Were the Willises necessary? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jamesanthony · 04-09-2004, 12:56 PM

The Willises are the only supporting players who stayed through the show's entire run, but could the show have been successful without them? I say yes and no. Yes because they were nowhere near as funny or endearing as characters like Bentley or Florence. No because the fact that they were in-laws meant that they would get under George's skin in a way that ordinary neighbors wouldn't. Plus Louise needed a female on her level to interact with. Florence wasn't on her level because she was her maid.

TVFactFan · 04-09-2004, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
The Willises are the only supporting players who stayed through the show's entire run, but could the show have been successful without them? I say yes and no. Yes because they were nowhere near as funny or endearing as characters like Bentley or Florence. No because the fact that they were in-laws meant that they would get under George's skin in a way that ordinary neighbors wouldn't. Plus Louise needed a female on her level to interact with. Florence wasn't on her level because she was her maid.

i don't think Ralph the Doorman was necessary.

jamesanthony · 04-10-2004, 02:14 PM

Ralph was a bit annoying, but at least they never made him a regular. He was on it for all 11 years. I think the bartender was too.

If the Willises weren't in it they would have needed another man and woman couple to play off George and Weezy.

TVFactFan · 04-10-2004, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Ralph was a bit annoying, but at least they never made him a regular. He was on it for all 11 years. I think the bartender was too.

If the Willises weren't in it they would have needed another man and woman couple to play off George and Weezy.

I think Charlie came in season 2.

jamesanthony · 04-10-2004, 02:49 PM

I think Marcus and Leroy were not needed. They were George's 2 very stupid employees in the lat 70s.

TVFactFan · 04-10-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
I think Marcus and Leroy were not needed. They were George's 2 very stupid employees in the lat 70s.

I forgot about Leroy. I have to admit I enjoyed his character. The guy who played Marcus was a stupid character on the Jeffersons and Good Times.

jamesanthony · 04-10-2004, 03:15 PM

Ernest Harden Jr played Marcus. I remember the Good Times episode. He was an extremely clumsy art student and the guy who played Marla Gibbs husband on 227 was his intimidating father. He was a real clutz in that role but in the Jeffersons he was clutzy and stupid.

marvin g · 04-12-2004, 10:53 PM

Marcus was o.k. Leroy was a bit slow but not on enough to be annoying. George could have ripped him a new one for laughs though!

lil_weezy · 06-15-2004, 07:10 PM

Yes their parts were important. They were the targets of most of George's jokes.

04-09-2004, 12:56 PM	#1
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	Were the Willises necessary? The Willises are the only supporting players who stayed through the show's entire run, but could the show have been successful without them? I say yes and no. Yes because they were nowhere near as funny or endearing as characters like Bentley or Florence. No because the fact that they were in-laws meant that they would get under George's skin in a way that ordinary neighbors wouldn't. Plus Louise needed a female on her level to interact with. Florence wasn't on her level because she was her maid.

04-10-2004, 02:14 PM	#3
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	Ralph was a bit annoying, but at least they never made him a regular. He was on it for all 11 years. I think the bartender was too. If the Willises weren't in it they would have needed another man and woman couple to play off George and Weezy.

04-10-2004, 02:49 PM	#5
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	I think Marcus and Leroy were not needed. They were George's 2 very stupid employees in the lat 70s.

04-10-2004, 03:15 PM	#7
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	Ernest Harden Jr played Marcus. I remember the Good Times episode. He was an extremely clumsy art student and the guy who played Marla Gibbs husband on 227 was his intimidating father. He was a real clutz in that role but in the Jeffersons he was clutzy and stupid.

04-12-2004, 10:53 PM	#8
marvin g Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 30, 2003 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,217	Marcus was o.k. Leroy was a bit slow but not on enough to be annoying. George could have ripped him a new one for laughs though!

06-15-2004, 07:10 PM	#9
lil_weezy I'll 4ever luv Weezy Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 26, 2001 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 346	Yes their parts were important. They were the targets of most of George's jokes.