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.
60 Reviews
Those upwardly mobile Jeffersons
bkoganbing14 July 2016
America was first introduced to the George and Louise Jeffersons as the black neighbors of the Bunkers in All In The Family. Some of the best scenes in All In the Family involved the dialog between Archie Bunker and George Jefferson. Archie would be a proud Trump supporter today and George would put up with nothing from no honky like Archie. The wise one was Louise Jefferson and even Edith Bunker had moments of real clarity. The women were really the heart of that show.
But Norman Lear decided the Jeffersons needed a show of their own and when they moved on up to the East side as a result of George Jefferson's successful dry cleaning business they got a deluxe apartment with a whole new set of neighbors and situations.
Isabel Sanford as Louise loved George, but she put up with a lot. Sherman Helmsley as George always had an opinion. One of those opinions was against race mixing so their interracial couple next door Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker were targets of his barbs. And it really got heated when their kids fell in love.
Some of the best lines were given to Florence the Maid played with deadpan perfection by Marla Gibbs. She had a put down for all occasions usually at Helmsley's expense. Paul Benedict revived the character of the silly twit Englishman who was a staple in films in the 30s as their neighbor Bentley. Lastly they had a doorman named Ralph played by Ned Wertimer who had his hand out at every opportunity.
George was funny, but I had soft spot for Louise who had some great insights into the human condition. This maybe the most successful spin off in TV history coming from another legendary show All In The Family.
But Norman Lear decided the Jeffersons needed a show of their own and when they moved on up to the East side as a result of George Jefferson's successful dry cleaning business they got a deluxe apartment with a whole new set of neighbors and situations.
Isabel Sanford as Louise loved George, but she put up with a lot. Sherman Helmsley as George always had an opinion. One of those opinions was against race mixing so their interracial couple next door Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker were targets of his barbs. And it really got heated when their kids fell in love.
Some of the best lines were given to Florence the Maid played with deadpan perfection by Marla Gibbs. She had a put down for all occasions usually at Helmsley's expense. Paul Benedict revived the character of the silly twit Englishman who was a staple in films in the 30s as their neighbor Bentley. Lastly they had a doorman named Ralph played by Ned Wertimer who had his hand out at every opportunity.
George was funny, but I had soft spot for Louise who had some great insights into the human condition. This maybe the most successful spin off in TV history coming from another legendary show All In The Family.
Funny then but would they make this show now ugh!?!
mm-3930 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Funny then, but would they make the Jeffersons now? Probably not. Back in the 1970's they made show's on how people really talked behind closed doors. Before politically correctness, along with phony outrage and indignation of people who want to be on Twitter for their own attention seeking we had show like The Jeffersons which would probably be Twitter boycotted today. Audiences had the Jeffersons, and All in the Family which poked fun at are own ugly natures, which we are all guilty of time to time. Yes the characters in the Jeffersons had weakness and frailties which made them believable, likable, rude, and un likable. If there is real reason to be upset people just told you which these 70's shows did. Dark humor was and still is a way people cope with stress, cops and other profession need and use such and The Jeffersons is a reflection of such. Well The Jeffersons and All the Family used Dark Humor just like many old time stories at the dinner table that the family keeps to them selves; we just laughed off many things, which is better then the melt down one see today with live streaming public dirt therapy sessions. Jeffersons had some laughs, some serious stories, some stories which would never be told now. Many times the Jeffersons did not take it self over seriously but regrettably the Jeffersons went on 5 seasons too long and ran out of material. 7 stars.
They don't make them like they used too!
Sylviastel21 July 2003
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!
The Black Archie Bunker
Sargebri11 December 2003
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.
Jeffersons-Movin' On Up Was A Possibility ***1/2
edwagreen23 September 2007
Very funny comedy of an affluent black family living the American dream in achieving success in their dry good business.
Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford provided terrific chemistry as the husband and wife team. Sanford always knew how to crack those one-liners at a vulnerable but lovable Hemsley. Militant son Lionel was always good for a laugh and as the mother-in-law, Zarra Cully, proved that having the typical mother-in-law to deal with wasn't only an Italian or Jewish problem.
Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker successfully showed that with understanding, inter-racial marriages could work.
Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford provided terrific chemistry as the husband and wife team. Sanford always knew how to crack those one-liners at a vulnerable but lovable Hemsley. Militant son Lionel was always good for a laugh and as the mother-in-law, Zarra Cully, proved that having the typical mother-in-law to deal with wasn't only an Italian or Jewish problem.
Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker successfully showed that with understanding, inter-racial marriages could work.
Energetic, funny series about more childish times
miaalike22 March 2021
The Jeffersons have made eough money to update their social status, and move in a posh building from a good area. They have a maid, and also the old Mrs Jefferson, which still judges all things by her old way of life, with sturdy values and hardships overcome by just being tough. Energetic, fast paced, the series is good and also brings back the nostalgia of simpler times, mixed with the revelation of how naive adults used to be back then, on certain issues. The music is catchy, the episodes not boring. Watch it if you can find it. It is a classic.
Commemorating The Jeffersons' 40th Anniversary Movin on Up....
raysond8 June 2000
One of the best TV sitcoms ever!!! Just like his precessdor Archie Bunker,you'll never know what George Jefferson may come up with next. Very uncanny. Sherman Helmsley was the true professional actor is the utmost sense of the word. He played George down to the tilt!!! Was the most watched show in television history during its 11 year run on CBS that produced 253 episodes from its premiere on January 14,1975 until the last episode of the series on July 23,1986....the longest running African-American sitcom in television history.
The other tenants including Tom and Helen Willis,and there daughter Jenny; Mr. Bentley,Ralph the Doorman,and the housekeeper Florence whom George always teases but she gets him right back in front of his wife Louise!!!! In case you wanted to know about the shows theme song: A friend told me this that it was sung by Janet DuBois,who was Willona on another CBS sitcom "Good Times". Interesting point about this show: There were two actors who played the Jeffersons' son Lionel on the series,but only one was married off during the show's final season with Jenny and also had a baby girl. One of the best ever!! Several episodes from "The Jeffersons" do stand out as brilliant including one two parter episode that was filmed on location in Hawaii.
The other tenants including Tom and Helen Willis,and there daughter Jenny; Mr. Bentley,Ralph the Doorman,and the housekeeper Florence whom George always teases but she gets him right back in front of his wife Louise!!!! In case you wanted to know about the shows theme song: A friend told me this that it was sung by Janet DuBois,who was Willona on another CBS sitcom "Good Times". Interesting point about this show: There were two actors who played the Jeffersons' son Lionel on the series,but only one was married off during the show's final season with Jenny and also had a baby girl. One of the best ever!! Several episodes from "The Jeffersons" do stand out as brilliant including one two parter episode that was filmed on location in Hawaii.
One OF The Best Sitcoms Of All Times!
leighabc1235 August 2005
This show was so funny that it lasted 11 seasons. I watched this show from the time before I was born until I was in the 5th grade. The funniest episodes were, are, and always will be the episodes that had BOTH Mother Jefferson AND Florence the maid. This was also one of the first sitcoms that replaced a main character with another actor and the first actor came back. Two Lionels! Confusing to all people who are not devout Jefferson fans. Damon Evans married Jenny and Mike Evans was there when Jenny had the baby. RIP Mike Evans AKA the 1st and 3rd Lionel. This show also had the two actors who were the longest reoccurring guest stars in t.v. history. Charlie the Bartender and Ralph the Doorman. They played on a sitcom for 11 consecutive years without ever being a regular character. George would do something zany every episode. And Louise would have a smart remark every episode. Helen would always argue with George, but Tom would listen to him. There were so many great guest stars in this show. Sammy Davis Jr., Sister Sledge, Andre Crouch, Billy Dee Williams, Gladys Knight. Look for Ernest Thomas and Jaleel White before they became stars in episodes of this show. There are still some mysteries in this show. Whatever happened to Jenny's brother?
A deluxe TV sitcom!
OllieSuave-00721 January 2017
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
Pull this from the line-up
daytonwaters1 July 2015
In light of recent events in the USA, I can no longer support making this show available to viewers, especially young people. As Amazon no longer offers the Confederate flag, and The Dukes of Hazard has been pulled from TVLAND, Amazon should follow through with its commitment to defeating racism by removing The Jeffersons from its line-up.
I was a young child in the 70s and The Jeffersons was a staple in my household. George Jefferson taught me that "honky" was what black people called white people and that it was an insult. He also taught me the our president, Barack Hussein Obama, is a "zebra" for being of mixed race (black/white) origins. Weezy taught me the phrase, "Ni&&a, please!" Times have changed and this language is simply not an acceptable example for our young people.
Many have equated The Jeffersons' form of bigotry to that of Archie Bunker in All in the Family, but I strongly disagree. The Archie Bunker character was deliberately portrayed as an ignorant caricature of racism and a buffoon not to be taken seriously. George's racism was presented as angry and legitimate because he was a victim of the kind of racism Archie represented -- the very white supremacy that apparently permeates American culture even today.
Racism is evil in all its forms. Young people may entirely overlook that George's character is setting a bad example -- I know I did when I watched this show from 7 to 17 years of age -- and the ONLY responsible thing for Amazon to do is DISCONTINUE THE SALE OF THIS RACIST SERIES IMMEDIATELY.
I was a young child in the 70s and The Jeffersons was a staple in my household. George Jefferson taught me that "honky" was what black people called white people and that it was an insult. He also taught me the our president, Barack Hussein Obama, is a "zebra" for being of mixed race (black/white) origins. Weezy taught me the phrase, "Ni&&a, please!" Times have changed and this language is simply not an acceptable example for our young people.
Many have equated The Jeffersons' form of bigotry to that of Archie Bunker in All in the Family, but I strongly disagree. The Archie Bunker character was deliberately portrayed as an ignorant caricature of racism and a buffoon not to be taken seriously. George's racism was presented as angry and legitimate because he was a victim of the kind of racism Archie represented -- the very white supremacy that apparently permeates American culture even today.
Racism is evil in all its forms. Young people may entirely overlook that George's character is setting a bad example -- I know I did when I watched this show from 7 to 17 years of age -- and the ONLY responsible thing for Amazon to do is DISCONTINUE THE SALE OF THIS RACIST SERIES IMMEDIATELY.
Brilliant spin off to a processor from the golden age of the 1970's TV
rcj536513 February 2006
If there were a "Sitcom Hall Of Fame",for brilliance, the television series "The Jeffersons" would surely have a cherished spot as one of the best situation comedies of the 1970's. For the eleven and a half years that it ran on television,the series became one of CBS' longest-running shows of all time,right up there with "Frasier","Cheers",and even "M*A*S*H" and "Happy Days" for its longevity. From its premiere episode that aired on January 14,1975 to the final episode of the series on July 23,1986 it is amazing that the show survived during its astounding run on the air. The series cranked out more than 254 episodes during its run. It is also to note that "The Jeffersons" also was nominated for several Golden Globes and Emmys including a historic moment in the history of not only the show,but television itself. The series won the Emmy in 1981 for Isabel Sanford who in fact made history as being the first African-American woman to win for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and also for Sherman Hemsley as Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series as well,and for Marla Gibbs too who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
It is no wonder that "The Jeffersons" is one of television's top fifty all time programs in the history of television and it is right up there with the best of the bunch of classic television shows. Need I say more? This was a spin off to "All In The Family" by the way since the series was created by Norman Lear,the man who was behind some of the greatest shows of that period including "All In The Family","Maude","Good Times", "One Day At A Time","Sanford and Son",and so much more. Out of all the shows that had a predominately African-American cast of that period,the series "The Jeffersons" was the better show out of the entire bunch. Only Norman Lear's other show "Good Times" comes in a close second. The reason? For one you saw a successful black family doing something positive and for the first time in television history a successful African-American with a successful business and living the high life on TV,but at the same time you got to see not only a white side of bigotry but a black side of that too. Sherman Hemsley's character of George Jefferson was just that.....the opposite side of Archie Bunker,a bigot on the opposite side of racial intolerance. It was kind of a reflex towards the opposite The Bunkers,who basically were still living on 704 Hauser Street in Queens while their once neighbors The Jeffersons were living it up in a deluxe apartment complex on New York's upper rich side toward Park Avenue in Manhattan.
However,the set-up of a African-American family living in the high part of town and having a successful business establishment was something totally different and new when it aired back in 1975 since it was very odd to see this and America was paying very close attention to this as well since African-Americans at that time were making strides toward racial equality during that period. You saw a married couple George and Louise Jefferson(Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford)living the good life with their son Lionel(played by Mike Evans and then by Damon Evans)while making the best of any situation that comes at them with ease,but with hilarious results. The next door neighbors Tom and Helen Willis (Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker)were a interracial couple with their young daughter Jenny(Belinda Tolbert)and also their son Allan(played by Jay Hammer during the 1978-79 season)whom The Jeffersons also had another neighbor across from them as well,like the British neighbor Mr. Bentley(Paul Benedict)and others that were in the same tenant building as well like George's overbearing mother(played by Zara Cully during the 1975-78 season)who comes by for a visit and causes chaos for Louise and others like Mr. Whittington and so forth like the doorman Ralph or Charlie the bartender whose bar is downstairs but in the same building. The best part of this series and basically who could give George a run for his money in a scolding match would be the Jeffersons' housekeeper Florence Johnson(Marla Gibbs). This is what kept the series going strong because of the brilliant comedy chemistry that Sherman Hemsley and Marla Gibbs had and the sparks flew within a funny rapport that kept audiences laughing hard. Oh yeah,I forgot that Isabel Sanford kept the laughs provided too as Louise and George get into one predicament after another. But the series showed its darker side too right along with the laughs and insults as well as the series explored issues that were relevant to the day's topics from interracial relationships,racism, women's rights,and civil rights were the order of the day and other issues were added in that at the time were too intense for television but they were handled with tact and dignity.
Several brilliant episodes of this series come to mind that were memorable including the one where The Jeffersons go to Hawaii;George being a secret Santa to a Harlem family who lived in his building;The night the Jeffersons remember the riots that engulf a nation back in 1968 during the looting of his store over the death of MLK;Louise and Helen opening a health center for a lonely girl who commits suicide;and the marriage of Lionel and Jenny,which George disapproves. The proudest moment of the series came during the arrival of Lionel and Jenny as parents and George & Louise become grandparents to a little baby girl.The saddest moment of the series when George learns the death of his beloved mother.
Speaking of this series,it is to note that five of the show's cast members have passed away but will be fondly remembered. Actor Sherman Hemsley who played businessman/family provider George Jefferson passed away in 2012. Zara Cully,who played Mother Jefferson;Roxie Roker who played Helen Willis;Isabel Sanford who played Louise Jefferson,and most recently Franklin Cover,Paul Benedict and Mike Evans.
It is no wonder that "The Jeffersons" is one of television's top fifty all time programs in the history of television and it is right up there with the best of the bunch of classic television shows. Need I say more? This was a spin off to "All In The Family" by the way since the series was created by Norman Lear,the man who was behind some of the greatest shows of that period including "All In The Family","Maude","Good Times", "One Day At A Time","Sanford and Son",and so much more. Out of all the shows that had a predominately African-American cast of that period,the series "The Jeffersons" was the better show out of the entire bunch. Only Norman Lear's other show "Good Times" comes in a close second. The reason? For one you saw a successful black family doing something positive and for the first time in television history a successful African-American with a successful business and living the high life on TV,but at the same time you got to see not only a white side of bigotry but a black side of that too. Sherman Hemsley's character of George Jefferson was just that.....the opposite side of Archie Bunker,a bigot on the opposite side of racial intolerance. It was kind of a reflex towards the opposite The Bunkers,who basically were still living on 704 Hauser Street in Queens while their once neighbors The Jeffersons were living it up in a deluxe apartment complex on New York's upper rich side toward Park Avenue in Manhattan.
However,the set-up of a African-American family living in the high part of town and having a successful business establishment was something totally different and new when it aired back in 1975 since it was very odd to see this and America was paying very close attention to this as well since African-Americans at that time were making strides toward racial equality during that period. You saw a married couple George and Louise Jefferson(Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford)living the good life with their son Lionel(played by Mike Evans and then by Damon Evans)while making the best of any situation that comes at them with ease,but with hilarious results. The next door neighbors Tom and Helen Willis (Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker)were a interracial couple with their young daughter Jenny(Belinda Tolbert)and also their son Allan(played by Jay Hammer during the 1978-79 season)whom The Jeffersons also had another neighbor across from them as well,like the British neighbor Mr. Bentley(Paul Benedict)and others that were in the same tenant building as well like George's overbearing mother(played by Zara Cully during the 1975-78 season)who comes by for a visit and causes chaos for Louise and others like Mr. Whittington and so forth like the doorman Ralph or Charlie the bartender whose bar is downstairs but in the same building. The best part of this series and basically who could give George a run for his money in a scolding match would be the Jeffersons' housekeeper Florence Johnson(Marla Gibbs). This is what kept the series going strong because of the brilliant comedy chemistry that Sherman Hemsley and Marla Gibbs had and the sparks flew within a funny rapport that kept audiences laughing hard. Oh yeah,I forgot that Isabel Sanford kept the laughs provided too as Louise and George get into one predicament after another. But the series showed its darker side too right along with the laughs and insults as well as the series explored issues that were relevant to the day's topics from interracial relationships,racism, women's rights,and civil rights were the order of the day and other issues were added in that at the time were too intense for television but they were handled with tact and dignity.
Several brilliant episodes of this series come to mind that were memorable including the one where The Jeffersons go to Hawaii;George being a secret Santa to a Harlem family who lived in his building;The night the Jeffersons remember the riots that engulf a nation back in 1968 during the looting of his store over the death of MLK;Louise and Helen opening a health center for a lonely girl who commits suicide;and the marriage of Lionel and Jenny,which George disapproves. The proudest moment of the series came during the arrival of Lionel and Jenny as parents and George & Louise become grandparents to a little baby girl.The saddest moment of the series when George learns the death of his beloved mother.
Speaking of this series,it is to note that five of the show's cast members have passed away but will be fondly remembered. Actor Sherman Hemsley who played businessman/family provider George Jefferson passed away in 2012. Zara Cully,who played Mother Jefferson;Roxie Roker who played Helen Willis;Isabel Sanford who played Louise Jefferson,and most recently Franklin Cover,Paul Benedict and Mike Evans.
Classic comedy
GayBoi122 December 2021
George Jefferson and Florence his maid rank right up there with the funniest TV characters of all time. The other characters on this show were great as well and all played off each other beautifully. In the 70s and 80s TV sitcom writing was smart and could deal with complicated issues without being too preachy and make us laugh at the same time. We could all learn to laugh again and stop being so PC. If you take life too seriously you never get to truly enjoy it.
The Jeffersons- Another 70's CBS Classic, But Are George and Archie Twins?
jrm23july@aol.com6 January 2006
If the Television Hall of Fame selected television programs as a whole to win a gold plaque similar to Cooperstown N.Y. for MLB, or Canton Ohio for the NFL, "The Jeffersons" would be there front and center.
The long running CBS sitcom which aired from 1975 through 1985, won several Emmys, including Isabel Sanford for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. To me "The Jeffersons" is one of television's top fifty All-Time Programs, and the best one with a predominately African American cast, better than "The Cosby Show" and "Sanford and Son". As a child it was a thrill to be able to watch this program when schoolwork or bedtime did not get in the way.
I now own the first two seasons of "The Jeffersons" on DVD, and I enjoy the performances of all the characters. The show is of course centered around bigoted and avaricious George (Sherman Helmsley), and his long suffering wife Louise "Weezy" Jefferson (Isabel Sanford), but the performances of the character actors are also well above par. Paul Benedict as George's goofy, bizarre neighbor, Ned Wertimer as the not so modest or polite (when it comes to tips) doorman, Mike Evans as wisecracking son Lionel, and Marla Gibbs as wisecracking live-in-maid Florence, and of course the interracial couple who are usually the butt of George's racist jokes, Tom and Helen Willis played by Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker. And of course don't forget going way back in the day when people born in the 1890's were alive, well and entertaining us all, Zara Cully as George Jefferson's quick witted Mother, Olivia. She was hilarious when seeking attention from George and Weezy she intentionally tackles herself to the ground in a season 2 episode.
But "The Jeffersons" at least the first two seasons centers around George and his vices, which often outweigh his virtues, similar to the Archie Bunker character introduced in the early 1970's. Like Archie George is set in his ways, avaricious, sometimes crude, and often bigoted. Like Archie he is a bigot without a mean streak. He is a lovable bigot, and his racist views are played out for laughs, but George is not a carbon copy of Archie. They're not twins. Archie makes fun of everyone that is not his race, religion creed, or sexual orientation. George sticks to the basics. Just make fun of whitey, and those whites that don't offer him anything in return for his efforts.
There are some whites like Wittendale, the banker who holds the key to George's future of a dry cleaning monopoly. George always wants to pander to this guy. However George has no use for "honkies" like Tom Willis and his black wife Helen. Like Archie Bunker he despises mixed marriages. (Although Archie is all for Irish marrying Italian). Mostly because Weezy has him on a short leash, George reluctantly accepts Tom and Helen Willis as neighbors and in-laws.
One major reason why Archie's ethnic and racial slurs often spiral out of control and George's doesn't is the nature of the women they're married to. Edith is tolerant, dingbatty, and naive, while Weezy is sharp, quick witted, and as shrewd as George. She puts her foot down faster on George, than Edith does on Archie. Edith tends to push Archie in the direction he's going, with some first class dingbat punchlines added in.
George is a little bit of a thing, with an obsession for power and control, much like Danny DeVito in the movies. He lusts for money and power, and he's got it, a wife a family and a full chain of cleaning stores. Archie doesn't have all this. Archie needs to shut other people down to better his own situation. George doesn't. George has money and power. However, like Archie he is set in his ways, and his lack of modesty always gets him into trouble.
What this show was missing was a crossover appearance by Archie and Edith from the slums of Flushing to the penthouses in Manhattan. Carroll O' Connor and Jean Stapleton never appeared on "The Jeffersons." "The Jeffersons" was not the greatest TV sitcom. "All in the Family" along with "Seinfeld", "The Honeymooners" and "Cheers" were better. However there was a certain charm with this show that lasted from the Gerald Ford through the second half of the Ronald Reagan presidency. This was one fine show.
The long running CBS sitcom which aired from 1975 through 1985, won several Emmys, including Isabel Sanford for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. To me "The Jeffersons" is one of television's top fifty All-Time Programs, and the best one with a predominately African American cast, better than "The Cosby Show" and "Sanford and Son". As a child it was a thrill to be able to watch this program when schoolwork or bedtime did not get in the way.
I now own the first two seasons of "The Jeffersons" on DVD, and I enjoy the performances of all the characters. The show is of course centered around bigoted and avaricious George (Sherman Helmsley), and his long suffering wife Louise "Weezy" Jefferson (Isabel Sanford), but the performances of the character actors are also well above par. Paul Benedict as George's goofy, bizarre neighbor, Ned Wertimer as the not so modest or polite (when it comes to tips) doorman, Mike Evans as wisecracking son Lionel, and Marla Gibbs as wisecracking live-in-maid Florence, and of course the interracial couple who are usually the butt of George's racist jokes, Tom and Helen Willis played by Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker. And of course don't forget going way back in the day when people born in the 1890's were alive, well and entertaining us all, Zara Cully as George Jefferson's quick witted Mother, Olivia. She was hilarious when seeking attention from George and Weezy she intentionally tackles herself to the ground in a season 2 episode.
But "The Jeffersons" at least the first two seasons centers around George and his vices, which often outweigh his virtues, similar to the Archie Bunker character introduced in the early 1970's. Like Archie George is set in his ways, avaricious, sometimes crude, and often bigoted. Like Archie he is a bigot without a mean streak. He is a lovable bigot, and his racist views are played out for laughs, but George is not a carbon copy of Archie. They're not twins. Archie makes fun of everyone that is not his race, religion creed, or sexual orientation. George sticks to the basics. Just make fun of whitey, and those whites that don't offer him anything in return for his efforts.
There are some whites like Wittendale, the banker who holds the key to George's future of a dry cleaning monopoly. George always wants to pander to this guy. However George has no use for "honkies" like Tom Willis and his black wife Helen. Like Archie Bunker he despises mixed marriages. (Although Archie is all for Irish marrying Italian). Mostly because Weezy has him on a short leash, George reluctantly accepts Tom and Helen Willis as neighbors and in-laws.
One major reason why Archie's ethnic and racial slurs often spiral out of control and George's doesn't is the nature of the women they're married to. Edith is tolerant, dingbatty, and naive, while Weezy is sharp, quick witted, and as shrewd as George. She puts her foot down faster on George, than Edith does on Archie. Edith tends to push Archie in the direction he's going, with some first class dingbat punchlines added in.
George is a little bit of a thing, with an obsession for power and control, much like Danny DeVito in the movies. He lusts for money and power, and he's got it, a wife a family and a full chain of cleaning stores. Archie doesn't have all this. Archie needs to shut other people down to better his own situation. George doesn't. George has money and power. However, like Archie he is set in his ways, and his lack of modesty always gets him into trouble.
What this show was missing was a crossover appearance by Archie and Edith from the slums of Flushing to the penthouses in Manhattan. Carroll O' Connor and Jean Stapleton never appeared on "The Jeffersons." "The Jeffersons" was not the greatest TV sitcom. "All in the Family" along with "Seinfeld", "The Honeymooners" and "Cheers" were better. However there was a certain charm with this show that lasted from the Gerald Ford through the second half of the Ronald Reagan presidency. This was one fine show.
George and Weezy Are Movin' On Up
wchngliu2 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I must admit that I am not that familiar with its predecessor, All In The Family, seeing as I wasn't born when it was originally released, but neither was I familiar with The Jeffersons either. It wasn't until later on one of the episodes of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air back in the 90s that I saw George appear on the show for the first time. And so from then on, I caught up with The Jeffersons, thanks to the brilliance of the web and sites such as You Tube, seeing as they had hardly shown this sitcom in the UK.
George and Louise 'Weezy' Jefferson are arguably one of the funniest sitcom couples ever; as different as they are in terms of personalities, and despite their arguments and fall- outs, like all couples they have managed to stay together and see things through regardless, no matter how much they get on one another's nerves. Sherman was just excellent as the outspoken, no- nonsense George- who has a bit of a short fuse, whilst Isabel was marvellous as the care-free, down-to earth and less pessimistic Weezy. The couple live together in an apartment block along with their son, Lionel, and their mother would occasionally drop- by, much to the Jefferson's surprise, whilst their neighbours were a Caucasian man named Tom and his Afro-American wife, Helen- which, for a inter-racial couple appearing on mainstream TV- was a rarity to see back in those days. The other characters on the show were the (somewhat) likable and pleasant Mr Bentley, Ralph and Florence, the sarchastic maid.
The Jeffersons was a humorous, fun and enjoyable comedy, which ran for an astonishing 11 seasons between 1975-1985. Some of my favourite moments include George taking part in a boxing contest- I couldn't help but laugh my socks off, what with George jogging all over the ring and his movements had me in stitches - and when George, Tom and Helen are trapped in George's bathroom and the situation is further complicated when 1) Weezy is having her hair done; unaware of the predicament her husband and her friends find themselves in and 2)they realise that the door can only operated from the outside, and not whilst they are inside the bathroom! In one scene and to make matters worse, the door handle even falls off! Not to mention 'Brother Tom' when Tom tries to act Black, much to his wife's embarrassment, in an attempt to fit in with the other Black folks, of whom included George and Louise.
Even though the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Diff'rent Strokes and The Cosby Show got plenty of air time, here in the UK, it is a bit of a shame that this sitcom was never actually televised in this part of the world because as I mentioned The Jeffersons is a great show, which deserved to be seen by its audiences.
Nevertheless, this was one of CBS's fewest hit sitcoms that managed to hit the big time and sustain a longevity that rivals the likes of NBC's other long running comedies, Frasier, Friends and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Catch it if you can
George and Louise 'Weezy' Jefferson are arguably one of the funniest sitcom couples ever; as different as they are in terms of personalities, and despite their arguments and fall- outs, like all couples they have managed to stay together and see things through regardless, no matter how much they get on one another's nerves. Sherman was just excellent as the outspoken, no- nonsense George- who has a bit of a short fuse, whilst Isabel was marvellous as the care-free, down-to earth and less pessimistic Weezy. The couple live together in an apartment block along with their son, Lionel, and their mother would occasionally drop- by, much to the Jefferson's surprise, whilst their neighbours were a Caucasian man named Tom and his Afro-American wife, Helen- which, for a inter-racial couple appearing on mainstream TV- was a rarity to see back in those days. The other characters on the show were the (somewhat) likable and pleasant Mr Bentley, Ralph and Florence, the sarchastic maid.
The Jeffersons was a humorous, fun and enjoyable comedy, which ran for an astonishing 11 seasons between 1975-1985. Some of my favourite moments include George taking part in a boxing contest- I couldn't help but laugh my socks off, what with George jogging all over the ring and his movements had me in stitches - and when George, Tom and Helen are trapped in George's bathroom and the situation is further complicated when 1) Weezy is having her hair done; unaware of the predicament her husband and her friends find themselves in and 2)they realise that the door can only operated from the outside, and not whilst they are inside the bathroom! In one scene and to make matters worse, the door handle even falls off! Not to mention 'Brother Tom' when Tom tries to act Black, much to his wife's embarrassment, in an attempt to fit in with the other Black folks, of whom included George and Louise.
Even though the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Diff'rent Strokes and The Cosby Show got plenty of air time, here in the UK, it is a bit of a shame that this sitcom was never actually televised in this part of the world because as I mentioned The Jeffersons is a great show, which deserved to be seen by its audiences.
Nevertheless, this was one of CBS's fewest hit sitcoms that managed to hit the big time and sustain a longevity that rivals the likes of NBC's other long running comedies, Frasier, Friends and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Catch it if you can
florence makes me laugh a lot.
katrillionaire3 May 2019
Her zingers and one liners are up there with the best in tv sitcom history. The complete cast made this show what it was. all were strong characters. i didn't think this show would stand the test of time. I was wrong.
Love this show!
dlplummer-6446129 July 2022
The Jeffersons
studioAT23 July 2020
A classic that will never be forgotten
Op_Prime5 January 2000
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.
Excellent Comedy
Seattle1028 January 2012
I watched this in the 1970s, somewhat, and I liked it, but nowadays, even much more so. Since it ran for 11 seasons, naturally, there were changes in the type of its tones, so my review is mainly for the middle period. I do not care for All in the Family, from which The Jeffersons spun off, due to the character of Archie, his harsh belittling of people; hideous racism; and over-emphasis on political events, etc., so I find George Jefferson to be a light-hearted fellow, who, even if saying negative things, does so in a jovial way and is not too serious about it.
This show is virtually as funny as two favorites, Sanford and Son, and Three's Company. It is just so, so funny. Sherman Hemsley is absolutely marvelous, so comical, animated, and the life of the party, so to speak. Isabel is a sincere actress, playing "Weezy". The others are great, but the character of Bentley or the actor himself, always seemed strange, in that he was unsure of himself, and awkward.
A great show for laughs, and Marla Gibbs as Florence, absolutely great.
This show is virtually as funny as two favorites, Sanford and Son, and Three's Company. It is just so, so funny. Sherman Hemsley is absolutely marvelous, so comical, animated, and the life of the party, so to speak. Isabel is a sincere actress, playing "Weezy". The others are great, but the character of Bentley or the actor himself, always seemed strange, in that he was unsure of himself, and awkward.
A great show for laughs, and Marla Gibbs as Florence, absolutely great.
Simply put: UNFORGETTABLE!!!
Vivekmaru4528 December 2010
Another great TV series of my youth along with Good Times, Sanford and Sons, Silver Spoons and Different Strokes.
The film is about the Jefferson family who have risen up in the world from humble beginnings and move into a posh apartment.
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) has a chain of laundromats which he collects from them. Louise Jefferson is his wife and she looks after him and gives him good advice whenever it is necessary. She also is the LAST WORD for George when he gets overexcited. Their relationship can be classified as LOVE-HATE relationship. Their quarrels are hilarious since George is of a rude and arrogant nature, excitable, argues a lot over petty matters and prone to swearing. Louise is the more quiet and disciplined type and very TOLERANT.
Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs) is the maid in the Jefferson's apartment and she provides excellent comic relief when she frequently clashes with George.
There is an inter-racial couple Tom and Helen Willis (Tom is Caucasian and Helen is African-American). The Willis couple is an annoyance to George, whenever they visit him and this provides us with more comedy.
Harry Bentley, is a playboy Englishman who lives next door to the Jefferson's. He is another of George's hates and they clash whenever he comes over.
Well the series shows us day-to-day situations in the Jefferson household. Jam-packed with comedy and also instructive as well.
Buy this great series on DVD.
Email me Vivekmaru45@yahoo.com for more on movies.
The film is about the Jefferson family who have risen up in the world from humble beginnings and move into a posh apartment.
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) has a chain of laundromats which he collects from them. Louise Jefferson is his wife and she looks after him and gives him good advice whenever it is necessary. She also is the LAST WORD for George when he gets overexcited. Their relationship can be classified as LOVE-HATE relationship. Their quarrels are hilarious since George is of a rude and arrogant nature, excitable, argues a lot over petty matters and prone to swearing. Louise is the more quiet and disciplined type and very TOLERANT.
Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs) is the maid in the Jefferson's apartment and she provides excellent comic relief when she frequently clashes with George.
There is an inter-racial couple Tom and Helen Willis (Tom is Caucasian and Helen is African-American). The Willis couple is an annoyance to George, whenever they visit him and this provides us with more comedy.
Harry Bentley, is a playboy Englishman who lives next door to the Jefferson's. He is another of George's hates and they clash whenever he comes over.
Well the series shows us day-to-day situations in the Jefferson household. Jam-packed with comedy and also instructive as well.
Buy this great series on DVD.
Email me Vivekmaru45@yahoo.com for more on movies.
Movin' on up
jamesjustice-9229 January 2024
This is the third time I'm writing this review from memory - the other two were deleted without saving, even a draft was lost and I really wanted my 450th review to be special, so here it goes again!
I started watching The Jeffersons during covid when all of us had way too much spare time on our hands and I wanted to dive in some uncharted territory for me back then in terms of entertainment and I was trying out TV shows with almost exclusively black casts, and out of all I touched upon - Good times, Family matters, Sanford and son, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - The Jeffersons stood out like a rock that no one dared to touch. Without exaggeration they were one of the best TV families to ever surface on the small screen.
What made the show great was not only the quality humor and relevant topics that resonate with viewers even today but its characters. Let it be loud-mouthed and abnoxious George or calm and rational Louise, or Lionel, or the Zebras (I mean the Willises), or posh Harry Bentley, or witty and sarcastic Florence (hands down my favorite character - boy her quick remarks toward Mr. Jefferson were out of this world), or even Ralph the doorman or Charlie the bartender - all of them were outstanding, with their own stories, backgrounds, personal agendas and problems - they all were real people. And I felt like a part of their big family over the course of 11 seasons and 253 episodes, when I tuned in episode after episode just to spend a little time with them in the deluxe apartment in the sky (probably THE best theme song of ALL times).
Sure the show had got some questionable decisions over the years it was on the air - like recasting Lionel's character and replacing Mike Evans with Damon Evans (no relation), or having the character of Alan Willis brought in only to have him appeared in the handful of episodes and shortly after vanishing without a trace and never spoken of again (nod to Cunningham's older son from Happy days) or just the fact that the show did not have a proper series finale, having been cancelled too abruptly for all those people involved - all those things have played out in its own favor after all. Damon found his Lionel way sooner than I was expecting it and have made this familiar role his own (but I still prefer Mike's version of the character who is more suited to the Jeffersons family), Alan still made some impact on viewers with some funny and memorable episodes and who cares that the show does not have an ending? It truly does not need one because the stories could go on and on forever, as long as we feel like a part of the family.
The Jeffersons was, is and will always be one of the best sitcoms, surely high above 99% of them all; it spoke loudly of racism, intolerance, inequality and many other things in times when it was rarely heard. The raw and unbridled energy of the first seasons, with frequent usage of N-words that could really put anyone off but were justified those days nonetheless, match splendidly with wisdom of the later seasons and the perfect balance between comedy and drama have made it a show with no drops in quality whatsoever.
I may have forgotten some things I said in the previous renditions of my review but I do believe I've said everything by now. The Jeffersons is that good that I'm ready to write over and over again about them, and that says something.
I started watching The Jeffersons during covid when all of us had way too much spare time on our hands and I wanted to dive in some uncharted territory for me back then in terms of entertainment and I was trying out TV shows with almost exclusively black casts, and out of all I touched upon - Good times, Family matters, Sanford and son, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air - The Jeffersons stood out like a rock that no one dared to touch. Without exaggeration they were one of the best TV families to ever surface on the small screen.
What made the show great was not only the quality humor and relevant topics that resonate with viewers even today but its characters. Let it be loud-mouthed and abnoxious George or calm and rational Louise, or Lionel, or the Zebras (I mean the Willises), or posh Harry Bentley, or witty and sarcastic Florence (hands down my favorite character - boy her quick remarks toward Mr. Jefferson were out of this world), or even Ralph the doorman or Charlie the bartender - all of them were outstanding, with their own stories, backgrounds, personal agendas and problems - they all were real people. And I felt like a part of their big family over the course of 11 seasons and 253 episodes, when I tuned in episode after episode just to spend a little time with them in the deluxe apartment in the sky (probably THE best theme song of ALL times).
Sure the show had got some questionable decisions over the years it was on the air - like recasting Lionel's character and replacing Mike Evans with Damon Evans (no relation), or having the character of Alan Willis brought in only to have him appeared in the handful of episodes and shortly after vanishing without a trace and never spoken of again (nod to Cunningham's older son from Happy days) or just the fact that the show did not have a proper series finale, having been cancelled too abruptly for all those people involved - all those things have played out in its own favor after all. Damon found his Lionel way sooner than I was expecting it and have made this familiar role his own (but I still prefer Mike's version of the character who is more suited to the Jeffersons family), Alan still made some impact on viewers with some funny and memorable episodes and who cares that the show does not have an ending? It truly does not need one because the stories could go on and on forever, as long as we feel like a part of the family.
The Jeffersons was, is and will always be one of the best sitcoms, surely high above 99% of them all; it spoke loudly of racism, intolerance, inequality and many other things in times when it was rarely heard. The raw and unbridled energy of the first seasons, with frequent usage of N-words that could really put anyone off but were justified those days nonetheless, match splendidly with wisdom of the later seasons and the perfect balance between comedy and drama have made it a show with no drops in quality whatsoever.
I may have forgotten some things I said in the previous renditions of my review but I do believe I've said everything by now. The Jeffersons is that good that I'm ready to write over and over again about them, and that says something.
Big fan of this show
stevenackerman699 September 2009
When I was a young boy a Sunday night ritual for me would be watching several CBS shows. Jeffersons was one of them, usually the last one of the night before turning in for school the next day. Ironically, today is the first day of another school year!!!! I didn't get all the jokes when I was younger but enjoyed watching the characters and cared for them. I also liked the fact that they had the characters evolve over the years. George became less racist and was friendlier towards Tom. Louise at first didn't like being rich but once she did volunteer work, that changed. I have the feeling that she didn't want to be like an Uncle Tom and forget her past. Doing work at the help center was what helped her adjust to her new life. I also was amazed that in the 80's, they redecorated the apartment with richer furniture. What other sitcom has ever done that? Can't think of one. One other thing I liked was that George sometimes did succeed. If he had always failed in his plans like Wile E. Coyote, it would get tiring. It was good to see him come out on top once in a while. It was terrible that CBS didn't give this show a proper sendoff. I think they set it up for the ratings to go down by moving the show to Tuesday night in 1985 so the audience that watched it on Sunday may not have been able to watch it Tuesday. Therefore, ratings would drop and the network could use it as an excuse to give it the axe. I think they could've done at least one more season and I even had some story ideas for them for the new season, which I discussed on the message boards. It is sad that several of the actors have passed on, but that happens to everyone sooner of later. This show will live forever.
Probably the funniest sitcom ever!
WeezieJefferson1 March 2003
Although my opionion may be a bit biased, I really do think this was an amazing show. People always say that the earlier episodes were the better, but quite frankly, I disagree. The best episodes I feel, and also this is the same time frame when the show was at it's most successful, was in the early 80's. For the '81-'82 season, "The Jeffersons" was the 3rd rated television show in America. People wanted to see Florence be sassy, and Tom and George be friends. Viewers wanted to see Helen and Louise get somewhat foolish. People wanted to see incredible guest stars, like Sammy Davis, Jr., Gladys Knight, Billy Dee Williams, even the popular singing group Sister Sledge. It was the 80's, and people wanted to see rich folks living in excess, and it was also at this time the show was so successful, it finally had the advertising clout to command a bigger budget for a new set, off-site shoots, and guest stars. I prefer the later set over the earlier one (the curved coffee table, gray sofa with peach throw cushions, and the round table dinette set). It outlasted the show which it originally was spun-off from even. Keep in mind also, that this show was still pulling in some great numbers in the 1984-1985 season when the plug was pulled (it was still in the top 20). It seems that anything that originated in the 70's was leaving the line-up in the mid-80's. Alice was canceled, along with The Love Boat, The Facts of Life, Hart to Hart, and a lot of other wonderful shows that were not necessarily growing tired, but the budget went towards all new shows. Shows that were not memorable at all, and were cancelled within a season or two. "The Jeffersons" ran for eleven seasons, and that's a long time in this business. I always felt that after all "The Jeffersons" had done for CBS, that it certainly deserved a better send-off than being cancelled mid-season after a hiatus. There never was a last episode, no closure. No wrap up. Nothing. The last new episode that was shown was on June 25, 1985, and it was a pretty funny episode in which George helps his grand daughter Jessica with her Red Robins group. Sadly, Tom & Helen Willis did not appear in this episode. It was actually the second to last show taped, but as you may be aware, the shows are not necessarily shown in the order that they are filmed. I read an earlier entry that claims Lark Voorhies played Lionel and Jenny's daughter, Jessica on "The Jeffersons". Actually, it was an actress by the name of Ebonie Smith. Lark portrayed Lisa on the TV show "Saved By The Bell". I think the confusion may be because Ebonie Smith was in an episode of "Saved By The Bell: The New Class".
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