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They're movin' on up! The Jeffersons (https://web.archive.org/web/20070120033434/http://www.jumptheshark.com/j/jeffersons.htm) was an American sitcom which was a spinoff of All in the Family. It was based on the lives of the Bunker's neighbors, who moved to a "dee-luxe apartment in the sky" in Manhattan. It starred Isabel Sanford as the sassy and kind-hearted Louise, Sherman Hemsley as her bigoted and ambitious husband George, and Mike Evans as their son, Lionel. The series ran from 1975 to 1985.

when george no longer had a short temper

I don't think it ever JTS. I liked it from the first season until the last.

I don't think it ever JTS. I liked it from the first season until the last.


True, that's why I have every ep in my collection, I would say it became LESS FUNNY when george no longer had a short temper:lol:

The episode-to-episode quality began to be more uneven than one would typically expect some time around 1980. The poorer episodes became more and more frequent until those included pretty much all that were produced in the show's last year or so.

OTOH the quality of the discourse on this board now has every chance of improving! :D

I can watch every episode of this show from season 1 to 11 so to me the show became different but never truly jumped the shark

The show became less funny when it tried to do "serious" shows, like the gun episode and those awful "Help Center" shows. Also, like many long-running sitcoms, great supporting characters (Mrs. Jefferson, Florence, etc) were never truly replaced.

The show became less funny when it tried to do "serious" shows, like the gun episode and those awful "Help Center" shows. Also, like many long-running sitcoms, great supporting characters (Mrs. Jefferson, Florence, etc) were never truly replaced.


The show didn't have many serious episodes. Off the top of my head I can't think of more than 3 out of 11 seasons

The show was always great. Even though some fantastic supporting characters came and went, there was always George and Weezie. Now if either of them had left, maybe the show would have JTS. While I did really miss Mike Evans as Lionel, it wasn't a nail in the coffin.

The show was always great. Even though some fantastic supporting characters came and went, there was always George and Weezie. Now if either of them had left, maybe the show would have JTS. While I did really miss Mike Evans as Lionel, it wasn't a nail in the coffin.


The show never jumped the shark to me just wasn't as funny but defintely always enjoyable which is why I still have all 255 eps to view when there is nothing on TV

True, that's why I have every ep in my collection, I would say it became LESS FUNNY when george no longer had a short temper:lol:
George Jefferson no longer having a short temper was the equalivent of Archie Bunker getting a softer attitude and not being as much of a bigot or racist on Archie's Place.

George Jefferson no longer having a short temper was the equalivent of Archie Bunker getting a softer attitude and not being as much of a bigot or racist on Archie's Place.


Yeah I know, his temper is what attracted me to the show

Yeah I know, his temper is what attracted me to the show

I am a HUGE fan of sitcoms in general (thus, me loving this forum) but for the life of me I can NEVER, ever understand why television shows take a winning personality and change it or alters it or tones it down over the years. If it aint broke, don't fix it. We don't always wanna see our favorite characters marry the girl they have had electric, hilarious sexual tension with over the last 5+ years. We don't want to see them soften the skeewed, crazy viewpoints that made them so out spoken and intriguing to watch and listen to. No need for personal growth to be represented; keep the comedy going strong. Changing the character or the characters' situation risks jeopardizing a winning formula! I don't know why they mess with success.

I agree. All 253 episodes were good, and you can't say that about most sitcoms after 11 years. Like Happy Days...SHEESH...why was that on so long!?!?

It NEVER boned. It was great from the beginning to the end.

It dipped a little in the 80's with removal of live audience but still cool all the way through

It dipped a little in the 80's with removal of live audience but still cool all the way through
I agree with you there with the live audience removal to an extent but I actually think it did jump the shark. It declined when Zara Cully who played Mother Jefferson died, when they didn’t know what to do with Lionel and fired Damon Evans, and when the 2nd Allan got added but got worse and JTS when Bentley left and Jessica was added.

I agree with you there with the live audience removal to an extent but I actually think it did jump the shark. It declined when Zara Cully who played Mother Jefferson died, when they didn’t know what to do with Lionel and fired Damon Evans, and when the 2nd Allan got added but got worse and JTS when Bentley left and Jessica was added.

I will never understand why they gave her more airtime than Lionel and he actually lived in the apt

I will never understand why they gave her more airtime than Lionel and he actually lived in the apt
While I didn’t get that part either, I think it was probably because Mother Jefferson was more interesting in general. Come on, TVFactFan. I know you laughed at Mother Jefferson at least once. That’s like not laughing at Wilona.

While I didn’t get that part either, I think it was probably because Mother Jefferson was more interesting in general. Come on, TVFactFan. I know you laughed at Mother Jefferson at least once. That’s like not laughing at Wilona.

No she wasnt one of my favorite characters. Her and 2nd Alan willis

No she wasnt one of my favorite characters. Her and 2nd Alan willis
Don’t get me started on the 2ND ALAN WILLIS

when lionel 2 was added

Never.

Even a 12th Jeffersons season would've been WAY better than anything on today!

I dont like when they stopped recording in front of a live studio audience

I dont like when they stopped recording in front of a live studio audience

When did they do that??

I thought it was live till the end?

When did they do that??

I thought it was live till the end?

I was never able to confirm it but I do know it was sometime in the 80s season 7 or 8

I was never able to confirm it but I do know it was sometime in the 80s season 7 or 8

But don't we still hear laughter after Season 8??

Is it just piped in crowd noise?

But don't we still hear laughter after Season 8??

Is it just piped in crowd noise?

I think the live audience is done by season 8 which is 81-82 season

I think the live audience is done by season 8 which is 81-82 season

I'll have to rewatch the next time I come across one of those later episodes & see if I hear anything.

Never.

Even a 12th Jeffersons season would've been WAY better than anything on today!

Amen! :cheers:

Never boned. But it changed, like anything else in life.