The Jeffersons (1975–1985)

A nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants.

Creators:

Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, Bernard West

Stars:

Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs

Nominated for 8 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Isabel Sanford	...	Louise Jefferson (253 episodes, 1975-1985)
Sherman Hemsley	...	George Jefferson (253 episodes, 1975-1985)
Marla Gibbs	...	Florence Johnston (207 episodes, 1975-1985)
Roxie Roker	...	Helen Willis (194 episodes, 1975-1985)
Franklin Cover	...	Tom Willis (187 episodes, 1975-1985)
Paul Benedict	...	Harry Bentley (145 episodes, 1975-1985)

Storyline

"The Jeffersons" was perhaps the most-successful spinoff series to "All in the Family." George Jefferson was the black version of Archie Bunker in many respects, both were loud-mouthed, opinionated and set in their bigoted ways. By 1975, Jefferson's fledging dry-cleaning business, Jefferson Cleaners, had successfully grown into a small chain; his newfound wealth led to moving his family to a "deluxe apartment in the sky" in Manhattan. His family included his wife, Louise, a level-headed and open-minded woman who often had to scold George when his mouth got him into trouble; and Lionel, an engineering major at a local college. He especially disliked Tom and Helen Willis, a mixed couple (he was white, she was black) whose daughter, Jenny, was dating and later married Lionel; Florence, his sharp-tongued maid; and Harry Bentley, the esoteric Englishman who lived next door. George often flaunted his wealth and displayed rude, arrogant, bigoted behavior; however, he often found that money ...

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Plot Keywords:

Dry Cleaning | Apartment | Maid | Marriage | New York City | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Nick-at-Nite Screen Gems Network

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Jeffersons

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Embassy Television, Ragamuffin Inc., TAT Communications Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture on the Jeffersons' desk by the telephone changes in every episode. It alternates between shots of Louise, George, Lionel, and Mother Jefferson.

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Quotes

Louise Jefferson: [to George] Your nose is so high you need a 10 foot pole to pick it!

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Crazy Credits

Series creators Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, and Bernard West are listed as "Nicholl Ross West" during the show's closing credits on numerous episodes.

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Connections

Referenced in The Boondocks: Stinkmeaner 3: The Hateocracy (2010)
George Pissedofferson's name is a reference to George Jefferson

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Soundtracks

"Movin' On Up"
Written by Jeff Barry and Ja'net DuBois
Performed by Ja'net DuBois & Oren Waters

User Reviews

Jeffersons-Movin' On Up Was A Possibility ***1/2

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.