The Willises are the only supporting players who stayed through the show's entire run, but could the show have been successful without them? I say yes and no. Yes because they were nowhere near as funny or endearing as characters like Bentley or Florence. No because the fact that they were in-laws meant that they would get under George's skin in a way that ordinary neighbors wouldn't. Plus Louise needed a female on her level to interact with. Florence wasn't on her level because she was her maid.

Originally posted by jamesanthony
The Willises are the only supporting players who stayed through the show's entire run, but could the show have been successful without them? I say yes and no. Yes because they were nowhere near as funny or endearing as characters like Bentley or Florence. No because the fact that they were in-laws meant that they would get under George's skin in a way that ordinary neighbors wouldn't. Plus Louise needed a female on her level to interact with. Florence wasn't on her level because she was her maid.




i don't think Ralph the Doorman was necessary.

Ralph was a bit annoying, but at least they never made him a regular. He was on it for all 11 years. I think the bartender was too.

If the Willises weren't in it they would have needed another man and woman couple to play off George and Weezy.

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Ralph was a bit annoying, but at least they never made him a regular. He was on it for all 11 years. I think the bartender was too.

If the Willises weren't in it they would have needed another man and woman couple to play off George and Weezy.


I think Charlie came in season 2.

I think Marcus and Leroy were not needed. They were George's 2 very stupid employees in the lat 70s.

Originally posted by jamesanthony
I think Marcus and Leroy were not needed. They were George's 2 very stupid employees in the lat 70s.


I forgot about Leroy. I have to admit I enjoyed his character. The guy who played Marcus was a stupid character on the Jeffersons and Good Times.

Ernest Harden Jr played Marcus. I remember the Good Times episode. He was an extremely clumsy art student and the guy who played Marla Gibbs husband on 227 was his intimidating father. He was a real clutz in that role but in the Jeffersons he was clutzy and stupid.

Marcus was o.k. Leroy was a bit slow but not on enough to be annoying. George could have ripped him a new one for laughs though!

Yes their parts were important. They were the targets of most of George's jokes.