Sherman Hemsley was too EXPLOSIVE to remain a supporting character on AITF - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 07-18-2011, 10:57 PM

Watching him during season 4, the season before he was spinned off just showed how talented he was in every scene he was in. Every single scene he was in he put so much energy into his facial expressons, body movements, and his lines. The tone of his voice was always on HIGH, when he spoke his eyes would become so LARGE and his body language always screamed CONFIDENCE. Basically he was everything Henry Jefferson wasn't when seen on AITF.

His Voice Volume and Facial Expressions is what made him stand out.

Brian Damage · 07-18-2011, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Watching him during season 4, the season before he was spinned off just showed how talented he was in every scene he was in. Every single scene he was in he put so much energy into his facial expressons, body movements, and his lines. The tone of his voice was always on HIGH, when he spoke his eyes would become so LARGE and his body language always screamed CONFIDENCE. Basically he was everything Henry Jefferson wasn't when seen on AITF.

His Voice Volume and Facial Expressions is what made him stand out.

I think the intention was to spin them off no matter what. I think it was pre planned.

TVFactFan · 07-18-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I think the intention was to spin them off no matter what. I think it was pre planned.

Nope, it wasn't until he joined the show that gave them the idea to spinned the family off. Lionel and Louise wasn't that explosive to give producers an idea to give them a spinoff. That's why Bea Arthur was spinned off because her camera presence was confident and she was LOUD and challenged Archie. The set was just too small for Archie and George to remain on just like with Archie and Maude.

Brian Damage · 07-18-2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Nope, it wasn't until he joined the show that gave them the idea to spinned the family off. Lionel and Louise wasn't that explosive to give producers an idea to give them a spinoff. That's why Bea Arthur was spinned off because her camera presence was confident and she was LOUD and challenged Archie. The set was just too small for Archie and George to remain on just like with Archie and Maude.

I think you are wrong because why did it take Norman Lear so long to cast the role of George, if he had no intentions of making it a show?

TVFactFan · 07-18-2011, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I think you are wrong because why did it take Norman Lear so long to cast the role of George, if he had no intentions of making it a show?

I don't remember what TV Guide from 1974 but it was it revealed that a spinoff show was being set up for the Bunkers neighbors. I think the decision was made after the performance of Hemsley in the episodes below

Pay The Twenty Dollars
Lionel's Engagement

Brieannas21 · 07-22-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Nope, it wasn't until he joined the show that gave them the idea to spinned the family off. Lionel and Louise wasn't that explosive to give producers an idea to give them a spinoff. That's why Bea Arthur was spinned off because her camera presence was confident and she was LOUD and challenged Archie. The set was just too small for Archie and George to remain on just like with Archie and Maude.

It was planned ahead of time. Lear said that he was saw Sherman in a play and he was waiting for the play to end so that Sherman could play the role of George. That is why we saw Henry Jefferson for a few episodes instead of George.

TVFactFan · 07-22-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

It was planned ahead of time. Lear said that he was saw Sherman in a play and he was waiting for the play to end so that Sherman could play the role of George. That is why we saw Henry Jefferson for a few episodes instead of George.

It was planned for the father to be introduced not to do a spinoff because he had not performed on AITF yet

Brieannas21 · 07-23-2011, 10:34 AM

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Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It was planned for the father to be introduced not to do a spinoff because he had not performed on AITF yet

I believe it was planned when they introduced Lionel on AITF. Lear said that he already had Lionel, then they casted Louise, he was looking to cast the Father, he saw Sherman in a play. Lear had to wait until the play was over, (That was why you saw Henry Jefferson a lot) he casted Sherman as George and then he spun them off into their own sitcom.

TVFactFan · 07-23-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

I believe it was planned when they introduced Lionel on AITF. Lear said that he already had Lionel, then they casted Louise, he was looking to cast the Father, he saw Sherman in a play. Lear had to wait until the play was over, (That was why you saw Henry Jefferson a lot) he casted Sherman as George and then he spun them off into their own sitcom.

Sherman joined the cast in 1973 and the Jeffersons was not spun off until 1975. That's 2 years.

Brieannas21 · 07-23-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Sherman joined the cast in 1973 and the Jeffersons was not spun off until 1975. That's 2 years.

Yes, I know that, Sherman was in a play/musical for 2 or 3 years, and he could not leave until his stint in Perlie was over. Lear wanted Sherman for that part and he kept the part of George Jefferson open for Sherman. Sherman said that Lear and his crew had been waiting for him and the George character for 2 years. So I think that it was pretty much planned out.

TVFactFan · 07-23-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

Yes, I know that, Sherman was in a play/musical for 2 or 3 years, and he could not leave until his stint in Perlie was over. Lear wanted Sherman for that part and he kept the part of George Jefferson open for Sherman. Sherman said that Lear and his crew had been waiting for him and the George character for 2 years. So I think that it was pretty much planned out.

Sherman thought he was being called by Lear to join Sanford and Son. So maybe Lear knew what his plans was but Shernman knew nothing about being cast for AITF

Brieannas21 · 07-23-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Sherman thought he was being called by Lear to join Sanford and Son. So maybe Lear knew what his plans was but Shernman knew nothing about being cast for AITF

No Lear said that he wanted Sherman for the George character. Sherman is the one who didn't really know what part he was being casted for, but Lear knew.

lucyandethel · 08-19-2011, 01:46 AM

I remember the first time I saw Sherman Hemsley on AITF, I said to myself, "That guy will get his own show." He was even more powerful of a presence than Carroll O'Connor.

TVFactFan · 08-19-2011, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyandethel

I remember the first time I saw Sherman Hemsley on AITF, I said to myself, "That guy will get his own show." He was even more powerful of a presence than Carroll O'Connor.

No way was he going to remain a supporting character with his energy

Johnny be good! · 05-12-2012, 09:11 AM

That must have intimidated Archie when George hit it big.

07-18-2011, 10:57 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,055	Sherman Hemsley was too EXPLOSIVE to remain a supporting character on AITF Watching him during season 4, the season before he was spinned off just showed how talented he was in every scene he was in. Every single scene he was in he put so much energy into his facial expressons, body movements, and his lines. The tone of his voice was always on HIGH, when he spoke his eyes would become so LARGE and his body language always screamed CONFIDENCE. Basically he was everything Henry Jefferson wasn't when seen on AITF. His Voice Volume and Facial Expressions is what made him stand out.

05-12-2012, 09:11 AM	#15
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	That must have intimidated Archie when George hit it big.
	__________________ Alex Bogue

08-19-2011, 01:46 AM	#13
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	I remember the first time I saw Sherman Hemsley on AITF, I said to myself, "That guy will get his own show." He was even more powerful of a presence than Carroll O'Connor.