Five Horrible Decisions that Ruined this Great Show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 02-17-2009, 11:33 PM

1.Bringing in another actor to play Lionel Jefferson in 1975

2.Bringing in another actor to play Alan Willis in 1978

3. Not addressing the Death of the Actress who played Mother Jefferson at All

4.Bringing Back the Actor who Originally Played Lionel in 1979

5.Adding a Child to the show in the 80's-Baby Jessica

These will always be my Top 5 BLUNDERS of the Jeffersons Era on CBS. The Show was still Great because of Sherman but could have been so much better without the foolish Decisions above.

MickeyMac · 02-18-2009, 06:38 PM

2.Bringing in another actor to play Alan Willis in 1978

Hey, I like Jay Hammer, I thought he was good as Alan, and I liked him on Guiding Light. I wish he were still on the show.

TVFactFan · 02-18-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

2.Bringing in another actor to play Alan Willis in 1978

Hey, I like Jay Hammer, I thought he was good as Alan, and I liked him on Guiding Light. I wish he were still on the show.

The problem I had with Jay Hammer's character was him trying to act too much like the original Allan Willis in 1975 and by doing that he made his version of Allan Willis look like a complete idiot. Atleast we can say that Damon Evans never tried to act like the original Lionel

JulieSomoski · 02-18-2009, 07:23 PM

I hated Alan Willis - he was such a pointless character. But, he was in the season that I'd call a transition season for The Jeffersons. I thought the show was good in the early seasons, but it definitely hit its stride after season 6, where the episodes seemed funnier to me. Still, the show was always good to me. These may have been blunders, but I don't think they really hurt the show.

TVFactFan · 02-18-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

I hated Alan Willis - he was such a pointless character. But, he was in the season that I'd call a transition season for The Jeffersons. I thought the show was good in the early seasons, but it definitely hit its stride after season 6, where the episodes seemed funnier to me. Still, the show was always good to me. These may have been blunders, but I don't think they really hurt the show.

I just wish it was better decisions behind the scenes like saying after Mike Evans left that the Lionel character went to school over seas and then have ocassional phone scenes. That way it wouldn't have looked to weird to see Mike Evans back for a second time. And if they couldn't get the Original Actor to make a guest appearance in 1978 who played Alan Willis then they should have got rid of the idea all together. Damm I hate BLUNDERS-lol

MikeLutton · 02-18-2009, 08:08 PM

they metioned mother jeffersons death on episode whe alen willis came back and about george want have his father buried next to his mama

TVFactFan · 02-18-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeL

they metioned mother jeffersons death on episode whe alen willis came back and about george want have his father buried next to his mama

they were supposed to do more than mentioned it, it should have been a ep about it with a off screen funeral

JulieSomoski · 02-18-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

I just wish it was better decisions behind the scenes like saying after Mike Evans left that the Lionel character went to school over seas and then have ocassional phone scenes. That way it wouldn't have looked to weird to see Mike Evans back for a second time. And if they couldn't get the Original Actor to make a guest appearance in 1978 who played Alan Willis then they should have got rid of the idea all together. Damm I hate BLUNDERS-lol

Mike Evans was by far the best Lionel, obviously - Damon was good, and he grew on me, but Mike was the original, and the best. It's also probably a main reason why ratings dipped so low seasons 2-5.

TVFactFan · 02-18-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Mike Evans was by far the best Lionel, obviously - Damon was good, and he grew on me, but Mike was the original, and the best. It's also probably a main reason why ratings dipped so low seasons 2-5.

Surprised they didn't get a third lionel after damon evans left in 1978-lol

catlover79 · 02-18-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Mike Evans was by far the best Lionel, obviously - Damon was good, and he grew on me, but Mike was the original, and the best. It's also probably a main reason why ratings dipped so low seasons 2-5.

I agree. No offense to Damon, but Mike created the role and made it his own. It would be a tough act for anyone to follow.

Off topic, Sol, but Cactus Jack is ordering you to this thread: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=241176

comedyfreak · 02-19-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

1.Bringing in another actor to play Lionel Jefferson in 1975

2.Bringing in another actor to play Alan Willis in 1978

3. Not addressing the Death of the Actress who played Mother Jefferson at All

4.Bringing Back the Actor who Originally Played Lionel in 1979

5.Adding a Child to the show in the 80's-Baby Jessica

These will always be my Top 5 BLUNDERS of the Jeffersons Era on CBS. The Show was still Great because of Sherman but could have been so much better without the foolish Decisions above.

I agree with your list and I feel the same way.

Big3sCompanyFan · 02-19-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

1.Bringing in another actor to play Lionel Jefferson in 1975

2.Bringing in another actor to play Alan Willis in 1978

3. Not addressing the Death of the Actress who played Mother Jefferson at All

4.Bringing Back the Actor who Originally Played Lionel in 1979

5.Adding a Child to the show in the 80's-Baby Jessica

These will always be my Top 5 BLUNDERS of the Jeffersons Era on CBS. The Show was still Great because of Sherman but could have been so much better without the foolish Decisions above.

I disagree about Lionel since Damon Evans was good in his own right and his own comedic style seperate from Michael Evans. If you never saw All in the Family and never knew about the original Lionel then Damon would have been fine.

Why did Mike Evans leave and refuse to come back anyway?? The payday would've been pretty good.

TVFactFan · 02-19-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

I disagree about Lionel since Damon Evans was good in his own right and his own comedic style seperate from Michael Evans. If you never saw All in the Family and never knew about the original Lionel then Damon would have been fine.

Why did Mike Evans leave and refuse to come back anyway?? The payday would've been pretty good.

He left because he felt his role was too small but then returned in 1979 after running into Sherman Hemsley while he was unemployed.

PrettyinPink55 · 02-19-2009, 09:57 PM

Wait a minute, what did the original Alan look like? For some reason, I can only remember the latter.

TVFactFan · 02-19-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink55

Wait a minute, what did the original Alan look like? For some reason, I can only remember the latter.

Tall, Skinny, and Long Hair

02-17-2009, 11:33 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,949	Five Horrible Decisions that Ruined this Great Show 1.Bringing in another actor to play Lionel Jefferson in 1975 2.Bringing in another actor to play Alan Willis in 1978 3. Not addressing the Death of the Actress who played Mother Jefferson at All 4.Bringing Back the Actor who Originally Played Lionel in 1979 5.Adding a Child to the show in the 80's-Baby Jessica These will always be my Top 5 BLUNDERS of the Jeffersons Era on CBS. The Show was still Great because of Sherman but could have been so much better without the foolish Decisions above.

02-18-2009, 07:23 PM	#4
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	I hated Alan Willis - he was such a pointless character. But, he was in the season that I'd call a transition season for The Jeffersons. I thought the show was good in the early seasons, but it definitely hit its stride after season 6, where the episodes seemed funnier to me. Still, the show was always good to me. These may have been blunders, but I don't think they really hurt the show.
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02-18-2009, 08:08 PM	#6
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,871	they metioned mother jeffersons death on episode whe alen willis came back and about george want have his father buried next to his mama
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02-19-2009, 09:57 PM	#14
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	Wait a minute, what did the original Alan look like? For some reason, I can only remember the latter.
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02-18-2009, 06:38 PM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	2.Bringing in another actor to play Alan Willis in 1978 Hey, I like Jay Hammer, I thought he was good as Alan, and I liked him on Guiding Light. I wish he were still on the show.