...Norman Lear wanted to change the dynamic between Mike And Archie by having the married couple live next door to Archie and Edith? I am not saying the Jeffersons didn't deserve a spin-off series, but was giving the Jeffersons their own show a way to shake things up with his "baby," 'All in the Family?'

...Norman Lear wanted to change the dynamic between Mike And Archie by having the married couple live next door to Archie and Edith? I am not saying the Jeffersons didn't deserve a spin-off series, but was giving the Jeffersons their own show a way to shake things up with his "baby," 'All in the Family?'


I think it was because Lear received so much criticism for Good Times at the time since the mother didn't work and they lived in the projects so that's how the idea came about to have a show that was the FLIPSIDE of Good Times to show black people in a positive way.

My guess is that research probably showed that the Jeffersons were very popular and likeable. Also, there were a lot of interesting dynamics and nuances of personality - for example, George Jefferson acting like a giant pri*k, but when push came to shove, his heart was as big as Weezie's. Loved Lionel's low-key but urbane style.

So, I don't think Lear did the spin off to pump up AITF per se. Having a second potentially great show would just swell the coffers. And as history shows, the Jeffersons was a fantastic show.

Also thought the Lorenzo's were a nice addition. One dynamic that made AITF interesting was having characters on who you knew would rattle Archie's cage.

My guess is that research probably showed that the Jeffersons were very popular and likeable. Also, there were a lot of interesting dynamics and nuances of personality - for example, George Jefferson acting like a giant pri*k, but when push came to shove, his heart was as big as Weezie's. Loved Lionel's low-key but urbane style.

So, I don't think Lear did the spin off to pump up AITF per se. Having a second potentially great show would just swell the coffers. And as history shows, the Jeffersons was a fantastic show.

Also thought the Lorenzo's were a nice addition. One dynamic that made AITF interesting was having characters on who you knew would rattle Archie's cage.


Lear stated in his interview on American TV History that the Jeffersons were created because people were tired of seeing a show like Good Times that featured blacks in a negative way such as poor

Lear stated in his interview on American TV History that the Jeffersons were created because people were tired of seeing a show like Good Times that featured blacks in a negative way such as poor


So, it was always his intention of creating a well to do black family?

So, it was always his intention of creating a well to do black family?


Nope it was the criticism of Good Times that led to the Jeffersons. Which made sense because the Jeffersons were the FLIPSIDE of Good times

Nope it was the criticism of Good Times that led to the Jeffersons. Which made sense because the Jeffersons were the FLIPSIDE of Good times


Is that 100% accurate?

Is that 100% accurate?


Yeah it stated all of this in a interview on youtube called American Television.

That's why the Jeffersons was created right after Good Times

Yeah it stated all of this in a interview on youtube called American Television.

That's why the Jeffersons was created right after Good Times

So after Good Times debuted, he got an idea to create a rich black family and used All in the Family to launch it...correct?

So after Good Times debuted, he got an idea to create a rich black family and used All in the Family to launch it...correct?


No while Good Times was on the air, from Feb of 1974 to December of 1974, he received criticism about why does the show have to be about a poor black family.

So since the Jeffersons characters were already on AITF, he made them Move Up to Manhattan which was a show about a black family who was not poor. That's why it started at the beginnng of 75 because it was in the works during 75

No while Good Times was on the air, from Feb of 1974 to December of 1974, he received criticism about why does the show have to be about a poor black family.

So since the Jeffersons characters were already on AITF, he made them Move Up to Manhattan which was a show about a black family who was not poor. That's why it started at the beginnng of 75 because it was in the works during 75


Okay, so essentially, Good Times CREATED The Jeffersons spin off?!? LOL

Okay, so essentially, Good Times CREATED The Jeffersons spin off?!? LOL


Yup, you can say that

Yup, you can say that


Interesting, I just learned something new. lol

Lear stated in his interview on American TV History that the Jeffersons were created because people were tired of seeing a show like Good Times that featured blacks in a negative way such as poor


Didn't know that - interesting. Anyways, that's just one more reason - and good responsiveness on Lear's part.

Also, all the other info in your last few posts too! Thanks - always nice to find out more about a show that rocked.

Didn't know that - interesting. Anyways, that's just one more reason - and good responsiveness on Lear's part.

Also, all the other info in your last few posts too! Thanks - always nice to find out more about a show that rocked.


Yeah a lot of Black Leaders had this issue with Good Times

1. Family living in projects
2. Mother doesn't work
3. Oldest son is a clown

So Lear wanted to present a more positive image for Black families which is why the Jeffersons was the next black show created after Good Times

And the most successful show ever with a predominantly African-American cast.

And the most successful show ever with a predominantly African-American cast.


The show didn't have a predominantly African-American cast it was like Half and Half

And the most successful show ever with a predominantly African-American cast.
I thought that title goes to the Cosby Show? They were number 1 for Five Years.

I thought that title goes to the Cosby Show? They were number 1 for Five Years.


He was probably going by the number of seasons the Jeffersons were on the air compared to the Cosby show.

Since this thread is about THE JEFFERSONS and makes mention of GOOD TIMES, I thought I'd bring up the fact that GOOD TIMES was created by Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson) and his childhood friend, Eric Monte based on their childhood in the Cabrini Green projects in Chicago (which were used in the opening and closing credits of the show). Most people know this but some might not.

They came up with the show's concept and pitched it to Lear. He liked it and wanted to proceed with getting it on the air. It was NOT created initially as a spin-off of MAUDE. It was only after production had started that Lear got the idea to use the character of Florida Evans from MAUDE to give GOOD TIMES an established "tie" to his other successful shows.

I never really considered GOOD TIMES to be a true spin-off of MAUDE anyway, seeing as how once the spin-off occured, Henry's name was now James and his and Florida's backstory had changed. No mention of them having ever lived in NYC was ever made, and neither was Florida's time as a maid. GOOD TIMES firmly established that the Evans family had always lived in Chicago and that Florida had always been a stay-at-home mother. Also, on MAUDE, James wasn't habitually out-of-work. He was a fireman from what I recall.

Since this thread is about THE JEFFERSONS and makes mention of GOOD TIMES, I thought I'd bring up the fact that GOOD TIMES was created by Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson) and his childhood friend, Eric Monte based on their childhood in the Cabrini Green projects in Chicago (which were used in the opening and closing credits of the show). Most people know this but some might not.

They came up with the show's concept and pitched it to Lear. He liked it and wanted to proceed with getting it on the air. It was NOT created initially as a spin-off of MAUDE. It was only after production had started that Lear got the idea to use the character of Florida Evans from MAUDE to give GOOD TIMES an established "tie" to his other successful shows.

I never really considered GOOD TIMES to be a true spin-off of MAUDE anyway, seeing as how once the spin-off occured, Henry's name was now James and his and Florida's backstory had changed. No mention of them having ever lived in NYC was ever made, and neither was Florida's time as a maid. GOOD TIMES firmly established that the Evans family had always lived in Chicago and that Florida had always been a stay-at-home mother. Also, on MAUDE, James wasn't habitually out-of-work. He was a fireman from what I recall.



Good Times is not a spinoff, we used to debate this topic years ago on this site.

Good Times is not a spinoff, we used to debate this topic years ago on this site.

Glad I'm not alone in my view of GOOD TIMES. :)

A choice between a jive honkey and a zebra is no choice at all.

GEORGE JEFFERSON FOR PRESIDENT.

Glad I'm not alone in my view of GOOD TIMES. :)

Thant Thelma was a cute piece of chocolate though.

I think it was because Lear received so much criticism for Good Times at the time since the mother didn't work and they lived in the projects so that's how the idea came about to have a show that was the FLIPSIDE of Good Times to show black people in a positive way.
yea, I think Sol's right.

yea, I think Sol's right.



Since we are on the topic of the jeffersons, I looked at your avatar and remembered a episode when louise said this in regards to george and florence being nice to each other


"i have seen this much bull since RAWHIDE" LOL

Good Times is not a spinoff, we used to debate this topic years ago on this site.
:lol: Tee Hee! Tee Hee! That's all I'm saying.