I wish that they would have wrote an episode for Mother Jeffersons Passing.

She was such a major character. The conflict between Weezy and Her was classic. I would have liked to have seen an episode dedicated to her and her life.

Her last apperance was in the Fourth Season.

I wish that they would have wrote an episode for Mother Jeffersons Passing.

She was such a major character. The conflict between Weezy and Her was classic. I would have liked to have seen an episode dedicated to her and her life.

Her last apperance was in the Fourth Season.

The one where George finds out that this guy who was a father figure to him was actually her lover was memorable. I believe its in season 5. That's about as close as they came to doing an episode in honor of her. Also in the First Store in season 6 during the flashback they make mention of her. I don't think she was ever referred to again after that though.

Yea they should have did a tribute episode to her. It wasn't done as much then as it is now. But at least they mentioned what happened to her and didn't pretend like she never existed.

Yea they should have did a tribute episode to her. It wasn't done as much then as it is now. But at least they mentioned what happened to her and didn't pretend like she never existed.
True. This series was fairly consistent about mentioning what happened when players weren't around (Bentley, both Lionels). The only one they never said anything about was Alan Willis (Jay Hammer) and you can assume that since was a nomad he packed up and went someplace after year 5.

I asked Marla Gibbs why there was no tribute. She said it was because the show didnt want to "bring attention to the demise of one of its stars."

______________________
www.dear-norman.com

My only guess is why they never did a tribute episode to Zara Cully was because her role had become so minor, by the fall of 76 that the writers didn;t probably see the point. Now if something had happened to one of the charcaters who was seen more frequently like Helen or Tom then it probably would have been difffrent

Too bad - she deserved more recognition. She was a riot. I love the eps she was in.

Word Up to Mother Jefferson! :wave:

I just got to the season 3 episode Louise v. Jenny where Zara Cully returns. She seemed like she mustve been sick. I wonder if the wheelchair was written in because she was sick. Her voice was sick and her face looked pale and her timing was off.

I just got to the season 3 episode Louise v. Jenny where Zara Cully returns. She seemed like she mustve been sick. I wonder if the wheelchair was written in because she was sick. Her voice was sick and her face looked pale and her timing was off.



Yeah she was defintely up in age at the time. Honestly, i didn't see the point in casting someone her age for a sitcom. Can you imagine how much of a toll tat had to be for her to know her lines and the long work weeks. When the Jeffersons premeired she was almost 80. That's too old to be a cast member. A guest yes, Cast member, NO

I agree . . . but she was older than 80, wasnt she?

I always wondered how much of a hassle that must've been

She was about 83 when the show debuted

Yeah she was defintely up in age at the time. Honestly, i didn't see the point in casting someone her age for a sitcom. Can you imagine how much of a toll tat had to be for her to know her lines and the long work weeks. When the Jeffersons premeired she was almost 80. That's too old to be a cast member. A guest yes, Cast member, NO

The woman who played Mother Winslow on Family Matters was up around 80 as well, but maybe because she dyed her hair and was in better physical condition it wasn't as noticeable as Zara Cully. Rosetta Lenoire survived all of Family Matters' 9 years. I guess since Zara made much a strong impression as George's mammie in All in the Family they felt they had to have her continue in the Jeffersons.

The woman who played Mother Winslow on Family Matters was up around 80 as well, but maybe because she dyed her hair and was in better physical condition it wasn't as noticeable as Zara Cully. Rosetta Lenoire survived all of Family Matters' 9 years. I guess since Zara made much a strong impression as George's mammie in All in the Family they felt they had to have her continue in the Jeffersons.


What strong impression?-LOL She was only seen for 15 seconds in that All in the Family Episode

What strong impression?-LOL She was only seen for 15 seconds in that All in the Family EpisodeWhen Archie called her Mammy and she reacted to it I think that was a strong enough to get her in the Jefferson as a regular.

The woman who played Mother Winslow on Family Matters was up around 80 as well, but maybe because she dyed her hair and was in better physical condition it wasn't as noticeable as Zara Cully. Rosetta Lenoire survived all of Family Matters' 9 years. I guess since Zara made much a strong impression as George's mammie in All in the Family they felt they had to have her continue in the Jeffersons.
Jester Hairston was also up there in age when he was cast on Amen.

When Archie called her Mammy and she reacted to it I think that was a strong enough to get her in the Jefferson as a regular.


I remember the scene but I don't remember laughing-lol

Jester Hairston was also up there in age when he was cast on Amen. Yikes! He has both of those women beat. He was 85 when Amen started. According to imdb.com he died at age 99 of natural causes. I don't recall that series but I don't think he ever appeared ill on it.

As for Zara her reaction to Archie sealed her deal for the Jeffersons in the same way that what was supposed to have been a walk on part for Marla Gibbs in the first episode sealed her deal for the whole series.

Here's to you, Mother Jefferson!! We know you are somewhere UP THERE, enjoying a bloody mary.

http://www.geocities.com/isthisdadawn/1Jeffersons6.jpg

What strong impression?-LOL She was only seen for 15 seconds in that All in the Family Episode

It's pretty obvious that you didn't like Zara Cully, so why come in the posts about her and ruin our day? :mad: We liked her and her episodes. You are always up in the mix where Zara Cully is discussed. If you didn't like her so much, then start a post about not liking her and let us who enjoyed her episodes continue to post positively about her. Whew, some people....:mad:

It's pretty obvious that you didn't like Zara Cully, so why come in the posts about her and ruin our day? :mad: We liked her and her episodes. You are always up in the mix where Zara Cully is discussed. If you didn't like her so much, then start a post about not liking her and let us who enjoyed her episodes continue to post positively about her. Whew, some people....:mad:



Well I'm glad you enjoyed her appearances-LOL

Jester Hairston was also up there in age when he was cast on Amen.

Jester Hairston was 85 when he was cast on Amen. He was a great asset to the show. I loved his character on the show. Zara Cully was great on the Jeffersons. That was the only time Louise was actually funny when her and Mother Jefferson got into it. Her death was quite tragic but she was a trooper at the end especially when she kept working in spite of being ill. She's a lot better than some of these young actor/actresses out today.

Jester Hairston was 85 when he was cast on Amen. He was a great asset to the show. I loved his character on the show. Zara Cully was great on the Jeffersons. That was the only time Louise was actually funny when her and Mother Jefferson got into it. Her death was quite tragic but she was a trooper at the end especially when she kept working in spite of being ill. She's a lot better than some of these young actor/actresses out today.


Her death wasn't tragic, it was obvious she was ill after 1976 and on top of it she was closed to 90. I don't see what's tragic about that

Her death wasn't tragic, it was obvious she was ill after 1976 and on top of it she was closed to 90. I don't see what's tragic about that

No matter what age it is still a tragedy when an actor/actress passed away. We lost not only an actress but a great character that she played. Many may not like the character of Mother Jefferson but she brought out the best in Louise and her zingers toward her was funny. She was a brave woman to still work when it was obvious that she was very ill. She was a determined and strong willed woman until the end. It was hard watching Zara Cully like that at the end when she was suffering.

No matter what age it is still a tragedy when an actor/actress passed away. We lost not only an actress but a great character that she played. Many may not like the character of Mother Jefferson but she brought out the best in Louise and her zingers toward her was funny. She was a brave woman to still work when it was obvious that she was very ill. She was a determined and strong willed woman until the end. It was hard watching Zara Cully like that at the end when she was suffering.


A tradegy would have been if she was KILLED, she passed away due to illness which was a SAD MOMENT for all who knew her and loved her at the time of her passing. Tradegy is the wrong word.

Zara Cully even looked like Sherman Hemsley. lol

Zara Cully even looked like Sherman Hemsley. lol


Yeah she did a little-lol