The Jeffersons
Seen it?1975 | 11 seasons | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics rank it among the best shows ever made and it won 2 Emmys, though it had a lukewarm 7.3 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and families. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny, feel-good.
- The pace
- 11 seasons, but most episodes stand on their own, so you can dip in anywhere (about 30 minutes each).
- What might put you off
- Made in 1975: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Sitcom following a successful African-American couple, George and Louise “Weezyö Jefferson as they “move on up” from working-class Queens to a ritzy Manhattan apartment. A spin-off of All in the Family.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
Named among the best TV shows of all time by critics (on 6 all-time best lists)
- AudiencesBelow par
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Video Tape Editing for a Series. Also nominated for 4 more Emmys, 5 Golden Globes and 1 WGA Award. Plus 7 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 11 seasons and reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 313K people sought it out in the past year
Season by season
The show overall is a Sunday Safe Bet. Here's how each season stacks up; Season 7 is the high point.
Season 11975 · 13 episodes · 8.5 out of 10Friday- Season 21975 · 24 episodesNot rated yet
- Season 31976 · 24 episodesNot rated yet
- Season 41977 · 23 episodesNot rated yet
Season 51978 · 24 episodes · 1.0 out of 10Monday- Season 61979 · 24 episodesNot rated yet
- Season 71980 · 18 episodes · 9.0 out of 10Friday
- Season 81981 · 25 episodes · 1.0 out of 10Monday
- Season 91982 · 27 episodes · 6.0 out of 10Monday
- Season 101983 · 22 episodesNot rated yet
- Season 111984 · 24 episodes · 1.0 out of 10Monday
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Cast & crew
Created by Norman Lear, Michael Ross
- Isabel SanfordLouise Jefferson
- Sherman HemsleyGeorge Jefferson
- Roxie RokerHelen Woodroow Willis
- Franklin CoverThomas 'Tom' Willis
- Paul BenedictHarry Bentley
- Marla GibbsFlorence Johnston