This info is for Jeffersons Fans who don't know the real story about Mike Evans - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 08-26-2006, 10:17 PM

Basically Mike Evans left the show after season one because he felt he wasn't used enough and that his role became very small while Zara Cully's role was becoming Larger. So after Season 1 Mike evans went to Norman lear and said-"How can I get off the show? Norman Lear then said-"Just say you want off and you are off" And Mike said-"I want off" and Lear said-"Ok you are off the show". Lear said someone must have told Mike Evans that he was bigger than he was and thought that he would beg him to stay. So after 4 years, Sherman Hemsley ran into Mike evans in the summer of 1979 and he saw how Mike matured since 75. so sherman and Mike talked about the old days and then he asked Mike did he want to return to the show and Mike said yes since he wasn't working. So sherman talked to the producers and then added him back to the show at the startof 1979-80 season.

Information Came from

1975 Ebony Magazine Article, September

TV Book-"The Jeffersons", published in 1983

Brian Damage · 08-26-2006, 10:35 PM

What an idiot he was.

TVFactFan · 08-26-2006, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

What an idiot he was.

In a way I don't blame him for leaving, they decrease his role after he played that character for 4 years and wanted to increased the role of a woman who was over 80 years old-lol Made no sense

Brian Damage · 08-26-2006, 10:43 PM

It made perfect sense, because Mother Jefferson was funny and Lionel was just there.

TVFactFan · 08-26-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

It made perfect sense, because Mother Jefferson was funny and Lionel was just there.

That's because he wasn't used the right way

Brian Damage · 08-26-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

That's because he wasn't used the right way

Zara Cully was funny on the show and Mike Evans was not.

TVFactFan · 08-26-2006, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Zara Cully was funny on the show and Mike Evans was not.

Because they FOCUSED on her more and Focused on Mike Evans less. Any character can be funny if they are used the right way

Brian Damage · 08-26-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Because they FOCUSED on her more and Focused on Mike Evans less. Any character can be funny if they are used the right way

They started focusing on her more, because she was getting bigger laughs than Lionel was.

TVFactFan · 08-26-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

They started focusing on her more, because she was getting bigger laughs than Lionel was.

If a character doesn't have any speaking lines how can they get laughs?-lol George wouldn't be funny either if he didn't have any lines

Brian Damage · 08-26-2006, 11:08 PM

He had lines, but they weren't funny. I really don't think he really wanted to be on the show and it showed. Zara kept the show ALIVE!!!

TVFactFan · 08-26-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

He had lines, but they weren't funny. I really don't think he really wanted to be on the show and it showed. Zara kept the show ALIVE!!!

Well he was funny on All in the Family so it's obvious the writers wanted to make a star out of a 85 year old woman-lol

Brian Damage · 08-26-2006, 11:17 PM

Zara Cully was funnier than Mike Evans despite what show he was on.

Ireneparalegal · 08-27-2006, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Because they FOCUSED on her more and Focused on Mike Evans less. Any character can be funny if they are used the right way

He wasn't meant to be funny...just Cool...

TVFactFan · 08-27-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

He wasn't meant to be funny...just Cool...

I prefer Ralph the Door Man over Mother Jefferson. Actually I preferred the Doorman in the Opening Credits over Mother Jefferson-lol

Brian Damage · 08-27-2006, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

I prefer Ralph the Door Man over Mother Jefferson. Actually I preferred the Doorman in the Opening Credits over Mother Jefferson-lol

Mother Jefferson stole the SHOW!

08-26-2006, 10:17 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,070	This info is for Jeffersons Fans who don't know the real story about Mike Evans Basically Mike Evans left the show after season one because he felt he wasn't used enough and that his role became very small while Zara Cully's role was becoming Larger. So after Season 1 Mike evans went to Norman lear and said-"How can I get off the show? Norman Lear then said-"Just say you want off and you are off" And Mike said-"I want off" and Lear said-"Ok you are off the show". Lear said someone must have told Mike Evans that he was bigger than he was and thought that he would beg him to stay. So after 4 years, Sherman Hemsley ran into Mike evans in the summer of 1979 and he saw how Mike matured since 75. so sherman and Mike talked about the old days and then he asked Mike did he want to return to the show and Mike said yes since he wasn't working. So sherman talked to the producers and then added him back to the show at the startof 1979-80 season. Information Came from 1975 Ebony Magazine Article, September TV Book-"The Jeffersons", published in 1983

08-26-2006, 10:35 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	What an idiot he was.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

08-26-2006, 10:43 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	It made perfect sense, because Mother Jefferson was funny and Lionel was just there.

08-26-2006, 11:08 PM	#10
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	He had lines, but they weren't funny. I really don't think he really wanted to be on the show and it showed. Zara kept the show ALIVE!!!

08-26-2006, 11:17 PM	#12
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Zara Cully was funnier than Mike Evans despite what show he was on.