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 sitcom was about the black family who had lived next door to the Bunkers, but Good Times was partly responsible. The show's time slot, for example, changed a ridiculous 15 times over those 11 years. After the huge success of shows like All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, and Sanford and Sonin terms of ratings as well as critical receptionhe had the ability to do things other showrunners couldn't. Hemsley was so good, show creator Norman Lear waited years to be able to hire him. [42][43], On April 28, 2015, Shout! 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. 1. It was surprisingly thoughtful on issues of race and class within the confines of a broad comedy in prime time national television. Today were heading back to Manhattan, to revisit our favorite family, The Jeffersons. 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. getTV is a trademark of CPT Holdings, Inc. 2023 CPE US Networks III Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. [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. WebThe Jeffersons had one spin-off, titled Checking In. 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). All in the Familyis famous for its prejudiced patriarch, Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor). Evans The Jeffersons spawned the television show Checking In. This show followed the Jeffersons maid Florence Johnston as she worked at a hotel in Manhattan. I remember watching Checking In in the early 80s and even remember the theme song. In response she showed a picture of her husband, Sy Kravitz, who was white. In reality, Joey (born 1975) would have only been 19, but Siemaszko was 33. The Jeffersons (1975 TV Show Often, people calling in to book flights would tell her that her voice sounded familiar, and she'd just laugh it off. Factory. THE FAMILY 7 Spin-Offs From A top 20 show for most of its 11 seasons, The Jeffersons was canceled abruptly without an official series finale. George was introduced in the episode "Henry's Farewell", and Hemsley and Stewart share their only scene together in its final minutes. [44] Season 8 was released on August 11, 2015. I remember watching Checking In in the early 80s and even remember the theme song. Archie Bunker's Place extended Archie's role to over twelve years on television. It's also one of the more thoughtful and meaningful theme songs in TV history. His writers onArchie Bunkers Placewrote a pilot for Struthers that CBS rejected and OConnor had no further involvement, despite the fact that he was still playing Archie Bunker. WebFor her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/isabel-sanford Stapleton expressed a desire to distance herself from the role of Edith. [36], The Jeffersons changed time slots at least 15 different times during its 11-year run, unusual for a popular long running series. More importantly, as one of the writers on the show, Jay Moriarty, told The Hollywood Times, Archie Bunker's bigotry is "pure prejudice" while George Jefferson's bigotry is a reaction to that prejudice. Checking In The Jeffersons' Left Lasting Television Legacy [40] They subsequently re-released the first two seasons on DVD on May 20, 2014. WebThe Jeffersons: Created by Norman Lear, Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, Bernard West. [1][4], The show focuses on George and Louise Jefferson, a prosperous African-American couple who have been able to move from Queens to Manhattan owing to the success of George's dry-cleaning chain, Jefferson Cleaners. The show was a spin-off ofThe Jeffersons. Show Factory had acquired the rights to the series; they subsequently released the complete series on DVD in a 33-disc collection on December 9, 2014. They live in a public housing project and struggle to get by at times. But the real reason was more pragmatic: Norman Lear had created the character for Sherman Hemsley, but Hemsley was under contract for the play Purlie and refused to break his contract. CBS was nervous,Rob Reiner(Mike aka Meathead) told PBS in 2016. The successful series ran for six seasons and, like its predecessor, dealt with some serious issues during its day. A sitcom world must be a good one for a spin-off to spawn another spin-off! Florence misunderstands and thinks an elderly salesman is coming on to her, but he's really trying to make a sales pitch. The Jeffersons 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. The series began after a backdoor pilot on Archie Bunker's Placecalled "Gloria: The First Day." The show was launched as the second (and longest running) spin-off of All in the Family, on which the Jeffersons had been the neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker. Show The song was co-written by Ja'Net DuBois, who portrayed Willona on Norman Lear's other show, Good Times, and Jeff Barry. As noted by Ebony, many of the actors working on The Jeffersons were serious artists with a lot of training. The Jeffersons was notable because it depicted a Black family as upper-middle class. But we dont have those fights on704 Hauser. "HONKY IN THE HOUSE Writing & Producing The Jeffersons," Antler Publishing, LA, CA, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 18:06. It's rare for a television comedy to lead cultural change like this, and it puts The Jeffersons into historical perspective. 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. A nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants. However, Mike Evans appeared for only one more season, along with Tolbert. Mike Evans would leave The Jeffersons to work behind the camera for another show in the All in the Family family tree Good Times. Lionel is introduced in the pilot, and is a core cast member for season one. Jefferson has plenty of reason to distrust white people and the power structures they use to oppress him. The Jeffersons Dont miss on getTV:Both John Amos andJaNet DuBois(neighbor Willona Woods) appeared onSanford And Sonbefore they were cast onGood Times. George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) doesnt make his debut until season four, because Hemsley was committed to the Broadway showPurlie. The series' eighth season was the first African-American sitcom in years (since Sanford and Son) to peak in the top 5 (the series' eighth season debuted at No. So when shows like Norman Lear's Good Times hit the airwaves in the early 1970s, it was seen as huge progress. The Jeffersons ended up lasting 11 seasons, beating All In The Family's 9 seasons. WebIn 1975, George Jefferson was eager to move out of Queens. Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. 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 show was a spin-off of The Jeffersons. The song also adamantly drew from Black culture, styled almost as a spiritualcomplete with 35-member choirthat wouldn't have been out of place in church. Communications Company from 19751982 and by Embassy Television from 19821985. 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. His mother Louise (Isabel Sanford) showed up seven episodes later when the Jeffersons bought the house next door. Norman Lear's 1975 spinoff of All in the Family remains a unique show. Portrayed by Mel Stewart, Henry got the lines and screen time that would have gone to George. Only five of the six taped episodes were aired, in April and May 1994. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. George Jefferson was, in some ways, a black version of the white anti-hero Archie Bunker. 7 Spin-offs, In Chronological Order Normally successful shows are allowed to develop in a specific time slot in order to become an anchor for the network, but for some reason The Jeffersons was moved around constantly, forcing viewers to seek it out and figure out how to re-arrange their viewing schedules to accommodate it. Show The Jeffersons spawned the television show Checking In. This show followed the Jeffersons maid Florence Johnston as she worked at a hotel in Manhattan. The Black experience wasn't portrayed muchor at allon television prior to the 1970s. I would like to see this forgotten TV show resurrected on TV Land or Nick at Night, or maybe a special DVD release. The influential sitcom was controversial when it first aired on 50 years ago on Jan. 12, 1971, and it went on to confront numerous issues that hadnt previously been portrayed on television. [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. 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. Checking In Faced with low ratings, the series was cancelled, and the final episode aired on April 30, 1981. As withMaudeandGood Times, the main character of the new series was a maid onher previousseries. 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. This show wasnt very successful, however. But whatHappy Daysdidnt have were spin-offs of spin-offs. When shows featured Black characters, they were often portrayed as stereotypes, as clownish fools or ominous criminals. The sitcom featured Burgess Meredith and Jo de Winter, and lasted one season. The Jeffersons [23] Bentley also had a bad back, and frequently needed George to walk on it. Florence Johnson returned toThe JeffersonsafterChecking Inended. [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. 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. Florida and James have three children: J.J., Michael, and Thelma. Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. Dont miss on getTV:Lionel Moves Into The Neighborhood(March 2, 1971) for Sanfords first appearance,Henrys Farewell(October 20, 1973) for Hemsleys debut,Lionels Engagement(February 9, 1974) for Mother Jeffersons (Zara Cully) and the Willis familys (played by different actors) first appearances, andThe Jeffersons Move Up(January 11, 1975) for the backdoor pilot. WebSynopsis. The pilot even has the series signature catchphrase, God will get you for that, Walter, which Maude uses to express her displeasure with husband Walter (Bill Macy), owner of an appliance shop. Another interesting connection of the sitcom universe is that Mike Evans (who played Lionel Jefferson on All in the FamilyandThe Jeffersons) createdGood Timeswith Eric Monte. Archie Bunkers Place(19791983 97 episodes). CreatorNorman Learwas just happy the Bunkers were on the air. It only RELATED:10 Iconic Black TV Shows That Defined The Culture. The series was centered on the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence, who takes a job as cleaning management at a hotel. Besides being set in the same house, the only directAll In The Familyconnection comes withCasey Siemaszkoplaying grown-up Joey Stivic. Unlike Arthur and Rolle, who were spun-off quickly, the Jeffersons were onAll In The Familyfor five seasons before they got their own show. Before we go any further, a few words about math. The Jeffersons spawned the television show Checking In. This show followed the Jeffersons maid Florence Johnston as she worked at a hotel in Manhattan. 7 Spin-offs, In Chronological Order And then there's The Jeffersons. George is an obstreperous, often rude guy who thinks his wealth should get him anywhere he wants to go. Checking In As noted by The Wall Street Journal, that backstory went back to the Jefferson family's roots in Alabama as sharecroppers, a detail that spoke volumes about George Jefferson's obsession with wealth, status, and the visual signs of both. Many people can't help but note that the main difference between The Jeffersons and other successful sitcoms that both enjoyed stable a time slot and received a formal finale episode is the color of the cast's skin. 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. We cant talk about the offspring without a few words about the parent. It took until 1975 until television finally gave Black audiences a family that looked like them and that wasn't struggling. Isabel Sanford on not wanting to do "The Jeffersons" spin off Even though it flopped,704 Hauserhas a special place in the heart of many Norman Lear fans. Over the course of its 11-year run, the series was almost always one of the most-watched on television. Isabel Sanford on not wanting to do "The Jeffersons" spin off 704 Hauserflips the Archie/Meathead dynamic by making Ernie Cumberbatch (John Amos) the liberal and his son Thurgood Marshall Cumberbatch (T.E. Archie mentions a friend from the old neighborhood named Cumberbatch. The series was centered on the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence, who takes a job as cleaning management at a hotel. Lear created this series, which had an inventive concept: an African-American family moves into the house formerly occupied by Archie Bunker. The character of George Jefferson was conceived of as a mirror image in some ways of Archie Bunker. 7 Spin-offs, In Chronological Order 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. ", was added as a bonus feature on The Jeffersons: The Complete Series 33-disc DVD set issued by Shout! The Jeffersons On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. You would be, too, if your neighbor was Archie Bunker. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. Larry Linville(Frank Burns on MASH) plays her manager. ), Dueling Detectives: Kojak and Jim Rockford, getTV talks CASEY JONES and 1950s Westerns An Interview with Toby Roan, 10 Times Farrah Fawcett Was an Undercover Angel on CHARLIES ANGELS, 10 Times HART TO HART Was Relationship Goals, TV Like It Used To Be A Guide to Crimetime on getTV, Christmas with the Evans Family Holiday Episodes of GOOD TIMES, Christmas on getTV 10 Holiday Highlights, Alfonso Ribeiro: 10 Facts About the Star of CATCH 21. 10 Iconic Black TV Shows That Defined The Culture, Another interesting connection of the sitcom universe, Lionel is the first Jefferson to be seen on. The Jeffersons (1975 TV Show 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. Which makes it curious that its network, CBS, treated it as if the show was in trouble. The episode, the eighth of the series, centers on Louise, her son Lionel, and her husband George moving next door to Archie and Edith Bunker in the working-class section of Queens. Arthur was the only actor seen for the entire half-hour. On their own show, the Jeffersons interact with new friends and neighbors while inhabiting a new lifestyle. Sally Struthers was next to get her own show as Gloria Bunker Stivic, Archie and Edith's daughter. The Jeffersons Checking In was the first All in the Family spin-off series that was not successful, unlike The Jeffersons, Maude and Maude spin-off Good Times. The misadventures of Florence Johnson, a hotel maid who was previously seen serving the Jeffersons. Archie is a working-class man who will never go beyond his working day and his easy chair in his modest house, whereas George and his family are destined to move on upand leave the Bunkers behind in a world they'll never escape. Oddly, whenGood Timesbegan in February of 1974, no mention was made of Maude or how the Evanses got from New York to the Chicago. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. [10] Sherman Hemsley guest-starred as George in two episodes of the series, which lasted for one season. 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. Marla Gibbs of The Jeffersons got her own sitcom as Florence, who left her job as a housekeeper to work in a hotel. A top 20 show for most of its 11 seasons, The Jeffersons was canceled abruptly without an official series finale. Marla Gibbs was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series each year from 1981 to 1985. 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. Paul Benedict arrived as Harry Bentley, an amiable, kind, loyal yet somewhat obtuse British next-door neighbor,[8] who worked as an interpreter at the United Nations. 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. The series gave John Amos and Norman Lear another chance to work together after tensions on set led Amos to leaveGood Times. RELATED:10 Sitcom Characters With Supernatural Abilities, Ranked By Power. John Amos (who played James Evans onGood Times) is the father, Ernie Cumberbatch. 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. His alcohol problem isn't referenced anymore throughout the series, but it is assumable Charlie overcame it. All In The Familydirectly spun off five situation comedies between 1972 and 1994. He also used it in a blackmail manner, usually requiring George to pay more in order to keep his mouth shut about something such as a stock tip. Gibbs then returned to The Jeffersons.. [2] Lionel, played by Mike Evans, first appeared in "Meet the Bunkers", the premiere episode of All in the Family.[2]. Spin-off The Jeffersons Lionel is introduced in the pilot, and is a core cast member for season one. A spin-off of All in the Family. Mike Evans and Tolbert returned in the 19791980 season, with Tolbert's character, Jenny, pregnant with a daughter named Jessica. Amoscontinued in the role of James until the character's death. RELATED:WandaVision& 9 Other Shows That Have Paid Homage To Sitcoms. Ned Wertimer played their tip-hungry doorman, Ralph Hart, throughout the series. 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. 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. [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. 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. All In The Family(19711979 205 episodes plus two un-aired pilots). As with Maude and Good Times , the main character of the new series was a maid on her previous series. 3. Checking In, created by Mike Milligan and Jay Moriarty, only lasted for four episodes, one of the few Tandem/TAT sitcoms that wasnt a success. Lear called the704 Hausercharacters "responsible" and explained they knew what they were talking about in arguments. The Jeffersons After a 1972 backdoor pilot onAll in the Family, Maude got a show of her own. ALL IN THE FAMILY 7 Spin-Offs From TVs Most Spun-Off Sitcom, Charlies Angels: 10 Things You May Not Know (or Do You? He had endured a tortured development process that included two pilots rejected by ABC and multiple recasts. 6. On one level, The Jeffersons is just a silly sitcom, and George Jefferson is a very silly character, prone to foolish schemes (like buying a piano he doesn't know how to play only to discover there's no way to fit it through his front door) and loud, boorish outbursts. Checking In premiered on CBS on April 9, 1981, and lasted for only four episodes in the Thursday, 8:00p.m. EST timeslot. THE FAMILY 7 Spin-Offs From [8] The characters of Lionel's multiracial fiance, Jenny, and her family, all of whom first appeared in the 1974 All in the Family episode "Lionel's Engagement", were also written into the new series. In a contemporary review by The New York Daily News, in fact, a scene in which Tom and Helen Willis engage in a long, tender kiss is explicitly noted for being unusual because they are an interracial couple. This ill-advised spinoff featured Struthers returning as the title character, now a single mom raising her son Joey (Christian Jacobs) after Mike left her and moved to a commune with one of his students. As reported by New Ravel, network executives weren't happy about taking things that far, and pressured the producers to remove the scene. 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. [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. The two-part season opener for Maude in 1973 dealt with the alcoholism of her husband Walter (Bill Macy). In some ways, 1975 doesn't seem so long agobut it was truly a different time in more ways than one. [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. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Checking Infound Florence as executive housekeeper at a New York City Hotel. Web3. And The Jeffersons was in many ways a broad, superficial comedy that relied on racially-charged jokes and physical comedy to get laughs. In that regard,Good Timesis more like a reboot of Rolle and Amoss characters than a spinoff. If you loveAll In The Familyand its iconic characters, the concept alone is problematic. All in the Familytook a leaf out of its own book and spawned yet another sitcom afterthe series ended. In his autobiography, Lear wrote that three members of the Black Panther Party came to his office at CBS, complaining about Good Times: Every time you see a Black man on the tube, he is dirt poor, wears shit clothes, cant afford nothing. WebIn 1975, George Jefferson was eager to move out of Queens. You would be, too, if your neighbor was Archie Bunker. She appeared in seven episodes in 197677, so watch any of those! Luckily, producer (and future network president) Fred Silverman fought to keep the scene in, and protest was muted. 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. Cully was written out in season 4 due to her death in 1978, from lung cancer. Here's the untold truth of The Jeffersons. TV shows can be huge, massive hits for yearsand then vanish into near-obscurity (seriously, when was the last time you had a conversation about Lost?). Almost as well known, but less controversial was the Nov. 10, 1975, episode of Maude talking to her psychiatrist. 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. 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. The Jeffersons (1975 TV Show During the January 11, 1975 episode of All in the Family, titled "The Jeffersons Move Up", Edith Bunker gave a tearful good-bye to her neighbor Louise Jefferson as her husband George, their son Lionel, and she moved from a working-class section of Queens, New York, into the luxurious Colby East, a fictitious high-rise apartment complex on East 63rd Street in Manhattan. They were saying, essentially, We wont have anything to do with this show.. 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. 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. Roxie Roker was asked during a casting interview if she'd be comfortable with her character having a white husband. 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. Arthur was the only actor seen for the entire half-hour. 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. And as The New York Daily news reports, it was the first time in American television history that an interracial marriage was depicted in a regular series with the characters of Helen and Tom Willis. At least stories featuring Black people were being told, and Black actors were getting significant roles on TV. 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.