Or more to the point, it doesn't exactly hold up or resonate as well w/ at least black audiences as say other '70s era black sitcoms like Good Times, What's Happening!!, or Sanford & Son?

I'll try to explain as best as I can. First and foremost, The Jeffersons was one of those TV shows that perhaps had a lot more shock value/interest in the 1970s-80s (when it was originally on the air) than it does today. The Jeffersons were I think, the first wealthy/upper-middle class black people (predating the Huxtables by almost a decade) we got to see on TV. It was also I believe, the first show to have an interracial couple as part of the regular cast. The show also played nicely on the reverse role concept, like Ralph, the doorman having to step and fetch for George Jefferson, and stick his hand out for money, or Mr. Bentley, the English gentleman coming over and having George walk on his back and be rude to him.

Now why did I bring up other shows like Good Times, well I've heard theories that Good Times was ultimately, more popular (not during their initial runs, but in a modern context) than The Jeffersons:
1. George looked down on poor people

2. Most black people who live in the ghetto relate more to Good Times

Also perhaps the reason the show is still popular, maybe it has some nostalgic appeal for those that used to live in those huge housing projects. And there are still plenty of poor people around to identify with all the Good Times the Evans family had. Maybe The Jeffersons is less likable because it doesn't appeal to a wider audience. Maybe it's seen as unrealistic by everyone, regardless of color. How many of us can afford to live on the East Side of NYC? How many of us live in a penthouse?

There were arguably a lot of more characters on Good Times for people to identify with, if you didn't like one in particular, there was another that would make up for it.

3. White viewers were turned off by George's racist views. I guess it looked strange for George to move to a predominately white neighborhood and walk around hating white people.

The characters in general (and it really has nothing to do with race) arguably weren't just that likable to begin with. George is a loud mouth, know it all who verbally abuses anyone around him, Louise is just sort of dopey, Florence is also an annoying know it all. Mother Jefferson is everyone's pain in the butt mother in law stereotype (thus annoying). Tom and Helen are boring, so is Jeny. And Mr. Bentley is an English stereotype and not that funny.

4. White viewers probably didn't like that the whites on the show was buffoons

5. George was considered a "Uncle Tom", which is usually a turn off for black viewers. The George Jefferson character was apparently accused of/criticized for being a Uncle Tom because of the way he would try so hard to be accepted by the white man.

I don't agree with most of this.

1-IMO George didn't look down on poor people and often had respect for them-ex when he always delivered that special gift to that apartment in Harlem.

2-not sure blanket statement like this hold true: perhaps many struggling folks (black, white,ANYONE for that matter) might have seen George as an example that with lots of hard work and dedication-you can become prosperous.

3-I don't agree with almost all of this. I loved the way Florence threw George's bs and insults right back in his face. The Willises rang true for me and Tom was not stupid-he was an executive and was good at his career. Louise was anything but dopey and while Mother J was the stereotypical witch mother- in-law; Zara played her well and often was a riot. So with Mother J I agree with you somewhat.

4-I'm white and I didn't see the white characters on the show as buffoons. Most were hard working and often intelligent. They were frequently wise; realizing. George's bark was much worse than his bite. And beneath the little pr*ck act, his actions often belied a heart as golden as " Weezie's". Examples: like when he gave CPR to the klansman who had a heart attack, when he helped the female gang member who went into labor and dropped the weapon she was using against him.

5- I didn't see George as an Uncle Tom. If he were one, he wouldn't have walked away from being a member of that swanky "country club" when he found out he was asked to join as a "token"

I loved The Jeffersons, and found it a warm and endearing show. I loved the nuances in George's personality.

As for Good Times, if ever there were a poorly written cliched show GT was it. Ester Rolle had many issues with the show and I don't blame her; she was a fine actress given a pile of sh*t that she and the other cast members tried to turn to gold. But even good actors can only do so much with really bad writing.

Sanford and Son was real; and the family tensions and way everyone dealt with issues rang true--just the opposite of canned Good Times.

What's Happening was entertaining, but not as textured or nuanced as The Jefferson's.

Of course, these are just my opinions and I'm interested to hear what others think, especially Sol.

I can also expand on any of these but wanted to keep this post to a reasonable size.

I don't agree with most of this.

1-IMO George didn't look down on poor people and often had respect for them-ex when he always delivered that special gift to that apartment in Harlem.

2-not sure blanket statement like this hold true: perhaps many struggling folks (black, white,ANYONE for that matter) might have seen George as an example that with lots of hard work and dedication-you can become prosperous.

3-I don't agree with almost all of this. I loved the way Florence threw George's bs and insults right back in his face. The Willises rang true for me and Tom was not stupid-he was an executive and was good at his career. Louise was anything but dopey and while Mother J was the stereotypical witch mother- in-law; Zara played her well and often was a riot. So with Mother J I agree with you somewhat.

4-I'm white and I didn't see the white characters on the show as buffoons. Most were hard working and often intelligent. They were frequently wise; realizing. George's bark was much worse than his bite. And beneath the little pr*ck act, his actions often belied a heart as golden as " Weezie's". Examples: like when he gave CPR to the klansman who had a heart attack, when he helped the female gang member who went into labor and dropped the weapon she was using against him.

5- I didn't see George as an Uncle Tom. If he were one, he wouldn't have walked away from being a member of that swanky "country club" when he found out he was asked to join as a "token"

I loved The Jeffersons, and found it a warm and endearing show. I loved the nuances in George's personality.

As for Good Times, if ever there were a poorly written cliched show GT was it. Ester Rolle had many issues with the show and I don't blame her; she was a fine actress given a pile of sh*t that she and the other cast members tried to turn to gold. But even good actors can only do so much with really bad writing.

Sanford and Son was real; and the family tensions and way everyone dealt with issues rang true--just the opposite of canned Good Times.

What's Happening was entertaining, but not as textured or nuanced as The Jefferson's.

Of course, these are just my opinions and I'm interested to hear what others think, especially Sol.

I can also expand on any of these but wanted to keep this post to a reasonable size.



Season 1 George looked down on poor. His statement below

"when you have money you are better than everyone else"

Season 1 George looked down on poor. His statement below

"when you have money you are better than everyone else"

But he mellowed out as time went on. Also, you have to see the whole picture with George-he was not miserly with others.

I take Sanford and Son over Good Times.

But he mellowed out as time went on. Also, you have to see the whole picture with George-he was not miserly with others.


I know, it was mainly the season 1 and 2 George

I only own Mill Creek's S1/S2 set so have not seen the entire series, but from what I've watched, I find the writing to be sloppy and some of the performances (Damon Evans, Berlinda Tolbert) to be underwhelming. It is definitely NOT up to the usual Norman Lear standard of MAUDE or ALL IN THE FAMILY. Btw I also found GOOD TIMES to be subpar compared to Lear's other series.

I only own Mill Creek's S1/S2 set so have not seen the entire series, but from what I've watched, I find the writing to be sloppy and some of the performances (Damon Evans, Berlinda Tolbert) to be underwhelming. It is definitely NOT up to the usual Norman Lear standard of MAUDE or ALL IN THE FAMILY. Btw I also found GOOD TIMES to be subpar compared to Lear's other series.


You only buy the entire series if you seen every ep of the show and liked it

Btw I also found GOOD TIMES to be subpar compared to Lear's other series.

Yeah, Good Times was a lemon; the writing was wretched.

I never did get into The Jeffersons.

Good Times was OK while John Amos was in the cast. After he left, the show declined in quality.

Sanford And Son was good for it's first three seasons, especially season 3 when the show was at it's peak. Seasons 4 thru 6 are inconsistent, there are still some good episodes but some clunkers as well.

The Jefffersons always seems to be airing, and has a complete series DVD release. Seems respected to me.

The Jefffersons always seems to be airing, and has a complete series DVD release. Seems respected to me.


It just became that way in the last 5 years. From the time I joined this board in 2002 the show was not shown until 2006 on TV land for a Labor Day Marathon