There was almost a spinoff based on the Willises-lol - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 10-23-2004, 03:48 PM

I was watching a old reunion of the Jeffersons on Joan Rivers and Roxie Roker(Helen) stated that there was an attempt to give the Willises their own spinoff but it never took off. I don;t think that would surprise anyone-lol Who in the hell would have watched 30 min of Helen and Tom? I didn't prefer seeing those two on the Jeffersons that much

Brian Damage · 10-23-2004, 04:10 PM

First I'm hearing of it.

TVFactFan · 10-23-2004, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
First I'm hearing of it.

ThAt's because it didn't Fly-lol

Brian Damage · 10-23-2004, 04:29 PM

Tom was ok in small doses and Helen was totally unfunny.

TVFactFan · 10-23-2004, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Tom was ok in small doses and Helen was totally unfunny.

Yeah that both needed to be in scenes with George in order for viewers to laugh.

Brian Damage · 10-23-2004, 04:35 PM

I really think that's the case with the entire cast.

TVFactFan · 10-23-2004, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
I really think that's the case with the entire cast.

The First Lionel didn't need to be in scenes with George.

Brian Damage · 10-23-2004, 04:48 PM

Lionel was only funny with either Archie Bunker or George Jefferson.

TVFactFan · 10-23-2004, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Lionel was only funny with either Archie Bunker or George Jefferson.

Not true, He was funny in scenes with Louise, Jenny and Mike Stivic. I think that's it.

jamesanthony · 10-23-2004, 10:20 PM

I'm curious about at what point they were thinking of spinning of Tom and Helen. In which season? I recall an episode in year 10 where they go on a second honeymoon; it was mostly them, very little of George, Louise or Florence.

I think they were needed more on the Jeffersons. Had they left they would have needed to add some new couple to fill the void. Also the Willises were just not leading type characters.

TVFactFan · 10-23-2004, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
I'm curious about at what point they were thinking of spinning of Tom and Helen. In which season? I recall an episode in year 10 where they go on a second honeymoon; it was mostly them, very little of George, Louise or Florence.

I think they were needed more on the Jeffersons. Had they left they would have needed to add some new couple to fill the void. Also the Willises were just not leading type characters.

Roxie didn't exactly say what season but the spinoff was supposed to be after the Jeffersos ended

jamesanthony · 10-23-2004, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
Roxie didn't exactly say what season but the spinoff was supposed to be after the Jeffersos ended

It wouldn't have worked either way. Those characters were supporting players. Neither had enough pinache to be a lead. It reminds me of The Ropers.

Other than Florence (whose spin-off was a dud) the only one who could have carried a show was Mike Evans.

TVFactFan · 10-23-2004, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
It wouldn't have worked either way. Those characters were supporting players. Neither had enough pinache to be a lead. It reminds me of The Ropers.

Other than Florence (whose spin-off was a dud) the only one who could have carried a show was Mike Evans.

A TV Guide critic predicted that Mike Evans would get his own show eventually when the Jeffersons first premeired in 1975 but he had no idea Mike Evans would leave the show after season 1. I agree that Mike Evans could have carried a show on his own.

jamesanthony · 10-23-2004, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
A TV Guide critic predicted that Mike Evans would get his own show eventually when the Jeffersons first premeired in 1975 but he had no idea Mike Evans would leave the show after season 1. I agree that Mike Evans could have carried a show on his own.

Mike Evans was very talented I must say. Considering that he was in his 20s he co-created a hit show, could sing, act and do comedy. If the actress who played Jenny were a stronger comic actress they definitely could have spun them off into another series without damaging The Jeffersons.

GARFIELDKOOL · 10-25-2004, 10:20 AM

Helen was only funny when she interacted with George.

10-23-2004, 03:48 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,059	There was almost a spinoff based on the Willises-lol I was watching a old reunion of the Jeffersons on Joan Rivers and Roxie Roker(Helen) stated that there was an attempt to give the Willises their own spinoff but it never took off. I don;t think that would surprise anyone-lol Who in the hell would have watched 30 min of Helen and Tom? I didn't prefer seeing those two on the Jeffersons that much

10-23-2004, 04:10 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	First I'm hearing of it.

10-23-2004, 04:29 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Tom was ok in small doses and Helen was totally unfunny.

10-23-2004, 04:35 PM	#6
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I really think that's the case with the entire cast.

10-23-2004, 04:48 PM	#8
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Lionel was only funny with either Archie Bunker or George Jefferson.

10-23-2004, 10:20 PM	#10
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	I'm curious about at what point they were thinking of spinning of Tom and Helen. In which season? I recall an episode in year 10 where they go on a second honeymoon; it was mostly them, very little of George, Louise or Florence. I think they were needed more on the Jeffersons. Had they left they would have needed to add some new couple to fill the void. Also the Willises were just not leading type characters.

10-25-2004, 10:20 AM	#15
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	Helen was only funny when she interacted with George.