not my brisket.

Oh, Crutch, what did you do?

Check the app.

It says 400 degrees.

Yeah. That's way too hot.

I must've fell asleep with the phone in my pocket

and butt-dialed the smoker.

Oh, I feel you, Crutch.

Because my ass starts fires, too.

The guests are gonna be here in four hours.

What's the plan?

I'm gonna open up the grill

and act surprised when the meat ain't there.

Then I'm gonna blame Violet the vegan.

In a world where there are no bad ideas,

that's a bad idea.

Violet is already a little bit unstable.

It's that fake cheese.

Let me ask you a question.

You think the way I parented Jake and Jamilah was messed up?

Because she did say parenting is different now.

It is.

If we had talked back to our parents

the way Lisa did,

we wouldn't have made it to the staircase.

I know that's right.

I know I ain't like when nobody tried

to tell me how to raise my kids.

But it's hard for me to just be on the sidelines

and say nothing.

Well, it's not like you didn't offer anything.

I mean, you did give Jamilah a place to stay

and you gave her a job when she needed it.

You're right. She should listen to me.

- Mm-hmm. - You know, I wouldn't change

a damn thing.

Except for probably giving you keys to the house.

Well, it's a good thing I made copies, then, isn't it?

So what we gonna do about this barbecue?

I mean, you do still have that propane grill up there.

You remember that Fourth of July

when you burned all the burgers and they was well, well done?

Mm-hmm.

We had to settle for White Castle.

Last time I used that grill, Harlem had crackheads.

Sure did. Now they got tourists.

Hey. Is Jake here?

I got a text from him saying that the kids

had something they want to say to me.

No, not yet. Hey, baby, I got a new idea for the barbecue.

We going old-school.

Burgers and franks!

Ooh. You all look serious.

They got that A-train mean mug face on.

What gives?

Lisa and Mase asked me to be their attorney.

I object!

And I said no.

Because I'm their uncle and they don't need an attorney.

Overruled.

Thank you, Judge Toni.

If I was your lawyer, I'd tell you

that you have the right to remain silent.

But as your uncle...

I think you should talk this one out with your mom.

All right?

Lisa and Mase, the floor is yours.

In the beginning of the summer,

you said that we would be staying here for a little while.

And now you're saying that we're staying here for longer.

Uh-oh, here we go.

Eyerolls on deck.

We just wish we had some say.

Some say? You better get them kids! I'm--

Daddy, I got this.

All right, I remember. Different generation.

Yeah.

Sit right here in my safe space.

Mind my business.

- Not going to interject. - Daddy!

Lisa, Mase.

You're right.

I know I told you we'd only be here for a short time.

I thought so, too.

But things change.

But we're gonna work through these changes together.

I promise.

I love you.

- Love you. - Love you, too.

And since you all need a say, I'm all ears, okay?

Well, since we're staying here for longer,

can we visit Minnesota next summer?

Done.

And can I join the Harlem hockey team?

I already looked one up. There's a rink on 110th Street.

And can we see Dad more often?

Of course. Just tell me when, and we're there.

And one more thing. We have to talk about a dog.

Okay, well, if you can convince your grandfather,

- you can have a dog. - It's not for us.

It's for Uncle Jake.

I'll get you a goldfish. Walk that.

Hurry up. Where's the food? I'm hungry.

Keep your muumuu on, Pearl.

The burgers and franks will be done in five minutes.

Uh-uh, uh-uh.

Or you can live meat-free.

Who wants vegan lasagna?

Ain't nobody want to eat that dog vomit.

What's in it, Sister Violet?

Tofu, jackfruit and seitan.

Oh, no, no, I don't do Satan.

Mm-mm.

Oh, my grandkids are here. Lisa and Mase!

- Look who else came. - Ms. Gwen.

Let me officially welcome you to Harlem,

my beautiful brown thespians.

Girl, during college my freshman year,

I went through a little thespian phase with my roommate.

She put too much rum in that coconut cake.

Come check out my grandpa's garden.

He calls it urban farming.

Oh, thanks so much for bringing the kids.

It's really important for them to know they have friends.

Not a problem. And you should know,

the other day in improv class,

we did "Who are your heroes?" and Lisa said you.

- Oh, really? - Yes.

And who was Mase's hero?

Batman.

Figures.

Crutch, I just want to apologize for my wife.

Why? Where's Sofia?

She's just over there, talking everybody's head off.

That's why I volunteer at the soup kitchen every holiday.

Oh, well, me being at Legal Aid, maybe we can work together.

Great. 'Cause I would love

to make it a year-round soup kitchen.

That's cool. All right, all right.

See? It's like being married to a rain cloud.

- What are you gonna do? - And she brought a plus-one.

Look at this one over here.

Hello, Crutch. This is such a great barbecue.

And I just came over here to give my compliments to the chef.

Close your mouth, Crutch.

Uh, uh, nice to meet you.

- I'm Yvonne. - Welcome to my roof.

Welcome to my fire escape.

Thanks, Big Head. You did great with the kids today.

Yeah, I think I'm finally getting the hang

of this whole uncle thing.

- Mm-hmm. - But if your kids try

to retain me again, I hope you have cash.

- Who is Dad talking to? - Oh.

I don't know, but...

- it looks like he's flirting. - Oh, shh.

So what does your husband do for a living?

Oh, I don't have a man.

Well, good. Me, neither.

I don't have one, neither.

But I'm trying to work on it.

Hey, anybody want another slice of my coconut rum cake?

Well, it looks like Dad's really killing it over there.

Yeah. Oh.

Oh!

Oh, I think Daddy just got digits.

Good for him.

So don't be a stranger.

Oh, I won't.

Okay, I'm gonna head over there

and have a little bit of that lasagna.

Oh, you're gonna eat that?

I'll try anything once.

I'm definitely gonna call you.

Okay, Crutchfields, let's take a family picture

before somebody spills something on their shirt.

Let's go.

Come on, Flaco, get in here.

Hold on, right there.

Let's do this quick. Sofia's in the bathroom.

On three, say "Crutchfields."

One, two, three.

Crutchfields!

Well, baby...

I made it through another summer.

Remember when you said

the only thing that was constant was change?

You wasn't lying.

I can only imagine what is next, baby.

Dad, did I miss the kids?

Jamilah said they're going to their friend's house.

All right, guys, let's go over this again.

Go straight to where you're going

and text me when you get there.

And when you cross the street, look both ways,

even if it's a one-way.

And keep your keys around your neck,

but tuck 'em in so nobody will snatch them.

Don't talk to strangers.

Especially if they wear a Mets hat.

They got low self-esteem.

That's a lot of instructions. Should we just take an Uber?

We're just going to Raven's house.

And while you're there, just be on your best behavior

- so you get invited back. - You got this.

- Okay, there they go. - Mm-hmm.

Oh, they made it.

I don't know why y'all tripping.

Raven live right across the street.

All right, I got to keep people out of prison.

Well, I got to keep people in prison.

I'm gonna go open up the store. I'll see you when you get there.

All right.

Oh. Flowers.

- Are you Jamilah Nellantal? - Yeah.

You've been served.

Oh, my God.

Andrew's filing for divorce?

I'm gonna help you find the best divorce lawyer, okay?

I can't believe the audacity.

Damn, damn, damn.

I got your back, baby.

We're Crutchfields.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org

♪ Sometimes life can deal you ♪

♪ A messed-up hand ♪

- ♪ But when it hits the fan ♪ - ♪ Hits the ♪

♪ Never fear ♪

♪ The Crutch is here ♪

♪ Crutchfield, Crutchfield ♪

♪ He keeps it real ♪

- ♪ Crutchfield, whoa! ♪ - ♪ Whoa! ♪

What's that, bro bro?