Portrayed by Mel Stewart, Henry got the lines and screen time that would have gone to George. As noted by BET, The Jeffersons was a consistently high-rated showonly the second sitcom with a majority Black cast to land in the Top Five of the Nielsen Ratings, in fact. Arthur was the only actor seen for the entire half-hour. The ninth season feels more like the first ofArchie Bunkers Place, with the introduction of Stephanie (nine-year-oldDanielle Brisebois), less screen time for Jean Stapleton as Edith, and a greater reliance on the bar. The Jeffersons (1975 TV Show Lionel is the first Jefferson to be seen onAll in the Family, but his parents become an important part of the show, too. DuBois infused the song with her own storyCNN reports that DuBois had always dreamed of moving her mother into a "deluxe apartment" when she achieved success. Checking In lasted only four episodes, after which Florence returned to The Jeffersons with the story that the hotel had burned down in a fire. Checking In The Jeffersons As New Ravel notes, when his requests for change were ignored he began deliberately flubbing his lines or saying the offensive words too low for the microphones to pick up, forcing the producers to reshoot scenes again and again. Your subscription to our list has been confirmed. See Amos in the episodeA Visit From Lena Horne(January 12, 1973) and DuBois inSanford And Son And Sister Makes Three(December 1, 1972). Almost as well known, but less controversial was the Nov. 10, 1975, episode of Maude talking to her psychiatrist. [36], The Jeffersons changed time slots at least 15 different times during its 11-year run, unusual for a popular long running series. WebChecking In is an American sitcom television series and a spin-off of The Jeffersons that aired for four episodes on CBS from April 9 to April 30, 1981. Gloria and Mike are no longer together, so Gloria and her son, Joey, leave California and go home to New York. The Jeffersons It was funny and entertaining. And The Jeffersons was in many ways a broad, superficial comedy that relied on racially-charged jokes and physical comedy to get laughs. It's unsurprising then that once The Jeffersons aired, it remained on television for almost a decade.The Jeffersons was a spin-off that took the blueprint provided by All in the Family and made minor changes by making the The patriarch of the Evans family, they noted, had to work several jobs to support his large family, and they noted that Black characters in general were often depicted in cheap clothing and in other negative ways. George is an obstreperous, often rude guy who thinks his wealth should get him anywhere he wants to go. A nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants. The Jeffersons had many two-part episodes, either over two consecutive weeks, or aired as an hour-long episode. Marla Gibbs was the breakout star onThe Jeffersonsas Florence, George and Louises maid, so it made perfect sense to spin her off. Cully was written out in season 4 due to her death in 1978, from lung cancer. This CBS spin-off of "All in the Family" featured an African-American couple, George and Louise, who rose from their humble beginnings and moved into an expensive high rise. Sitcom following a successful African-American couple, George and Louise Weezy Jefferson as they move on up from working-class Queens to a ritzy Manhattan apartment. A nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants. A sitcom world must be a good one for a spin-off to spawn another spin-off! [2][3] Henry played as George when Louise felt embarrassed that George did not want to be in Archie Bunker's house due to prejudice. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. WebIn 1975, George Jefferson was eager to move out of Queens. Almost as well known, but less controversial was the Nov. 10, 1975, episode of Maude talking to her psychiatrist. THE FAMILY 7 Spin-Offs From Gibbs says that she worked out an adjusted schedule with United that allowed her enough time to film her scenes and then race into work, where she worked the phones in their reservations office. Eventually this tactic worked, and the writers stopped using the offensive terms. Maude Findlay (Bea Arthur) first appears as Edith Bunker's cousin in a 1971All in the Familyepisode called "Cousin Maude's Visit." Archie Bunkers Place(19791983 97 episodes). Communications Company from 19751982 and by Embassy Television from 19821985. Five is a lot, but its not a record. As BET reports, it was the first TV show to directly address suicide in an episode where Florence the housekeeper falls into a depression and contemplates ending her life. [44] Season 8 was released on August 11, 2015. [13] Per an article in the May 8, 1985, Los Angeles Times, the series was cancelled by announcement at the CBS network "upfront" presentation the day before, nearly two months before the airing of the final episode. It took until 1975 until television finally gave Black audiences a family that looked like them and that wasn't struggling. Rather than cast someone else, Lear decided to keep George offscreen until Hemsley was available. Lear created the character of Henry Jefferson, George's younger brother, who was portrayed by Mel Stewart which replaced George with Henry in the series's scripts until Purlie finished its run. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. [21], It returned to the Top 10 in 197980, and at the end of the 198182 season, The Jeffersons finished third overall, only surpassed by fellow CBS series Dallas and 60 Minutes. Checking In The Jeffersons' Left Lasting Television Legacy Sitcom following a successful African-American couple, George and Louise Weezy Jefferson as they move on up from working-class Queens to a ritzy Manhattan apartment. As Black America Web reports, when the show was canceled in 1985 the network didn't even bother to inform the cast. All In The Familyis one of the most transformative sitcoms in the history of the medium, if not the most. Over the course of its 11-year run, the series was almost always one of the most-watched on television. [8] However, the ratings sank below the top 30, and The Jeffersons aired its last episode, "Red Robins", on July 2, 1985.[28]. Similar to its parent sitcom, All in the Family, the Jeffersons explored controversial issues such as alcoholism, racism, suicide, being transgender, and much more, certainly making it one of the most importantsitcoms of all time. Tolbert became a regular guest star throughout the rest of the series. WhenAll In The Familydebuted in 1971, few people suspected it would be responsible for more spin-offs than any other sitcom in television history. Lear created this series, which had an inventive concept: an African-American family moves into the house formerly occupied by Archie Bunker. It was a sort-of spin-off of The Jeffersons, as it featured Lynne Moody as Nurse Julie Williams, the niece of George and Louis Jefferson. Television historians know that while the character of George Jefferson was introduced on All in the Family in 1971, he didn't actually show up on screen until 1973. As groundbreaking as The Jeffersons was in terms of depicting Black America on the small screen, it still earns criticism for some of its choices. Ralph was also known for making up stories of him struggling to fulfill the Jeffersons request to get more tips. George, Louise, and Lionel continued to appear on All in the Family until 1975, when the spin-off The Jeffersons, also created by Lear, premiered. [16], Louise Jefferson, played by Isabel Sanford, first appeared in the All in the Family episode "Lionel Moves Into the Neighborhood", which was broadcast on March 2, 1971. Thats bullshit.. Florence was only supposed to be a bit part, but audiences loved her, and the character of Florence was promoted to full-time status. ", "How 'All in the Family' Spawned the Most Spinoffs of Any Sitcom", "All in the Family Season 5, Episode 16 The Jeffersons Move Up", "Actor Paul Benedict, 70, Leaves the Stage", "Zara Cully: Known for Role as 'Mother Jefferson' on the Jeffersons", "Ned Wertimer, character actor known as 'The Jeffersons' doorman, dies at 89", "The Jeffersons Season 10 Episode 16: My Guy, George", https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/78-OCR/1978-05-01-BC-OCR-Page-0036.pdf, https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/79-OCR/BC-1979-06-18-OCR-Page-0056.pdf#search=%22rounding%20up%20the%20ratings%22, "The Norman Lear Experience: His Shows, His Honesty and One Thing He Wanted to Do", "Mill Creek Entertainment Signs Deals With Sony Pictures Home Entertainment To Expand Their Distribution Partnership", "Mill Creek's Re-Releases for Next Month Get Great DVD Package Art", "The Jeffersons CORRECT DATE, Packaging for 'The Complete Series: The Deee-luxe Edition', "Great Extras Revealed for 'The Complete Series: The Deee-luxe Edition', "The Jeffersons Shout! [11] The cancellation of The Jeffersons cleared the way for Marla Gibbs, who played Florence Johnston on the series, to move on to the NBC sitcom 227 in the fall of 1985, a year earlier than scheduled. The final spin-off of this world of Norman Lear shows is704 Hauser. The Jeffersons WandaVision& 9 Other Shows That Have Paid Homage To Sitcoms, Younger & 9 Other Shows Or Movies That Couldn't Have Existed Before Social Media, Abby's Mother Reveal In Night Court Resolves The Harry/Christine Romance, Big Bang Theory Secretly Hinted At Paiges Dark Young Sheldon Future, One Big Bang Theory Main Character Was Only Meant To Be A Guest Role. But as BET notes, The Jeffersons was a real departure not only because it was just the second African-American sitcom to hit the top five in ratings, or because Isabel Sanford was just the second Black actress to win an Emmy Award for Best Actress. a disclaimer before the first episode said. A top 20 show for most of its 11 seasons, The Jeffersons was canceled abruptly without an official series finale. [46], Isabel Sanford was nominated for seven consecutive Best Actress Emmys, from 1979 until 1985. It's unsurprising then that once The Jeffersons aired, it remained on television for almost a decade.The Jeffersons was a spin-off that took the blueprint provided by All in the Family and made minor changes by making the Similar to its parent sitcom, All in the Family, the Jeffersons explored controversial issues such as alcoholism, racism, suicide, being transgender, and much more, certainly making it one of the most importantsitcoms of all time. The Jeffersons Hemsley was very experienced and took his performance very seriously. You would be, too, if your neighbor was Archie Bunker. As noted by BET, The Jeffersons was a consistently high-rated showonly the second sitcom with a majority Black cast to land in the Top Five of the Nielsen Ratings, in fact. The Jeffersons The 12 Most Unexpected Spinoffs in TV History But, if you love Carroll OConnors Archie, its a gift that we got to see more of him (even if the show isnt as good). NEXT:Younger & 9 Other Shows Or Movies That Couldn't Have Existed Before Social Media, All In The Family And Its 7 Spin-offs, In Chronological Order, shows and movies turn 50 years old in 2021, 10 Sitcom Characters With Supernatural Abilities, Ranked By Power, Mike is usually portrayed as being liberal. On May 22, 2019, ABC broadcast Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lears All in the Family and The Jeffersons, produced by Lear and Jimmy Kimmel and starring Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Jamie Foxx, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, Kerry Washington, Ellie Kemper. Oddly, whenGood Timesbegan in February of 1974, no mention was made of Maude or how the Evanses got from New York to the Chicago. Every time you see a Black man on the tube, he is dirt poor, wears shit clothes, cant afford nothing," Lear recalled in his autobiography. Today, a transgender person has been nominated to be part of the president's cabinet, and the Vice President of the United States is in an interracial marriage. As noted by The Baltimore Sun, many Black Americans found aspects of the showfrom George Jefferson's "pimp walk" strut to his general foolishnessto be offensive. All in the Familyprimarily takes place at the Bunker residence on 704 Hauser Street. WebChecking In is an American sitcom television series and a spin-off of The Jeffersons that aired for four episodes on CBS from April 9 to April 30, 1981. Checking In is an American sitcom television series and a spin-off of The Jeffersons that aired for four episodes on CBS from April 9 to April 30, 1981. Only five of the six taped episodes were aired, in April and May 1994. Mike Evans would leave The Jeffersons to work behind the camera for another show in the All in the Family family tree Good Times. Show [23] A frequent sight-gag of the show was George slamming the door in Bentley's face mid-conversation, usually during one of Bentley's stories which George invariably perceived as boring. Spin-off In 1975, Norman Lear was possibly the most powerful man working in television. See production, box office & company info, Metromedia Square - 5746 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. [1] In an episode of Tyler Perry's House of Payne in 2011, Sherman Hemsley and Marla Gibbs reprised their roles of George Jefferson and Florence Johnston. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. WebThe Jeffersons is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, through June 25, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. George Jefferson was, in some ways, a black version of the white anti-hero Archie Bunker. For further instructions click the link below to your TV model. The Jeffersons' Left Lasting Television Legacy The Jeffersons ended up lasting 11 seasons, beating All In The Family's 9 seasons. As discussed by critic Robert E. Crafton, an insurance settlement allowed George to quit his job and launch his first dry-cleaning business, which in turn allowed the Jeffersons to move from Harlem to Queens (becoming Archie Bunker's neighbors in the process), and finally to make the move to Manhattan. Over the course of its 11-year run, the series was almost always one of the most-watched on television. The cast commonly visited the bar for a drink or to attend a party. At least, he did until Hemsley became availableStewart's last appearance as Henry was Hemsley's first appearance as George. His mother Louise (Isabel Sanford) showed up seven episodes later when the Jeffersons bought the house next door. Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. For airdates and times, visit theAll In The Familyshow page. Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. Show The Jeffersons Other NEC graduates include John Amos, Richard Roundtree, Denzel Washington, and Angela Bassett. I remember watching Checking In in the early 80s and even remember the theme song. CreatorNorman Learwas just happy the Bunkers were on the air. is Movin' On Up to a 'Season 7' Separate Release! In that regard,Good Timesis more like a reboot of Rolle and Amoss characters than a spinoff. The sitcom was about the black family who had lived next door to the Bunkers, but Good Times was partly responsible. The series is bookended in a very creative way. Until then, Lear created the character of Henry Jefferson, George's brother. Affluent and successful, the Jeffersons still had to deal with race, prejudice, and economic pressures, and the show represented a more nuanced and more complex view of the Black American experience. [38] The show's ratings for the following two seasons placed it in the Top 30, but during the 197778 and 197879 seasons (the show's fourth and fifth seasons), it fell out of the top 30, ranking 52nd in Season 4 and 49th in Season 5. It became Tandems longest running show, with 11 seasons. Henry Jefferson was never seen again. The Jeffersons (19751984 253 episodes plus pilot on All In The Family) Unlike Arthur and Rolle, who were spun-off quickly, the Jeffersons were on All In The Family for five seasons before they got their own show. He had endured a tortured development process that included two pilots rejected by ABC and multiple recasts. It was a sort-of spin-off of The Jeffersons, as it featured Lynne Moody as Nurse Julie Williams, the niece of George and Louis Jefferson. [42][43], On April 28, 2015, Shout! But Gibbs knew how quickly fortunes turned in Hollywood. Making George a little ridiculous softened the blow, because it made it clear that no matter how successful he and his family might be, they would always be second-class. There was one episode that was actually sort of scary, involving a flute-playing ghost that haunted one of the rooms in the old hotel. As noted by Ebony, while it's easy to view George Jefferson as a "Black Archie Bunker," that's not accurate. Russell) who dated the girl down the block (Maura Tierney). Many spinoffs tend to set themselves up for comparison by using the same location as the original show. Mike Evans and Tolbert returned in the 19791980 season, with Tolbert's character, Jenny, pregnant with a daughter named Jessica. After eight seasons, Lear thoughtAll In The Familyhad run its course, but OConnor didnt agree. And the series (which co-starred Oscar nomineeBurgess Meredithas a vet) didnt do much to win anybody over. All in the Familytook a leaf out of its own book and spawned yet another sitcom afterthe series ended. But as Variety reports, this didn't satisfy everybody. Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) was Maude Findlay's maid in Tuckahoe, New York,andGood Timesmovedon to develop Florida's life with her family in Chicago. It was surprisingly thoughtful on issues of race and class within the confines of a broad comedy in prime time national television. [22] One episode featured George requesting Florence to insult him, in order to get to a prospective business partner who was fond of her wisecracks. Charlie was also revealed to be an alcoholic in the season 11 episode "A Secret in the Back Room", in which Charlie is in denial, but the Jeffersons eventually get him to admit to his problem and advise him to get some help. The idea of the Jeffersons "moving on up" came after three members of the Black Panthers who were fans of Lear's productions visited Lear's CBS office, raising issues with the creator over the portrayal of Black people on television, including his "Maude" spin-off series "Good Times." The series was centered on the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence, who takes a job as cleaning management at a hotel. As The NWI Times notes, George worked as a janitor for a large apartment building while his wife, Louise "Weezy" Jefferson, worked as a housekeeper. According to Encyclopedia.com, Hemsley had built a reputation as a powerhouse performer, and Lear had caught his performance in Purlie in New York in 1970 and knew he wanted him for the character of George. Sanford was also the recipient of five of the eight Golden Globe Awards nominations the program received.[48]. The Jeffersons ended in controversy after CBS abruptly canceled the series without allowing for a proper series finale. Besides being set in the same house, the only directAll In The Familyconnection comes withCasey Siemaszkoplaying grown-up Joey Stivic. Show But the moment you read the title you heard its iconic theme song in your head, and no matter your age or background you've probably seen an episode or a dozenand maybe not that long ago. Most television is ephemeral. This show debuted after the wrap of All in the Family. Archie Bunker (Carroll OConnor) and his new partner Murray (Martin Balsam) run a tavern in Queens. This spin-off of The Jeffersons came out about 8 years before Marla Gibbs' second series, "227." [39], On August 27, 2013, it was announced that Mill Creek Entertainment had acquired the rights to various television series from the Sony Pictures library including The Jeffersons. But as Ebony writes, this was a deliberate calibration by the show's creators to make the show and the character of George Jefferson more palatable to audiences not quite ready to accept Blacks as their equals. Norman Lear's 1975 spinoff of All in the Family remains a unique show. You would be, too, if your neighbor was Archie Bunker. All In The Familydirectly spun off five situation comedies between 1972 and 1994. The Jeffersons(19751984 253 episodes plus pilot onAll In The Family). Early seasons of the show used racial epithets for both Black and white characters fairly often, but as time went on Hemsley thought his character should be evolving and stop using expressions like "honky." Thanks to Lear and his characters, 70s TV audiences saw and heard things they never had before in primetime. Lear said Good Times (created by Mike Evans and Eric Monte) was the first full Black family on television, meaning two parents and more than one kid. Show The Jeffersons 7 Spin-offs, In Chronological Order [40] They subsequently re-released the first two seasons on DVD on May 20, 2014. 1. Weezy is initially reluctant to hire a housekeeper in the first episode in part because she's had that experience herself. Almost as well known, but less controversial was the Nov. 10, 1975, episode of Maude talking to her psychiatrist. Today were heading back to Manhattan, to revisit our favorite family, The Jeffersons. WebFor her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/isabel-sanford Florence and Elena suspect that a ghost is roaming the building, and Florence decides to spend the night alone in a room to prove that it's not haunted. Danny Wells played Charlie, the owner and a bartender of a nearby bar to the Jeffersons apartment building.