She was the star, yes, but she was so dull! Been watching the show on the Centric Network lately, and she was bad! Was in everyone's business! A housewife who was dressed up in the finest clothes, had nothing to do or nowhere to go, but gossip all day, drowned Brenda, who she should have given her room, Brenda was one of those teens who stayed out of trouble who you could trust, but Mary overprotected her like she was some whore, Mary annoyed me. I see why Jackee left, because the laughs were not coming from Marla Gibbs. She was the black version of Alice Hyatt! Boring! She needed the support to carry the show! She always got her way! I couldn't stand her!

I watched the show back in the day, but I didn't realize it then, until watched it nowadays............Marla Gibbs, you were better as Florence!

She was the star, yes, but she was so dull! Been watching the show on the Centric Network lately, and she was bad! Was in everyone's business! A housewife who was dressed up in the finest clothes, had nothing to do or nowhere to go, but gossip all day, drowned Brenda, who she should have given her room, Brenda was one of those teens who stayed out of trouble who you could trust, but Mary overprotected her like she was some whore, Mary annoyed me. I see why Jackee left, because the laughs were not coming from Marla Gibbs. She was the black version of Alice Hyatt! Boring! She needed the support to carry the show! She always got her way! I couldn't stand her!

I watched the show back in the day, but I didn't realize it then, until watched it nowadays............Marla Gibbs, you were better as Florence!

I loved Mary, Pearl and Mary were my Favs. I do agree that Mary had her annoying moments, but I loved that sassy attitude that she had. I don't know why sitcoms had housewives dressing fancy when they weren't going anywhere, the same thing happened on Family Matters. Harriett started out dressing comfortably and then all of a sudden she started to dress up and wear heels while at home.

I loved Mary, Pearl and Mary were my Favs. I do agree that Mary had her annoying moments, but I loved that sassy attitude that she had. I don't know why sitcoms had housewives dressing fancy when they weren't going anywhere, the same thing happened on Family Matters. Harriett started out dressing comfortably and then all of a sudden she started to dress up and wear heels while at home.


Harriet had a job to start off, and she did dress comfortably, but when she had no job, she dressed up! LOL. I liked Mary's sassy attitude......only when needed. It came in handy one episode I watched yesterday when some banker woman who Lester was doing business with, but she let her personal feeling get in the way of lester's loan and Mary told her off.

Harriet had a job to start off, and she did dress comfortably, but when she had no job, she dressed up! LOL. I liked Mary's sassy attitude......only when needed. It came in handy one episode I watched yesterday when some banker woman who Lester was doing business with, but she let her personal feeling get in the way of lester's loan and Mary told her off.


I loved her dressing up. I loved the wardrobe. It was much better than those housedress that she wore in the beginning of season one. I said "thank God". I saw nothing wrong with her wearing them.

I loved her dressing up. I loved the wardrobe. It was much better than those housedress that she wore in the beginning of season one. I said "thank God". I saw nothing wrong with her wearing them.


They should have given Mary a job. She was too educated to be dressed up gossipping around the apartment all day. This was the 80s, and women went to work.

They should have given Mary a job. She was too educated to be dressed up gossipping around the apartment all day. This was the 80s, and women went to work.


But not everyone had to work. Besides, I think it would have taken away from the premise of the "Ladies from the stoop" formula. Her being home made for more creativity for storyline. She had other activities going for her that kept her busy.

She also did work as well:

Travel Agency (She quit after her boss was a sexual harrasser)
Construction site (Lester fired her)
Teacher's aide as Brenda's school. (Temp work)

But not everyone had to work. Besides, I think it would have taken away from the premise of the "Ladies from the stoop" formula. Her being home made for more creativity for storyline. She had other activities going for her that kept her busy.

She also did work as well:

Travel Agency (She quit after her boss was a sexual harrasser)
Construction site (Lester fired her)
Teacher's aide as Brenda's school. (Temp work)

See, she wasn't dedicated to any job. She may not have had to work, I know Lester hd his own contruction company, but looked where they lived, in a cramped apartment building. Unless they were saving on rent.

See, she wasn't dedicated to any job. She may not have had to work, I know Lester hd his own contruction company, but looked where they lived, in a cramped apartment building. Unless they were saving on rent.

I knew you were gonna say that. LOL. That apt didn't looked cramped. Everyone had their own room. They were happy. Lester obviously didn't want Mary to work unless she wanted to. The show centered on her daily life within the neighborhood so the working full concept would have taken away from "Stoop" element of the show. You wanna talk about cramped? My cousin, husband and two kids lived in a one bedroom apt here in Queens for eight years until they moved into a four bedroom house in Florida. Now, that's cramped. LOL.

Pearl was more fun to watch than Mary-lol I guess she was to seperate herself from the Florence character as much as possible

See, she wasn't dedicated to any job. She may not have had to work, I know Lester hd his own contruction company, but looked where they lived, in a cramped apartment building. Unless they were saving on rent.


To be fair there was an episode where Mary and Lester were trying to buy a house.

To be fair there was an episode where Mary and Lester were trying to buy a house.

Yeah, I saw that ep. I was so hoping they get that. They certainly needed the room, but it wouldn't be 227 if they got the place.

To be fair there was an episode where Mary and Lester were trying to buy a house.


I guess section 8 didn't exist back then:lol:

I guess section 8 didn't exist back then:lol:

It existed but they had no reason to be on section 8 :lol: They decided not to get it for ethical reasons.

It existed but they had no reason to be on section 8 :lol: They decided not to get it for ethical reasons.


explain

explain

Lester was going to build a shopping center for a company, they were going to use that money to put down on the house that they were looking at. It turned out that the company had something to do with the apartheid in South Africa, so Lester decided not to do the job.

She was the star, yes, but she was so dull! Been watching the show on the Centric Network lately, and she was bad! Was in everyone's business! A housewife who was dressed up in the finest clothes, had nothing to do or nowhere to go, but gossip all day, drowned Brenda, who she should have given her room, Brenda was one of those teens who stayed out of trouble who you could trust, but Mary overprotected her like she was some whore, Mary annoyed me. I see why Jackee left, because the laughs were not coming from Marla Gibbs. She was the black version of Alice Hyatt! Boring! She needed the support to carry the show! She always got her way! I couldn't stand her!

I watched the show back in the day, but I didn't realize it then, until watched it nowadays............Marla Gibbs, you were better as Florence!


I agree! I use to like 227, much more than The Jeffersons when I was growing up, but having seen episodes recently as an adult I find her character Mary obnoxious and overbearing. I love her character as Florence now though!

I love Florence but on one level, I prefer Mary Jenkins. Marla Gibbs was hilarious with that quick witt and sometimes Lucille Ball slap stick comedy. She was on the money.

I think up until that time leading ladies on comedies were usually kind hearted and nice (Florida Evans, Louise Jefferson, Edith Bunker, etc). Mary was kind of a gossipy know it all. The only time I hated her was when she was made out to be the voice of morality. It always came across as a crock because she had already been established (at least in my mind) as a bit of a villainess.

I think up until that time leading ladies on comedies were usually kind hearted and nice (Florida Evans, Louise Jefferson, Edith Bunker, etc). Mary was kind of a gossipy know it all. The only time I hated her was when she was made out to be the voice of morality. It always came across as a crock because she had already been established (at least in my mind) as a bit of a villainess.

I think what may have hurt 227 is that in order to make Marla Gibbs the main star of the show workable, they watered down her Jeffersons persona, which in return made her unfunny. As a result, Jackee/Sandra filled the void and walked away with the accolades and the laughs.

I see why Jackee left, because the laughs were not coming from Marla Gibbs. She was the black version of Alice Hyatt! Boring! She needed the support to carry the show! She always got her way! I couldn't stand her!

Yes, and "Sandra" was the "Flo" but with one big difference... "Flo" actually liked "Alice" and "Sandra" loathed "Mary Jenkins." :lol:

I am reading these comments. I’m sorry but you guys are incorrect on that.Plus Marla Gibbs was very funny when the show. If you don’t think she’s funny, that does not speak for the other people think that think that she is funny. There was a dynamic between the two characters. That’s what people seem to forget. Gibbs was hilarious and I thought she was able to carry the show very well without Jackee Harry being there. Although Jackee was a great asset to the show and was phenomenal. We must remember that there will be no 227 without Gibbs at all. Jackie Harry would not have been able to carry th show herself. I’m sorry but you guys are incorrect on that Sandra “loathing” Mary. Gibbs was very funny. If you don’t think she’s funny, that does not speak for the other people think that think that she is funny.

I’m sorry but you guys are incorrect on that Sandra “loathing” Mary.
Sandra did not like Mary. She liked Rose and Pearl.

Sandra did not like Mary. She liked Rose and Pearl.

There is a difference between loathe and dislike. Plus if u watch some episodes in the beginning of the series, they had some nice scenes together. They became a duo later in seasons and had each other’s backs.

I disagree. I loved Mary. I thought she was funny and interesting. She is my favorite on the show.

Mary was a hater. I watched the show for Sandra and Pearl. When one watches a show for ensemble members, and not the main character, there's a major problem with the actor/actress/characterization.

Mary was a hater. I watched the show for Sandra and Pearl. When one watches a show for ensemble members, and not the main character, there's a major problem with the actor/actress/characterization.

That’s the thing. You say you prefer to watch the ensemble cast rather than the main character. You say there’s something wrong with the main characterization. However, I respectfully beg to differ. I actually enjoyed the main character over the other characters. They were all terrific. However, Marla Gibbs was my favorite on the show. I don’t find anything wrong at all. Also, we must remember that if it were not for her, we wouldn’t have the others characters that one like’s so much. Personally, I don’t see a problem with the main character in this television show. I thought she was great.

That’s the thing. You say you prefer to watch the ensemble cast rather than the main character. You say there’s something wrong with the main characterization. However, I respectfully beg to differ. I actually enjoyed the main character over the other characters. They were all terrific. However, Marla Gibbs was my favorite on the show. I don’t find anything wrong at all. Also, we must remember that if it were not for her, we wouldn’t have the others characters that one like’s so much. Personally, I don’t see a problem with the main character in this television show. I thought she was great.

I like Marla in other roles she's played in her career. However, I'm sharing my opinion. She was a "hater" towards most people she came in contact with. Brenda. Sandra. Hell, even Rose and Pearl dealt with her jealousy and insecurity.

You liked her. That's cool. I didn't. That's cool too.

I like Marla in other roles she's played in her career. However, I'm sharing my opinion. She was a "hater" towards most people she came in contact with. Brenda. Sandra. Hell, even Rose and Pearl dealt with her jealousy and insecurity.

You liked her. That's cool. I didn't. That's cool too.

That’s fine. Your point of view is welcome here. ��. I am not knocking your opinion but when you said that people like the ensemble cast more than they like the main character that there was a problem. However, that doesn’t speak for everyone. Everyone has their preferences that’s what I was saying. If you don’t like your character, you’re entitled to your opinion because if you agree with me just to agree with me then you wouldn’t be speaking your truth from your own heart and with us. You are well within your right to state your opinion.

To me, Mary Jenkins had her issues where she was too stern and could be over bearing from time to time. However, she was also a wonderful wife and supportive friend. Even when it came to Sandra, she would always help Sandra. Also remember that everyone will come to her place to have whatever they needed. They always sought her help.

I’ve just started watching the show for the first time via Prime. I think Mary is a great lead character. She’s strong, stubborn and very smart both to her benefit and detriment. We see her attributes work for and against her. I love that the character is flawed and not always 100% right or 100% wrong. She can be the voice of reason or the one who fouls things up. She’s part Lucy Ricardo and part Claire Huxtable.

I’ve just started watching the show for the first time via Prime. I think Mary is a great lead character. She’s strong, stubborn and very smart both to her benefit and detriment. We see her attributes work for and against her. I love that the character is flawed and not always 100% right or 100% wrong. She can be the voice of reason or the one who fouls things up. She’s part Lucy Ricardo and part Claire Huxtable.

she was outshined by Pearl and Jackee

I thought Mary was too judgmental with Calvin and also too hard on Brenda at times.