Most disappointing George Jefferson moment of the series

[TVFactFan]

When he let a grown man Slap him in the kitchen.......Buddy, the old man who took the place of his dad when he died and hooked up with his mama

He is the same man who placed the homeless man on Good Times who died

I remember watching this and was like........"Why he allow that to happen?

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

That was a sign of respect because you sure as hell don't expect George to hit an old man back do you??

The writers would've never allowed that because it sets a bad example for the MILLIONS that watched!

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by SitcomsHeydayfan

That was a sign of respect because you sure as hell don't expect George to hit an old man back do you??

The writers would've never allowed that because it sets a bad example for the MILLIONS that watched!

Atleast grab him and say.........."its time for you to go" Not stand that like a 9 year old when you are a middle age man with your business

[Sonny Carson]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

When he let a grown man Slap him in the kitchen.......Buddy, the old man who took the place of his dad when he died and hooked up with his mama

He is the same man who placed the homeless man on Good Times who died

I remember watching this and was like........"Why he allow that to happen?

When he didn’t call the cops on that entitled ex-girlfriend, who pulled a gun on him for not marrying her.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

When he didn’t call the cops on that entititled ex-girlfriend, who pulled a gun him for not marrying her.

Oh yeah that was a 80's episode

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

When he didn’t call the cops on that entititled ex-girlfriend, who pulled a gun him for not marrying her.

That's a much more glaring faux pas than the Buddy situation who was an elder deserving respect.

[Fallon97]

Originally Posted by SitcomsHeydayfan

That's a much more glaring faux pas than the Buddy situation who was an elder deserving respect.

No. It's about the same. I think George knew her well enough to know or sense that she was not a threat. Similar to the elder, he was showing respect to this depressed lady, whom he cared about.

[Sonny Carson]

Originally Posted by Fallon97

No. It's about the same. I think George knew her well enough to know or sense that she was not a threat. Similar to the elder, he was showing respect to this depressed lady, whom he cared about.

He clearly felt bad for her, but if somebody I wasn’t even bad to pulls a gun on me like that, all bets are off. The years had changed her and they weren’t close anymore. I would call the cops on her ass, or wait for Wizzy or Florence to come home and slap her!

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

He clearly felt bad for her, but if somebody I wasn’t even bad to pulls a gun on me like that, all bets are off. The years had changed her and they weren’t close anymore. I would call the cops on her ass, or wait for Wizzy or Florence to come home and slap her!

Exactly.

You can't simply overlook a Felony like that!

[Fallon97]

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

He clearly felt bad for her, but if somebody I wasn’t even bad to pulls a gun on me like that, all bets are off. The years had changed her and they weren’t close anymore. I would call the cops on her ass, or wait for Wizzy or Florence to come home and slap her!

I liked that he showed compassion. I've seen cop shows where the cops would feel compassion for the people who were troubled and who had a gun on them or tried to kill them.

[hch]

That episode, "George Finds a Father" (1978), is widely considered one of the most intense and jarring moments in the series. You're right—seeing a "big-time" businessman like George get slapped and just take it felt completely out of character for the man who would normally "jump a foot" at anyone who crossed him.
Here’s why that moment was so heavy:

The Slap: George was devastated to learn that Buddy (played by Arnold Johnson) had a romantic history with Mother Jefferson. When George, in his shock, insulted his mother’s character by asking, "How could Mama do such a thing? I didn't know she was that kind of a woman," Buddy slapped him across the face and told him, "Don’t you never talk like that about your mama."

The Actor Connection: You have a great eye for TV history! Arnold Johnson is indeed the same actor who played Hubert Johnson in the heartbreaking Good Times episode "A Place to Die," where he portrayed an elderly man looking for a dignified place to pass away.

Why George Didn't Fight Back: As you noted, it was a display of deep-rooted respect. Buddy wasn't just a stranger; he was the man who stepped in as a father figure when George’s father died. In the Black community culture of that era, you didn't hit your elders—period. George might have been a millionaire with seven stores, but in that kitchen, he was just a son being corrected by a man he looked up to.

The "Lesson" for the Audience: Norman Lear’s shows often used these moments to teach "values." If George had hit Buddy back, he would have become the villain of the episode. By standing there "like a 9-year-old," it showed that despite his money and ego, George still had a moral center and respect for his upbringing.

It was definitely a blow to George's pride, but it was also one of the few times we saw him truly humbled.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by hch

That episode, "George Finds a Father" (1978), is widely considered one of the most intense and jarring moments in the series. You're right—seeing a "big-time" businessman like George get slapped and just take it felt completely out of character for the man who would normally "jump a foot" at anyone who crossed him.
Here’s why that moment was so heavy:

The Slap: George was devastated to learn that Buddy (played by Arnold Johnson) had a romantic history with Mother Jefferson. When George, in his shock, insulted his mother’s character by asking, "How could Mama do such a thing? I didn't know she was that kind of a woman," Buddy slapped him across the face and told him, "Don’t you never talk like that about your mama."

The Actor Connection: You have a great eye for TV history! Arnold Johnson is indeed the same actor who played Hubert Johnson in the heartbreaking Good Times episode "A Place to Die," where he portrayed an elderly man looking for a dignified place to pass away.

Why George Didn't Fight Back: As you noted, it was a display of deep-rooted respect. Buddy wasn't just a stranger; he was the man who stepped in as a father figure when George’s father died. In the Black community culture of that era, you didn't hit your elders—period. George might have been a millionaire with seven stores, but in that kitchen, he was just a son being corrected by a man he looked up to.

The "Lesson" for the Audience: Norman Lear’s shows often used these moments to teach "values." If George had hit Buddy back, he would have become the villain of the episode. By standing there "like a 9-year-old," it showed that despite his money and ego, George still had a moral center and respect for his upbringing.

It was definitely a blow to George's pride, but it was also one of the few times we saw him truly humbled.

I just remember being so disappointed as a 14 year old seeing that episode because up until then, I always saw George as this strong black man and to see him get slapped was just so devastating