Well I was too young in 1976 to know the real reason why Mike Evans left but i started piecing things together and I figured out why Mike Evans left the show after season one. I read the 1976 issue of Ebony magazine and it was reported that Mike left because he was used less and less during season one. I guess he felt that he was the first jefferson character and was pushed to the side for Sherman Hemsley. I came to that conclusion also because I noticed he was not seen in more than one episode. So I figured it out before I read the magazine. Now it's confirmed that Sherman Hemsley took the spotlight away from Mike Evans.

WoW................ I never knew that. I sure did like him though.

Originally posted by Pitooey
WoW................ I never knew that. I sure did like him though.

Yeah, Mike Evans saw he wasn;'t used as much as he was on All in the Family and decided to go to the Good Times set. The thing that makes me laugh is that he came right back to the Jeffersons when Good Times was canceled in 1979-LOL I guess he needed a cash flow to come from somewhere.

Its too bad Mike couldn't have been used more, Lionel was a pivotal character. Then again, he just didn't play off of his parents as well as he played off Archie and that probably contributed to his not being used as much. Also, I never felt Jenny was a strong character and that also hampered using Lionel.

Originally posted by jon123
Its too bad Mike couldn't have been used more, Lionel was a pivotal character. Then again, he just didn't play off of his parents as well as he played off Archie and that probably contributed to his not being used as much. Also, I never felt Jenny was a strong character and that also hampered using Lionel.

I think Lionel played off Louise and George well too. I just think the producers was so caught up in the George Jefferson character that Lionel bevcame unimportant.

The opposite of that happened on Good Times, where it was the son (JJ) who became the character with the best lines, leading to the departure of John Amos.

I would like to clear the air on this. I worked for the Norman Lear production company in 1975 when "The Jeffersons" premiered. Evans left the show to focus on "Good Times" which he co-created. He was gone from 1975-79 to work on "Good Times" and once that show ended he returned to "The Jeffersons". There was no resentment between Hemsley and Evans whatsoever. As a matter of fact, I recall "The Jeffersons" being one of the more happy environments to work on. It was a professional, talented cast and crew and during the five years I worked for Lear's company, I do not recall troubles on that set.

Originally posted by Brenton
I would like to clear the air on this. I worked for the Norman Lear production company in 1975 when "The Jeffersons" premiered. Evans left the show to focus on "Good Times" which he co-created. He was gone from 1975-79 to work on "Good Times" and once that show ended he returned to "The Jeffersons". There was no resentment between Hemsley and Evans whatsoever. As a matter of fact, I recall "The Jeffersons" being one of the more happy environments to work on. It was a professional, talented cast and crew and during the five years I worked for Lear's company, I do not recall troubles on that set.


I read in the 1976 issue of Ebony Magazine that Mike Evans left the show because his roles because smaller ad smaller. I also read in another book, titled the Jeffersons, that Mike was unhappy with his role on the show and asked Norman Lear what can he do to leave the show and Lear told him just say you want to leave and that's it. So that's what happen. He went to Good Times because he was not being used enough on the Jeffersons set. So until I read the magazine and book, I always thought that Mike Evans left the Jefersons because he was interested in working behind the scenes. Not the case at all.

Originally posted by SOLOMON



I read in the 1976 issue of Ebony Magazine that Mike Evans left the show because his roles because smaller ad smaller. I also read in another book, titled the Jeffersons, that Mike was unhappy with his role on the show and asked Norman Lear what can he do to leave the show and Lear told him just say you want to leave and that's it. So that's what happen. He went to Good Times because he was not being used enough on the Jeffersons set. So until I read the magazine and book, I always thought that Mike Evans left the Jefersons because he was interested in working behind the scenes. Not the case at all.

Well, I read an article in the August 9, 1980 issue of TV Guide about Mike Evans, and he talked about leaving in 1975 and coming back in 1979. According to the article, Evans quit. He stated that he asked Lear about leaving and Lear said just ask to leave and we'll let you go. So, he asked and they let him go.

He did not work on Good Times after he left. After all, what was there for him to do at Good Times. The show had already been created, by him and Eric Monte. When he left the Jeffersons, he was leaving the Lear family all together.

It was emphasized in the article that Sherman Hemsley stealing the spotlight had nothing to do with Evans decision. It was a more of a self discovery of sorts.

Originally posted by boechsner


Well, I read an article in the August 9, 1980 issue of TV Guide about Mike Evans, and he talked about leaving in 1975 and coming back in 1979. According to the article, Evans quit. He stated that he asked Lear about leaving and Lear said just ask to leave and we'll let you go. So, he asked and they let him go.

He did not work on Good Times after he left. After all, what was there for him to do at Good Times. The show had already been created, by him and Eric Monte. When he left the Jeffersons, he was leaving the Lear family all together.

It was emphasized in the article that Sherman Hemsley stealing the spotlight had nothing to do with Evans decision. It was a more of a self discovery of sorts.



Well i don't know how you can say it had nothing to do with Sherman Hemsley because he was the reason for Mike Evans role become smaller and smaller. It all started before the Jeffersons began in 1975 because once Sherman Hemsley appear on All in the Family, you can see that the Lionel character was seen less and less and George Jefferson was seen more and more.

Originally posted by SOLOMON




Well i don't know how you can say it had nothing to do with Sherman Hemsley because he was the reason for Mike Evans role become smaller and smaller. It all started before the Jeffersons began in 1975 because once Sherman Hemsley appear on All in the Family, you can see that the Lionel character was seen less and less and George Jefferson was seen more and more.

I find it interesting that you like to twist things so they support your opinions. I also find it interesting that you badger people who don't read closely to the posts. In this case, you're the one who should have read closely.

Sorry to bump this back up but what is Ebony Magazine?

Originally posted by BJL
Sorry to bump this back up but what is Ebony Magazine?


An african american magazine that started in the 1940's. The cast of the Jeffersons were on the cover twice, Good Times Cast were on the Cover once.

You're very precise. But what do you mean Lionel was not seen on more than one episode. He was seen on every one in the first season, just not as much. Sometimes he would come through the door, say 'Hi Pop', and leave again.:cool:

Originally posted by laneyday
You're very precise. But what do you mean Lionel was not seen on more than one episode. He was seen on every one in the first season, just not as much. Sometimes he would come through the door, say 'Hi Pop', and leave again.:cool:


There were a couple of episodes where he wasn't seen at all. I'm pretty sure it was the episode-Mother Jefferson's Birthday

That was a couple of episodes not seen in as opposed to only seen on one episode. Thanks for clearing that up.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by laneyday
That was a couple of episodes not seen in as opposed to only seen on one episode. Thanks for clearing that up.:rolleyes:


I responded to this post in the other thread sorry. Lionel was not in these eps in season one

Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend
Former Neighbors
Rich Man's Disease

Thank you. I didn't see Mother Jefferson's boyfriend but I saw the other two. I always wondered why he left the show. Looking back at that now I believe you're right. But how did he manage to get back on the show?:cool:

Originally posted by laneyday
Thank you. I didn't see Mother Jefferson's boyfriend but I saw the other two. I always wondered why he left the show. Looking back at that now I believe you're right. But how did he manage to get back on the show?:cool:



I read a book title the Jeffersons tat was published in 1983 and it was said that Mike Evans ran into Sherman Hemsley about 4 years after he left the show. Then they both started talking about the good old days and Hemsley called the producers of the Show and then the producers called Mike Evans. The producers saw that Evans had grown up and asked him to come back to the show in 1979 and he accepted.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I responded to this post in the other thread sorry. Lionel was not in these eps in season one

Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend
Former Neighbors
Rich Man's Disease

Lionel was in Rich Man's Disease. Remember, Mother Jefferson came back with him after seeing the Radio City Rockettes and he hadn't finished his JuJu Bees.

Originally posted by boechsner
Lionel was in Rich Man's Disease. Remember, Mother Jefferson came back with him after seeing the Radio City Rockettes and he hadn't finished his JuJu Bees.



well 2 out of 3 ain't bad

Did they just kick the second Lionel off the show when they asked Mike back. What's his name? Damon Evans?:confused:

Originally posted by laneyday
Did they just kick the second Lionel off the show when they asked Mike back. What's his name? Damon Evans?:confused:



Damon Evans already left the show by that time. Damon Evans left the show in 1978. When ShermAn Hemsley ran into Mike Evans that was 1979.

Oh yeah. It's been a long time. I forgot all about that. It's a good thing you keep up with the reading.:typing:

Originally posted by laneyday
Oh yeah. It's been a long time. I forgot all about that. It's a good thing you keep up with the reading.:typing:


Yeah i been reading magazines and books about the Jeffersons since 1999. One of my favorite Shows.