Marla Gibbs' comments on TV IN BLACK-FIRST 50 YEARS

[Ireneparalegal]

This documentary which was repeated last night on cable talked abt black oriented entertainment on television.

Marla spoke and stated her character was not supposed to be a regular on the show. It was only after her 8TH appearance on the Jeffersons, that she was even offered a contract. She wasn't even supposed to make it after her first appearance. It was only because her comment (Well, how come we overcame and no one told me!!!!???) got such huge laughs, that the producers decided to put her in a few more episodes. Then, realizing how great her character was, it was then that she was offered FULL-TIME WORK on the show.

She also stated that the character of George's mother played by Zara Cully, was a part of the show, even though she didn't live in the same house with her son, because she was supposed to represent the "elders" and older folks who may be watching the show. Ralph the doorman was a representation of the worker, someone who relies on tips. Mr. Bentley was the "white" representing the whites. and of course, the biracial couple was to represent the mixed marriages that the country was plentiful of, but had not been represented on television. she basically stated that the Jeffersons appeal was the fact that they wanted to appeal to different kinds of people, not just black and not just affluent blacks.

Marla also talked abt 227 and how it was a play. Norman Lear and representatives of ABC and NBC had been in the audience. The rest is history since the play became a hit t.v. show.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

This documentary which was repeated last night on cable talked abt black oriented entertainment on television.

Marla spoke and stated her character was not supposed to be a regular on the show. It was only after her 8TH appearance on the Jeffersons, that she was even offered a contract. She wasn't even supposed to make it after her first appearance. It was only because her comment (Well, how come we overcame and no one told me!!!!???) got such huge laughs, that the producers decided to put her in a few more episodes. Then, realizing how great her character was, it was then that she was offered FULL-TIME WORK on the show.

She also stated that the character of George's mother played by Zara Cully, was a part of the show, even though she didn't live in the same house with her son, because she was supposed to represent the "elders" and older folks who may be watching the show. Ralph the doorman was a representation of the worker, someone who relies on tips. Mr. Bentley was the "white" representing the whites. and of course, the biracial couple was to represent the mixed marriages that the country was plentiful of, but had not been represented on television. she basically stated that the Jeffersons appeal was the fact that they wanted to appeal to different kinds of people, not just black and not just affluent blacks.

Marla also talked abt 227 and how it was a play. Norman Lear and representatives of ABC and NBC had been in the audience. The rest is history since the play became a hit t.v. show.

It's a shame that Florence stole Diane's Maid Job-lol The actress who played Diane I guess was interesting enough-lol