View Full Version : I just saw "The Big Deal" with Sherman Hensley for the first time EVER!


SitcomsHeydayfan
05-06-2019, 06:46 PM
I saw it yesterday but I forget if it was on MeTV or TVOne? It was the first time I've ever seen 227!

First of all, the writing is nowhere near as good as the Jeffersons and not even as good as Amen. The story itself of Sherman coming in as a lawyer Lester desperately needed wasn't bad but the actual development of the story was pretty weak.

The best part was definitely Marla, Jackee, and that other black lady dancing to "Jump" from the Pointer Sisters. The Pointer Sisters were one of the biggest MAINSTREAM female bands of the 80s and achieved worldwide fame. I wish they danced to "I'm So Excited" which was their best song ever and even more high tempo than "Jump"!

Of course Sherman stole the scene when he got up and started dancing! He did good as always but not as good as he was on the Jeffersons only 6 or 7 years earlier. Now that Sherman is gone you wish he did more guest appearances like this in a variety of shows.

It seems he was on the 2nd ever episode of Love Boat but I've yet to see that!

'80sSitcoms
05-07-2019, 11:01 AM
It was the first time I've ever seen 227!

Your first time? Wow, fun! :)


First of all, the writing is nowhere near as good as the Jeffersons and not even as good as Amen.

I'm not really into "The Jeffersons" much. And I do enjoy "Amen", but not nearly as much as I do "227". Oh well, everybody's different. :) I treasure my childhood Saturday nights with "227", "Amen", "The Golden Girls", and "Empty Nest".


The best part was definitely Marla, Jackee, and that other black lady dancing to "Jump" from the Pointer Sisters.

Yes, "that other black lady" was Alaina Reed (Hall), who played Rose Lee Holloway, the landlady of 227. She was also known at the time for playing Olivia Robinson, Gordon's sister, on "Sesame Street". She actually did both shows for a few years before bowing out from "Sesame" and staying on "227" (she was on "Sesame" from 1976 - 1988). I always loved her so much as a kid. She seemed so warm, friendly, and real, and she had a spectacular voice---she could be so lilting and gentle on a lullaby on one song, and then blow the roof off with powerhouse wailing on another! (as you saw on "Jump"). She was fortunate enough to sing a lot on "Sesame Street"---you can find many clips of her songs on YouTube. :)

SitcomsHeydayfan
05-07-2019, 05:59 PM
Wow! I've never come across anyone who likes 227 more than the Jeffersons and Amen.

You do know the Jeffersons is the most successful black sitcom of all time that ran for 11 seasons in a row?

'80sSitcoms
05-07-2019, 11:01 PM
Wow! I've never come across anyone who likes 227 more than the Jeffersons and Amen.

Well, now you have, lol. :)

I don't know if many people like "Amen" more than "227". You usually hear more about "227" than "Amen", largely due to Jackee's outrageous Sandra Clark.


You do know the Jeffersons is the most successful black sitcom of all time that ran for 11 seasons in a row?

Yeah, but I'd much rather cozy up on the couch with "227", or even "Amen". :)

SitcomsHeydayfan
05-08-2019, 12:49 AM
Well, now you have, lol. :)

I don't know if many people like "Amen" more than "227". You usually hear more about "227" than "Amen", largely due to Jackee's outrageous Sandra Clark.


Because of her?? She was considered a black sex symbol but her acting is pretty awful. She's a very one-dimensional character you know?

'80sSitcoms
05-08-2019, 09:47 AM
Because of her?? She was considered a black sex symbol but her acting is pretty awful.

Yes, because of her. Jackee was the first black lady to win the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy. I wouldn't say her acting is "pretty awful". Inconsistent, yes, but her performance never screams "I'm acting!", unlike a few actors I've seen on different shows.


She's a very one-dimensional character you know?

But I thought you only saw one episode? lol There really is more to her.