Does anyone know why there was references to NYC being BROKE around 1975? Willona made a reference to it and on the Jeffersons George said he couldn't sue the city because he probably has more money than New York City. So was there a story about NYC being broke in 1975?

A big story. NYC was in a fiscal crisis at the time, going bankrupt. The mayor at the time Abe Beame asked President Ford for some federal help and Ford said no. There was a very popular, well-known New York Daily News headline about it that Gerald Ford told NYC to "Drop Dead" It was most likely a big national news story at the time.

New York was a mess in the 1970's.

A big story. NYC was in a fiscal crisis at the time, going bankrupt. The mayor at the time Abe Beame asked President Ford for some federal help and Ford said no. There was a very popular, well-known New York Daily News headline about it that Gerald Ford told NYC to "Drop Dead" It was most likely a big national news story at the time.



THANKS. I wouldn't have bothered to ask if I didn't also hear it on the Jeffersons. Can't remember the Good Times eps but Willona said-"Are you sure Chicagon is not celebrating New York Being Broke?"

It might have been the ep-"Michael's Big Fall"

I remember New York was in the headlines a lot back then. They had a long sanitation strike too.

For what it's worth, Gerald Ford didn't tell anyone to drop dead. The New York Daily News is known for its sensational headlines.

I remember New York was in the headlines a lot back then. They had a long sanitation strike too.

For what it's worth, Gerald Ford didn't tell anyone to drop dead. The New York Daily News is known for its sensational headlines.


WOW!! Does that headline bring back memories!! I'm originally form NYC, and I was in high school in 1975! Yeah New York was a huge mess back then, very gray grim and depressing! The comedians use to tell LOTS of mugger jokes back in the day!
I even remember that Ford headline! (Janice is right! Ford NEVER told NY to drop dead!) My mother said.."That stupid Ford..how can he do this US"??? HUH, ma what are you talking about? He didn't say that!:crazy:

It was in the episode "Michael's Big Fall". What lead to that line was when Willona was at the Evans' apartment, she asked Florida if there was a school holiday, Florida replied no, then Willona told Florida that she saw Michael playing hooky. That's when she said "Are you sure Chicago ain't celebrating New York being broke?"

THANKS. I wouldn't have bothered to ask if I didn't also hear it on the Jeffersons. Can't remember the Good Times eps but Willona said-"Are you sure Chicagon is not celebrating New York Being Broke?"

It might have been the ep-"Michael's Big Fall"

It was in the episode "Michael's Big Fall". What lead to that line was when Willona was at the Evans' apartment, she asked Florida if there was a school holiday, Florida replied no, then Willona told Florida that she saw Michael playing hooky. That's when she said "Are you sure Chicago ain't celebrating New York being broke?"


I thought so-thanks