Were The Jeffersons Spun Off Because They Were Popular OR Because....

[Brian Damage]

...Norman Lear wanted to change the dynamic between Mike And Archie by having the married couple live next door to Archie and Edith? I am not saying the Jeffersons didn't deserve a spin-off series, but was giving the Jeffersons their own show a way to shake things up with his "baby," 'All in the Family?'

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

...Norman Lear wanted to change the dynamic between Mike And Archie by having the married couple live next door to Archie and Edith? I am not saying the Jeffersons didn't deserve a spin-off series, but was giving the Jeffersons their own show a way to shake things up with his "baby," 'All in the Family?'

I think it was because Lear received so much criticism for Good Times at the time since the mother didn't work and they lived in the projects so that's how the idea came about to have a show that was the FLIPSIDE of Good Times to show black people in a positive way.

[OH Nuts!]

My guess is that research probably showed that the Jeffersons were very popular and likeable. Also, there were a lot of interesting dynamics and nuances of personality - for example, George Jefferson acting like a giant pri*k, but when push came to shove, his heart was as big as Weezie's. Loved Lionel's low-key but urbane style.

So, I don't think Lear did the spin off to pump up AITF per se. Having a second potentially great show would just swell the coffers. And as history shows, the Jeffersons was a fantastic show.

Also thought the Lorenzo's were a nice addition. One dynamic that made AITF interesting was having characters on who you knew would rattle Archie's cage.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

My guess is that research probably showed that the Jeffersons were very popular and likeable. Also, there were a lot of interesting dynamics and nuances of personality - for example, George Jefferson acting like a giant pri*k, but when push came to shove, his heart was as big as Weezie's. Loved Lionel's low-key but urbane style.

So, I don't think Lear did the spin off to pump up AITF per se. Having a second potentially great show would just swell the coffers. And as history shows, the Jeffersons was a fantastic show.

Also thought the Lorenzo's were a nice addition. One dynamic that made AITF interesting was having characters on who you knew would rattle Archie's cage.

Lear stated in his interview on American TV History that the Jeffersons were created because people were tired of seeing a show like Good Times that featured blacks in a negative way such as poor

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Lear stated in his interview on American TV History that the Jeffersons were created because people were tired of seeing a show like Good Times that featured blacks in a negative way such as poor

So, it was always his intention of creating a well to do black family?

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

So, it was always his intention of creating a well to do black family?

Nope it was the criticism of Good Times that led to the Jeffersons. Which made sense because the Jeffersons were the FLIPSIDE of Good times

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Nope it was the criticism of Good Times that led to the Jeffersons. Which made sense because the Jeffersons were the FLIPSIDE of Good times

Is that 100% accurate?

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Is that 100% accurate?

Yeah it stated all of this in a interview on youtube called American Television.

That's why the Jeffersons was created right after Good Times

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yeah it stated all of this in a interview on youtube called American Television.

That's why the Jeffersons was created right after Good Times

So after Good Times debuted, he got an idea to create a rich black family and used All in the Family to launch it...correct?

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

So after Good Times debuted, he got an idea to create a rich black family and used All in the Family to launch it...correct?

No while Good Times was on the air, from Feb of 1974 to December of 1974, he received criticism about why does the show have to be about a poor black family.

So since the Jeffersons characters were already on AITF, he made them Move Up to Manhattan which was a show about a black family who was not poor. That's why it started at the beginnng of 75 because it was in the works during 75

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

No while Good Times was on the air, from Feb of 1974 to December of 1974, he received criticism about why does the show have to be about a poor black family.

So since the Jeffersons characters were already on AITF, he made them Move Up to Manhattan which was a show about a black family who was not poor. That's why it started at the beginnng of 75 because it was in the works during 75

Okay, so essentially, Good Times CREATED The Jeffersons spin off?!? LOL

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Okay, so essentially, Good Times CREATED The Jeffersons spin off?!? LOL

Yup, you can say that

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Yup, you can say that

Interesting, I just learned something new. lol

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Lear stated in his interview on American TV History that the Jeffersons were created because people were tired of seeing a show like Good Times that featured blacks in a negative way such as poor

Didn't know that - interesting. Anyways, that's just one more reason - and good responsiveness on Lear's part.

Also, all the other info in your last few posts too! Thanks - always nice to find out more about a show that rocked.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Didn't know that - interesting. Anyways, that's just one more reason - and good responsiveness on Lear's part.

Also, all the other info in your last few posts too! Thanks - always nice to find out more about a show that rocked.

Yeah a lot of Black Leaders had this issue with Good Times

1. Family living in projects
2. Mother doesn't work
3. Oldest son is a clown

So Lear wanted to present a more positive image for Black families which is why the Jeffersons was the next black show created after Good Times