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This article is about the 1981 sitcom. Other failed spin-off attempts were Gloria in the 1982-1983 season and 704 Hauser in 1994. 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. WebSpun-off from The Jeffersons (1975) This spin-off of The Jeffersons came out about 8 years before Marla Gibbs' second series, "227." Hes mellowed. See Amos in the episodeA Visit From Lena Horne(January 12, 1973) and DuBois inSanford And Son And Sister Makes Three(December 1, 1972). This show wasnt very successful, however. 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. 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. The Jeffersons is an American sitcom television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. 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.". [3] At the beginning of The Jeffersons, he was operating five stores throughout New York City, with another two opening during the following seasons. 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. The series endured for nine seasons, but the show we think of when we think ofAll In The Familyreally ended in season 8 when Gloria (Sally Struthers) and her husband Meathead (Reiner) moved to California. Sherman Hemsley even appeared in the premiere. Larry Linville(Frank Burns on MASH) plays her manager. The show was a spin-off ofThe Jeffersons. 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. Both men are bigoted, and both use sarcasm and insults as weapons. 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. 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 When shows featured Black characters, they were often portrayed as stereotypes, as clownish fools or ominous criminals. And The Jeffersons was in many ways a broad, superficial comedy that relied on racially-charged jokes and physical comedy to get laughs. [21], It returned to the Top 10 in 197980, and at the end of the 198182 season, The Jeffersons finished third overall, only surpassed by fellow CBS series Dallas and 60 Minutes. Checking In premiered on CBS on April 9, 1981, and lasted for only four episodes in the Thursday, 8:00p.m. EST timeslot. Cully was written out in season 4 due to her death in 1978, from lung cancer. All in the Familyprimarily takes place at the Bunker residence on 704 Hauser Street. 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. [24][25] He also became known for addressing the Jeffersons as "Mr. J" and "Mrs. Most television is ephemeral. [27] He was known for constantly stalling at the Jeffersons' door with his hand out waiting for a tip. All In The Familydirectly spun off five situation comedies between 1972 and 1994. He used that power to push the envelope, depicting the first transgender character in a situation comedy and the first recurring interracial marriage. Archie and Mike are always butting heads since Archie is politically conservative and Mike is usually portrayed as being liberal. At least stories featuring Black people were being told, and Black actors were getting significant roles on TV. The Jeffersons ended up lasting 11 seasons, beating All In The Family's 9 seasons. His alcohol problem isn't referenced anymore throughout the series, but it is assumable Charlie overcame it. 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. 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. 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. WebThe Jeffersons had one spin-off, titled Checking In. 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?). As with Maude and Good Times , the main character of the new series was a maid on her previous series. As noted by MeTV, Barry is something of a legendhe co-wrote (with his wife, Ellie Greenwich) a long list of classic songs, including "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Then He Kissed Me," "Be My Baby," "River DeepMountain High," and "Leader of the Pack.". It brought back the star ofGood Times John Amos in an update ofAll In The Familythat uses a plot point (interracial relationship) ofThe Jeffersons. And issues like these were also almost never addressed on televisionuntil The Jeffersons came along. On their own show, the Jeffersons interact with new friends and neighbors while inhabiting a new lifestyle. But whatHappy Daysdidnt have were spin-offs of spin-offs. Arthur was the only actor seen for the entire half-hour. 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. They were guests in the fictional hotel and their voices were dubbed by Italian actors Enzo Garinei (George) and Isa di Marzio (Louise), who also dubbed their characters for the full series. The Jeffersons had one spin-off, titled Checking In. The Jeffersons ended up lasting 11 seasons, beating All In The Family's 9 seasons. Mike Evans would leave The Jeffersons to work behind the camera for another show in the All in the Family family tree Good Times. Florence Johnson returned toThe JeffersonsafterChecking Inended. In the 1984-85 season, CBS aired a forgotten comedy called E/R, starring Elliot Gould. As progressive as it was when it came to race relations, it hedged its bets in many ways. We cant talk about the offspring without a few words about the parent. [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. Danny Wells played Charlie, the owner and a bartender of a nearby bar to the Jeffersons apartment building. The series was centered on the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence, who takes a job as cleaning management at a hotel. The series follows Florence's misadventures at the hotel with her co-workers: Lyle Block, her stuffy manager; Elena Beltran, her assistant; Earl Bellamy, the inept house detective; Hank Sabatino, the lewd handyman; Betty, the floor supervisor; Dennis, the bellboy; and Mr. Claymore, the hotel owner.[1]. Archie was used as a device for commentary on important social issues in the 1970s. I remember watching Checking In in the early 80s and even remember the theme song. 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Almost as well known, but less controversial was the Nov. 10, 1975, episode of Maude talking to her psychiatrist. It was funny and entertaining. And Louises brother-in-law Henry (Mel Stewart) appears for the first time in the last episode of season one. [1] The Jeffersons is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history,[2] the second-longest-running series with a primarily African American cast by episode count behind Tyler Perry's House of Payne[1][3] and the first to prominently feature a married interracial couple. [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. For other uses, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of awards and nominations received by The Jeffersons, "The Jeffersons: A look at life on black America's new 'Striver's Row', "Sherman Hemsley dies: Watch George Jefferson at his finest", "The Jeffersons and Happy Days and Valerie Bertinelli Bio", "Tyler Perry's House of Payne: Paying Homage to Sherman Hemsley", "Are Any of 'The Jeffersons' Cast Members Still Alive Today? RELATED:10 Iconic Black TV Shows That Defined The Culture. All in the Family was notable for many things including the fact that it spawned seven other TV series. As noted by Ebony, while it's easy to view George Jefferson as a "Black Archie Bunker," that's not accurate. [9] The Jeffersons also shared continuity with the sitcom E/R, which featured Lynne Moody who made a guest appearance in one episode of The Jeffersons. [8] However, the ratings sank below the top 30, and The Jeffersons aired its last episode, "Red Robins", on July 2, 1985.[28]. Sign up for the newsletter to get the latest updates about getTV. 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. [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. WebIn 1975, George Jefferson was eager to move out of Queens. The show was produced by the T.A.T. ALL IN THE FAMILY 7 Spin-Offs From TVs Most Spun-Off Sitcom, Charlies Angels: 10 Things You May Not Know (or Do You? The epithets nigger and honky were used occasionally, especially during the earlier seasons.[2][4]. 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 was introduced in the episode "Henry's Farewell", and Hemsley and Stewart share their only scene together in its final minutes. 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. In his autobiography, Even This I Get to Experience, Lear wrote that a relatively small group of agitators, especially when convinced God is on their side, can move corporate America to quake with fear and make decisions in total disregard of the Constitution.. 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. Dont miss on getTV:Both John Amos andJaNet DuBois(neighbor Willona Woods) appeared onSanford And Sonbefore they were cast onGood Times. Today were heading back to Manhattan, to revisit our favorite family, The Jeffersons. The Bunkers and their neighbors, the Jeffersons,developed relationships with other characters, many of whom got spin-offs of their own. [2] Lionel, played by Mike Evans, first appeared in "Meet the Bunkers", the premiere episode of All in the Family.[2]. Situation comediesaka "sitcoms"aren't always noted for their complex writing and deeply-imagined characters. Ned Wertimer played their tip-hungry doorman, Ralph Hart, throughout the series. As New Ravel notes, when his requests for change were ignored he began deliberately flubbing his lines or saying the offensive words too low for the microphones to pick up, forcing the producers to reshoot scenes again and again. Until then, Lear created the character of Henry Jefferson, George's brother. The Bunker-Verse! Lionel is introduced in the pilot, and is a core cast member for season one. Henry Jefferson was never seen again. The Jeffersons spawned the television show Checking In. This show followed the Jeffersons maid Florence Johnston as she worked at a hotel in Manhattan. In the spring of 1981, Paul Benedict left the show for a season and a half, returning in the final two seasons of the series. I remember watching Checking In in the early 80s and even remember the theme song. Marla Gibbs was the breakout star onThe Jeffersonsas Florence, George and Louises maid, so it made perfect sense to spin her off. 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. 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. Most of the cast usually didn't respond, but George almost always gave in. This show wasnt very successful, however. Florence misunderstands and thinks an elderly salesman is coming on to her, but he's really trying to make a sales pitch. Russell) the conservative. All Rights Reserved. But we dont have those fights on704 Hauser. In that regard,Good Timesis more like a reboot of Rolle and Amoss characters than a spinoff. RELATED:10 Sitcom Characters With Supernatural Abilities, Ranked By Power. 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. Stapleton expressed a desire to distance herself from the role of Edith. 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. [49] Marla Gibbs reprised her role as Florence Johnston. Gloria works as the assistant to two veterinarians. released season 7 on DVD in Region 1. ), 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. Sally Struthers was next to get her own show as Gloria Bunker Stivic, Archie and Edith's daughter. [13] Per an article in the May 8, 1985, Los Angeles Times, the series was cancelled by announcement at the CBS network "upfront" presentation the day before, nearly two months before the airing of the final episode. 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. Archie and Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) share their home with their daughter, Gloria (Sally Struthers), and her husband, Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner). With the series' cultural relevance and fandom, it'sno surprise All in the Family,TheJeffersons, andGood Timeswere also revived for a live performance special in 2019. Rather than cast someone else, Lear decided to keep George offscreen until Hemsley was available. 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. According to Encyclopedia.com, Hemsley had built a reputation as a powerhouse performer, and Lear had caught his performance in Purlie in New York in 1970 and knew he wanted him for the character of George. Weezy is initially reluctant to hire a housekeeper in the first episode in part because she's had that experience herself. A nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants. It took until 1975 until television finally gave Black audiences a family that looked like them and that wasn't struggling. Web3. Archie Bunker's Placestarted out with both Archie and Edith, but Jean Stapleton left the show and was killed off shortly after the series began. 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." John Amos (who played James Evans onGood Times) is the father, Ernie Cumberbatch. WebThe Jeffersons had one spin-off, titled Checking In. All in the Familyis famous for its prejudiced patriarch, Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor). Thanks to Lear and his characters, 70s TV audiences saw and heard things they never had before in primetime. Arthur was such a hit as Maude that Lear developed a series for her, with the second season finale ofAll In The Familyacting as the backdoor pilot for the spinoff. Shows like Sanford and Son and Good Times had all-Black main casts and made an attempt to depict Black American life more realistically. 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. No episode was centered on Mother Jefferson's death, but it was occasionally mentioned that she had died in future episodes. [17] Lear consulted with his associate Al Burton on the concept. WebIn 1975, George Jefferson was eager to move out of Queens. The location is the only concrete link fromAll in the Familyto the series, but it's a strong one despite the fact that704 Hauserwas only on the air for five episodes. A top 20 show for most of its 11 seasons, The Jeffersons was canceled abruptly without an official series finale. It became Tandems longest running show, with 11 seasons. Maude Findlay (Bea Arthur) first appears as Edith Bunker's cousin in a 1971All in the Familyepisode called "Cousin Maude's Visit." George is an obstreperous, often rude guy who thinks his wealth should get him anywhere he wants to go. 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. [10] Sherman Hemsley guest-starred as George in two episodes of the series, which lasted for one season. WhenAll In The Familydebuted in 1971, few people suspected it would be responsible for more spin-offs than any other sitcom in television history. Lyle throws a party at the hotel, but his high school rival (now a pro football coach) and his team decide to crash it. Lionel is the first Jefferson to be seen onAll in the Family, but his parents become an important part of the show, too. [7], In its first season (197475), the show ranked at number four, surpassed by its parent series All in the Family (which landed at number one for the fifth year in a row). 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. For the American Horror Story episode, see, The 200th Episode Celebration of All in the Family, Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Checking_In&oldid=1126465217, 1980s American workplace comedy television series, Television series by Sony Pictures Television, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. 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. The character of George Jefferson was conceived of as a mirror image in some ways of Archie Bunker. Factory. Sherman Hemsley, for example, came out of the revered Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), as did Roxie Roker (Helen Willis). [5][7] The Jeffersons eventually evolved into more of a traditional sitcom, but episodes occasionally focused on serious issues such as alcoholism, racism, suicide, gun control, being transgender, the KKK, and adult illiteracy. OConnor didnt like it either, apparently. 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. She got unlimited passes from the airline. 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. [12] Isabel Sanford (Louise Jefferson), who heard about the cancellation through her cousin who read it in the tabloids, has publicly stated that she found the cancellation with no proper finale to be disrespectful on the network's part. The Jeffersons avoided that by making the titular characters move to a different neighborhood. WebIn 1975, George Jefferson was eager to move out of Queens. Arthur was the only actor seen for the entire half-hour. 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. With Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover. 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. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. [41], On August 8, 2014, it was announced that Shout! The series was centered on the Jeffersons' housekeeper, Florence, who takes a job as cleaning management at a hotel. Almost as well known, but less controversial was the Nov. 10, 1975, episode of Maude talking to her psychiatrist. "HONKY IN THE HOUSE Writing & Producing The Jeffersons," Antler Publishing, LA, CA, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 18:06. 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. Maude arrives at the Bunker home to help out when the family gets hit with the flu. Dont miss on getTV:Archie Gets The Business(October 2, 1977) for the episode where Archie buys the bar from Kelsey (Frank Maxwell) andLittle Miss Bunker(September 24, 1979) for the introduction of Stephanie. 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. The series is bookended in a very creative way. Dont miss on getTV:While theres no direct Bunker connection,Checking Indoes featureLiz Torresas Florences assistant. 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.