have favorite episode from the 1980-85 era? The only eps from that era is the Strays 1 and 2 which is the episode when George gets stabbed by a female gang member.

I've never seen those eps. but I like "they don't make preachers like him anymore". I think the Jeffersons was good in the 80s

I like the episode where the KKK shows up in the building for a meeting. I believe this was an early 80s episode.

I watched the show in primetime from 1979 to about 1983 so I have a lot of good memories of those years, more so than the earlier ones that I watched in reruns (CBS used to rerun those in the mornings in the early 80s).

I can't remember all the episode titles, but I liked:

The one where everyone tried to surprise George for his 50th birthday (that one is in yr 6, but technically it might have been in late 1979)

And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds - that one was very well acted to me and showed how this show could be more than just slapstick comedy. I'm wondering if this is the show Isabel Sanford won her emmy for because she is exceptionally good in it, although there are 3 other Louises in it

The First Store- although whoever wrote this one didn't watch enough early All in the Family episodes and Mike Evans is way too old to convincingly be a 15 or so year old, this is a very well done episode - it's like watching theater and again its not a silly or slapstick type episode, the acting is really good in this one

The Strays- I was not expecting George to get stabbed

There's one in year 8 where Louise and Helen encounter a hooker at a bar named Mom's or Mother's Place. The actress who played the hooker was seen on the show more than once in different roles

Sayonara- I never did see pt 2 of this but I liked pt 1, it was more like the earlier seasons

In all I think the show was not as good in the 80s and in more ways than one it was below average for its era, but I really would like to see those later episodes again. I guess I'll have to wait 6-10 years for those DVDs to come out.

Originally posted by jamesanthony
I watched the show in primetime from 1979 to about 1983 so I have a lot of good memories of those years, more so than the earlier ones that I watched in reruns (CBS used to rerun those in the mornings in the early 80s).

I can't remember all the episode titles, but I liked:

The one where everyone tried to surprise George for his 50th birthday (that one is in yr 6, but technically it might have been in late 1979)

And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds - that one was very well acted to me and showed how this show could be more than just slapstick comedy. I'm wondering if this is the show Isabel Sanford won her emmy for because she is exceptionally good in it, although there are 3 other Louises in it

The First Store- although whoever wrote this one didn't watch enough early All in the Family episodes and Mike Evans is way too old to convincingly be a 15 or so year old, this is a very well done episode - it's like watching theater and again its not a silly or slapstick type episode, the acting is really good in this one

The Strays- I was not expecting George to get stabbed

There's one in year 8 where Louise and Helen encounter a hooker at a bar named Mom's or Mother's Place. The actress who played the hooker was seen on the show more than once in different roles

Sayonara- I never did see pt 2 of this but I liked pt 1, it was more like the earlier seasons

In all I think the show was not as good in the 80s and in more ways than one it was below average for its era, but I really would like to see those later episodes again. I guess I'll have to wait 6-10 years for those DVDs to come out.

I watched the series from its premiere to the end. The first season of the show was outstanding. The series through the 70s was classic. The 80s was horrible. After Lionel and Jenny left the show was never the change. With George mellowing out he was not interesting to watch anymore. Louise got on my nerves with her holier than thou snobbish attitude. What killed it for me was when George and Tom became friends. They were the worse twosome of friends I have seen in television. .

The episode where I saw George began to transform especially his dogging the Willis' about their marriage was Episode #195, Mr. Wonderful. When George was straighten the whole mess he made between Tom and Helen he listened to Helen's complaint about Tom's cousin. She told George how racist his cousin was, who was the beneficiary of Tom's insurance, and George listened with compassion and from that episode on you saw George mellowing and became boring.

The episodes I liked in the 80s were:
The First Store - It explained a lot about George and Louise watching that episode. I loved it when it was them and Lionel. Seeing Louise without that bouffant wig was strange.

Sayonara - That was a good episode especially part 1. They got into it the way they used to in the earlier seasons especially Helen and Louise. Part 2 was moving and powerful but ended well. I liked Lionel and Jenny, especially Mike Evans and Belinda Tolbert they were compatible together in those roles, and I thought there was potential storylines with those two along with George, Louise, Tom and Helen.

Originally posted by mstewart
I watched the series from its premiere to the end. The first season of the show was outstanding. The series through the 70s was classic. The 80s was horrible. After Lionel and Jenny left the show was never the change. With George mellowing out he was not interesting to watch anymore. Louise got on my nerves with her holier than thou snobbish attitude. What killed it for me was when George and Tom became friends. They were the worse twosome of friends I have seen in television. .

The episode where I saw George began to transform especially his dogging the Willis' about their marriage was Episode #195, Mr. Wonderful. When George was straighten the whole mess he made between Tom and Helen he listened to Helen's complaint about Tom's cousin. She told George how racist his cousin was, who was the beneficiary of Tom's insurance, and George listened with compassion and from that episode on you saw George mellowing and became boring.

The episodes I liked in the 80s were:
The First Store - It explained a lot about George and Louise watching that episode. I loved it when it was them and Lionel. Seeing Louise without that bouffant wig was strange.

Sayonara - That was a good episode especially part 1. They got into it the way they used to in the earlier seasons especially Helen and Louise. Part 2 was moving and powerful but ended well. I liked Lionel and Jenny, especially Mike Evans and Belinda Tolbert they were compatible together in those roles, and I thought there was potential storylines with those two along with George, Louise, Tom and Helen.


It was one thing that George no longer did during the 80's which caused me to lose interest


(Dancing)-The 1979-80 was the last time he danced on the show.

Originally posted by mstewart
. .

The episode where I saw George began to transform especially his dogging the Willis' about their marriage was Episode #195, Mr. Wonderful. When George was straighten the whole mess he made between Tom and Helen he listened to Helen's complaint about Tom's cousin. She told George how racist his cousin was, who was the beneficiary of Tom's insurance, and George listened with compassion and from that episode on you saw George mellowing and became boring.

.

I saw the very last scene of that one in syndication and it is a strange episode. I believe the last line is Helen saying something like "George called us his 'friends'" It is a very odd thing, like someone who didn't normally write for this show decided to submit an episode. Very out of context of what the show was before that. Sherman Hemsley said he didn't like playing a racist character so I guess they let him tone down the part.

That one is in year 9 which to me should have been the final season. I remember watching some of year 9 and being bored and losing interest. The one where they are all standing around in their evening wear looking at a huge photo of George in the lobby (I think its in year 8) was a telltale sign that this show was going down the drain. What we have after that is mostly beneath this show's caliber: Too much Garrett Morris, the murder mystery episodes, George and Tom buying the bar, Florence getting shot and way too many stories about her inability to snag a man, Louise and Sammy Davis Jr (that episode makes no sense in the context of the show's history), Louise as the aristocratic snob etc.

Still, as much as it jumped the shark, the performers were such that they made even a bad show somehow entertaining. I wish someone would produce a show now that had that kind of theatrical quality to it, but it looks like this kind of tv production is forever gone.

I liked the Bobble, Bongles, and Boo Boos episode. I don't know the actual name of the episode but it was a good show in my opinion.

some of my faves from this era:
Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner
Marathon Men
Put It On
Calendar Girl
And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds
I've Got a Secret
Sorry Wrong Meeting
My Maid My Wife
My Maid Your Maid
I Buy the Songs
Change for a Dollar

Florence didnt get shot in stakeout episode she fell bumbed her head on gun shot somewhere else also in that episode george telling who he thought was florence in hospital how he really feels about her very moving

some of my faves from this era:
Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner
Marathon Men
Put It On
Calendar Girl
And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds
I've Got a Secret
Sorry Wrong Meeting
My Maid My Wife
My Maid Your Maid
I Buy the Songs
Change for a Dollar



Change of a Dollar????-LOL Not that Horrible Flashback to 1968 episode

I've never seen those eps. but I like "they don't make preachers like him anymore". I think the Jeffersons was good in the 80s


That's one of my favorite episodes.

my favorites, was the bumpers ep when the girls went to the strip club, also when George opens his museum, also when Helen and Louise get arrested for breaking into George's office. I am sure there are more, I just can't think of them right now