The Jeffersons

This was a great sitcom. The show had great writing and great actors/actresses to perform it. Above everyone else, Sherman Hemsley was the funniest. With all these characters and great writing, could anyone be surprised that this show lasted for ten years? I would think not.

The Jefferson is the longest African-American comedy situation to date. It's a spin-off of the popular "All in the family". The Jeffersons is the most underrated comedy sitcom on television to some people. During its release in the mid 70s there were a few competitive shows like Good Times,What's Happening?,and Sanford & Son. But this show lasted the longest and enjoyed by both black and white audiences. This show was funny during its first six years (1975-81) till Embassy Television took over,and the show became boring. Lionel and Jenny made just occasional appearances on the show and Ralph still have his hand out for a tip. The writers were changed and the show lost a lot of its audiences. But what I enjoyed the most about the show was when George and Florence go at it. Though in the long run George always kept her as their maid. I think George like having Florence around because he enjoys having somebody to pick on. Which Florence at times outsmarts him. What I didn't like was that geek Lionel (Damon Evans) he seem so soft to me and wasn't confident and outspoken like the original Lionel (Mike Evans). The Jeffersons was a fun show to watch and although the show maybe somewhat forgotten everybody remembers the theme (Movin' on up).

The Jeffersons happened to be a spin off from All in the Family. I loved the relationship between George's mother played the wonderful Zara Cully who passed away during the series long run and Louise known as Weezy played by the wonderful Isabel Sanford. Then they brought in Florence as the maid played by the hilarious Marla Gibbs, the sparks flew between her and George. Not those kind of sparks but a funny rapport between the two to last for years. The show explored everything like interracial relationships and race with tact and dignity. My most memorable moments from the show were about George being secret Santa to a Harlem family who now lived in his building. But then who could forget George opening the George Jefferon Museum. I am glad to watch this show again one night a week on a local station which pays homage to the seventies shows like the Jeffersons. The show had a stellar supporting cast like Roxie Roker and Franklin Cover as the interracial couple, the Willises, who become dear friends of the Jeffersons. Isabel Sanford passed away about a year ago. She was the first African American woman to win an Emmy for Best Leading Actress in a Comedy Series. She was very worthy to be a pioneer for the rest. The fact that Sanford was twenty years older than Helmsley is fascinating. Isabel always looked fabulous and younger than her actual age. I miss Isabel. She was one of a kind!

Used to watch this show as a kid on Nick @ nite in the late '90s. Understandbly, most jokes were over my head, but I LOVED George Jefferson. Recently started watching some classic tv shows, and decided to give this a real shot when I found the entire series on Amazon. I absolutely love it. So much better than I remember. I'm seven seasons in, and the show has yet to lose me one bit. I highly recommend this show. Incredible cast, and created by the man who defined 1970s t.v. Norman Lear. Definitely worth a shot.

For the first few years, this had to be one of the funniest shows on C.B.S.. It pretty much took the concept of the show it came from, "All in the Family", and moved it uptown and instead of a bigoted middle class white man, we have a bigoted rich black man. George Jefferson proved that bigotry comes in all colors and sometimes his big mouth got him in trouble. However, just like Archie, beneath that gruff exterior was an old softy. I especially loved the episodes that showed that side of George. This show will always be one of the all time classics.