The length of the spinoff-"Checking In" on CBS in 1981 just proves that Florence - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 01-24-2005, 03:41 PM

was a Overrated TV Character. The spinoff only lasted for 4 weeks and that just shows that not many fans of the Jeffersons were too eager to see Florence on her own show. The Jeffersons seaso ended earlier that year just so the spinoff could gain a fanbase and no one still tuned in-lol And bringing her back to the Jeffersons was even more dumb imo.

lil_weezy · 01-24-2005, 05:33 PM

that may be a valid point.

boechsner · 01-25-2005, 03:07 AM

That may be a valid point, but I see it as a rush job done by CBS. If she was in a different premise it might have worked. Let's not forget, 227 was successful, and in reality, there is not much of a difference (character-wise)between Florence Johnston and Mary Jenkins, now is there. Except Florence has slightly more sass.

Dwaynew · 02-19-2005, 10:33 PM

Almost the same with Jackee Harry. Just because we like their funniness doesn't mean that an entire show could be devoted to them....there are so many other factors.

Brian Damage · 02-19-2005, 10:41 PM

227 is an excellent example for a couple of reasons. First, for what you said about the success of that show and secondly, Sondra played by Jackee Harry was very popular on 227, but when she got her own spinoff, it flopped and wasn't picked up.

TVFactFan · 02-20-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

227 is an excellent example for a couple of reasons. First, for what you said about the success of that show and secondly, Sondra played by Jackee Harry was very popular on 227, but when she got her own spinoff, it flopped and wasn't picked up.

REALLY????? I never knew Jackee had her own show

Brian Damage · 02-20-2005, 05:53 PM

Yep, she moved to New York city to take care of her niece I believe.

boechsner · 02-20-2005, 07:58 PM

Keep in mind there is only one episode, the pilot, called Jackee.

Brian Damage · 02-24-2005, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

REALLY????? I never knew Jackee had her own show

I'm surprised the King of Spinoffs, Solomon didn't know about the Sandra spinoff. lol

TVFactFan · 02-24-2005, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I'm surprised the King of Spinoffs, Solomon didn't know about the Sandra spinoff. lol

Probably because i was never a fan of 227. Plus there is no info on the show at all on the internet

pscisme · 04-21-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

was a Overrated TV Character. The spinoff only lasted for 4 weeks and that just shows that not many fans of the Jeffersons were too eager to see Florence on her own show. The Jeffersons seaso ended earlier that year just so the spinoff could gain a fanbase and no one still tuned in-lol And bringing her back to the Jeffersons was even more dumb imo.

I don't think you're right about the series ending early during 1980-81 just so the spinoff could gain a fanbase. I believe the series ended early due to a strike. I don't remember which strike came during which year but an actors strike and a writer's strike cursed both the 1980/81 and 1981/82 seasons, causing some shows to end early and almost all new shows to start late in fall.

jamesanthony · 04-21-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pscisme

I don't think you're right about the series ending early during 1980-81 just so the spinoff could gain a fanbase. I believe the series ended early due to a strike. I don't remember which strike came during which year but an actors strike and a writer's strike cursed both the 1980/81 and 1981/82 seasons, causing some shows to end early and almost all new shows to start late in fall.

TV Tome says that there were 4 episodes in year 8 that were produced for year 7. Year 7 only had 20 episodes. It may just be a coincidence that Checking In didn't air while Jeffersons' original episodes were airing. Anyway, if i remember right, Marla Gibbs' name never disappeared from the main titles of those 4 shows or the first ones made for year 8 before her character came back to the Jeffersons for good. In fact, if I'm not mistaken once she came back she got the special "AND MARLA GIBBS" credit at the end, suggesting that shegot a raise when she came back to the show.

TVFactFan · 04-21-2005, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

TV Tome says that there were 4 episodes in year 8 that were produced for year 7. Year 7 only had 20 episodes. It may just be a coincidence that Checking In didn't air while Jeffersons' original episodes were airing. Anyway, if i remember right, Marla Gibbs' name never disappeared from the main titles of those 4 shows or the first ones made for year 8 before her character came back to the Jeffersons for good. In fact, if I'm not mistaken once she came back she got the special "AND MARLA GIBBS" credit at the end, suggesting that shegot a raise when she came back to the show.

I don't recall the Florence character doing anything to earn a raise-lol

jamesanthony · 04-21-2005, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

I don't recall the Florence character doing anything to earn a raise-lol

Marla not Florence. Going by the production code numbers on tvtome it seems they filmed 6 shows between Marla leaving and her return, but (I guess) since they knew that Checking In got axed they never took her name out of the opening credits and then changed the opening to have her billed last when or shortly after Florence came back to the show. This basically coincides with Mike Evans and Paul Benedict leaving because it would appear that Mike was billed as a guest star in Blazing Jeffersons which was the 5th one made for year 8. Bentley is in only one or 2 year 8 shows and these were among the 4 made for season 7. I find the main titles and the changes in this show somewhat fascinating.

01-24-2005, 03:41 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,026	The length of the spinoff-"Checking In" on CBS in 1981 just proves that Florence was a Overrated TV Character. The spinoff only lasted for 4 weeks and that just shows that not many fans of the Jeffersons were too eager to see Florence on her own show. The Jeffersons seaso ended earlier that year just so the spinoff could gain a fanbase and no one still tuned in-lol And bringing her back to the Jeffersons was even more dumb imo.

01-24-2005, 05:33 PM	#2
lil_weezy I'll 4ever luv Weezy Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 26, 2001 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 346	that may be a valid point.

01-25-2005, 03:07 AM	#3
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	That may be a valid point, but I see it as a rush job done by CBS. If she was in a different premise it might have worked. Let's not forget, 227 was successful, and in reality, there is not much of a difference (character-wise)between Florence Johnston and Mary Jenkins, now is there. Except Florence has slightly more sass.

02-19-2005, 10:33 PM	#4
Dwaynew Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 19, 2005 Posts: 108	Almost the same with Jackee Harry. Just because we like their funniness doesn't mean that an entire show could be devoted to them....there are so many other factors.

02-19-2005, 10:41 PM	#5
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	227 is an excellent example for a couple of reasons. First, for what you said about the success of that show and secondly, Sondra played by Jackee Harry was very popular on 227, but when she got her own spinoff, it flopped and wasn't picked up.

02-20-2005, 05:53 PM	#7
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	Yep, she moved to New York city to take care of her niece I believe.

02-20-2005, 07:58 PM	#8
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	Keep in mind there is only one episode, the pilot, called Jackee.