the N word

[jamesanthony]

This show used it quite a bit. I was watching George's Dream form the 5th season the other night and was surprised that my local station didn't edit it out. What were some favorite jokes that we remember concerning the N word in this show? One that stands out (although I don't remember the episode) is when Louise looked at George and said "N-- you must be crazy!" That floored me because I really didn't expect her to say such a thing. This was an episode in year 1. You just know she wouldn't say anything like that in the 80s!

[James"Thunder"Early]

I was hoping someone would bring this up. it is not a word that is good, but when they used on this show I think it's funny. I think it was good they had it in there, because at the time the country needed to talk about things like that after being in silence since the civil rights movement. I don't think it should be edited out, because it still teaches us some lessons, in my opinion.

[jamesanthony]

I don't know what the last network series was to use the N word. Although I never saw it, it seems that the episode Blazing Jeffersons had it when George used it in reference to Lionel. That was in 1982.

Once Cosby Show came along, the N word was highly taboo, but in the context of shows like Good Times, Sanford and Son and Jeffersons in the 70s I don't find it inappropriate. i don't recall if it was ever used in shows like Hill St Blues or other serious dramas from the 80s.

I was surprised that my local station WPIX left it in since it is a channel that broadcasts on cable.

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
This show used it quite a bit. I was watching George's Dream form the 5th season the other night and was surprised that my local station didn't edit it out. What were some favorite jokes that we remember concerning the N word in this show? One that stands out (although I don't remember the episode) is when Louise looked at George and said "N-- you must be crazy!" That floored me because I really didn't expect her to say such a thing. This was an episode in year 1. You just know she wouldn't say anything like that in the 80s!

One scene was when his friend(Lou Gossett) was making passes at Louise and George comes in and sees Mother Jefferson hitting him with the umbrella. George said-"You made a pass at my momma? N** you gosta be sick"-LOL

[GARFIELDKOOL]

I don't think the n word was used on What's Happening, was it?

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by GARFIELDKOOL
I don't think the n word was used on What's Happening, was it?

I don't think so, What's happening was more G rated; I don't recall any kind of strong language on that show.

[James"Thunder"Early]

I think the only time it would be appropriate in a sitcom today is it was being discussed by the characters or something.

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by King Forrester
I think the only time it would be appropriate in a sitcom today is it was being discussed by the characters or something.

Some African Americans do refer to each other using the N word, but seriously the African American shows on now are so trite that none of them would even be able to convincingly pull off having any type of discussion about the word. Bernie Mac is one of the few who might use such a word- from the looks of his show it is like he is just dying to let loose and cuss like he would if he were in a feature or on cable. A few others who might utter the word if they got heated up enough:

Jill Marie Jones and the other darker skinned actress on Girlfriends- they might call each other or the male character on the show that,

Brian Hooks on Eve- like Bernie Mac he seems like he is just dying to let off a whole slew of profanities and raunchy jokes if he weren't on a network TV show

That show with MethodMan and Redman would be an obvious show where the N word could have been heard, but that show was cancelled I think- a borderline workable idea that seemed horrible in terms of actual execution

[Caffeine King]

How is it that The Jeffersons and Sanford & Son used it on regular occassion and once on Good Times without controversy but when Boston Public used it it had a viewer discretion warning before the episode...

[James"Thunder"Early]

Originally posted by Caffeine King
How is it that The Jeffersons and Sanford & Son used it on regular occassion and once on Good Times without controversy but when Boston Public used it it had a viewer discretion warning before the episode...

All in the Family had a warning when it debuted. but the climate today has become too politically correct in all areas. we tend to make a big deal of things like this when we shouldn't. the shows in the 70s and 80s were good because of their politically incorrectness, because they taught us what was wrong and made it funny. I think the Jeffersons used the word sparingly as they should have, because it is an offensive word, but it made us laugh. the producers today are afraid to tackle racism, stereotypes and real life issues. If I were writing a sitcom I wouldn't use it, but I would not be afraid to bring up important issues like these old shows did.

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by Caffeine King
How is it that The Jeffersons and Sanford & Son used it on regular occassion and once on Good Times without controversy but when Boston Public used it it had a viewer discretion warning before the episode...

That was the 70s, today people are much more uptight about this sort of thing. No derogatory term relating to an ethnic person is going to be uttered on a sitcom today, it would just alienate viewers. I don't even think a derogatory word for whites would be allowed now. Plus it really requires great finesse to deal with racism or any type of prejudice in a sitcom context and I can't think of any show today that could pull it off the way that Norman Lear and shows like Barney Miller did in the 70s.