Five Horrible Decisions that Ruined this Great Show

[glickmam]

Originally Posted by catlover79

When did William Paley leave CBS?

Paley left CBS in 1986.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by glickmam

Paley left CBS in 1986.

Thanks!

[glickmam]

Originally Posted by glickmam

Nope, CBS did not get any new managers. At that time, CBS was still being run by its founder, William S. Paley.

Actually, on second thought, CBS did get new management. About five years before The Jeffersons was cancelled, Bud Grant had been hired as president of CBS Entertainment.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

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.

What about "white washing" the show to make it more politically correct by the time the '80s rolled around? Maybe it was inevitable that The Jeffersons would get less edgy or confrontational with its humor/topics because the '80s (with Ronald Reagan now being president and what not) was a decidedly more conservative era for TV at least. Also, apparently, Sherman Hemsley felt that George shouldn't be doing stuff like calling Tom the h-word or say anything related to zebras since he by that point, had known him for at least 10 years.

[king of comedy]

The times were changing and the show can't stay the same forever.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by TMC

What about "white washing" the show to make it more politically correct by the time the '80s rolled around. Maybe it was inevitable that The Jeffersons would get less edgy or confrontational w/ its humor/topics because the '80s (w/ Ronald Reagan now being president) was a decidedly more conservative era for TV at least. Also, apparently, Sherman Hemsley felt that George shouldn't be doing stuff like calling Tom the h-word anything related to zebras since he by that point, had known him for at least 10 years.

That's true, I guess over time we have to see characters evolve and not be the same as they were in season 1. And Louise and George was very edgy in season 1 because that was still their All in the Family characters that was still in mid season of the 74-75 season. That's why it was a complete turnaround once season 2 started

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by king of comedy

The times were changing and the show can't stay the same forever.

I agree, we even seen that happen on All in the Family. It;s a shame we didn;t see that happen on Good Times where the family lived in the projects for all 6 seasons

[TMC]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Damon Evans was a good actor, but he just seemed more miscast than anything. He played the role of Lionel too dorky. But then, maybe I'm biased because I liked Mike Evans so much.

I read that the problem with Damon Evans and his portrayal as Lionel was that his background mostly as a stage actor. Unfortunately, that more than often, didn't translate well to television acting. Thus, Damon often seemed like he was too loud and "over acting".

[Fallon97]

Originally Posted by TMC

What about "white washing" the show to make it more politically correct by the time the '80s rolled around? Maybe it was inevitable that The Jeffersons would get less edgy or confrontational with its humor/topics because the '80s (with Ronald Reagan now being president and what not) was a decidedly more conservative era for TV at least. Also, apparently, Sherman Hemsley felt that George shouldn't be doing stuff like calling Tom the h-word or say anything related to zebras since he by that point, had known him for at least 10 years.

I never viewed the show as "white washing." I thought the show was still edgy and confrontational with its humor and topics in the 80s. However, I thought George calling Tom the h-word was played out and ran its course after about 3 seasons. So I'm glad he stopped. Saying the h-word was no longer shocking or funny anymore.

[Fallon97]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

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

Actually I liked the second Lionel and Alan. I also liked that the original Lionel returned. And I loved Baby Jessica.

[CJMD03]

Yeah, the recasts weren’t good. And they barely even mentioned the death of Mother Jefferson. It should have been at least one episode showing how her death affected George.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by CJMD03

Yeah, the recasts weren’t good. And they barely even mentioned the death of Mother Jefferson. It should have been at least one episode showing how her death affected George.

She passed in March of 78 season 4 was already over. So her it mentioned in season 5 that she was no longer living in George Finds a Father which aired in Dec of 78. Her death was referenced one more time in season 6 in the episode "Where's Papa"

[TMC]

The Rise And Fall Of The Jeffersons: Why It Was Canceled After 11 Seasons

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