My mom and I would often catch this show when I was a kid, videotaping a good handful of episodes when it ran in syndication, and then we bought six seasons of it years later when the show finally was available on DVD.
Sherman Hemsley as George and Isabel Stanford as Louise were hilarious as the rich black couple living in that "apartment in the sky," often bickering with one another, with Louise as the sensible one and George the one with fiery talk and a proud businessman attitude. Marla Gibbs plays Florence, the Jeffersons' sassy maid who doesn't take gut from anybody and backtalks when needed, especially to George - creating that love-hate relationship that is classic and funny throughout the entire show.
Franklin Cover and Roxy Roker play Tom and Helen Willis, the first interracial couple portrayed in a TV show. They have occasional run-ins with the Jeffersons as they live in the same apartment building, as did U.N. Interpreter Harry Bentley (Paul Benedict), who lives next door to the Jeffersons. And, rounding up the cast are the Jeffersons' son, Lionel (portrayed alternatively by Mike Evans and Damon Evans), the Willis' daughter and girlfriend to Lionel, Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert), the helpful but money-grubbing doorman Ralph (Ned Wertimer), bartender Charlie (Danny Wells) and George's mother, Mother Jeffersons (Zara Cully). Each character offered his/her own unique and interesting twist to the show, but much of the laughs come from the trio of George, Louis and Florence.
It's a very funny show to watch again and again, filled with comedic misadventures and tastefully done humor. So, get your slice of the pie and watch The Jeffersons!
Grade A
Sherman Hemsley as George and Isabel Stanford as Louise were hilarious as the rich black couple living in that "apartment in the sky," often bickering with one another, with Louise as the sensible one and George the one with fiery talk and a proud businessman attitude. Marla Gibbs plays Florence, the Jeffersons' sassy maid who doesn't take gut from anybody and backtalks when needed, especially to George - creating that love-hate relationship that is classic and funny throughout the entire show.
Franklin Cover and Roxy Roker play Tom and Helen Willis, the first interracial couple portrayed in a TV show. They have occasional run-ins with the Jeffersons as they live in the same apartment building, as did U.N. Interpreter Harry Bentley (Paul Benedict), who lives next door to the Jeffersons. And, rounding up the cast are the Jeffersons' son, Lionel (portrayed alternatively by Mike Evans and Damon Evans), the Willis' daughter and girlfriend to Lionel, Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert), the helpful but money-grubbing doorman Ralph (Ned Wertimer), bartender Charlie (Danny Wells) and George's mother, Mother Jeffersons (Zara Cully). Each character offered his/her own unique and interesting twist to the show, but much of the laughs come from the trio of George, Louis and Florence.
It's a very funny show to watch again and again, filled with comedic misadventures and tastefully done humor. So, get your slice of the pie and watch The Jeffersons!
Grade A