Demond Wilson, Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memories of Sanford & Son

[Zoneboy]

Here's an excerpt from an article I found, You can read it in it's entirety here

Wilson, 61, decided to fade from acting and accepted "his call" as a church minister in 1983 and then formed "Restoration House of America" in 1995 for the rehabilitation of former prison inmates.

He's also working on his autobiography, which he's titled "Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memories of 'Sanford and Son.' "

On the subject of this popular sitcom from yesteryear, here are a few of my favorite facts and memories:

* In the midst of filming episodes for the 1974 season, Foxx had a feud with NBC when he demanded a salary the network could not afford. Unable to reach an agreement, Foxx walked off the show for the rest of the season and the producers were forced to create episodes around his absence. The continuity of the show explained that Fred Sanford was away in St. Louis attending his cousin's funeral and leaving his friend Grady played by Whitman Mayo was in charge of the business. Oddly enough, this was the highest-rated season of the show's entire run.

* The actual title of the all-so-familiar theme song from the show is "The Streetbeater," written by Quincy Jones.

* Foxx was a huge fan of the '30s vocal group The Ink Spots and sang many of their songs on the show. NBC would not pay the royalties, because the cost was astronomical. So out of his love for the group, Foxx paid them out of his own pocket.

* Despite his family-friendly facade for television, Foxx, who eventually faced financial ruin late in his career, was known for his "blue" humor during his live stage stand-up act, which earned significant dollars as a popular Las Vegas headliner.

* Foxx and his foil on the show, played by LaWanda Page, had been friends since childhood, and she was his first and only choice to play Fred's sister-in-law Esther. Besides Esther, Fred had four other sisters-in-law, Flossie, Minnie, Ethel and Hazel.

[catlover79]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting that, Charles!!!

[magellan333]

Very cool facts! Thanks for sharing them.

I never saw Lamont as "Second Banana" but as the show's co-star.


I wonder if The Ink Spots sang, "I'm Popeye the sailor man, I'm Popeye the sailor man, I like to go swimmin' with bow legged women..."

[Big Fred Fan]

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Here's an excerpt from an article I found, You can read it in it's entirety here

Wilson, 61, decided to fade from acting and accepted "his call" as a church minister in 1983 and then formed "Restoration House of America" in 1995 for the rehabilitation of former prison inmates.

He's also working on his autobiography, which he's titled "Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memories of 'Sanford and Son.' "

On the subject of this popular sitcom from yesteryear, here are a few of my favorite facts and memories:

* In the midst of filming episodes for the 1974 season, Foxx had a feud with NBC when he demanded a salary the network could not afford. Unable to reach an agreement, Foxx walked off the show for the rest of the season and the producers were forced to create episodes around his absence. The continuity of the show explained that Fred Sanford was away in St. Louis attending his cousin's funeral and leaving his friend Grady played by Whitman Mayo was in charge of the business. Oddly enough, this was the highest-rated season of the show's entire run.

* The actual title of the all-so-familiar theme song from the show is "The Streetbeater," written by Quincy Jones.

* Foxx was a huge fan of the '30s vocal group The Ink Spots and sang many of their songs on the show. NBC would not pay the royalties, because the cost was astronomical. So out of his love for the group, Foxx paid them out of his own pocket.

* Despite his family-friendly facade for television, Foxx, who eventually faced financial ruin late in his career, was known for his "blue" humor during his live stage stand-up act, which earned significant dollars as a popular Las Vegas headliner.

* Foxx and his foil on the show, played by LaWanda Page, had been friends since childhood, and she was his first and only choice to play Fred's sister-in-law Esther. Besides Esther, Fred had four other sisters-in-law, Flossie, Minnie, Ethel and Hazel.

When Redd Foxx died broke, his widow could not afford a funeral, Eddie Murphy picked up the tab staging a send-off fit for royalty! Demond did not attend due to "previojus commitments".

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Big Fred Fan

When Redd Foxx died broke, his widow could not afford a funeral, Eddie Murphy picked up the tab staging a send-off fit for royalty! Demond did not attend due to "previojus commitments".

I heard on ET that Demond Wilson was out of the country when Redd Foxx passed on, and that's why he wasn't at the funeral. Were any other S&S cast members there?

[catlover79]

They mentioned the new book on the O'Reilly Factor the other night, when Demond Wilson was a guest. It looks like a terrific read!! I look forward to checking it out.

[MickeyMac]

Originally Posted by catlover79

I heard on ET that Demond Wilson was out of the country when Redd Foxx passed on, and that's why he wasn't at the funeral. Were any other S&S cast members there?

I remember reading that La Wanda Page, and the actor who played Bubba attended the services.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

I remember reading that La Wanda Page, and the actor who played Bubba attended the services.

Thanks, Mickey.