View Full Version : Did the show start losing its "edge" in the fifth season


TMC
11-07-2021, 04:29 AM
The first seasons of The Jeffersons you can say, had a tone not dissimilar to All in the Family and Maude in that it was trying to make a statement about society. But by Season 5 (https://jacksonupperco.com/2015/12/01/the-ten-best-the-jeffersons-episodes-of-season-five/), did the comedy become very broad and the show (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125210/http://www.jumptheshark.com/j/jeffersons.htm) in itself, devolve into typical sitcom clichés? It may have been around the time that Ron Leavitt and Michael Moye (who would later create Married...with Children) became heavily involved in the creative process.

TVFactFan
11-08-2021, 12:49 AM
The first seasons of The Jeffersons you can say, had a tone not dissimilar to All in the Family and Maude in that it was trying to make a statement about society. But by Season 5 (https://jacksonupperco.com/2015/12/01/the-ten-best-the-jeffersons-episodes-of-season-five/), did the comedy become very broad and the show (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125210/http://www.jumptheshark.com/j/jeffersons.htm) in itself, devolve into typical sitcom clichés? It may have been around the time that Ron Leavitt and Michael Moye (who would later create Married...with Children) became heavily involved in the creative process.

I would say season 6 when Jessica was born

JSP
11-08-2021, 12:59 AM
I am enjoying the later episodes that seem to be apolitical and just have some funny situations. It’s kind of strange how light-hearted some of the episodes were for a Norman Lear sitcom. It was a welcome change if you ask me.some of the episodes were just funny for the sake of being funny and I love it.

TVFactFan
11-08-2021, 01:54 AM
I am enjoying the later episodes that seem to be apolitical and just have some funny situations. It’s kind of strange how light-hearted some of the episodes were for a Norman Lear sitcom. It was a welcome change if you ask me.some of the episodes were just funny for the sake of being funny and I love it.

Yeah the later episodes have a more relaxed feel to them like Three's company

Fallon97
11-14-2021, 12:59 AM
I am enjoying the later episodes that seem to be apolitical and just have some funny situations. It’s kind of strange how light-hearted some of the episodes were for a Norman Lear sitcom. It was a welcome change if you ask me.some of the episodes were just funny for the sake of being funny and I love it.

I agree. I prefer the later years of the show.

Big D In Charge
01-25-2023, 11:47 PM
The first seasons of The Jeffersons you can say, had a tone not dissimilar to All in the Family and Maude in that it was trying to make a statement about society. But by Season 5 (https://jacksonupperco.com/2015/12/01/the-ten-best-the-jeffersons-episodes-of-season-five/), did the comedy become very broad and the show (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125210/http://www.jumptheshark.com/j/jeffersons.htm) in itself, devolve into typical sitcom clichés? It may have been around the time that Ron Leavitt and Michael Moye (who would later create Married...with Children) became heavily involved in the creative process.
I was just thinking this. I feel like up to that point Season 5 was more "sitcommy." Once Michael Moye came in after Good Times he provided a right balance of racial humor and traditional sitcom humor. No lie, Season 6 is my fav but I love S6-S8. Season 9 onwards was still entertaining but it embraced the "1980s" by 1982

TVFactFan
01-25-2023, 11:52 PM
Yup but so did Archie Bunker once the 80's started so it made sense

TMC
06-23-2023, 04:53 AM
I was just thinking this. I feel like up to that point Season 5 was more "sitcommy." Once Michael Moye came in after Good Times he provided a right balance of racial humor and traditional sitcom humor. No lie, Season 6 is my fav but I love S6-S8. Season 9 onwards was still entertaining but it embraced the "1980s" by 1982

I was just reading an observation (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/iconic-classic-television-shows-with-the-most-noticible-drop-in-quality-by-the-end.5298404/post-93398246) on The Jeffersons that stated that the format of the earlier seasons resembled a sophisticated teleplay. It had simple, but smart dialog, and clean, straightforward acting. Then, it started to get extra sitcomy and outlandish.

TVFactFan
06-23-2023, 12:46 PM
Every season of the Jeffersons was enjoyable which is why I bought the Complete series on DVD

Sonny Carson
07-17-2023, 10:55 PM
I was just reading an observation (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/iconic-classic-television-shows-with-the-most-noticible-drop-in-quality-by-the-end.5298404/post-93398246) on The Jeffersons that stated that the format of the earlier seasons resembled a sophisticated teleplay. It had simple, but smart dialog, and clean, straightforward acting. Then, it started to get extra sitcomy and outlandish.

Yes, the show was not as good to me particularly during the 83 to 85 seasons. I still liked it, but not as enjoyable!

Fallon97
01-15-2025, 08:14 PM
Every season of the Jeffersons was enjoyable which is why I bought the Complete series on DVD

I feel the same way.

Fallon97
01-15-2025, 08:16 PM
Yes, the show was not as good to me particularly during the 83 to 85 seasons. I still liked it, but not as enjoyable!

Actually, many of my favorite episodes were from the 83-85 seasons.

CJMD03
12-09-2025, 11:54 AM
Louise really became unlikable by the end….