whitewashing of the series - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jamesanthony · 07-26-2006, 02:08 PM

This was mentioned earlier in a previous post- the show basically ignored or downplayed its African American roots in the later seasons partially at the suggestion of Sherman Hemsley. While this is true and the last few seasons take on a generic sitcom type feel there were actually a bunch of black guest stars in the last 3 seasons that I hadn't realized until I had seen these shows again:

Garrett Morris is in 5 shows- in at least one (In the Chips) the writing is better than usual and Sherman Hemsley appears to be having more fun than usual- perhaps they invited Morris to contribute to the script.

Johnny Brown, Mabel King, Reggie Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr, Sister Sledge, Charles Lampkin, Barbara McNair, Jason Bernard, Greg Morris, James Avery, Larry B. Scott, Leon Spinks, Dorothea Butts, Bumper Robinson, Leslie Uggams, Gladys Knight, Randy Brooks, Hal Williams, Suzie Garrett, Julius Harris and a bunch of others. Most of the year 10 shows have a black guest star (the executive producer that season was Michael G. Moye who is African American). The episodes focusing on Florence always had a black guest. One show "Otis" actually deals with racial stereotyping. That's an interesting show to catch as it shows how far the Jefferson characters had come after living on the upper east side for 10 years. The same is true of the one with Barbara McNair as George's old girlfriend who pulls a gun on him.

TVFactFan · 07-26-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

This was mentioned earlier in a previous post- the show basically ignored or downplayed its African American roots in the later seasons partially at the suggestion of Sherman Hemsley. While this is true and the last few seasons take on a generic sitcom type feel there were actually a bunch of black guest stars in the last 3 seasons that I hadn't realized until I had seen these shows again:

Garrett Morris is in 5 shows- in at least one (In the Chips) the writing is better than usual and Sherman Hemsley appears to be having more fun than usual- perhaps they invited Morris to contribute to the script.

Johnny Brown, Mabel King, Reggie Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr, Sister Sledge, Charles Lampkin, Barbara McNair, Jason Bernard, Greg Morris, James Avery, Larry B. Scott, Leon Spinks, Dorothea Butts, Bumper Robinson, Leslie Uggams, Gladys Knight, Randy Brooks, Hal Williams, Suzie Garrett, Julius Harris and a bunch of others. Most of the year 10 shows have a black guest star (the executive producer that season was Michael G. Moye who is African American). The episodes focusing on Florence always had a black guest. One show "Otis" actually deals with racial stereotyping. That's an interesting show to catch as it shows how far the Jefferson characters had come after living on the upper east side for 10 years. The same is true of the one with Barbara McNair as George's old girlfriend who pulls a gun on him.

I spotted Barbara McNair in a kentucky fried chicken commercial from 1983 or 1984 a week ago

Brian Damage · 07-26-2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

I spotted Barbara McNair in a kentucky fried chicken commercial from 1983 or 1984 a week ago

So that's why you want commercials on your rare shows!....

Ireneparalegal · 07-26-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

I spotted Barbara McNair in a kentucky fried chicken commercial from 1983 or 1984 a week ago

I always remember Barbara McNair as her role of a nun in the Elvis Presley movie "Change of Habit"...her character's name is Irene

and she was great in that movie, even though the movie was garbage.

jamesanthony · 07-26-2006, 03:18 PM

That episode with Barbara McNair was really unexpected. The last thing I was thinking was that she would pull out a gun on George in the apartment and have a breakdown. One of the more interesting episodes from the later era and some of her comments about Louise were very telling.

Brian Damage · 07-26-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

That episode with Barbara McNair was really unexpected. The last thing I was thinking was that she would pull out a gun on George in the apartment and have a breakdown. One of the more interesting episodes from the later era and some of her comments about Louise were very telling.

Why did she pull a gun on George?

James"Thunder"Early · 07-26-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Why did she pull a gun on George?

She had dated George way back and dumped him for another guy. She blamed George for her life not turning out right and that's why she pulled the gun on him. I haven't seen that episode in awhile, so I'm not sure if that's right.

TVFactFan · 07-26-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

So that's why you want commercials on your rare shows!....

YUP-lol

Ireneparalegal · 07-26-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James"Thunder"Early

She had dated George way back and dumped him for another guy. She blamed George for her life not turning out right and that's why she pulled the gun on him. I haven't seen that episode in awhile, so I'm not sure if that's right.

Yeah, she was pissed because she could have had Louise's life instead of the one she was living. She was jealous. She could've had George but she left him for some other guy who had $$$$. George even told her that I believe.

jamesanthony · 07-26-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Yeah, she was pissed because she could have had Louise's life instead of the one she was living. She was jealous. She could've had George but she left him for some other guy who had $$$$. George even told her that I believe.

Interestingly Louise trusted George enough to leave him alone in the apartment to receive her when she showed up, even though she'd sent him a note soaked in perfume - little did either of them know that she would flip out. That's what I liked about this series- George and Louise had a solid marriage even though they fought like dog and cat on so many occasions. The average sitcom (or even drama) today is about some boob who may be very good at his or her work but a klutz at maintaining a relationship. Faults and all George and Louise stuck together.

FrankCostanza · 07-27-2006, 11:53 PM

Didn't Jaleel White (Steve Urkel) make an appearance in one of the later seasons? If so, I can't wait to see what he looked like around 7 or 8 years old!

TVFactFan · 07-27-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankCostanza

Didn't Jaleel White (Steve Urkel) make an appearance in one of the later seasons? If so, I can't wait to see what he looked like around 7 or 8 years old!

He appeared in the last season 84-85,

jamesanthony · 07-28-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankCostanza

Didn't Jaleel White (Steve Urkel) make an appearance in one of the later seasons? If so, I can't wait to see what he looked like around 7 or 8 years old!

He's in Ebony and Ivory- the first show with Ebonie Smith as Jessica. That episode was on in my area today. Jaleel was also on a sitcom called Charlie and Company with Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight in the 85-86 season. Ebonie Smith was a welcome addition to the cast- she really looked like Mike Evans and the older actors seemed to enjoy having a youngster around- esp. Isabel Sanford.

TVFactFan · 07-28-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

He's in Ebony and Ivory- the first show with Ebonie Smith as Jessica. That episode was on in my area today. Jaleel was also on a sitcom called Charlie and Company with Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight in the 85-86 season. Ebonie Smith was a welcome addition to the cast- she really looked like Mike Evans and the older actors seemed to enjoy having a youngster around- esp. Isabel Sanford.

I was going to say that he looked the same as he did on Charlie and Company but wasn't sure if Frank saw C&C

Ireneparalegal · 07-28-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesanthony

Interestingly Louise trusted George enough to leave him alone in the apartment to receive her when she showed up, even though she'd sent him a note soaked in perfume - little did either of them know that she would flip out. That's what I liked about this series- George and Louise had a solid marriage even though they fought like dog and cat on so many occasions. The average sitcom (or even drama) today is about some boob who may be very good at his or her work but a klutz at maintaining a relationship. Faults and all George and Louise stuck together.

Solid as a rock. Yes, they gave a good example of a marriage that can work out, in spite of them making $$$$, getting out of the quaint house they had and "moving on up".

07-26-2006, 02:08 PM	#1
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	whitewashing of the series This was mentioned earlier in a previous post- the show basically ignored or downplayed its African American roots in the later seasons partially at the suggestion of Sherman Hemsley. While this is true and the last few seasons take on a generic sitcom type feel there were actually a bunch of black guest stars in the last 3 seasons that I hadn't realized until I had seen these shows again: Garrett Morris is in 5 shows- in at least one (In the Chips) the writing is better than usual and Sherman Hemsley appears to be having more fun than usual- perhaps they invited Morris to contribute to the script. Johnny Brown, Mabel King, Reggie Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr, Sister Sledge, Charles Lampkin, Barbara McNair, Jason Bernard, Greg Morris, James Avery, Larry B. Scott, Leon Spinks, Dorothea Butts, Bumper Robinson, Leslie Uggams, Gladys Knight, Randy Brooks, Hal Williams, Suzie Garrett, Julius Harris and a bunch of others. Most of the year 10 shows have a black guest star (the executive producer that season was Michael G. Moye who is African American). The episodes focusing on Florence always had a black guest. One show "Otis" actually deals with racial stereotyping. That's an interesting show to catch as it shows how far the Jefferson characters had come after living on the upper east side for 10 years. The same is true of the one with Barbara McNair as George's old girlfriend who pulls a gun on him.

07-27-2006, 11:53 PM	#11
FrankCostanza George's Dad Frequent Poster Join Date: May 23, 2005 Location: Athens, Tennessee Posts: 138	Didn't Jaleel White (Steve Urkel) make an appearance in one of the later seasons? If so, I can't wait to see what he looked like around 7 or 8 years old!
	__________________ R.I.P. Sherman Hemsley, 1938-2012. It is time for the Shout Factory to release the DVDs of the remaining seasons of The Jeffersons.

07-26-2006, 03:18 PM	#5
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	That episode with Barbara McNair was really unexpected. The last thing I was thinking was that she would pull out a gun on George in the apartment and have a breakdown. One of the more interesting episodes from the later era and some of her comments about Louise were very telling.