Mike Evans' return - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jamesanthony · 11-04-2005, 07:15 PM

Last night I caught the episode when he came back- it's the one when Jenny announces that she's pregnant. This episode in a sense marks a shift in the series- George's scene on the roof with Jenny has him being unusually sentimental and to me marks the beginning of his character being toned down. I found that scene a bit corny for some reason.

Also, it seemed like all of the other characters (including Mr Bentley and Jenny) had a stronger role in this episode than Mike Evans. It seems that from this episode Mike Evans was a shadow of his former self. The only episode from his second wave in this series where he had a really memorable and strong part is the one where Lionel is anxious about being a father and he and George try to paint their names on a bridge. Otherwise he was just kind of made to go through the motions in a way. Also I haven't counted but it seems that he was only contracted to do 13 episodes a season, which if my math is correct means that he only appears in 11 shows in year 1, 13 in year 6, 11 in year 7 and 3 in year 8 (there's a 2 parter at the start of year 8 that was produced in year 7) and 2 in year 11. That's only a fraction of the series.

Another thing about this episode, from this episode onward the show used a laugh track. All the episodes that have a piano solo in the closing credits used canned laughter instead of a studio audience. I'll have to watch more episodes to determine how this changed the quality of the series. On the plus side this episode has all the regular players plus Ralph Hart in meaningful parts, which is very rare for this series.

jeffersonsfan · 11-04-2005, 07:33 PM

I'll have to wait until Sony releases that season before I can make a judgment.

Some of my favorite episodes were in the show's sixth and seventh seasons.

Jinxey · 11-05-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

Another thing about this episode, from this episode onward the show used a laugh track.

The show was shot in front of a live studio audience up until Season 8.

MikeLutton · 11-05-2005, 03:24 AM

when are they going to show George and Louies in a Bind i really want see that episode

TVFactFan · 11-05-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxey

The show was shot in front of a live studio audience up until Season 8.

The Horrible era of the Jeffersons-lol

Jinxey · 11-05-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxey

The show was shot in front of a live studio audience up until Season 8.

I meant Season 9

jamesanthony · 11-06-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxey

The show was shot in front of a live studio audience up until Season 8.

How do you know?

jamesanthony · 11-18-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

Another thing about this episode, from this episode onward the show used a laugh track. All the episodes that have a piano solo in the closing credits used canned laughter instead of a studio audience. I'll have to watch more episodes to determine how this changed the quality of the series. On the plus side this episode has all the regular players plus Ralph Hart in meaningful parts, which is very rare for this series.

WPIX just finished airing the 6th season and none of the shows have Isabel Sanford's voice at the end saying that the show was taped before a live audience.

Also there a quite a few episodes (about 7 different ones that I counted) this season that have all 8 regulars in them which to me makes this in a way the last really excellent season. George's 50th birthday has all 8 plus Ralph and Charlie. To me this show was better when they focused on the interplay between the regular cast members rather than one-shot guests, although some of those were good too. And having 8 players meant they could keep it fresh by mixing up who was in a show so you didn't get overdosed on Florence or Bentley or whoever.

Another thing, this may be the last season in which George's racism is really front and center. He lets loose with some ripe lines in this year's shows. And I was wrong about Mike Evans not having much to do in season 6. He's there with significance in a lot of the shows in the later half of the season, and having him back on at this point brings out a different dimension in George's personality, another reason I think this show went down the drain in a way after 1982.

Scoobiedoo30 · 11-18-2005, 02:30 PM

it was so good to see Mike Evans Returne to The Jeffersons as a
cast member.

11-04-2005, 07:15 PM	#1
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	Mike Evans' return Last night I caught the episode when he came back- it's the one when Jenny announces that she's pregnant. This episode in a sense marks a shift in the series- George's scene on the roof with Jenny has him being unusually sentimental and to me marks the beginning of his character being toned down. I found that scene a bit corny for some reason. Also, it seemed like all of the other characters (including Mr Bentley and Jenny) had a stronger role in this episode than Mike Evans. It seems that from this episode Mike Evans was a shadow of his former self. The only episode from his second wave in this series where he had a really memorable and strong part is the one where Lionel is anxious about being a father and he and George try to paint their names on a bridge. Otherwise he was just kind of made to go through the motions in a way. Also I haven't counted but it seems that he was only contracted to do 13 episodes a season, which if my math is correct means that he only appears in 11 shows in year 1, 13 in year 6, 11 in year 7 and 3 in year 8 (there's a 2 parter at the start of year 8 that was produced in year 7) and 2 in year 11. That's only a fraction of the series. Another thing about this episode, from this episode onward the show used a laugh track. All the episodes that have a piano solo in the closing credits used canned laughter instead of a studio audience. I'll have to watch more episodes to determine how this changed the quality of the series. On the plus side this episode has all the regular players plus Ralph Hart in meaningful parts, which is very rare for this series.

11-05-2005, 03:24 AM	#4
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,886	reply when are they going to show George and Louies in a Bind i really want see that episode

11-18-2005, 02:30 PM	#9
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Mike Evans returne it was so good to see Mike Evans Returne to The Jeffersons as a cast member.
	__________________ Who Dat

11-04-2005, 07:33 PM	#2
jeffersonsfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 19, 2005 Posts: 101	I'll have to wait until Sony releases that season before I can make a judgment. Some of my favorite episodes were in the show's sixth and seventh seasons.