Some new information about the Jeffersons I just found out.

[TVFactFan]

After reading an 1982 Jet Magazine, here is some more info about the show that you may not have known.


1.The show was on the verge of cancellation several times

2.Producers decided before the 1982-83 season that the George Jefferson character would stay away from racial slurs.

3.Paul Benedict didn't think he had the face to be on Television every week. He felt his nose was too big and face was too long.

[GARFIELDKOOL]

Paul Benedict did have a long face and a big nose. The Jeffersons should have been cancelled by '81.

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by GARFIELDKOOL
Paul Benedict did have a long face and a big nose. The Jeffersons should have been cancelled by '81.

I think the show was on the verge of cancellation between 1977-1979

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer

1.The show was on the verge of cancellation several times

2.Producers decided before the 1982-83 season that the George Jefferson character would stay away from racial slurs.

3.Paul Benedict didn't think he had the face to be on Television every week. He felt his nose was too big and face was too long.

I'm guessing it was on the verge of being cancelled in the years between 1977 and 1979. If I were a programming exec I might've gotten rid of it in 1979, it had already passed 100 episodes by then and was declining in the ratings, but who knew that a timeslot shift would've helped it so much?

But it was more than just that there was still life left in the show, because it had higher ratings than any other Sunday night CBS series (besides 60 Minutes) for the entire first half of the 80s.

Even with the deracializiation factor and the show getting stale the actors were doggone good at what they did, I have to admit. I think if CBS had left the show on Sundays that show could have ran into the late 80s. Sherman Hemsley's success in Amen and Marla Gibbs' doing well in 227 were because audiences really liked seeing those actors perform. I bet Isabel Sanford could have had another hit series if she wanted one also.

By the way, does anyone know why Paul Benedict wasn't in the show for about 2 years in the early 80s? I read in a book that he had a physical ailment that gave him his racehorse like facial features. He was on Sesame Street before the Jeffersons.

[marvin g]

Paul Benedict just had a funny face regardless!

Isabel Sanford did have another show. It came on in the morning like among the soap operas. They tried to make it a comedy on a soap opera schedule where they shot a new episode every day. That way they hit that 100th episode earlier than a weekly show. It didn't work. If I remember correctly she was a inn keeper at a small hotel and she did alot of running around which she liked. Who else was in the show I couldn't tell you. But I believe Norman Lear was involved with the production?

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by marvin g
Paul Benedict just had a funny face regardless!

Isabel Sanford did have another show. It came on in the morning like among the soap operas. They tried to make it a comedy on a soap opera schedule where they shot a new episode every day. That way they hit that 100th episode earlier than a weekly show. It didn't work. If I remember correctly she was a inn keeper at a small hotel and she did alot of running around which she liked. Who else was in the show I couldn't tell you. But I believe Norman Lear was involved with the production?

I've never heard of this series, and I looked on imdb.com and saw no record of it. Maybe it was a local production? Ms Sanford certainly could've led another series, but I guess because of her age she didn't. I remember her being on In the House and as Steve Harvey's mother on his series.

[71dude]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361193/

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by 71dude

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361193/

I remember that show. I had forgotten all abt it until I read this.

[TVFactFan]

Well I never heard of it-lol

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

After reading an 1982 Jet Magazine, here is some more info about the show that you may not have known.


1.The show was on the verge of cancellation several times

2.Producers decided before the 1982-83 season that the George Jefferson character would stay away from racial slurs.

3.Paul Benedict didn't think he had the face to be on Television every week. He felt his nose was too big and face was too long.

Interesting facts. The show should have ended in 1982 when they decided to soften up George Jefferson. I guess the groundbreaking developments were getting stale as the family friendly era of the 1980's were beginning. You could tell the show was jumping the shark with adding Alan and he disappeared without an explanation. They divorced Lionel and Jenny and then they introduced us to Jessica Jefferson.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by GSU2004

Interesting facts. The show should have ended in 1982 when they decided to soften up George Jefferson. I guess the groundbreaking developments were getting stale as the family friendly era of the 1980's were beginning. You could tell the show was jumping the shark with adding Alan and he disappeared without an explanation. They divorced Lionel and Jenny and then they introduced us to Jessica Jefferson.

The real Jump the Shark moment is when George went skating with Mr. Bentley in season 5-lol

[comedyfreak]

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

By the way, does anyone know why Paul Benedict wasn't in the show for about 2 years in the early 80s? I read in a book that he had a physical ailment that gave him his racehorse like facial features. He was on Sesame Street before the Jeffersons.

I believe he spent those years in Russia. I remember seeing an interview and him talking about it, plus I think they also wrote it in the show as well after he had returned to the show.

[hcollinsmith72]

thanks for the info

[tiff7]

that ailment on his face is true, I read about it online today