Different Helen in pilot

The pilot for "The Jeffersons," where George and Louise leave Queens and move to their apartment, played as an episode of "All in the Family". In the closing credits, Madge Sinclair ("Trapper John, M.D."), not Roxie Roker, is credited with playing Helen. But to me, it really looks like Roxie is playing her. Anyone know what's going on here? Is it possible Madge was replaced at the last minute but the credits weren't revised?

I know a different actress played Helen in an earlier "All in the Family" episode, where the Bunkers attended Lionel's engagement party.

[boechsner]

I've seen that episode and Roxie Roker is playing Helen, Madge Sinclair must have been the person originally intended for the role and changed at the last minute without changing the credits.

[Pavan]

A different Tom Willis too I think right in the AITF episode?

[This message has been edited by pavanbadal (edited 03-05-2001).]

[ThomasE]

You're correct. In the episode "moving on up" Tom's role is later played by Franklin Cover.

In the AITF episode "Lionel's Engagement", which was not intended as a pilot for a spinoff, Tom Willis was played by Charles Aidman, Helen was played by Kim Hamilton, and Jenny was played by Lynne Moody. However, Mother Jefferson was played by Zara Cully, whom we all know continued in the role.

In the AITF episode "The Jeffersons Move Up", which was the "Jeffersons" pilot, all the roles are played by the actors who were in the series. This apparently includes Roxie Roker, even though the closing credits list Madge Sinclair as Helen.

I believe that the credit problem was corrected, especially when AITF made it to TV Land/Nick. Many times, I asked why M. Sinclair appeared on the closing credits.

I'll check once more, when the episode plays again.