The Jeffersons: Moving On Up A Black American Sitcom
The Jeffersons stand as the second longest-running sitcom featuring a predominantly black cast, lasting 11 seasons and totaling 253 episodes, from January 18th, 1975, to July 2, 1985. Let’s celebrate 49 years of The Jeffersons here!
The Jeffersons
By: Camille Shanklin
The Jeffersons was a beloved and groundbreaking '70s sitcom starring George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise "Weezy" (Isabel Sanford) Jefferson, a couple who moved from Queens to Manhattan after successfully opening a dry cleaning chain, Jeffersons Cleaners. It stands as the second longest-running sitcom featuring a predominantly black cast, lasting 11 seasons and totaling 253 episodes, from January 18th, 1975, to July 2, 1985. Inspired by The Black Panthers, Norman Lear aimed to portray the black household in a positive and successful light following controversy over the depiction of the concept of Good Times.
The Jeffersons upgraded to a beautiful condo with new neighbors and new trials. The sitcom was also one of the first shows to openly use the words “Ni***r” and “Honky,” seen only in earlier episodes. George Jefferson had no problem being outspoken and a little too honest about his feelings on any subject, including Tom (Franklin Cover) and Helen's (Roxie Roker, Lenny Kravitz's mother) Willis marriage – an interracial couple that was the first to feature on a sitcom.
The Jeffersons | The Very Best of The Jeffersons (Vol. 1) | The Norman Lear Effect
With a variety of episodes and topics, it undoubtedly sparked conversations around serious matters such as racism, adult illiteracy, alcoholism, and even LGBTQ issues. Despite addressing the tough conversations, The Jeffersons made its way into the homes and hearts of many with its confrontational comedy and witty banter, especially between George Jefferson and their sarcastic housekeeper Florence (Marla Gibbs). Unfortunately, the show ended abruptly with little to no explanation. The actors and actresses found out in their own ways but each went on to achieve great successes, such as Amen.
The Jeffersons paved the way for many other sitcoms that we grew to love, like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Cosby Show. We will always remember the George Jefferson walk and, of course, our favorite theme song "Moving on Up," sung by Oren Waters and Good Times actress Ja’net Dubois.
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Celebrating 29 Years of The Wayans Bros
On January 11, 1995, a television show from the minds of two Wayans Brothers premiered during one of TV’s heydays for black sitcoms. We discuss it here!
On January 11, 1995, a television show from the minds of two Wayans Brothers premiered during the heydays for black sitcoms. Starring Marlon Wayans, his brother Shawn, and the late John Witherspoon, the show itself is packed with moments of outrageous comedy while centering on the importance of family support as one chases a dream. The series ran for five seasons before its end in 1999. I have many fond memories of this series; it is one of my top 10 shows ever.
Clip | Wayan Bros | Warner Archive
Here’s a fun fact that’s important to note because you never will hear about it. The Wayans Bros was one of the top shows 29 years ago. It set the tone for WB when it was all black content. It even had better numbers than NBC’s top show, Friends. The Wayans bros have even joked about never getting the respect to do a final episode after a five-season run. But what they did get was the respect and love from their audience. The show turned the two brothers into movie stars. They went on to do many other projects together as a top dynamic duo. Movies such as Mo Money, White Chicks, The Scary Movie Series, and Little Man have all been box office successes.
The Wayans Bros series continues to inspire new generations and provide laughter throughout families down a line of many generations. Creating art like that goes a long way on the road to building a memorable legacy, which the Wayans family has done forever and continues to do. Cheers to them for creating amazing content that is still consumed and remembered 29 years later.
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Meet Camille Shanklin, Media Correspondent for 247 Live Culture!