The Late Mike Evans Found the Character of "Lionel" to Be A Chore on 'The Jeffersons - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-15-2010, 02:02 AM

I just read an article from 1976 where the late Mike Evans puts down his Lionel character. He says it was great on 'All in the Family', but once he and his parents were spun off, it became a chore.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...ke+evans&hl=en

catlover79 · 08-15-2010, 02:11 AM

Interesting...

Johnny be good! · 08-15-2010, 07:15 AM

I noticed that. I analyzed thoroughly the Mike years and the Damon years. I noticed that Damon seems to have fit in more and enjoyed it more. I like Mike Evans very much, he just seemed to lack the energy Damon had on the Jeffersons.

Brian Damage · 08-15-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny be good!

I noticed that. I analyzed thoroughly the Mike years and the Damon years. I noticed that Damon seems to have fit in more and enjoyed it more. I like Mike Evans very much, he just seemed to lack the energy Damon had on the Jeffersons.

I agree 100%

I guess that is why I really don't enjoy The Jeffersons as much as I probably should.

TVFactFan · 08-15-2010, 11:46 AM

It became a chore because he role was reduced to give more screen time to Zara Cully-lol

Brian Damage · 08-15-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It became a chore because he role was reduced to give more screen time to Zara Cully-lol

No Sol, he said in the interview that he was tired of playing the same character. That is why he left for another show called "The Practice."

TVFactFan · 08-15-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

No Sol, he said in the interview that he was tired of playing the same character. That is why he left for another show called "The Practice."

It was just always strange that he had a BIGGER ROLE on the PARENT SHOW than he did on the SPINOFF-lol

Brian Damage · 08-15-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It was just always strange that he had a BIGGER ROLE on the PARENT SHOW than he did on the SPINOFF-lol

Agreed, but I guess Sherman Hemsley & Isabel Sanford stole the show. As did Marla Gibbs...

TVFactFan · 08-15-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Agreed, but I guess Sherman Hemsley & Isabel Sanford stole the show. As did Marla Gibbs...

Nope Zara Cully. Marla Gibbs was small in season 1

catlover79 · 08-16-2010, 01:12 AM

I'm a bigger fan of Mike as Lionel, but I do have to admit I LOVED the episode where Damon as Lionel takes charge of George's business. THAT was a classic episode.

Which season did that episode air, Sol? 3 or 4?

MickeyMac · 08-16-2010, 03:23 PM

Another good episode with Damon Evans is where Lioned graduates college and gets drunk. Louise chases him around the house to keep George from seeing him smashed LOL.

catlover79 · 08-16-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Another good episode with Damon Evans is where Lioned graduates college and gets drunk. Louise chases him around the house to keep George from seeing him smashed LOL.

Oh yes, I remember that one, too. Funny stuff.

TVFactFan · 08-16-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I'm a bigger fan of Mike as Lionel, but I do have to admit I LOVED the episode where Damon as Lionel takes charge of George's business. THAT was a classic episode.

Which season did that episode air, Sol? 3 or 4?

I think it was when he moved out which means probably season 4

catlover79 · 08-17-2010, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I think it was when he moved out which means probably season 4

Thanks, Sol!! It probably was S4 because Lionel and Jenny weren't married yet.

catlover79 · 08-17-2010, 03:04 AM

I looked it up - the episode is entitled "Lionel Gets the Business" and did indeed air in Season 4 (original airdate: January 14, 1978). I do stand corrected - Lionel and Jenny WERE married at this point - they'd married in Season 3.

08-15-2010, 02:02 AM	#1
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	The Late Mike Evans Found the Character of "Lionel" to Be A Chore on 'The Jeffersons I just read an article from 1976 where the late Mike Evans puts down his Lionel character. He says it was great on 'All in the Family', but once he and his parents were spun off, it became a chore. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...ke+evans&hl=en
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08-15-2010, 02:11 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Interesting...
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08-15-2010, 07:15 AM	#3
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	I noticed that. I analyzed thoroughly the Mike years and the Damon years. I noticed that Damon seems to have fit in more and enjoyed it more. I like Mike Evans very much, he just seemed to lack the energy Damon had on the Jeffersons.
	__________________ Alex Bogue

08-15-2010, 11:46 AM	#5
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,062	It became a chore because he role was reduced to give more screen time to Zara Cully-lol

08-16-2010, 01:12 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I'm a bigger fan of Mike as Lionel, but I do have to admit I LOVED the episode where Damon as Lionel takes charge of George's business. THAT was a classic episode. Which season did that episode air, Sol? 3 or 4?

08-16-2010, 03:23 PM	#11
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Another good episode with Damon Evans is where Lioned graduates college and gets drunk. Louise chases him around the house to keep George from seeing him smashed LOL.

08-17-2010, 03:04 AM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I looked it up - the episode is entitled "Lionel Gets the Business" and did indeed air in Season 4 (original airdate: January 14, 1978). I do stand corrected - Lionel and Jenny WERE married at this point - they'd married in Season 3.