I think Mother Jefferson was featured a little more than Lionel in season 1 which is why Mike Evans left the Show. It made no sense that a SON who lives under the same roff as Louise and George had the same amount of screen time as MOTHER JEEFERSON. Keep in mind that Mother Jefferson was a character was didn't even live with Louise and George and for some reason was seen a lot.

I am going to have to go with Mother Jefferson on this one. So what if she did not live with George and Weezie. She was hysterical! Also, they knew that Zara was old and they probably wanted her to get in as much screen time as possible. I am glad she did because she died during Season 4 when the show was not even half-way through its run.

I do not know much about Lionel's role on AITF. I think he was the first Jefferson introduced on the show, with George and Weezie coming later. When the Jeffersons got their own spinoff, it was called "The Jeffersons", not "The Lionel Show". Most people obviously wanted to see more of George and Louise anyways. I know I did. Besides, Lionel was like 20 and in college. There is not much you can do with a character like that. It was nice for me to see a sitcom where there were not little kids that could focus on a middle-aged couple that had already raised their kids. George and Loiuse were the stars of the show. We were very blessed to have had Zara play Mother Jefferson as long as she did.

Lastly, after Zara died Mike Evans could have came back and actually stayed throughout the show's remainder rather than making an appearance every now and then. I know he could have had a lot more screentime, especially having a daughter and all. It is too bad that they made his relationship with Jenny so damn boring. Lots of wasted potential between that couple if you ask me.

Your thread title shocked me!!!! it says which character had the BIGGER in season one and I was like WTF?????? You forgot a word in there. It gives a whole new meaning to what you actually wanted it to say!:lol: :wave:

I am going to have to go with Mother Jefferson on this one. So what if she did not live with George and Weezie. She was hysterical! Also, they knew that Zara was old and they probably wanted her to get in as much screen time as possible. I am glad she did because she died during Season 4 when the show was not even half-way through its run.

I do not know much about Lionel's role on AITF. I think he was the first Jefferson introduced on the show, with George and Weezie coming later. When the Jeffersons got their own spinoff, it was called "The Jeffersons", not "The Lionel Show". Most people obviously wanted to see more of George and Louise anyways. I know I did. Besides, Lionel was like 20 and in college. There is not much you can do with a character like that. It was nice for me to see a sitcom where there were not little kids that could focus on a middle-aged couple that had already raised their kids. George and Loiuse were the stars of the show. We were very blessed to have had Zara play Mother Jefferson as long as she did.

Lastly, after Zara died Mike Evans could have came back and actually stayed throughout the show's remainder rather than making an appearance every now and then. I know he could have had a lot more screentime, especially having a daughter and all. It is too bad that they made his relationship with Jenny so damn boring. Lots of wasted potential between that couple if you ask me.

Zara Cully was too old to be a cast member. An occassional guest spot would have made more sense. They did Mike evans wrong.

Your thread title shocked me!!!! it says which character had the BIGGER in season one and I was like WTF?????? You forgot a word in there. It gives a whole new meaning to what you actually wanted it to say!:lol: :wave:


It was supposed to say BIGGER ROLE

Lionel. I never cared for Mother Jefferson. I probably would have liked her more if she made a few guest appearances once in a while, but it seemed like she was in just about every single episode in the first 2 seasons and I hardly ever thought she was funny .

Lionel. I never cared for Mother Jefferson. I probably would have liked her more if she made a few guest appearances once in a while, but it seemed like she was in just about every single episode in the first 2 seasons and I hardly ever thought she was funny .


And why have a Ep about Mother Jefferson having a boyfriend?-lol

I loved Mother Jefferson, she really brought out the best (or worst) in Louise. Lionel slowly got unfunny as the show went on because they matured him.

I loved Mother Jefferson, she really brought out the best (or worst) in Louise. Lionel slowly got unfunny as the show went on because they matured him.


Since he quit I was surprised he was able to come back even if Sherman Hemsley played a role in bringing him back.

Since he quit I was surprised he was able to come back even if Sherman Hemsley played a role in bringing him back.

Didn't know that.Personally, I would have preferred Lionel in season 1.Mother Jefferson would have been better in an occasional guest spot.

Didn't know that.Personally, I would have preferred Lionel in season 1.Mother Jefferson would have been better in an occasional guest spot.


Yeah Sherman ran into Mike Evans during the summer of 1979 and then talked about the old days and eventually they talked about him coming back to the show. This info came from the

Didn't know that.Personally, I would have preferred Lionel in season 1.Mother Jefferson would have been better in an occasional guest spot.


Yeah Sherman ran into Mike Evans during the summer of 1979 and then talked about the old days and eventually they talked about him coming back to the show. This info came from the book titled "The Jeffersons" that was published in 1983

And why have a Ep about Mother Jefferson having a boyfriend?-lol

:lol: That was definitely my least favorite episode from Season 1.

:lol: That was definitely my least favorite episode from Season 1.


It was defintely the WORST

It was nice to see the relationship that George had with his mother. He was a momma's boy. lol

:lol: That was definitely my least favorite episode from Season 1.
I have to say this is my least favorite season 1 show, although it does have some funny moments- the whole idea of Mother Jefferson switching allegiances and siding with Louise is funny. It makes sense that they wanted to get her on screen as much as possible since she was old. I counted and Mike Evans is in one episode more than she is in year 1. It seems like more because she is a very dominating type of character and Mike's Lionel except for the episodes written around him is reduced to being a character who just reacts to whatever George and Louise are doing. He could still be good though as in his scene with George at the start of the one where George invites the reporter to come over to get his bio in the paper.

I'm curious about the story behind why he quit the series a second time. I was looking at tvtome.com and in the 2nd half of season 6 there is a string of consecutive shows with him in them, yet he wasn't on at all after mid season 7 until the first 2 shows in season 8. I used to watch the show in prime time then when I was a teenager and didn't really notice he wasn't in the episodes, yet when they took his name out of the main credits I began to get bored and stopped watching the series altogether.

I have to say this is my least favorite season 1 show, although it does have some funny moments- the whole idea of Mother Jefferson switching allegiances and siding with Louise is funny. It makes sense that they wanted to get her on screen as much as possible since she was old. I counted and Mike Evans is in one episode more than she is in year 1. It seems like more because she is a very dominating type of character and Mike's Lionel except for the episodes written around him is reduced to being a character who just reacts to whatever George and Louise are doing. He could still be good though as in his scene with George at the start of the one where George invites the reporter to come over to get his bio in the paper.

I'm curious about the story behind why he quit the series a second time. I was looking at tvtome.com and in the 2nd half of season 6 there is a string of consecutive shows with him in them, yet he wasn't on at all after mid season 7 until the first 2 shows in season 8. I used to watch the show in prime time then when I was a teenager and didn't really notice he wasn't in the episodes, yet when they took his name out of the main credits I began to get bored and stopped watching the series altogether.


That'as why I don't blame Mike Evans for leaving in 75, being pushed aside so they an expand the role of Mothe Jefferson

Your thread title shocked me!!!! it says which character had the BIGGER in season one and I was like WTF?????? You forgot a word in there. It gives a whole new meaning to what you actually wanted it to say!


am lol omg that would been intresting title but i looked all through topics could not find it anywhere lol but i could see how it would be funny and shocking.

but 2 answer the question i would rather see more of Lionel then Mother jefferson she was so unfunny took up2 much screen time from lionel and others.