Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Tynico · 05-04-2005, 04:11 PM

I wish that they would have wrote an episode for Mother Jeffersons Passing.

She was such a major character. The conflict between Weezy and Her was classic. I would have liked to have seen an episode dedicated to her and her life.

Her last apperance was in the Fourth Season.

jamesanthony · 05-04-2005, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tynico

I wish that they would have wrote an episode for Mother Jeffersons Passing.

She was such a major character. The conflict between Weezy and Her was classic. I would have liked to have seen an episode dedicated to her and her life.

Her last apperance was in the Fourth Season.

The one where George finds out that this guy who was a father figure to him was actually her lover was memorable. I believe its in season 5. That's about as close as they came to doing an episode in honor of her. Also in the First Store in season 6 during the flashback they make mention of her. I don't think she was ever referred to again after that though.

Mr. Television · 05-04-2005, 04:34 PM

Yea they should have did a tribute episode to her. It wasn't done as much then as it is now. But at least they mentioned what happened to her and didn't pretend like she never existed.

jamesanthony · 05-04-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

Yea they should have did a tribute episode to her. It wasn't done as much then as it is now. But at least they mentioned what happened to her and didn't pretend like she never existed.

True. This series was fairly consistent about mentioning what happened when players weren't around (Bentley, both Lionels). The only one they never said anything about was Alan Willis (Jay Hammer) and you can assume that since was a nomad he packed up and went someplace after year 5.

nlearfan · 05-04-2005, 05:37 PM

I asked Marla Gibbs why there was no tribute. She said it was because the show didnt want to "bring attention to the demise of one of its stars."

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TVFactFan · 05-06-2005, 11:46 AM

My only guess is why they never did a tribute episode to Zara Cully was because her role had become so minor, by the fall of 76 that the writers didn;t probably see the point. Now if something had happened to one of the charcaters who was seen more frequently like Helen or Tom then it probably would have been difffrent

TripperFan · 05-06-2005, 12:18 PM

Too bad - she deserved more recognition. She was a riot. I love the eps she was in.

Word Up to Mother Jefferson!

nlearfan · 05-08-2005, 02:58 PM

I just got to the season 3 episode Louise v. Jenny where Zara Cully returns. She seemed like she mustve been sick. I wonder if the wheelchair was written in because she was sick. Her voice was sick and her face looked pale and her timing was off.

TVFactFan · 05-08-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlearfan

I just got to the season 3 episode Louise v. Jenny where Zara Cully returns. She seemed like she mustve been sick. I wonder if the wheelchair was written in because she was sick. Her voice was sick and her face looked pale and her timing was off.

Yeah she was defintely up in age at the time. Honestly, i didn't see the point in casting someone her age for a sitcom. Can you imagine how much of a toll tat had to be for her to know her lines and the long work weeks. When the Jeffersons premeired she was almost 80. That's too old to be a cast member. A guest yes, Cast member, NO

nlearfan · 05-08-2005, 03:12 PM

I agree . . . but she was older than 80, wasnt she?

I always wondered how much of a hassle that must've been

James"Thunder"Early · 05-08-2005, 03:16 PM

She was about 83 when the show debuted

jamesanthony · 05-08-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

Yeah she was defintely up in age at the time. Honestly, i didn't see the point in casting someone her age for a sitcom. Can you imagine how much of a toll tat had to be for her to know her lines and the long work weeks. When the Jeffersons premeired she was almost 80. That's too old to be a cast member. A guest yes, Cast member, NO

The woman who played Mother Winslow on Family Matters was up around 80 as well, but maybe because she dyed her hair and was in better physical condition it wasn't as noticeable as Zara Cully. Rosetta Lenoire survived all of Family Matters' 9 years. I guess since Zara made much a strong impression as George's mammie in All in the Family they felt they had to have her continue in the Jeffersons.

TVFactFan · 05-08-2005, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

The woman who played Mother Winslow on Family Matters was up around 80 as well, but maybe because she dyed her hair and was in better physical condition it wasn't as noticeable as Zara Cully. Rosetta Lenoire survived all of Family Matters' 9 years. I guess since Zara made much a strong impression as George's mammie in All in the Family they felt they had to have her continue in the Jeffersons.

What strong impression?-LOL She was only seen for 15 seconds in that All in the Family Episode

James"Thunder"Early · 05-08-2005, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

What strong impression?-LOL She was only seen for 15 seconds in that All in the Family Episode

When Archie called her Mammy and she reacted to it I think that was a strong enough to get her in the Jefferson as a regular.

Mr. Television · 05-08-2005, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

The woman who played Mother Winslow on Family Matters was up around 80 as well, but maybe because she dyed her hair and was in better physical condition it wasn't as noticeable as Zara Cully. Rosetta Lenoire survived all of Family Matters' 9 years. I guess since Zara made much a strong impression as George's mammie in All in the Family they felt they had to have her continue in the Jeffersons.

Jester Hairston was also up there in age when he was cast on Amen.

05-04-2005, 04:11 PM	#1
Tynico Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 14, 2005 Location: toronto Posts: 29	Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson) I wish that they would have wrote an episode for Mother Jeffersons Passing. She was such a major character. The conflict between Weezy and Her was classic. I would have liked to have seen an episode dedicated to her and her life. Her last apperance was in the Fourth Season.

05-04-2005, 04:34 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	Yea they should have did a tribute episode to her. It wasn't done as much then as it is now. But at least they mentioned what happened to her and didn't pretend like she never existed.
	__________________ Sonny

05-06-2005, 12:18 PM	#7
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Too bad - she deserved more recognition. She was a riot. I love the eps she was in. Word Up to Mother Jefferson!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

05-08-2005, 03:16 PM	#11
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	She was about 83 when the show debuted
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

05-04-2005, 05:37 PM	#5
nlearfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 230	I asked Marla Gibbs why there was no tribute. She said it was because the show didnt want to "bring attention to the demise of one of its stars." ______________________ www.dear-norman.com

05-06-2005, 11:46 AM	#6
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,062	My only guess is why they never did a tribute episode to Zara Cully was because her role had become so minor, by the fall of 76 that the writers didn;t probably see the point. Now if something had happened to one of the charcaters who was seen more frequently like Helen or Tom then it probably would have been difffrent

05-08-2005, 02:58 PM	#8
nlearfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 230	I just got to the season 3 episode Louise v. Jenny where Zara Cully returns. She seemed like she mustve been sick. I wonder if the wheelchair was written in because she was sick. Her voice was sick and her face looked pale and her timing was off.

05-08-2005, 03:12 PM	#10
nlearfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 230	I agree . . . but she was older than 80, wasnt she? I always wondered how much of a hassle that must've been