"All in the Family" might've been Norman Lear's finest half-hour as a sitcom producer, but I'm not sure he ever put a funnier show on the airwaves than "The Jeffersons." For 11 seasons, Sherman Hemsley's dry-cleaning magnate George Jefferson and Isabel Sanford's good-hearted Louise "Weezy" Jefferson led a stellar cast that delivered edgy-for-network-television laughs revolving around race, class, gender, and whatever happened to be grinding the hot-headed George's gears that particular week. It was the African-American answer to "All in the Family" (on which the characters of George and Weezy originated), and might actually be more shocking today for its fearless deployment of the n-word (particularly early in the series' run).
And if you're making a list of the most memorable theme songs in television history, "The Jeffersons" better be in the top five. Anyone who grew up watching the show in prime time or via syndication should...
And if you're making a list of the most memorable theme songs in television history, "The Jeffersons" better be in the top five. Anyone who grew up watching the show in prime time or via syndication should...
- 3/18/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Louise and George Jefferson were one of the most popular couples of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Played by Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley, the Jefferson couple came from the sitcom All in the Family. They launched their own successful TV show, The Jeffersons.
The sitcom worked so well partly due to the chemistry between Sanford and Hemsley. But did they date in real life?
An overview of ‘The Jeffersons’
The Jeffersons’ story began in All in the Family. They played the next-door neighbors of All in the Family‘s lead couple the Bunkers. The audience responded so well to the Jeffersons that All in the Family creator Norman Lear decided to give them their own show.
The Jeffersons follows the now-wealthy George, Louise, and their son Lionel as they move from Queens to Manhattan after becoming successful. George is presented as a cocky business owner. But his efforts...
The sitcom worked so well partly due to the chemistry between Sanford and Hemsley. But did they date in real life?
An overview of ‘The Jeffersons’
The Jeffersons’ story began in All in the Family. They played the next-door neighbors of All in the Family‘s lead couple the Bunkers. The audience responded so well to the Jeffersons that All in the Family creator Norman Lear decided to give them their own show.
The Jeffersons follows the now-wealthy George, Louise, and their son Lionel as they move from Queens to Manhattan after becoming successful. George is presented as a cocky business owner. But his efforts...
- 2/28/2023
- by Produced by Digital Editors
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
1966: Days of our Lives creator Ted Corday died.
1983: Edge of Night's Raven and Sky were thrown in jail.
1993: Salem mourned Carly, who wasn't actually dead, on Days of our Lives.
2009: Y&r's Victor gave Adam his acceptance."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the...
1983: Edge of Night's Raven and Sky were thrown in jail.
1993: Salem mourned Carly, who wasn't actually dead, on Days of our Lives.
2009: Y&r's Victor gave Adam his acceptance."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the...
- 7/23/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
2000: Days of our Lives' ghoul girl revealed herself.
2001: Guiding Light's Meta read the Declaration of Independence.
2002: One Life to Live featured "Babes Behind Bars."
2003: As the World Turns' Jack learned he was Sage's father."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: Backstage Wife switched networks, moving from CBS Radio to NBC Radio.
1965: Actress turned news anchor Lisa Howard committed suicide with an overdose of pills at her East Hamptom home at age 35. Howard played Trudy Bauer on The Guiding Light before she...
2001: Guiding Light's Meta read the Declaration of Independence.
2002: One Life to Live featured "Babes Behind Bars."
2003: As the World Turns' Jack learned he was Sage's father."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: Backstage Wife switched networks, moving from CBS Radio to NBC Radio.
1965: Actress turned news anchor Lisa Howard committed suicide with an overdose of pills at her East Hamptom home at age 35. Howard played Trudy Bauer on The Guiding Light before she...
- 7/5/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death.
- 2/11/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1966: David found Victoria on Dark Shadows.
1982: Holly's preliminary hearing began on Gh.
1988: Gl's Ben wanted to know if Aunt Mo was his new mommy.
1999: AMC's Alex had big news for David."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1964: On Another World, on the night before Pat Matthews' (Susan Trustman) murder trial was to begin, she still refused to take the truth serum despite a last-minute plea from her father, Jim (Shepperd Strudwick).
1966: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) discovered Victoria Winters...
1982: Holly's preliminary hearing began on Gh.
1988: Gl's Ben wanted to know if Aunt Mo was his new mommy.
1999: AMC's Alex had big news for David."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1964: On Another World, on the night before Pat Matthews' (Susan Trustman) murder trial was to begin, she still refused to take the truth serum despite a last-minute plea from her father, Jim (Shepperd Strudwick).
1966: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) discovered Victoria Winters...
- 12/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1981: Texas' Justin learned Ashley wasn't pregnant.
1981: General Hospital's Rick walked Laura down the aisle.
1995: Days of our Lives' Sami gave birth to Will.
1995: One Life to Live's Todd left for Ireland."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1964: On Another World, Ken Baxter (William Prince) agreed to give up his relationship with Janet Matthews (Liza Chapman) and make his marriage to Laura (Augusta Dabney) work, following the murder of their son, Tom.
1966: On Dark Shadows, a mysterious person tried to enter Victoria Winters' (Alexandra Moltke) room, but her screams scared the intruder away.
1981: General Hospital's Rick walked Laura down the aisle.
1995: Days of our Lives' Sami gave birth to Will.
1995: One Life to Live's Todd left for Ireland."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1964: On Another World, Ken Baxter (William Prince) agreed to give up his relationship with Janet Matthews (Liza Chapman) and make his marriage to Laura (Augusta Dabney) work, following the murder of their son, Tom.
1966: On Dark Shadows, a mysterious person tried to enter Victoria Winters' (Alexandra Moltke) room, but her screams scared the intruder away.
- 11/16/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1966: Days of our Lives creator Ted Corday died.
1983: Edge of Night's Raven and Sky were thrown in jail.
1993: Days' Salem mourned Carly, who wasn't actually dead.
2009: Y&R's Victor gave Adam his acceptance."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the premieres of Days of our Lives, Paradise Bay and Morning Star. Days continues to...
1983: Edge of Night's Raven and Sky were thrown in jail.
1993: Days' Salem mourned Carly, who wasn't actually dead.
2009: Y&R's Victor gave Adam his acceptance."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the premieres of Days of our Lives, Paradise Bay and Morning Star. Days continues to...
- 7/23/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
2000: Days of our Lives' ghoul girl revealed herself.
2001: Guiding Light's Meta read the Declaration of Independence.
2002: One Life to Live featured "Babes Behind Bars."
2003: As the World Turns' Jack learned he was Sage's father."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: Backstage Wife switched networks, moving from CBS Radio to NBC Radio.
1965: Actress turned news anchor Lisa Howard committed suicide with an...
2001: Guiding Light's Meta read the Declaration of Independence.
2002: One Life to Live featured "Babes Behind Bars."
2003: As the World Turns' Jack learned he was Sage's father."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: Backstage Wife switched networks, moving from CBS Radio to NBC Radio.
1965: Actress turned news anchor Lisa Howard committed suicide with an...
- 7/5/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Irna Phillips was born 116 years ago today. She is pictured
above dictating stories to her assistant, Rose Cooperman."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago, the youngest of ten children. She was educated at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. Miss Phillips also had an adopted son and daughter.
above dictating stories to her assistant, Rose Cooperman."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago, the youngest of ten children. She was educated at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. Miss Phillips also had an adopted son and daughter.
- 7/1/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The...
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The...
- 2/3/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1966: David found Victoria on Dark Shadows but left
without helping her. 1982: Holly's preliminary hearing got
underway on Gh. 1988: Gl's Ben wanted to know if "Aunt Mo" was
his new mommy. 1999: AMC's Alex had big news for David."History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1964: On Another World, on the night before Pat Matthews' (Susan Trustman) murder trial was to begin, she still refused to take the truth serum despite a last-minute plea from her father, Jim (Shepperd Strudwick).
1966: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) discovered Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) in the secret room...
without helping her. 1982: Holly's preliminary hearing got
underway on Gh. 1988: Gl's Ben wanted to know if "Aunt Mo" was
his new mommy. 1999: AMC's Alex had big news for David."History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1964: On Another World, on the night before Pat Matthews' (Susan Trustman) murder trial was to begin, she still refused to take the truth serum despite a last-minute plea from her father, Jim (Shepperd Strudwick).
1966: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) discovered Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) in the secret room...
- 12/18/2017
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
A spin-off of Norman Lear's All in the Family, The Jeffersons ran for 11 seasons on CBS. The cast includes Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Mike Evans, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Marla Gibbs, Zara Cully, Berlinda Tolbert, Paul Benedict, Damon Evans, and Jay Hammer.
It was a top-rated show for many years. Unfortunately, The Jeffersons was unceremoniously cancelled in 1985 and a true series finale was never made. Hemsley recalls that he found out about the cancellation by reading about it in the newspaper.
Sadly, the cast never recorded a reunion special and most of the castmembers are gone now. Hemsley and Sanford did reunite several times over the years in commercials and various cameos.
Two of the most memorable instances took place on Will Smith's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sitcom. In the first appearance, Will and his girlfriend are having...
It was a top-rated show for many years. Unfortunately, The Jeffersons was unceremoniously cancelled in 1985 and a true series finale was never made. Hemsley recalls that he found out about the cancellation by reading about it in the newspaper.
Sadly, the cast never recorded a reunion special and most of the castmembers are gone now. Hemsley and Sanford did reunite several times over the years in commercials and various cameos.
Two of the most memorable instances took place on Will Smith's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sitcom. In the first appearance, Will and his girlfriend are having...
- 9/4/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
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