‘Jeffersons’ a spin-off from 'All in the Family’

Press, 28 December 1978, Page 9

‘Jeffersons’ a spin-off from 'All in the Family’

Television and Radio

“The Jeffersons,'' a spin-off from the “All In the Family” series, begins tonight on SPTV. George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford) first appeared on television as the black neighbours of the Bunkers.

George Jefferson, who is in the dry-cleaning business, made money and decided to move his family to an expensive apartment on New York’s affluent East Side, where he also opened a new cleaning store.

The main themes of the series concern the problems and adjustments of a rich black family who find themselves in a new and strange environment. The Jeffersons’ son Lionel (Mike Evans) has a girlfriend whose father is

white and whose mother is black This causes problems in itself. Another cause for concern is Mother Jefferson (Zara Cully) who basks in son George’s success, but has a strained relationship with her duaghter-in-law. Another regular character is Englishman Harry Bently (Paul Benedict), a neighbour who is a constant visitor and constant cause of confusion.

In the first episode the Jefferson’s new affluence appears to be creating a marital crisis, especially when George insists his wife hires a maid to take care of their new apartment.

Not only does Louise reject the idea of having a maid, but she is also upset by George’s snobbish reasons for wanting one.