I'm currently doing a comparison of different reasons why this show is not well liked and I would appreciate your honest opinions on why you do not like the Jeffersons. Thanks

I can't understand it either, Solomon. I know there are a lot of fans out there, but there are also many people who just hate The Jeffersons. It's always been a favorite of mine, and really one of the funniest shows ever.

I can't understand it either, Solomon. I know there are a lot of fans out there, but there are also many people who just hate The Jeffersons. It's always been a favorite of mine, and really one of the funniest shows ever.


This is the feedback I have gotten so far

The show was offensive
The show was predictable
The show is dated
Theme Song was Offensive to Black People
Show had too many negative stereotypes

This is the feedback I have gotten so far

The show was offensive
The show was predictable
The show is dated
Theme Song was Offensive to Black People
Show had too many negative stereotypes


If that was the case, so was Sanford and Son and Good Times, which I do not believe.

If that was the case, so was Sanford and Son and Good Times, which I do not believe.

Exactly-lol I can' figure it out Garfield why S&S and GT is more accepted than the Jeffersons.

Exactly-lol I can' figure it out Garfield why S&S and GT is more accepted than the Jeffersons.

I don't get why people like Sanford & Son and Good Times better than The Jeffersons. I always thought The Jeffersons was a FAR better show than either of those 2.

Exactly-lol I can' figure it out Garfield why S&S and GT is more accepted than the Jeffersons.

Maybe because both shows showcased poor blacks, and many people related to it. You know rich blacks on TV is not accepted by blacks for the most part.

I don't get why people like Sanford & Son and Good Times better than The Jeffersons. I always thought The Jeffersons was a FAR better show than either of those 2.


One guy on another board said this after I told him-"wasn't Fred Sanford just as offensive as George Jefferson?"


He said-"Yeah but Sherman Hemsley was no Redd Foxx when it came to comedy"

I asked the person who said the Jeffersons was predictable wasn't Good Times predictable too?


He said no because "seeing how the Evans Family would find humor in tough situations made the show unpredictable"

I like The Jeffersons", although I wouldn't put it in the "all time best" category. I'm not sure why people would find it offensive. I mean, I think "All In The Family" which is a GREAT show, would be considered more offensive, mainly because of Archie's outspoken opinions. The only thing I can think of that would make it offensive would be the interracial marriage between Tom and Helen (I hope I'm getting the names right). That never bothered me at all, and it gave George a reason to hate Tom because of his color.

I actually liked The Jeffersons better than Good Times, but both were good shows.

I didn't even realize so many people didn't like the show!!!
I think it's great!!!! I even enjoyed the later seasons!!!
It's my favorite out of Good Times and Sanford and Son!! All three are good shows, but The Jeffersons is by far my favorite out of the three.

Interesting discussion...

i dont understand why so many dislike it ether 30 years ago when i was in grade school most of the kids in my class watched it

These can be the reason why most people didn't like it. I'm just guessing


George and Louise looked like a couple in their 60's

Young people were not seen often on the show

George constantly be a show off about his money

90% of the eps took place in the apartment

I don't really understand it. The Jeffersons was the greatest sitcom spin-off in history. I was a kid when it originally aired and I didn't find anything about it offensive. I just found it funny. I would put The Jeffersons slightly ahead of Sanford and Son with Good Times in 3rd although all 3 shows were good.

I am not saying it is predictable or offensive. I don't find there to be stereotypes or that kind of stuff, I just never really found the show quite funny. It might be because I was from a different generation and never really got into it. To be fair, I never really liked Sanford And Son or Good Times either.

I am not saying it is predictable or offensive. I don't find there to be stereotypes or that kind of stuff, I just never really found the show quite funny. It might be because I was from a different generation and never really got into it. To be fair, I never really liked Sanford And Son or Good Times either.


Well that means you had no business replying to this thread because it was for people who was a fan of one of the three. So you must be BORED to respond to a thread discussing shows you don' like

I like The Jeffersons. Its not my favorite show but it had it moments. I think the first five years were the best. After that it wasnt funny anymore to me. Its not as good as Sanford and Son, but way better than Good Times. Also The Jeffersons is a whole lot better than those pathetic so called black TV shows from the 80's on.

I've never really gotten into the show. I've probably only seen 10 episodes but one thing is that I find Sherman Hemsley can get sort of obnoxious after a while. No offense to him, I still consider him a great actor but he's just so hyper sometimes lol

These can be the reason why most people didn't like it. I'm just guessing


George and Louise looked like a couple in their 60's

Young people were not seen often on the show

George constantly be a show off about his money

90% of the eps took place in the apartment
I don't care how old George and Louise look, I was just never a big fan of The Jeffersons series. I will go with one of the above opinions and say one of the reasons I don't care too much for the show is because younger people weren't around that often. Also, I didn't really care for George Jefferson. He was predictable, and even annoying at times. He was funny a lot of the time too though. And I loved the Louise.

One reason I liked Good Times more than The Jeffersons was because Good Times was always on that line between comedy and drama. The Jeffersons dealt with issues over the years, but it was more on the comedy side. I love funny shows, and thought The Jeffersons was funny at times, but I did like how Good Times went to some heavier places, and pushed the envelope with topical issues all the time.

this is a really ineresting thread solomon you have posted for two reasons. for me it is: a) i wasn't born when the first few seasons aired in the 70s and b) the jeffersons was never shown here in the uk, where i am from.

i read about the jeffersons and how a lot of people say it is a great show and so i watched a couple of episodes just to see what it is like, and i thought they were great. as i continued watching, i enjoyed the storylines, episodes and characters and it was hilarious as well.

jut recently i became a fan of good times- that was a great show as well. watched the episodes on you tube and i too enjoyed the humour, characters, storlines- and mike evans as jr was just brilliant. never saw sanford and son. well, not yet anyway and so i cannot make a judgement on that show.

personally, and this is just me, i would rate the jeffersons first, with good times second, in order of preference.

this is a really ineresting thread solomon you have posted for two reasons. for me it is: a) i wasn't born when the first few seasons aired in the 70s and b) the jeffersons was never shown here in the uk, where i am from.

i read about the jeffersons and how a lot of people say it is a great show and so i watched a couple of episodes just to see what it is like, and i thought they were great. as i continued watching, i enjoyed the storylines, episodes and characters and it was hilarious as well.

jut recently i became a fan of good times- that was a great show as well. watched the episodes on you tube and i too enjoyed the humour, characters, storlines- and mike evans as jr was just brilliant. never saw sanford and son. well, not yet anyway and so i cannot make a judgement on that show.

personally, and this is just me, i would rate the jeffersons first, with good times second, in order of preference.


Good Times can never ahead of the Jeffersons in my opion because John Amos was only on for 3 seasons. I just don't even think it's wortha debate since the last 2 seasons of Good Times was GARBAGE

this is a really ineresting thread solomon you have posted for two reasons. for me it is: a) i wasn't born when the first few seasons aired in the 70s and b) the jeffersons was never shown here in the uk, where i am from.

i read about the jeffersons and how a lot of people say it is a great show and so i watched a couple of episodes just to see what it is like, and i thought they were great. as i continued watching, i enjoyed the storylines, episodes and characters and it was hilarious as well.

jut recently i became a fan of good times- that was a great show as well. watched the episodes on you tube and i too enjoyed the humour, characters, storlines- and mike evans as jr was just brilliant. never saw sanford and son. well, not yet anyway and so i cannot make a judgement on that show.

personally, and this is just me, i would rate the jeffersons first, with good times second, in order of preference.

Oh you should really watch Sanford and Son if you get the chance, it's HILLARIOUS!!!

Good Times can never ahead of the Jeffersons in my opion because John Amos was only on for 3 seasons. I just don't even think it's wortha debate since the last 2 seasons of Good Times was GARBAGE
What does it matter if John Amos was only on for 3 seasons? He was so great in his 3 seasons on the show. The Jeffersons' later years weren't the show at it's best either. This happens with several Norman Lear sitcoms - they started out ok, became really great, and slowly lost steam later on.

What does it matter if John Amos was only on for 3 seasons? He was so great in his 3 seasons on the show. The Jeffersons' later years weren't the show at it's best either. This happens with several Norman Lear sitcoms - they started out ok, became really great, and slowly lost steam later on.

with diff'rent strokes being one of them. although it's not just the norman lear shows, almost all sitcoms in general start out well for a few seasons, only to fade away later on as the show continues.

What does it matter if John Amos was only on for 3 seasons? He was so great in his 3 seasons on the show. The Jeffersons' later years weren't the show at it's best either. This happens with several Norman Lear sitcoms - they started out ok, became really great, and slowly lost steam later on.

Because John Amos was a main character like Sherman Hemsley

My own reasons are somewhat nitpickity:

After Florence was hired, all the good lines Louise had were given to her, and Louise became bland and boring. Also, Florence took over the show.

Isabel Sanford changed her acting style, and started overacting. I loved her in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner', "All in the Family", and every bit part before 1975 - I've not cared for any role she's done since.

Tom was a buffoon most of the time, and was irritating to watch.

The comedy was too forced; slapstick in a bad way. The sniping between George and Helen was the exception.

The one good thing about the show was that the theme of becoming rich being something that George and Louise both liked and disliked, and how they reacted to it, and how the money changed them was not a topic explored each and every week, which would have become tiresome. Also, there were the social themes explored on the show, and not all of them racial. The storyline could get quite serious on occasion. And, I liked the whole of Season One.

But, to me, it was a poorly acted, silly show.

Someone mentioned that blacks don't go for shows which portray wealthy blacks. That, in itself, is somewhat bigoted. I was the quintessential "Cosby kid": I grew up middle class, and most of the family friends were middle-class to upper class blacks; a few of these blacks were actually wealthy.

People have berated the Jeffersons' and Huxtables' not having to rely on public transportation, and opening the refrigerator without worrying whether there would be food in it as not realistic, but that was the world in which this black child lived, and it was *very* real to me.

My own reasons are somewhat nitpickity:

After Florence was hired, all the good lines Louise had were given to her, and Louise became bland and boring. Also, Florence took over the show.

Isabel Sanford changed her acting style, and started overacting. I loved her in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner', "All in the Family", and every bit part before 1975 - I've not cared for any role she's done since.

Tom was a buffoon most of the time, and was irritating to watch.

The comedy was too forced; slapstick in a bad way. The sniping between George and Helen was the exception.

The one good thing about the show was that the theme of becoming rich being something that George and Louise both liked and disliked, and how they reacted to it, and how the money changed them was not a topic explored each and every week, which would have become tiresome. Also, there were the social themes explored on the show, and not all of them racial. The storyline could get quite serious on occasion. And, I liked the whole of Season One.

But, to me, it was a poorly acted, silly show.



I didn't care for Mother Jefferson or Mr. Bentley

This is the feedback I have gotten so far

The show was offensive
The show was predictable
The show is dated
Theme Song was Offensive to Black People
Show had too many negative stereotypes


No more so than 'All In The Family'. People need to stop being so sensitive. They were just comedy shows and should be viewed in that way. I think The Jefferson's and All In The Family were both funny shows and still enjoy them both.

No more so than 'All In The Family'. People need to stop being so sensitive. They were just comedy shows and should be viewed in that way. I think The Jefferson's and All In The Family were both funny shows and still enjoy them both.


Exactly, it was a comedy show

People have berated the Jeffersons' and Huxtables' not having to rely on public transportation, and opening the refrigerator without worrying whether there would be food in it as not realistic, but that was the world in which this black child lived, and it was *very* real to me.
I'm not understanding how you can compare the Jeffersons to the Huxtables. The Jeffersons started off as very poor who worked their way up. The Huxtables were never poor. What the hell did they ever know about scrimping and saving?

Here's my story.

I didn't watch the Jefferson's in the 70's. I don't know why. I did watch Good Times though.

I first saw the Jefferson's in the 80's and really enjoyed it. Back then of course there was no internet, so I didn't know for years that the Jefferson's was a spinoff from AITF. Boy was I shocked to hear that.

Now that I see the Jefferson's as an adult, what is sad is that it could have been a much, much better show. re. more Lionel, less Florence etc.

Here's my story.

I didn't watch the Jefferson's in the 70's. I don't know why. I did watch Good Times though.

I first saw the Jefferson's in the 80's and really enjoyed it. Back then of course there was no internet, so I didn't know for years that the Jefferson's was a spinoff from AITF. Boy was I shocked to hear that.

Now that I see the Jefferson's as an adult, what is sad is that it could have been a much, much better show. re. more Lionel, less Florence etc.


You don't find out it's a spinoff of All in the Family until season 4.

I've been doing quite a bit of thinking why I didn't watch the Jefferson's in the 70's. I was young then.

So I now think it's probably because I didn't think there was a younger generation. That has to be it. Good Times had a younger generation.

I do remember hearing about Mother Jefferson dying, but she didn't interest me.

Lionel was my favourite when I watched in the 80's. Of course at the time, I didn't know he had left & come back. I didn't know until just a few years ago that there was a 2nd Lionel.

I've been doing quite a bit of thinking why I didn't watch the Jefferson's in the 70's. I was young then.

So I now think it's probably because I didn't think there was a younger generation. That has to be it. Good Times had a younger generation.

I do remember hearing about Mother Jefferson dying, but she didn't interest me.

Lionel was my favourite when I watched in the 80's. Of course at the time, I didn't know he had left & come back. I didn't know until just a few years ago that there was a 2nd Lionel.


It wasn't really a family show because it came from All in the Family so I can see how it would be hard for teens to get into the show

It's not that I hate the show, but here are some reasons why I dislike it.

1. The lighting. It's just awful. Bad lighting on a TV show is one way I won't watch a TV show

2. George Jefferson. He seems to scream and yell and generally be angry all the time. Not what I like In a TV character

Oh yeah, you can't forget about that annoying laugh track. I mean come on, you have to play a laugh track when someone says a line that isn't even funny?

It's not that I hate the show, but here are some reasons why I dislike it.

1. The lighting. It's just awful. Bad lighting on a TV show is one way I won't watch a TV show

2. George Jefferson. He seems to scream and yell and generally be angry all the time. Not what I like In a TV character


Only during the 1st 3 seasons

The white people were all written as fools. Tom Willis, Mr. Bentley, the Doorman Guy, Mr. Whittington (or whatever his name was). I wished the actors who played the Willis' couple were a available, wanted to do the part.

The white people were all written as fools. Tom Willis, Mr. Bentley, the Doorman Guy, Mr. Whittington (or whatever his name was). I wished the actors who played the Willis' couple were a available, wanted to do the part.


There was nothing GOOFY about Mr. Whittendale

There was nothing GOOFY about Mr. Whittendale
True, the only one who acted like a goof ball at times was Tom Willis. But I think he was loveable no matter what.
Bentley could definitely be very ditzy at times, but I didn't see him as goofy.
Ralph was just annoying.... not goofy.

True, the only one who acted like a goof ball at times was Tom Willis. But I think he was loveable no matter what.
Bentley could definitely be very ditzy at times, but I didn't see him as goofy.
Ralph was just annoying.... not goofy.


Mr. Bentley would always make fun of George which made me start liking his character


And why did they call him Mr. Bentley when he was younger than them? Why not Harry?

That's like me moving into a apt building a couple in their 50's lived across the hall and called me Mr. Solomon lol

And why did they call him Mr. Bentley when he was younger than them? Why not Harry?
I never understood that either. Even the Wilis' called him "Mr. Bentley." It made sense for Lionel, Jenny and Florence to call him "Mr. Bentley" but not the Jefferson's or the Willis'

I never understood that either. Even the Wilis' called him "Mr. Bentley." It made sense for Lionel, Jenny and Florence to call him "Mr. Bentley" but not the Jefferson's or the Willis'


And why was his character visting a older married couple anyway? LOL

And why was his character visting a older married couple anyway? LOL
Bentley needed George to walk on his back when he was having spasms! :lol:

Bentley needed George to walk on his back when he was having spasms! :lol:



Oh yeah since he was ten stone:lol: