7 Spin-offs, In Chronological Order 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. 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. The series also featured Danielle Brisebois as Stephanie, the young daughter of Ediths step-cousin who had moved in with the Bunkers in the final season of AITF. Brisebois had been a hit in Broadways Annie. (She later became an Oscar-nominated songwriter.). Mike Evans would leave The Jeffersons to work behind the camera for another show in the All in the Family family tree Good Times. So when he flubbed lines during episode tapings, it's safe to assume it wasn't due to nerves or incompetenceas reported by Fame10, it was a form of passive resistance. Which makes it curious that its network, CBS, treated it as if the show was in trouble. In the season two episodeCousin Maudes Visit, Ediths liberal cousin Maude Findlay (Beatrice Arthur) comes to help out when the Bunkers are sick with the flu. Archie and Mike are always butting heads since Archie is politically conservative and Mike is usually portrayed as being liberal. We cant talk about the offspring without a few words about the parent. The epithets nigger and honky were used occasionally, especially during the earlier seasons.[2][4]. Fox tried out for a role on this show but was turned down. The series was centered on the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence, who takes a job as cleaning management at a hotel. This page was last edited on 9 December 2022, at 13:35. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. The show was a spin-off ofThe Jeffersons. Shows like Sanford and Son and Good Times had all-Black main casts and made an attempt to depict Black American life more realistically. A spin-off of All in the Family. Checking In Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. 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Actor Franklin Cover, who played Tom Willis, also heard about the cancellation while watching Entertainment Tonight. Besides being set in the same house, the only directAll In The Familyconnection comes withCasey Siemaszkoplaying grown-up Joey Stivic. In 1975, Norman Lear was possibly the most powerful man working in television. Most of the cast usually didn't respond, but George almost always gave in. 1. Here's the untold truth of The Jeffersons. It was a spinoff of a spinoff, centering on Maudes maid Florida (Esther Rolle) and her family. The Jeffersons(19751984 253 episodes plus pilot onAll In The Family). Lionel is introduced in the pilot, and is a core cast member for season one. The sitcoms breakout star was Jimmie J.J. Walker, with his trademark phrase Dy-no-mite!. If you include those inAll In The Familys grand total and you must, because they wouldnt exist otherwise All In The Familybegat 7 shows, 860 episodes, and more than 400 hours of network television. The Jeffersons MeTV points out that it was the first situation comedy on prime time television to depict a transgender characterGeorge's old Navy pal Eddie, revealed to now be Edie. The Jeffersons (1975 TV Show While the character was initially conceived as a Black antagonist for Bunkerclearly a racistJefferson was also conceived almost from the very beginning as being beyond Bunker. Arthur was the only actor seen for the entire half-hour. Factory. Larry M. Harris won the Emmy for Outstanding Video Tape Editing for a Series in 1983. The Jeffersons While Florida's husband onMaudewas a firefighter named Henry (John Amos), her husband onGood Timeswas James, a hard worker often taking on multiple jobs to support the family. Other failed spin-off attempts were Gloria in the 1982-1983 season and 704 Hauser in 1994. After his car was rear-ended by a bus, he filed a civil action and won $5000, enough to open his first store in Queens. Today were heading back to Manhattan, to revisit our favorite family, The Jeffersons. I would like to see this forgotten TV show resurrected on TV Land or Nick at Night, or maybe a special DVD release. The Jeffersons (1975 TV Show Lionel is introduced in the pilot, and is a core cast member for season one. Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. Checking In Back in 1975, issues like these were much more shockingas noted by The Hollywood Times, interracial marriage had only become legal throughout the country in 1967! I remember watching Checking In in the early 80s and even remember the theme song. A spin-off of All in the Family. Russell) who dated the girl down the block (Maura Tierney). All In The Family(19711979 205 episodes plus two un-aired pilots). Although this backstory wasn't explicitly referenced, it showed up in the writing. See Amos in the episodeA Visit From Lena Horne(January 12, 1973) and DuBois inSanford And Son And Sister Makes Three(December 1, 1972). J".[25]. The character of George Jefferson was conceived of as a mirror image in some ways of Archie Bunker. It was surprisingly thoughtful on issues of race and class within the confines of a broad comedy in prime time national television. s noted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as one of the writers on the show, Jay Moriarty, told The Hollywood Times, In a contemporary review by The New York Daily News. Other NEC graduates include John Amos, Richard Roundtree, Denzel Washington, and Angela Bassett. You might think this classic situation comedy is a relic of the 1970s, and in some ways you'd be right. 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." [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. Archie and Edith travel up to wealthy Tuckahoe, New York for the wedding of Maudes daughter Carol (played in this episode byMarcia Roddand in the series byAdrienne Barbeau). [26] She appeared regularly in the first two seasons, but made sporadic appearances over the next two years, much thinner due to a severe case of pneumonia. The actors found out through the media reports or when friends contacted them to ask about it. Five is a lot, but its not a record. The Jeffersons 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. WebThis spinoff from "All in the Family" is about literal upward mobility - African- American couple George and Louise Jefferson move into a swanky high-rise building. While many of the shows connected toAll in the Familydid extraordinarily well,Checking Inonly lasted for four episodes. The Bunkers and their neighbors, the Jeffersons,developed relationships with other characters, many of whom got spin-offs of their own. [6][20][21] Cully, who had first appeared in the 1974 All in the Family episode "Lionel's Engagement", reprised her role. Jenny and Lionel became a couple, married on December 24, 1976, and later became the parents of a daughter, Jessica (played by Ebonie Smith). The Jeffersons George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) doesnt make his debut until season four, because Hemsley was committed to the Broadway showPurlie. [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, if you love Carroll OConnors Archie, its a gift that we got to see more of him (even if the show isnt as good). The Jeffersons On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Lear created this series, which had an inventive concept: an African-American family moves into the house formerly occupied by Archie Bunker. Oddly, whenGood Timesbegan in February of 1974, no mention was made of Maude or how the Evanses got from New York to the Chicago. It starred Sherman Hemsley and Isobel Sanford, with Marla Gibbs as the Jeffersons maid Florence and Roxie Roker and Franklin Cover as the racially mixed couple upstairs, a real sitcom innovation. [41], On August 8, 2014, it was announced that Shout! The two-part season opener for Maude in 1973 dealt with the alcoholism of her husband Walter (Bill Macy). Eventually this tactic worked, and the writers stopped using the offensive terms. The Jeffersons spawned the television show Checking In. This show followed the Jeffersons maid Florence Johnston as she worked at a hotel in Manhattan. 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. 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. Marla Gibbs of The Jeffersons got her own sitcom as Florence, who left her job as a housekeeper to work in a hotel. WebFor her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/isabel-sanford The Jeffersons Norman Lear's 1975 spinoff of All in the Family remains a unique show. It took until 1975 until television finally gave Black audiences a family that looked like them and that wasn't struggling. Lear called the704 Hausercharacters "responsible" and explained they knew what they were talking about in arguments. Another sparring partner for Archie is neighbor George Jefferson, and the twocriticize one another's race. Many spinoffs tend to set themselves up for comparison by using the same location as the original show. 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. George was introduced in the episode "Henry's Farewell", and Hemsley and Stewart share their only scene together in its final minutes. [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. In the 1984-85 season, CBS aired a forgotten comedy called E/R, starring Elliot Gould. 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." Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs) worked for the Jefferson family on their show, butChecking Infocused on her life as the executive housekeeper of the St. Frederick Hotel in New York City. Almost as well known, but less controversial was the Nov. 10, 1975, episode of Maude talking to her psychiatrist. Mike Evans would leave The Jeffersons to work behind the camera for another show in the All in the Family family tree Good Times. [21], Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the first six seasons of The Jeffersons on DVD in Region 1 between 2002 and 2007. Other lost, short-lived classics of the late 70s/early 80s I'd like to see--"It's a Living," about the friends who worked on top of the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown LA; "All's Fair," with Bernadette Peters; "On Our Own," with Bess Armstrong; "Best of the West," an amusing big budget comedy/western series. Communications Company from 19751982 and by Embassy Television from 19821985. [14] In season 5 episode 17 of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, titled "Will Is from Mars" (1995), the Jeffersons made a guest appearance as a couple in therapy class. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. As noted by The New York Times, the ostensible reason given was that he was uncomfortable walking into a white man's house, setting up the character as a foil for Archie Bunker's racism. [44] Season 8 was released on August 11, 2015. A top 20 show for most of its 11 seasons, The Jeffersons was canceled abruptly without an official series finale. 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. 3). Hemsley was very experienced and took his performance very seriously. She reprised her role several times onArchie Bunker's Placeand then took center stage onGloria, the last series to focus on a member of the Bunker family. You would be, too, if your neighbor was Archie Bunker. To make matters worse, when the show finally debuted on CBS, it was largely ignored by the public. That's exactly what happened withGood Times. THE FAMILY 7 Spin-Offs From 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. But white audiences could feel good about being more racially sensitive and evolved than Bunker, whereas George Jefferson's upward mobility could be seen as threatening. 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. George Jefferson was, in some ways, a black version of the white anti-hero Archie Bunker. Maude(19721978 141 episodes plus pilot onAll In The Family). 3. Groundbreaking and performed by some of the most talented actors and actresses of its time, The Jeffersons has remained a cultural touchstone for some very good reasons. Before we go any further, a few words about math. [3] At the beginning of The Jeffersons, he was operating five stores throughout New York City, with another two opening during the following seasons. As the Atlanta Black Star notes, the Panthers told Lear that there were successful Black people in the world whose stories could be compelling and funny. Evans One of the reasons The Jeffersons remains a pop culture powerhouse when many contemporary TV shows have faded from our collective memory is the theme song. 7 Spin-offs, In Chronological Order Larry Linville(Frank Burns on MASH) plays her manager. Communications Company from 19751982 and by Embassy Television from 19821985. Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs) worked for the Jefferson family on their show, but Checking In focused on her life as the executive housekeeper of the St. Frederick Hotel in New York City. Ned Wertimer played their tip-hungry doorman, Ralph Hart, throughout the series. Spin-off 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. 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. Web3. [5][6] The show was the creation of Norman Lear. It took until 1975 until television finally gave Black audiences a family that looked like them and that wasn't struggling. One other reason she kept her job despite becoming famous on a top-rate television show? Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. WhenAll In The Familydebuted in 1971, few people suspected it would be responsible for more spin-offs than any other sitcom in television history. All in the Family was notable for many things including the fact that it spawned seven other TV series. If you loveAll In The Familyand its iconic characters, the concept alone is problematic. 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 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. We actually enjoy working together." All In The Familyfans will recognize Torres as Teresa Betancourt, the hospital worker who rents Mike And Glorias room when they move out. Which is why it's easy to forget that George Jefferson actually had a fascinating fictional background story that was more thoughtful than your typical sitcom fare. [27] He was known for constantly stalling at the Jeffersons' door with his hand out waiting for a tip. 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. All In The Familydirectly spun off five situation comedies between 1972 and 1994. Danny Wells played Charlie, the owner and a bartender of a nearby bar to the Jeffersons apartment building. The Bunker-Verse! DuBois wanted to do more than just act, and when she approached Lear about branching out he suggested she write the theme song for his new show. The sitcom featured Burgess Meredith and Jo de Winter, and lasted one season. Florence misunderstands and thinks an elderly salesman is coming on to her, but he's really trying to make a sales pitch. Untold Truth Of The Jeffersons The characters of Lionel and Jenny were written out by stating that they had marital problems, the result of which became a two-part episode storyline as the series' eighth-season premiere. Maude becomes yet another person for Archie to disagree with politically. It's rare for a television comedy to lead cultural change like this, and it puts The Jeffersons into historical perspective. Lear and associate Al Burton talked about a possible show in which a Black family is moving on up to the East Side. The series was created by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross and Bernie West, and developed by Lear. a disclaimer before the first episode said. In response she showed a picture of her husband, Sy Kravitz, who was white. Gibbs then returned to her regular role on The Jeffersons and it was explained that the St. Frederick Hotel had burned down. But just because Lear could push those characters and storylines onto the screen didn't mean everyone was happy about it. 0. The conversation resonated with Lear, and he began to conceive of The Jeffersons as an effort to show a Black family having real economic success and living the American Dream. The Cumberbatches are a Black family moving into the Bunkers' old house in Queens. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Lionel is introduced in the pilot, and is a core cast member for season one. His mother Louise (Isabel Sanford) showed up seven episodes later when the Jeffersons bought the house next door. The Jeffersons 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. WebFor her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/isabel-sanford 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. See production, box office & company info, Metromedia Square - 5746 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. WebSpun-off from The Jeffersons (1975) This spin-off of The Jeffersons came out about 8 years before Marla Gibbs' second series, "227." 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. Both men are bigoted, and both use sarcasm and insults as weapons. The Jeffersons' Left Lasting Television Legacy The misadventures of Florence Johnson, a hotel maid who was previously seen serving the Jeffersons. Before the 1970s, there hadn't been any TV shows with majority Black casts in decades, and the Black characters that did appear on television were usually not particularly grounded in reality. 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. getTV is a trademark of CPT Holdings, Inc. 2023 CPE US Networks III Inc. All rights reserved. The Jeffersons Michael J. Arthur was the only actor seen for the entire half-hour. 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. The third episode, "Whose Side Are You On? After eight seasons, Lear thoughtAll In The Familyhad run its course, but OConnor didnt agree. 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. CBS was nervous,Rob Reiner(Mike aka Meathead) told PBS in 2016. And in one episode when George is told a white worker should be referred to as a "custodian" he remarks that if he was black, he'd be called a "janitor.". WebThe Jeffersons had one spin-off, titled Checking In. Yes, Scream VI Marketing Is Behind the Creepy Ghostface Sightings Causing Scares Across the U.S. David Oyelowo, Taylor Sheridan's 'Bass Reeves' Series at Paramount+ Casts King Richard Star Demi Singleton (EXCLUSIVE), Star Trek: Discovery to End With Season 5, Paramount+ Pushes Premiere to 2024. The Jeffersons' Left Lasting Television Legacy Everybody knows it, and you can't help but sing along. Gloria(19821983 21 episodes plus unaired pilot). Archie's bigotrywas never meant to be accepted; rather,the entire sitcom wasmeant to "throw a humorous spotlight" on human "frailties, prejudices, and concerns," as a disclaimer before the first episode said. Edith's death in the context of the spin-offmade Archie a widow, and though he missed Edith terribly, he continued on with his pub and focused on taking care of Edith's young relative, Stephanie Mills (Danielle Brisebois). 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. Show [17] Lear consulted with his associate Al Burton on the concept. Ratings for the first season were poor, and the network didnt exactly shout about it from the antenna-covered rooftops. 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.